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The Michigan Wolverines are tied for the sixth best odds to make the College Football Playoffs, according to BetOnline.ag. The betting website lists the Wolverines with a 23.8 percent chance of reaching the playoff for the first time in school history.
CFB Playoff Odds - Probability (via @betonline_ag )
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) March 12, 2019
Bama
Y -250; N +195 (67.8%)
Clem
Y -250; N +195 (67.8%)
UGA
Y +110; N -140 (44.9%)
OU
Y +145; N -175 (39.1%)
OSU
Y +160; N -200 (36.6%)
Mich
Y +300; N -400 (23.8%)
ND
Y +300; N -400 (23.8%
Texas
Y +350; N -500 (21.1%)
The basis behind this is more than likely because of the talent returning on both sides of the ball. Michigan kept most of its core offensively, with only running back Karan Higdon and right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty as the two departed starters.
Defensively, the Wolverines will be thinned out a little more with the losses of Devin Bush, Rashan Gary and David Long. However, they too will be bringing back some key contributors like Josh Uche, Michael Dwumfour, Khaleke Hudson and Josh Metellus.
Will that be enough? Look at some of the other members of this top 8. The Ohio State Buckeyes, who have won seven straight against Michigan, sit above the Wolverines with a 36.6 percent chance of making the playoffs.
You will also notice the Wolverines have the same odds as one of their rivals, Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish will face off with Michigan mid-season this year, and there is a possibility both teams could head into the game undefeated.
The top teams listed in each of the Power Five conferences include Alabama and Clemson each with a 67.8 percent chance (tied for first), Oklahoma at 39.1 percent (fourth) and the aforementioned Buckeyes at 36.6 percent (fifth).
Georgia (third), Notre Dame (tied for sixth) and Texas (eighth) were also listed in BetOnline.ag’s top-8.