Inside No. 2 Michigan: Breaking Down the Wolverines' Path to College Football Playoff

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December 11, 2024 at 12:21 AM

Michigan enters the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed after an impressive 12-1 season that culminated in their first Big Ten championship under Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines will face Georgia in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Eve.

Starting the season unranked, Michigan steadily climbed the polls, suffering only one loss - a 37-33 defeat to Michigan State. Their journey included a signature 31-10 win against Washington early in the season and crucial victories over Penn State (21-17) and Ohio State (42-27). They dominated Iowa 42-3 in the Big Ten Championship game.

The Wolverines' success stems from their balanced offensive attack:

224 rushing yards per game (9th nationally)
64% pass completion rate
15 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions from QB Cade McNamara
38 points per game average

Defensively, Michigan excels with:

16 points allowed per game
12th in total yards allowed
55% opponent completion rate
13 passing touchdowns allowed
8 interceptions

While Georgia presents a formidable challenge with the nation's top defense, Michigan's balanced offensive approach - similar to what Alabama used to expose Georgia's vulnerabilities - could prove decisive in the Orange Bowl matchup.