The top-ranked Michigan Wolverines are predicted to win their first championship since 1997 in the 2023 NCAA Playoff Prediction.
Michigan has been dominant this season, winning the Big Ten for three straight seasons and an invitation to the CFP.
However, they haven’t prevailed in a postseason match. In 2021, Georgia outmatched Michigan, and last season, an underdog TCU team upset Michigan. The 2023 season has been unusual, with coach Jim Harbuagh suspended for violating NCAA rules and the Big Ten for sign theft scandals.
The Wolverines must overcome setbacks and show doubts to win their first national championship since 1997.
1. This team has all year long dominated its opponents.
Michigan’s past performance is a better predictor of future success than its roster.
The Wolverines went 13-0, defeated opponents by an average of 27.2 points per game, including 27.3 points in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Michigan led by at least 14 points on 897 plays, or 58.4% of the plays they were in. Despite not perspire much, they played their best three games of the regular season against Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio State.
2. Michigan prevails in the war against turnovers.
Michigan’s success in the NFL is largely due to its ability to capitalize on turnovers. The Wolverines have a high turnover differential, ranking second nationally in turnover differential (+17) due to 24 forced turnovers.
This season, Michigan has the third-fewest turnovers in the nation and the best points off turnover margin in the country, outscoring Penn State by 11 points. The Wolverines’ 7.92 points per game a result of turnovers should benefit them in the playoffs.
3. A defense that emphasizes pressure above errors
Michigan’s defense consistently maintains a goal-to-go position, with only one first-and-goal situation during their 10th game against Penn State. This is due to their excellent defensive play, which incorporates self-control and limiting errors.
Michigan’s pressure rate of 42% at the end of the season ranks them sixth in the country and has the highest of the four playoff teams. Despite only blitzing 30.3% of the time, Michigan can pressure the quarterback without adding more players, resulting in the second-lowest explosive play rate in the nation and the best missed tackle percentage in the nation at 8.9%.
The Wolverines apply pressure, make no tackle errors, stop huge plays, and cause turnovers, turning the ball over on 16.7% of their defensive possessions, making them a challenging environment for opponents.