5 reasons Michigan makes the 2019 College Football Playoff

The Michigan Wolverines have fallen short of expectations in recent years, but they can still make the College Football Playoff in 2019.

Since Jim Harbaugh was announced as the new head football coach for the Michigan Wolverines on Dec. 30, 2014, the expectations have been enormous in Ann Arbor. Not only was it a former player coming back to bring his alma mater back to their former glory, but it was also a coach who had proven himself elite ready to make a consistent run at being a College Football Playoff contender. Entering the fourth year of this trial, however, that’s not been the case.

Under the direction of Harbaugh over the past three seasons, the Wolverines have certainly been talented and dangerous. However, those adjectives haven’t translated to any semblance of national glory as they went 10-3 in both 2015 and 2016 before falling further into the quagmire last season with an 8-5 overall record. For those keeping score at home, that’s a far cry from the College Football Playoff expectations put on Michigan from those in Ann Arbor.

Despite three years of not being in the “final four” of college football though, the expectations remain sky-high for the Wolverines as they prepare for the 2019 season. And while part of that is the simple fact that Michigan is always going to be talked about in that regard by fans, another is that it’s actually deserved this year.

There has certainly been a high level of talent in Ann Arbor since Harbaugh arrived, but top-to-bottom, the 2018 Wolverines might be the best team that he’s had the opportunity to coach at his alma mater yet. Thus, the pressure will be on him to realize their potential and compete for a title.

And here’s why they can do that and why Michigan will make the 2019 College Football Playoff.

5. Defense, defense, defense

Despite not reaching the pinnacles that fans have hoped for in recent seasons, one thing that has been consistent with Michigan under Harbaugh’s reign is the success of the defense. Time and again, the Wolverines have been regarded as one of the best defensive teams in the country, consistently living up to that billing and also producing NFL-caliber talent. This isn’t about to change for the 2018 Wolverines defense.

While losing Maurice Hurst off the defensive line is certainly a big departure to cope with, Harbaugh’s group is still blessed with an immense amount of talent up front. Rashan Gary is surely the headliner of the group, an absolute freak athlete with versatility to line up either on the edge or with his hand down as a three-technique. And with guys like sophomore Aubrey Solomon with him, this group should be dangerous.

It only gets better when you get off the line as the Wolverines are in the conversation for having one of the best linebacker groups in the country. Redshirt senior Chase Winovich and junior Devin Bush are both All-American type players that should anchor the middle of the defense in a massive way. Behind them, a secondary led by Lavert Hill and David Long should continue the trend of great defensive back play for this team.

Again, defense has never been a question for Michigan since Harbaugh took over. Rather, it’s been about getting the offense to match what the defense can do. We’ll get to that shortly, but it’s important to first note that the defense will once again be doing their part to keep this team in every game they play.