Tuesday night marked the inaugural unveiling of the 2022 College Football Playoff rankings.
Although Michigan has consistently held the No. 4 spot in the AP and Coaches top 25 rankings throughout the season, they have been placed at No. 5 in the initial CFP rankings.
The Wolverines have the advantage of determining their own destiny, which is great news.
After the playoff rankings were announced, what is the perception of oddsmakers regarding Michigan’s position? Are sports bettors in Michigan likely to find the Wolverines’ odds appealing?
Michigan No. 5 in first College Football Playoff rankings
Leading the way in the initial College Football Playoff rankings are five teams who have yet to experience a defeat.
- Tennessee
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Clemson
- Michigan
TCU, who remains unbeaten, is currently in seventh place, whereas Alabama holds the sixth position.
Tennessee has claimed victories against Florida, LSU, Alabama, and Kentucky, thus securing the top position.
The collision between Tennessee and Georgia this weekend is likely to cause a shake-up in the rankings.
In Week 10, Clemson will make a trip to Notre Dame, and LSU will have the privilege of hosting Alabama.
Michigan’s title odds still long
Michigan has the least favorable odds of winning the championship among the teams currently leading the College Football Playoff rankings.
At the moment, Georgia and Ohio State are considered as almost equal favorites. However, among the two, the Buckeyes have a relatively easier route to the playoffs.
Despite Alabama’s loss, the Crimson Tide still maintain their status as one of the top contenders in betting. However, Tennessee, the team that defeated Alabama, falls behind Michigan in the odds competition.
Wolverines control CFP destiny
Despite being ranked at No. 5, Michigan holds complete control over its playoff destiny.
Making it to the College Football Playoff is a definite possibility for the Wolverines if they are able to secure victories in all of their remaining games, which includes defeating Ohio State and emerging victorious in the Big Ten Championship Game.
These are the remaining games on the Wolverines’ schedule:
- Nov. 5: at Rutgers
- Nov. 12: vs. Nebraska
- Nov. 19: vs. Illinois
- On November 26th, there will be a game against Ohio State.
- If qualified, the Big Ten Championship will take place on December 3rd.
The team to watch out for on the remaining schedule is undoubtedly Ohio State. Additionally, it is worth noting that Illinois has secured the No. 16 spot in the initial CFP Rankings.
Most Michigan sportsbooks currently have Ohio State as the undisputed frontrunner to win the Big Ten, with odds of -400 or better. On the other hand, Michigan is considered a long shot, with odds of +375 or longer in most books.
Blake Corum making Heisman push
If Michigan had a Heisman Trophy contender going into the season, the majority would have anticipated it to be the quarterback who eventually became the starter.
On the contrary, the Wolverines boast a formidable contender in the form of junior running back Blake Corum.
Corum has accumulated an impressive 1,078 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, contributing to Michigan’s strong running game. As a team, they have nearly reached the 2,000-yard mark on the ground, surpassing their passing yardage of 1,790.
Currently, Corum discovers himself deeply immersed in the intense competition for the Heisman Trophy.
At present, oddsmakers believe that the Heisman race has narrowed down to two quarterbacks: Hendon Hooker from Tennessee and Chris Stroud from Ohio State.
Corum’s odds are just as strong as any other player, excluding those two quarterbacks.
Corum ranks fifth in the nation for rushing yards and holds the second spot for rushing touchdowns.
Alabama’s Derrick Henry was the most recent running back to claim the Heisman Trophy in 2015.
In 1997, cornerback Charles Woodson became Michigan’s last Heisman winner, coinciding with the Wolverines’ most recent national championship victory.
