Will Michigan finally prove itself a legitimate contender in third College Football Playoff semifinal?

LOS ANGELES — This just might be the best Michigan team — ever. It also has a chance to be one of the College Football Playoff’s biggest underachievers. As a third straight CFP semifinal awaits the No. 1 Wolverines, both possibilities hang in the air like a shanked punt in the warm California sun.

Just don’t try to pick a side yet. Like its coach, Michigan as a program is a contradiction wrapped in a riddle covered in mystery.

The betting favorite to win the 10th CFP, beginning Monday in the Rose Bowl semifinal against No. 4 Alabama might have the toughest road of the four participants. Because of various, sundry suspensions of Michigan’s head coach, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore actually has four wins as acting game-day coach.

Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh reportedly has an extension offer on the table that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the game’s history. Why would he sign it — especially now — with more NFL jobs coming open by the day? At least one of those openings (Los Angeles Chargers) is at a place he is fondly remembered as the franchise quarterback.

“That’s a question you get every year, ‘He’s going to leave,'” wide receiver Roman Wilson said. “I don’t know. I think only he knows.”

On a certain level, it doesn’t matter. Nothing seems to faze these Wolverines, not even playing without their coach.

Two NCAA investigations — possibly involving major penalties — hang over the program. A lot of the “distractions” players were asked about at media availability this week have been self-inflicted. A buttoned-up strategist who oversees a program with the fewest penalties in the nation this season (38) has been accused of pushing the boundaries on ethics to get to the top in the sign-stealing scandal.

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Author : Dennis Dodd

Publish date : 2023-12-30 19:15:49

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