Preview and predictions for 2021 College Football Playoff

Orange Bowl prediction

At the outset of the 2021 season, Michigan football was given a 0.2 percent chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, even less than Cincinnati.

That’s how unexpected this trip was for Michigan. The Wolverines were even ranked in the AP Top 25 to open the season after a disastrous 2-4 campaign in 2020.

Jim Harbaugh took a cut pay, hired a bunch of new assistants, and turned things around in classic Harbaugh style with a brand of tough, physical football that mirrored his days at Stanford or with the 49ers.

Michigan will need to win with that style of football against a team very capable of playing it in Georgia, which has ground opponents into submission all year. However, Stetson Bennett averages more than 10 yards per pass attempt and Michigan leads the nation in plays of more than 50 yards, so it won’t be just three yards and a cloud of dust.

There will be plenty of man-ball though. Neither team is afraid of sticking with the run and each defense could make a legit argument as the best in all of college football.

Both squads are loaded with talented skill guys on offense too. Bowers is the name people know but Erick All of Michigan is an NFL-caliber tight end too and I expect him to have a big night.

On paper, Georgia has more talent, but Michigan has momentum. They have overcome the odds all season and on Friday night, the Wolverines do it again.

2021 College Football Playoff prediction: Michigan 27, Georgia 24