Michigan football close to many program-changing feats

This weekend, Michigan football fans could be witnessing program history. In the long and prestigious history of Wolverine football, there are two boxes glaring issues with Michigan’s resume; however, that could change with a win over No. 3 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Boxes that Michigan football could check

Despite being one of the few true blue-bloods in college football, the Wolverines are yet to win a College Football Playoff (CFP) game. In fairness to Michigan, the CFP was only introduced in 2014, so there has not even been a decade of Playoff games yet, but it is still something that Michigan football must accomplish.

• CFP win

Last season, the Wolverines made it into the CFP with a 12-1 record as Big Ten Champions. Despite back-to-back dominant wins over Ohio State (42-27) and Iowa (42-3), the Wolverines could not overcome the eventual National Champions, and were routed by a score of 34-11.

This season, no one though Michigan football would be back in the CFP, yet here we are. In fact, the Wolverines boast a better overall record than they did a year ago, currently sitting at 13-0 and again coming off of two impressive wins (45-23 at Ohio State, 43-22 vs. Purdue in the conf. title game).

Instead of facing the monster of Georgia as the Wolverines did a year ago, Michigan football is slated to face 3rd-ranked, 12-1 Texas Christian, who just lost to Kansas State in the Big-12 Championship game. The Wolverines are currently 7.5-point favorite vs. the Horned Frogs and have a 67 percent chance of victory according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI).

• 14 wins

If Michigan football is able to beat TCU this weekend, the Wolverines will improve to 14-0 overall for the first time in program history. Michigan has never won 14 games in a single season before so that in itself is an incredible accomplishment for U-M.

• Bowl win

On top of that, the Wolverines could win their first CFP game ever, their first New Year’s Six game since 2012, and their first bowl game since the 2016 Citrus Bowl.

Jim Harbaugh is 1-5 in bowl games as Michigan’s coach, so a win would be a step in the right direction for the Wolverines’ head man as well.

• National title hopes

The last time Michigan football won a National Championship was in 1997. That year, the Wolverines defeated Washington State in the Rose Bowl, yet did not play in a national title game; in fact, Michigan has never played in a National Title game.

Until 2021, Michigan football had also not played in a Big Ten Championship game (seeing as it was created in 2011), yet that has since changed and the Wolverines have won two straight. The same could reign true for Michigan football if it can get past TCU.

Not only could the Wolverines get to their first National Title game ever, but they could win the program’s first in 25 years.

If Michigan advances to the National Championship, it would face the winner of the Peach Bowl (No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State) in the title game. This year’s team has already broken trends, set new standards, and established Michigan football as a yearly contender.

Now, the Wolverines must establish themselves as the program’s best team ever by winning the final two games on its schedule and improving to 15-0 with a National Championship to show for it.