As the 2023 regular season comes to a close, the possible playoff candidates have become more and more evident. Before the final list is declared, NFL fans have decided to pick their winners, and to everyone’s surprise (or not), the Wolverines top it. The Michigan Wolverines, with a flawless 13-0 record, have secured the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season. 

Despite their recent success in claiming the Big Ten Championship for three consecutive years, including victories over arch-rival Ohio State, the Wolverines face the challenge of advancing past the Semi-Final round in the four-team tournament. The 2023 season has been marked by significant events, including head coach Jim Harbaugh’s suspension for six games due to violations dating back several years, impacting critical matchups against Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio State in the final stretch of the regular season.

NFL fans declare their verdict on playoff spots 

In its final iteration featuring four teams before the upcoming expansion to a 12-team format, the playoff will see Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama vie for the national championship. However, when the NFL fans were asked to take their pick, 1209 of them picked Michigan. Washington followed closely with 519 votes. Texas is placed third with 380 votes, followed by Alabama with 783 votes. Despite leading Michigan to an undefeated season in 2023 and securing a third consecutive College Football Playoff berth, uncertainties about Harbaugh’s future in the college game persist, fueled by the sign-stealing scandal that has surrounded Michigan. Jim Harbaugh is reportedly in negotiations for a contract extension at Michigan, with the potential deal exceeding $11 million per season. However, a significant hurdle remains in securing a commitment from the head coach that he will not pursue an NFL job this offseason. 

As far as the 2023 season is concerned, Michigan football boasts the nation’s second-ranked total defense, allowing just 4.27 yards per play, and has surrendered over 20 points in only two games. It is a surprise that Michigan tops the list of potential playoff candidates. When it comes to popularity, very few teams come as close to that of Deion Sanders and his team. However, it is interesting to note, that their popularity, though tainted by the sign-stealing scandal that caused the suspension of their head coach, the Wolverines were able to beat the initially overhyped Colorado Buffaloes in yet another list. 

Harbaugh’s Michigan beats Sanders’ Colorado

In a recent Twitter post by CFB Home, it was revealed that Michigan and Colorado claimed the third and fourth spots, respectively, as the most-watched teams after Ohio State and Alabama. Michigan held a commendable average weekly view of 4.78 million, with Colorado closely following at 4.50 million views per week. The Buffs left a lasting impression, especially with their double-overtime victory against the Colorado State Rams, which garnered a remarkable 9.3 million views and secured the title of ESPN’s most-watched college football game.

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Jim Harbaugh faced a tumultuous 2023 regular season, marked by a three-game suspension at the start and another three-game suspension over a sign-stealing scandal at the end. Despite these challenges, the Wolverines showcased their resilience, finishing the season undefeated and securing a spot in the CFP. With a stellar 13-0 record, Michigan stands as a prominent playoff contender, in contrast to the 4-8 Buffs, who are hopeful for a fresh start in the upcoming season. The Wolverines are now preparing for a Rose Bowl clash with the Alabama Crimson Tide on January 2, aiming for a victory that would bring them one step closer to the national championship.

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