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Ohio State Football: Evaluating the 8 top CFP contenders in 2019

By Blake Biscardi

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Singer Andy Grammer performs the national anthem as the American flag waves on the field prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Singer Andy Grammer performs the national anthem as the American flag waves on the field prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No. 5 Michigan Wolverines

* Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2
* SOS: #9
* Postseason Projection: Orange Bowl
* Key Matchups: @Wisconsin, Iowa, @PSU, ND, MSU, Ohio State

Media members everywhere are saying this is finally Michigan’s year. On paper, it appears as a good possibility, but actually getting over the mountain is another thing.

The Wolverines return eight starters on offensive including Shea Patterson and Donovan Peoples-Jones who will be a great 1-2 bunch for the revised Josh Gattis system.

The schedule doesn’t do Harbaugh’s team any favors, but I think they can manage heading into rivalry weekend with one loss like last year. The ‘White Out’ in Happy Valley and a home date with Notre Dame will pose the two biggest threats aside from Ohio State.

If Michigan escapes the middle part of their schedule unscathed, watch out for talk for two Big Ten teams in the playoff discussion.

Finding a running back and winning big games will be Michigan’s two greatest hurdles in 2019. Nothing larger than ‘The Game’ in late November and that will, in my opinion, decide the Big Ten and a playoff spot.

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