The first College Football Playoff rankings for 2022 were released Tuesday night.
Despite sitting at No. 4 in the AP and Coaches top 25 rankings most of the season, Michigan finds itself at No. 5 in the first CFP rankings.
Good news for the Wolverines is that they still control their own fate.
Following the release of the playoff rankings, where is Michigan sitting in the eyes of the oddsmakers? Will sports bettors in Michigan see value in the Wolverines’ odds?
Michigan No. 5 in first College Football Playoff rankings
The first College Football Playoff rankings feature five unbeaten teams leading the way.
- Tennessee
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Clemson
- Michigan
Alabama is sitting in sixth, while unbeaten TCU is in seventh.
The Vols already own wins over the likes of Florida, LSU, Alabama and Kentucky to earn the top spot.
The rankings are likely to shake up following this weekend considering Tennessee and Georgia will collide.
Week 10 also features Clemson traveling to Notre Dame, while LSU will play host to Alabama.
Michigan’s title odds still long
Of the teams sitting atop the College Football Playoff rankings, Michigan’s title odds are the longest.
Georgia and Ohio State are bordering on co-favorites right now. Of the two, the Buckeyes have the easiest path to the playoffs.
Even though Alabama has a loss, the Crimson Tide remain one of the betting favorites. The team that beat Bama, Tennessee, is further back with Michigan in the odds race.
Wolverines control CFP destiny
Michigan is in total control of its playoff fate despite sitting at No. 5.
If the Wolverines win out, including a win at Ohio State and a Big Ten Championship Game victory, they will certainly make the College Football Playoff.
Here’s what the Wolverines have remaining on their schedule:
- Nov. 5: at Rutgers
- Nov. 12: vs. Nebraska
- Nov. 19: vs. Illinois
- Nov. 26: at Ohio State
- Dec. 3: Big Ten Championship (if qualified)
Ohio State is obviously the big name remaining on the schedule. However, Illinois is No. 16 in the first CFP Rankings.
Oddsmakers still see Ohio State as the clear favorite to win the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are -400 or better at most Michigan sportsbooks right now, while Michigan is at +375 or longer in most books.
Blake Corum making Heisman push
Coming into the season if Michigan had a Heisman Trophy contender, most would have expected it to be the eventual starting quarterback.
Instead, the Wolverines have a top contender in junior running back Blake Corum.
Corum has rushed for 1,078 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. He’s part of a Michigan run game that has just under 2,000 yards as a team, while only putting up 1,790 passing yards.
Right now, Corum finds himself in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race
As of now, oddsmakers feel the Heisman race is down to two quarterbacks – Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and Ohio State’s Chris Stroud.
Among the players beyond those two quarterbacks, Corum’s odds are as strong as anyone.
Corum is fifth nationally in rushing and second in rushing touchdowns.
The last running back to win the Heisman Trophy was Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015.
Michigan’s last Heisman winner was cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997. That was also the last time the Wolverines won a national championship.
