3 Reasons To Bet Against Michigan To Win National Championship

The second-ranked Michigan Wolverines are undoubtedly, one of the top contenders to upset mighty Alabama and win this year’s national championship. However, like every title contender outside of the Crimson Tide, Jim Harbaugh’s squad has its share of blemishes. With that said, here are the top three reasons the Wolverines won’t win it all this season.

Analyzing The Three Reasons To Bet Against Michigan To Win National Championship

   

Banged-Up Wilton Speight

With starting quarterback Wilton Speight out with an injured shoulder, Michigan Wolverines‘  chances have taken a huge hit, particularly as they head into their most important game of the season in Week 13. Backup John O’Korn was limited to a paltry 59 passing yards in Michigan’s 20-10 win over Indiana this past weekend and that simply won’t cut it against elite Big Ten opponents like Ohio State, Wisconsin or Penn State.  If Speight’s injury causes the Wolverines to lose to Ohio State this weekend, Michigan’s playoff chances could be effectively over.

Skill Position Talent

It says a lot when your best offensive skill position player is a defensive player in athletic d-back Jabrill Peppers. The Michigan star has rushed just 23 times for 163 yards and three scores, but that’s not a ton of production, no matter how gifted an athlete Peppers is. Outside of running back De’Veon Smith (750 yards, 10 TDs) and wide receiver Amara Darboh (758 yards, 6 TDs) there isn’t a single skill position player on offense that ‘scares’ me. While the Wolverines have gotten away with a lack of talent all season, I believe it could come back to bite them as early as this coming weekend.

Conference Competition

Michigan has lost four straight and 11 of the last 12 meetings against Ohio State heading into its huge matchup against the Buckeyes this coming weekend. The Buckeyes are 10-1 and ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, and the Wolverines are 10-1 and ranked No. 3, as they get set for Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium. If Michigan wins, it will earn the Big Ten East title and a berth in the Big Ten championship. However, their berth in the four-team playoff could still be on the line – if they fall to the Badgers in their conference title tilt.