Paul Finebaum predicts how successful Michigan, Washington will be in new-look Big Ten

The Big Ten is expanding to 18 schools in 2024, with USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon set to join the league. Washington faced a future conference foe in Michigan in Monday’s national championship game and had its share of struggles.

However, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum expects the Huskies to hold up just fine in the Big Ten in 2024.

“It will hurt them, but they will still be fine,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter when asked what will happen if Michael Penix Jr. goes to the NFL. “Because they have all the other ingredients.”

After going 14-1 and reaching the College Football Playoff national championship in 2023, Finebaum expects Washington to be in the mix for a playoff spot again next year.

“They’ll lose some [top players]. Obviously every great team does,” Finebaum said. “But to me, with the infrastructure having been built there, and then the run to the playoffs, I think they’ll be right back nipping at the playoffs next year.”

As for Michigan, Finebaum also expects the Wolverines to be contenders again in 2024.

Even if Michigan loses Jim Harbaugh to the NFL in the coming weeks, Finebaum believes the Wolverines are set up to continue to have success.

“I think they’re going to be fine,” Finebaum said. “With or without Jim Harbaugh, they’re going to be probably a top 5-6 pick [in 2024]. Some of it may depend on JJ McCarthy, but I think they’re in good shape, even if he comes out, which many believe he will. And the Big Ten is more difficult, but I firmly believe Michigan is among the elite in college football.”

Paul Finebaum explains why Michigan’s 2023 national championship was remarkable

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum was critical of Michigan and Jim Harbaugh at times during the 2023 season. It’s safe to say he has had a change of heart.

Finebaum appeared on SportsCenter Tuesday afternoon and had high praise for Michigan’s run to the 2023 national championship, calling it one of the most impressive he has ever seen.

“I think it was one of the most remarkable and difficult routes to a national championship I have ever seen,” Paul Finebaum said. “Sometimes you’re preordained. And I realize Michigan was a preseason top 2 or 3 pick, but the road they took is unlike any we have ever seen.”

Jim Harbaugh was suspended to start the regular season and to end the regular season, but the Wolverines continued to pile up wins without him.

They then beat Ohio State to close out the regular season, before topping Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington in the national title game to win it all.

“First of all, they had to deal with Coach Prime in the first couple of weeks. He sucked all the oxygen out. And then Jim Harbaugh sucked all the oxygen out,” Finebaum said. “And nobody would have ever believed him holding up the trophy at the end and really being universally applauded, because there was so much doubt along the way.”