While the final College Football Playoff (CFP) teams have yet to be officially announced, the undefeated Michigan Wolverines' stellar performance this season has positioned them as strong contenders for a playoff spot. With a Big Ten championship game against Iowa on the horizon, a victory would secure the Wolverines a spot in the four-team playoff for the third consecutive year. The question now remains: which semifinal site will Jim Harbaugh's team end up at?

According to the guidelines stated in the CFP handbook, the selection committee considers criteria such as fan travel convenience, home-crowd advantage or disadvantage, and familiarity with the host city and its stadium when assigning teams to semifinal sites. The No. 1 seed is given preference and will likely end up at their desired location. This year, the semifinal sites are the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, with both games set for January 1.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach, along with fellow ESPN bowl prognosticator Kyle Bonagura, projects that Michigan will play in the Rose Bowl. Schlabach suggests a matchup against either Washington or Oregon, while Bonagura leans towards a game against Oregon. Other outlets, such as The Athletic and USA Today, also forecast a Michigan vs. Oregon matchup in the Rose Bowl. On the other hand, Bill Bender of The Sporting News predicts a clash between Michigan and Washington, highlighting the intriguing contrast in play styles and the historical significance of this potential matchup.

The Wolverines' last appearance in the Rose Bowl was in 2007, where they suffered a 32-18 defeat against Southern California. Michigan reached the Rose Bowl in back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005, falling short against USC and Texas, respectively. Their most recent Rose Bowl victory dates back to 1998 when they triumphed over Washington State with a score of 21-16. As for the Sugar Bowl, the Wolverines' last appearance was in 2012, where they prevailed in an overtime thriller against Virginia Tech with a final score of 23-20.

However, CBS Sports' Jerry Palm takes a different view, projecting a Michigan versus Florida State matchup in the Rose Bowl, representing the ACC.

While the final determination of Michigan's semifinal destination rests in the hands of the CFP selection committee, the general consensus among national publications points towards the Wolverines landing in sunny Pasadena and competing in the prestigious Rose Bowl. Whether they face Oregon, Washington, or even Florida State, Michigan fans are eagerly anticipating a memorable performance and a chance to continue building upon their storied football legacy.

In the meantime, Michigan supporters can stay up to date with all things Wolverine athletics, particularly football and men's basketball, by tuning in to MLive's "Wolverine Confidential" podcast, available on all major podcasting platforms.

Follow the latest Michigan football news for updates on the Wolverines' postseason journey.