LSAClassOf2000

August 17th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^

It's an interesting observation actually. Compare that to last year - the top five were, as I remember, Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford and Georgia, with the mix in the top 10 being 5 teams from the SEC, 1 from the Big Ten, 1 from the ACC, 2 from the Pac-12 and Louisville being the AAC representation. It is decidedly different this year.  

treetown

August 17th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^

For what it is worth:

1. Do preseason rankings matter? - actually in a way they do - because teams that start high do not drop as far. Whereas teams that are outside of the top 10 find it very hard to break into the final 2-3 teams. This has no effect on Michigan but might affect if a Big Ten team makes into the final four.

2. Because of the coming playoff system, being number 1 or 2 (the old BCS system) isn't as important as being in the top 4 and it is an open 'secret' that ultimately this playoff system will expand to 16 teams over the next few years.

3. There is no reason for Michigan to expect to be a ranked team due to last year's performance.

MChem83

August 17th, 2014 at 3:46 PM ^

The polls pretty much sort themselves out by the end of the season.  The bulk of 8-4 teams will be grouped together below the bulk of 9-3 teams, and those below most of the 10-2 teams.  It's really only for teams above that (where we're not likely to be) that pre-season rankings matter.

name redacted

August 17th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^

We should probably fire Funk over this. And this definitely means Hokes hot seat just got hotter. I mean no preseason rank, I'll say it here first, better be 11 wins this year or he's out!


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Perkis-Size Me

August 17th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^

We don't deserve to be anywhere close to ranked at this stage in the game. Until proven otherwise, our offense is wildly inconsistent and our O-Line is nothing short of a disaster. I hate saying that and I know the guys are working their asses off to get ready for the season, but it's just an all around bad situation right now.


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1928

August 17th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^

I honestly believe that there are 50 teams better than Michigan. The offense will get worse this year now that our top two lineman have left, and while the defense might improve a little it won't be enough to make up for as our offense will be. We're talking about a team that almost lost to Akron and uconn. There are easily 50 teams that are better

bronxblue

August 17th, 2014 at 4:13 PM ^

Good.  Nothing about this team so far would make you think it is a top-25 outfit.

I expect it to play itself into the rankings at some point, but for once the UM name isn't obscuring the reality of the team right now.

charblue.

August 17th, 2014 at 4:37 PM ^

I saw a Top Ten rankings today in my morning friendly, in which Michigan's two biggest rivals were rated Top five, Ohio State No. 3 and MSU No. 5. Now, I know that that isn't true. 

Look Michigan has certain issues. But the fact is, that it will and should win most of its games this season. Where that puts it in the preseason is beyond me. It used to be that preseason rankings could  make any loss less a freefall depeding on your initial rnaking. Now, neither the the media nor coaches who never see anyone play, don't have that authority or power. Win your games and you will connect. 

The fact that Micigan's big rivals are hihgly ranked and at home make them bigger targets and their fall greater. And in MSU's case, it's hard for Dantonio to claim his team is some kind of underdog when it rated in the Top Ten by most pundits. That dog don't hunt. Commence target practice. 

charblue.

August 17th, 2014 at 4:37 PM ^

I saw a Top Ten rankings today in my morning friendly, in which Michigan's two biggest rivals were rated Top five, Ohio State No. 3 and MSU No. 5. Now, I know that that isn't true. 

Look Michigan has certain issues. But the fact is, that it will and should win most of its games this season. Where that puts it in the preseason is beyond me. It used to be that preseason rankings could  make any loss less a freefall depeding on your initial rnaking. Now, neither the the media nor coaches who never see anyone play, don't have that authority or power. Win your games and you will connect. 

The fact that Micigan's big rivals are hihgly ranked and at home make them bigger targets and their fall greater. And in MSU's case, it's hard for Dantonio to claim his team is some kind of underdog when it rated in the Top Ten by most pundits. That dog don't hunt. Commence target practice. 

WolverineHistorian

August 17th, 2014 at 4:46 PM ^

I'm not going to get angry over us not being ranked. We came off a crap season which ended with us looking like crap against a crap team in a crap bowl game. And preseason rankings don't mean anything. However, that's not going to keep me from casting judgment on the other teams. So here goes.

1. USC at #15 sounds a little too generous.

2. Did Missouri graduate half their team from last year? 24th sounds awfully low to start after the year they had last season.

3. Notre Dame at #17 also sounds generous even before the academic fraud thing broke. Does the return of Everitt Gholston mean THAT much? Also, FUCK Notre Dame.

4. Alabama at #2 despite losing AJ McCaron just depresses me but it doesn't surprise me when Saban can buy pretty much any player he wants.

5. Six PAC 12 teams in the top 25? Did that conference get good while I wasn't looking?

6. I guess I can't argue the Bucks being in the top ten but 5/6 does sound generous after the defensive woes they had last year. 9/10 sounds more deserving.

991GT3

August 17th, 2014 at 7:48 PM ^

They are indicative of how far Michigan football has fallen. At this point it would  fair to conclude that the impression of those in the"know" is Michigan football is at best mediocre.

You think Go Blue shops will have good sales if they have another year of so so performance? Slowly but surely avid fans like myself are becoming totally disenchanted with the program. Seriously, who wants to walk around in a Michigan sweat shirt or jersy today?

Hoke and Brandon promised return to the heady days of Michigan football. If anything we have regressed and I am not optimistic about a quick turn around.

LordGrantham

August 17th, 2014 at 9:51 PM ^

I seriously doubt there are 25 better teams in the country, but who cares about preseason rankings anyways.