ESPN Preseason College Football Power Ranking, Michigan at 6
1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Oklahoma
5. Ohio St
6. Michigan
The Wolverines are sitting directly behind Ohio State in the power rankings, and Jim Harbaugh and his staff need to get past the Buckeyes this season to propel the program toward its lofty expectations. Everything is set up for Michigan to have a big run, with continuity at quarterback with Shea Patterson returning, an experienced offensive line and a new offensive coordinator to modernize the offense. Don Brown's defense will have some big pieces to replace, but Brown has proven his ability to produce a top defense season after season. -- VanHaaren
7. LSU
8. Notre Dame
9. Florida
10. Texas
15. Penn St
18. Iowa
19. Nebraska
22. Wisconsin
24. Michigan St
Everything will be fine when Cincinnati beats Ohio in week 2. Of course that’s followed by a Michigan victory over Ohio this year. ?
I'm just bummed that Urb vs. Lane Kiffin isn't going to happen.
August 5th, 2019 at 11:01 PM ^
Still could happen. The internet went nuts for a couple of days with rumors that Urban Meyer is going to be head coach at USC next year. Those two could meet in some Bowl Game.... maybe.
Are pollsters really that uncreative that UM and OSU are always next to each other? It doesn't even matter what poll it is....helmets, uniforms, stadiums, tradition, rankings they are always right next to each other. Florida/FSU/Miami, UT/OU, UM/ND, USC/UCLA, Florida/UGA etc don't do this...just UM & OSU.
These pills are just for clicks..
Waaaaay too high.
Just Win!
Does Texas seem overranked?
Maybe.
Yes and no.
They are and they aren’t.
All depends on how you look at it
not sure
They seem ranked.
Okay, cool...hook 'em.
August 5th, 2019 at 11:09 PM ^
Expectations are high since they don't have to worry about playing Maryland.
August 5th, 2019 at 11:17 PM ^
I mean you're either ranked or not right? It'd be weird if they ranked Texas twice. Seeing Texas twice on the list would be an overranking in my opionion.
Hook 'em.
Oops!
Too late!
Be in the top 4 after we beat Ohio St.
I think the most important question remains, “Did we find the Real Mineral King?”
He now posts as Feral Hog.
August 5th, 2019 at 10:39 PM ^
*REAL* Mineral King = Slim Shady
Beat OSU, win the rest of the games.
I have little doubt that Michigan will go into the Ohio State game with a place in the conference championship game on the line (+playoff bid).
Time to win it.
What was their preseason power ranking in 1997?
Michigan was ranked 14th in the preseason polls of record in 1997.
Who cares? It's 2019, dude. People constantly referencing that one time Michigan overachieved decades ago is such a tired thing to do every year.
August 5th, 2019 at 11:45 PM ^
Agreed. Not a single thing that happened in 1997 has any impact on the 2019 season.
Shea Patterson was born January 17, 1997.
August 6th, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
I'm old, Gandalf, though I know I don't look it.
These polls are click bait. Who has more living, rabid alumni fan bases than UM and OSU ? Pit them close together and maximize the 1+ million potential clicks. Only sure fire rankings are Clemson and Alabama at the top 2. The rest is a crap shoot this year.
Edit: This year could test the CFP committee for the 3rd and 4th spots ... controversy seems likely this year. There is parity developing below the top 2 so the demands to expand to 8 teams could be a legit argument.
August 5th, 2019 at 11:07 PM ^
It’s very legit and should happen sooner rather than later. The other ‘New Year’s Six’ Bowls are just as meaningless as the rest now. If we want NFL bound players to see the season through to the bowls, they must expand the playoff.
Never mind the fact that only a handful of teams can realistically believe they’ll actually be picked for the Top 4.
Number 1 in the Big Ten at seasons end.
didn't our defense just get drafted into the NFL?
August 5th, 2019 at 11:07 PM ^
That was 2017.
In at 6? Harbs should seriously consider having Kevin Bacon as an honorary captain.
Are we going to talk about how easy Ohio State's schedule is? Their top three most difficult games are @UM, PSU, @Neb. After that, the only other games that look like anything resembling a challenge would be Sparty (home night game) and @Northwestern.
They practically play a MAC schedule before playing us.
Yea they have a cake walk for the most part
big surprise
I do agree that OSU will receive criticism for it's non-conference strength of schedule: no marquee matchup this season because TCU weaseled out of the home & home. TCU had to be replaced in desperate-to-find-someone-to-fill-the-date-mode with Miami (NTM). :-(
Fuck Ohio State.
Wait a second...you're supposed to be the classy one!
August 5th, 2019 at 10:08 PM ^
He calls the next day.
August 5th, 2019 at 10:49 PM ^
Wrong. Ohio State weaseled out
August 6th, 2019 at 12:06 AM ^
TCU sucks nowadays.
Yes but Nebraska is back! I would assume that would be a night game and maybe some spooky things happen in Lincoln.
PSU is poised to have a great defense and maybe they can put some things on film to take advantage of the week before The Game.
The lack of a big time OOC game for OSU is surprising, they always seem to have a big game early on.
August 5th, 2019 at 11:23 PM ^
Yeah. I remember when Nebraksa hosted OSU for a night game two years ago. No spooky things there except OSU being up 42-0 early in the third quarter.
Everyone thinks this may be a great matchup because OSU slept walked through this game last year and pulled out a close one. But I think this will be another blowout loss. Nebraska's D is going to get torched. Then Scott Frost will say something like, "we still outplayed them," or something stupid.
I'll watch the start of this game but I have a feeling I'll be changing the channel to something else after the 1st quarter.
At least they play Penn State and not rutger the week before they play Michigan.