As the nation reacts to the release of the preseason college football AP Top 25 rankings on Monday, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum expressed disagreement with Michigan’s ranking. Despite being the defending national champion, Michigan is ranked No. 9 in the poll. Finebaum criticized this placement, suggesting that Michigan is a “marginal playoff team” relying on past success. He noted that with former head coach Jim Harbaugh gone, there is potential for the program to falter under new leadership from Sherrone Moore. Finebaum stated, “I’m not comfortable with Michigan being ranked No. 17. I believe they are a marginal playoff team living off past achievements. With Harbaugh no longer around, I think they should have been ranked a bit lower.”
For the Wolverines, there are uncertainties about who will be the starting quarterback this fall and whether running back Donovan Edwards can handle the heavy workload previously managed by Blake Corum. However, Michigan returns several key defensive players from last season’s championship team, including defensive linemen Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, and standout cornerback Will Johnson. Given the unresolved issues on offense, the Wolverines may rely heavily on their strong defensive unit to support the team early in the season.
The Wolverines begin their quest to defend their national title when they welcome the Fresno State Bulldogs to Michigan Stadium at 7:30 pm (ET) on Aug. 31. The matchup will air on NBC and Peacock.