Breaking down Michigan football’s ranking in coaches poll
By Josh LaFond
The highly anticipated USA Today Coaches Poll has released its preseason rankings and we breakdown where Michigan football landed.
The USA Today Coaches Poll has released its preseason edition. The Wolverines are slotted at #6 nationally, only behind #1 Alabama, #2 Ohio State, #3 Georgia, #4 Clemson, and #5 Notre Dame.
Coming off a historic season, the Wolverines look to build on that success in their 2022 campaign. With dynamic players such as Erick All, Ronnie Bell, Blake Corum on offense, and Mazi Smith, Junior Colson, and DJ Turner returning on defense, expectations are high in Ann Arbor.
Well, apparently the USA Today Coaches Poll agrees. Early success in the season could see the Wolverines vault into the top 5 by Big Ten conference play.
Michigan football’s ranking doesn’t matter
Last season, Michigan football wasn’t even ranked in the top 25 and was given a two-percent chance by the ESPN FPI of winning the Big Ten championship.
Well, we all know how that worked out, which is a reminder of why you shouldn’t worry too much about preseason polls. In the grand scheme of things, they don’t mean anything.
The coaches poll has zero impact on deciding the College Football Playoff and neither does the AP Poll, even though that’s more respected than the coaches poll.
Still, it’s better to see Michigan football ranked somewhere in the top 25 and especially in the top 10 than not at all. It helps in terms of recruiting and gives your program some extra exposure.
It can also bring added pressure but I’m not worried about that. This team has pressure to show last season wasn’t a fluke and I don’t think any preseason ranking will distract them from proving to everyone they can win the Big Ten again.
For a full list of the rankings, click HERE.