Michigan Football isn’t ranked in one preseason top 25 poll

Despite winning 12 games a season ago and returning a number of key players, one national analyst has Michigan football ranked outside the top 25. 

It’s natural for there to be disagreements when it comes to preseason rankings. That’s one of the best things about being a college football fan — all the debates.

However, when it comes to Michigan football, most see the Wolverines as one of the better teams heading into the 2022 season. The ESPN FPI has Michigan ranked sixth overall.

Of course, the ESPN FPI also gave Michigan just a two-percent chance to win the Big Ten and we know how that worked out.

I can see why some folks are a little down on Michigan. The Wolverines have lost some key pieces such as Aidan Hutchinson, who is already flashing in the NFL.

But Cade McNamara is back as the starting quarterback, along with J.J. McCarthy. Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum will be starring in the backfield, while Andrel Anthony, Cornelius Johnson, and Ronnie Bell should be standouts at wide receiver.

The offensive line should be just as good as last season and Jim Harbaugh believes the defense will be just as good too. Even if it drops off a little, the offense should be better.

Michigan football’s schedule is also a little easier. Penn State and Michigan State both have to come to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have to take a trip to Iowa and of course, there is the game at Ohio State, but it’s hard to see this team falling out of the Top 25.

Mind-boggling that Michigan football isn’t ranked

It’s possible that we are wrong but RJ Young, a college football analyst, left Michigan out of his preseason top 25, which seems hard to justify. Michigan State is ranked seventh, even though the Wolverines ranked much higher in the ESPN FPI and 247 sports’ blue-chip ratio.

It makes you wonder if Young simply forgot about Michigan. At any rate, there should be some explanation as to why a College Football Playoff team from a year ago isn’t even ranked in the top 25, especially one as deep and talented as the Wolverines.