Sports Illustrated and 247Sports get Michigan Football’s ranking right

A look at two outlets that actually got Michigan football’s preseason ranking correct. 

Everyone knows that Michigan football‘s AP Poll ranking was slightly too low, even if it’s not ultimately a big deal, at least that’s the opinion of a few of us here at GBMWolverine.

The first AP Poll ranking does give fans a sense of where pollsters think the team’s ceiling might be, but at the same time, it’s not perfect, as teams like Notre Dame, Clemson, and Texas A&M had no business being ranked above the Wolverines.

I understand the slight at Michigan football, as the Wolverines didn’t get any respect from the national media as defending Big Ten champs, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes. They will just need to prove last year wasn’t a fluke on the field.  Actions speak louder than words. Michigan’s players know that too.

Despite, the slight at the Wolverines in the AP Poll, some other polls recently came out, or at least discussions about the AP Poll and its flaws, with SI (Sports Illustrated) releasing their AP Poll. Michigan slots in at #4 (which is around where they should’ve been ranked from the start, #4 or #5, and which is where I would’ve ranked them).

What SI had to say about Michigan football

Here’s what SI had to say about the Wolverines:

"“Coach Jim Harbaugh had this to say in July about his quarterback conundrum: “Cade McNamara is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job. J.J. McCarthy is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job.” Someone will be beaten out, but the position is in very good hands. So is the rest of the offense, with big-play potential all over the place and a very good line. There are obvious holes to fill in the pass rush, and there are new coordinators on both sides of the ball. But a soft September should allow the Wolverines to grow into contender status thereafter.”"

All of what SI said is true. Just because Michigan football may have some flaws doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some respect and the benefit of the doubt. It would be different if they still hadn’t made the playoff yet, but Michigan proved a ton of doubters wrong last year, and won the Big Ten with only a 2% chance, according to ESPN.

The main reason for ranking Michigan at #4 is because the Wolverines won’t falter, at least until potentially Week 4, against Iowa. I know that’s not how you are supposed to rank teams, based on the probability that they lose their next matchup, but still.

Michigan football has a much higher probability of being undefeated heading into Week 4 (conference play) than all teams ranked above them. Michigan’s nonconference slate is extremely weak, compared to tough slates for every single team ranked above Michigan in Weeks 1-3.

So, my point is, that when teams start falling, Michigan will continue rising. Some of the teams ranked above and below Michigan will lose, while Michigan will only climb in the AP Poll.

It’s pretty dumb to have some of these teams ranked this high, only for them to lose Week 1 and drop below Michigan.

What 247Sports had to say about Michigan football

The next little section has to do with 247Sports and Brad Crawford. He recently came out with his 10 most “overrated” and “underrated” teams, based on the AP Poll ranking. Depending on where they were ranked, he either thought a program was ranked too high or too low.

Regarding Michigan football, he said the Wolverines were “underrated” in the AP Poll. I wholeheartedly agree with his thinking, obviously.

Brad Crawford has been one of Michigan’s biggest supporters for a while now in various articles, so it was good to see him continue his support.

Here’s what he said:

"“Do you think Jim Harbaugh has even looked at either preseason poll during fall camp this month? Harbaugh and the Wolverines have razor-sharp focus coming off their first Big Ten Championship and win over Ohio State in his tenure and the encore performance would be even more satisfying — not that it’s expected. Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to win the conference and all of the offseason hype has emanated from Columbus, not Ann Arbor. Michigan replaces its three best defensive players and play-calling mastermind offensively with fill-ins that Harbaugh is confident in. Keep an eye on those spots along with the ongoing conversation surrounding quarterback and which player better gives Michigan a chance to win at an elite level — Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy. With an average poll ranking of No. 7 this month, Michigan — at least before the season — should be closer to the top-five range.”"

I like how what Brad said, especially the last sentence. He pointed out Michigan’s strengths, the talent they lost, and the quarterback controversy, but he also pretty much said Michigan is a wait-and-see program that is still under-ranked.

We’ll all know how legit Michigan football came Week 4 against Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. The atmosphere will be raucous, and the Hawkeyes will be hungry for revenge for the Big Ten championship whooping they took.

Brad perfectly said what I was thinking. Yes, Michigan deserves and should be ranked higher, but we do acknowledge that Week 4 proves whether we are right or wrong to put Michigan higher on the AP Poll.

Oh yeah, and for giggles, go check out what Brad has to say about Sparty. Yes, they are one of the teams listed. Guarantee it will make you smile.

Michigan fans, what do you think of what SI and 247Sports said about the Wolverines? Was it accurate? Was it off? Sound off in the comments below!