Michigan is ranked just right in Big Ten preseason poll; Penn State shouldn't be trusted

The Big Ten Preseason Media poll was released by Cleveland.com one day ahead of the 2025 Big Ten Media Days out in Las Vegas.

Michigan football checked in at No. 5 in the preseason media poll. That's behind first-place Penn State, Ohio State, the defending national champion, Oregon, the defending Big Ten champion, and Illinois. Indiana rounded out the top six (No. 6).

After that, you have Iowa, Nebraska, USC, and Washington rounding out the top 10. Michigan State checks in at No. 13.

Ranking for Michigan is just right; Penn State getting too much trust

As far as the Wolverines are concerned, it's hard to argue with fifth. Michigan football has a true freshman starting at quarterback. There are also questions that need to be answered on the offensive line, and at wide receiver.

Fans should be optimistic, though. This 2025 Michigan football team can get back to the College Football Playoff. The defense should be elite. As long as guys like Donaven McCulley, and the offensive line deliver, 9-10 wins isn't crazy.

That's especially true considering that Michigan only has to play one of the top six teams in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. There are just four games against teams in the top 10 of the Big Ten poll, with two at home (Ohio State and Washington) and two on the road (USC and Nebraska). The Wolverines also have a challenging road game against Oklahoma in Week 2.

It makes sense to have Penn State be the top-ranked team, as long as you ignore recent history. The Nittany Lions have the fewest roster questions, but I'd have a hard time voting for a James Franklin-coached team ahead of Oregon or Ohio State, even with the questions at quarterback.

The Big Ten preseason poll has only selected the league champion correctly four times in the past 14 years.