There are a few key things that happen throughout the college football offseason to signal that the next season is getting close. Conference media days, fall camps begin, and preseason rankings. The official Coaches Poll Top 25 has dropped, and it is certainly bound to have some people up in arms.
Michigan's ranking leaves me a little conflicted, coming in at No. 16. On one hand, it feels like Michigan should be way higher. The Wolverines brought back a lot of talent, did well in the transfer portal, and have some exciting freshmen starting their Michigan careers. Last season was a trainwreck, but the Wolverines still managed to win nine games, so this ranking feels a little disrespectful.
On the other hand, it is a new coaching staff, and while new head coach Kyle Whittingham has a good track record, when a new coaching staff takes over, there are bound to be growing pains. This feels like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, if this ranking too high, too low, or just right?
BREAKING: College Football Preseason Coaches Poll👀https://t.co/gnEe967fmH pic.twitter.com/W2xBYGZWYe
— On3 (@On3) August 4, 2026
Michigan's Coaches Poll ranking leaves Kyle Whittingham with two clear paths
What this ranking does reveal is that Whittingham has two paths clearly laid out in front of him. Either the Wolverines are going to come out and surprise everyone, or the growing pains will be evident, and it will be back to the drawing board for Michigan.
Whittingham is a clear upgrade from Sherrone Moore; there is no doubt about that, but as with any new coaching staff, there are a lot of adjustments that have to be made. Guys from Utah who followed Whittingham will have to adjust to being at Michigan and with new teammates. New coordinators have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of new players, and vice versa for the players.
With the No. 16 ranking, it really puts Michigan in the middle of the road. They have the chance to move up, especially with the expected ranked matchup in the second game of the season against No. 9 Oklahoma. However, looking at the schedule Michigan has to play this season, there is a lot of potential to move down as well.
Even Whittingham at Big Ten Media Days said the goal is to play meaningful football in November, and if that is the case, it gives Michigan something to build on. That isn't him necessarily giving up on the season and the tough schedule, but setting reasonable expectations that the Wolverines could struggle in his first season in Ann Arbor.
It isn't totally outrageous to think that Michigan and Kyle Whittingham's name and reputation helped with their ranking going into this season. At this point, it is a good benchmark for the Wolverines, something to look back on at the end of the season to measure improvement.
There is potential for Michigan to take off this year, especially with some extremely tough opponents, but Whittnigham can't wait forever to push the limits at Michigan. Players like Bryce Underwood and Savion Hiter won't be around forever, and neither will Whittingham, so the time for winning is now in Ann Arbor.
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