The Michigan Wolverines were inches away from making the College Football Playoff in head coach Jim Harbaugh's second season with the team, and while they lose a large majority of their starters, expectations are still sky high in Ann Arbor. Here's how they rank in the way-too-early top 25 polls published by major publications:
Chat Sports
Ranking: 8
Breakdown: "Michigan is losing a big - and important - senior class, but head coach Jim Harbaugh's recruiting efforts have put Michigan in excellent position to continue to improve. Quarterback Wilton Speight is back and should make a big leap forward in production, and he will likely be relied on to shoulder much more of the load offensively. The defense faces plenty of questions as all four members of the secondary are gone, but the talent is there to replace them. Michigan's success will be determined by how quickly their young players grow up and how they handle starting roles."
USA Today
Ranking: 4
Breakdown: "The Wolverines will be right on the Buckeyes’ heels, as they were in 2016 — and as will be the case for as long as Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer are in charge. There is too much to like about Michigan to list here, but begin with the major assets: a wonderful defense despite a few losses in the back seven, a physical and punishing brand of offense, and a sense of unfinished business after two painful losses to end this year."
ESPN
Ranking: 12
Breakdown: "The Wolverines are losing 10 starters on defense, their top two receivers, an All-American tight end and a starting tailback. Therefore, it would be an understatement to say Jim Harbaugh is facing a massive rebuilding job in his third season as coach of his alma mater. But Ohio State's Urban Meyer faced a similar reboot this past season and still guided the Buckeyes to a spot in the CFP. The good news for the Wolverines: Quarterback Wilton Speight was better than expected in his first season as a starter. On defense, linebacker Mike McCray and end Rashan Gary will lead what figures to be a very young unit. The Wolverines open the season against Florida in Arlington, Texas, and will play Big Ten road games at Penn State and Wisconsin (Ohio State travels to Michigan)."
CBS
Ranking: 8
Breakdown: "Jim Harbaugh opens Year 3 with a 1-3 record against Ohio State and Michigan State. That has to change. The offensive line and receiving corps took the biggest hits. Ah, but the Spartans and Buckeyes both come to Ann Arbor."
FOX
Ranking: 15
Breakdown: "Jim Harbaugh has to replace a staggering 18 starters, including LB Jabrill Peppers (presumably, though he hasn’t yet declared), CB Jourdan Lewis, TE Jake Butt and the entire front four. Fortunately, QB Wilton Speight is among the returnees. Freshman DE Rashan Gary will be a star and freshman RB Chris Evans showed promise. Harbaugh’s biggest challenge will be rebuilding what was already an average offensive line. C Mason Cole is a key returnee."
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