On the Inside

Michigan Ranked 24th in Preseason Coaches Poll

U-M (The #6 ESPN most hated team) is the final Big Ten Conference team in the top-25 rankings, trailing No. 3 Ohio State, No. 12 Wisconsin, No. 19 Illinois and No. 22 Penn State. The Big Ten tied the Southeastern Conference and Big 12 for the most representatives in the top-25 poll.

Beating the Utes (not a gimme by any means) in the season opener would go a long way in keeping the gift ranking that the coaches bestowed upon Michigan this season.

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Pre-Season Rankings

Weather you like them or not they are out there and they create buzz around NCAA football.

I will list the top 5 from a few pre-season polls

Sports Illustrated
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. West Virginia*
5. Louisville
(6. Michigan)

Sporting News
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Michigan
4. West Virginia*
5. Florida

AP
1. USC
2. LSU
3. West Virginia *
4. Texas
5. Michigan

USA Today
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Michigan
(6. West Virginia)

*USA Today has this right. I personally think that Michigan belongs between 5 and 7. The ranking that I think is an absolute outrage is West Virginia. I do not believe that this team belongs in the top five and mark my words, this ranking will not last long. Although their schedule will afford them a high rank until later in the season, when they come up against a few tough teams. Rutgers and Louisville. This is too bad, because they are taking a spot from many other teams that I believe deserve to be ranked higher, such as Ohio State and Oklahoma.