Michigan soccer is ranked No. 16 within the nation within the preseason US LBM Coaches Ballot, which was launched on Tuesday, Aug. 4, the day the Wolverines reported for fall camp.
It is 12 months 1 beneath new coach Kyle Whittingham and the workers is completely new outdoors of operating backs coach Tony Alford, the one coach who’s been on the U-M sideline for a daily season recreation. Particular groups coordinator Kerry Coombs has additionally coached Michigan as soon as, in final 12 months’s 41-27 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl loss to Texas.
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Regardless of the brand new faces, coaches throughout the nation really feel the Wolverines are properly positioned to compete in 2026, although it is clear this 12 months’s group goes to should earn all the things it will get.
Michigan’s schedule is loaded with video games in opposition to the highest two groups in No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Oregon, one other in opposition to No. 6 Indiana, a Week 2 matchup with No. 9 Oklahoma and two different groups that come into the season ranked in No. 17 Penn State and No. 22 Iowa.
That is six out of 12 groups on U-M’s schedule that open the 2026 season with a quantity subsequent to their identify, to not point out its season-opener in opposition to Western Michigan, a recreation U-M is extensively anticipated to win, although the Broncos did obtain votes within the preseason rankings.
Michigan is implementing new schemes beneath offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill, however has a handful of extremely proficient gamers on either side of the ball. On offense, it begins with quarterback Bryce Underwood, operating again Jordan Marshall and vast receiver Andrew Babalola.
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On protection, All-American John Henry Daley is the identify to observe after he transferred in from Utah. He’s the star of a defensive position that is anticipated to be fairly good, however shall be reliant on a lot of gamers who have not stared however have performed vital roles.
Michigan opens its season in simply greater than a month on Sept. 5, 2026 in opposition to Western Michigan (7:30 p.m., NBC) at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
See the complete checklist of ranked groups under.
2026 US LBM Coaches Ballot preseason Prime 25 rankings
Ohio State (38 first-place votes)
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat author for the Detroit Free Press. E mail him at apgarcia@freepress.com and observe him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
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This text initially appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan soccer ranked No. 16 in US LBM Coaches Ballot to begin 12 months
