Michigan opens its 2024 title protection ranked No. 9 within the Related Press preseason Prime 25 ballot. Whereas it is a noticeable dip following an undefeated season, Paul Finebaum believes the Wolverines could not warrant a top-10 spot.
ESPN’s faculty soccer analyst mentioned Monday’s rating launch in a “Nice or Not Nice” phase on SportsCenter. When Matt Barrie requested about Michigan’s placement, Finebaum shrugged earlier than tentatively declaring he is “not that high-quality with that.”
“To me, Michigan is a marginal playoff workforce. I feel they’re dwelling off the previous right here,” Finebaum mentioned. “Jim Harbaugh is gone, and he’s not coming again, in case you missed final week. I feel they need to’ve been a bit bit decrease.”
Harbaugh jumped ship to the NFL after steering Michigan to a nationwide championship. In the meantime, JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum had been among the many 13 Wolverines gamers drafted in April.
Sherrone Moore should navigate a new-look roster by way of three top-five opponents in his first full season as head coach. Michigan hosts No. 4 Texas in Week 2 earlier than taking part in No. 3 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State in November.
No. 1 Georgia is among the many 4 SEC groups (Texas, No. 5 Alabama, and No. 6 Ole Miss) forward of Michigan within the ballot. The Wolverines rank fourth amongst Massive Ten colleges, as Penn State resides at No. 8.
Michigan may shortly drop down the AP ballot with early losses to Texas and No. 23 USC, however it’s already the bottom rating of a defending champion since Auburn in 2011.
Associated: Michigan Soccer Makes Historical past With Low Preseason Prime 25 Rating
