After winning a national championship last season, the Michigan football program appears poised to least have a shot at defending its title.
Two longtime publications — Lindy’s and Athlon Sports — recently unveiled their preseason rankings, and have the Wolverines in the mix for the newly expanded College Football Playoff.
Lindy’s has Michigan ranked No. 6, while Athlon Sports has Wolverines at No. 7. Both publications have Michigan facing Alabama in a first-round playoff game in a rematch of last season’s Rose Bowl won by the Wolverines.
Lindy’s has Michigan advancing to the quarterfinals as a No. 8 seed, projecting it to fall to top-seeded Georgia in a quarterfinal. Athlon has the Wolverines getting ousted by the Crimson Tide in the first round.
Also from Lindy’s:
▶ Ohio State is picked to win the Big Ten, followed by Oregon, Michigan, Penn State and USC, with Michigan State at No. 12.
▶ Michigan has three first-team All-Americans in cornerback Will Johnson, defensive tackle Mason Graham and tight end Colston Loveland.
▶ Texas at Michigan (Sept. 7) is the No. 1 non-conference game.
▶ Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles was the No. 8 player in the Top 75 Transfer Portal list.
Athlon Sports also picked Ohio State to win the Big Ten, with Oregon and Michigan in the top three. It has the Spartans at No. 13, but reaching a bowl game in Jonathan Smith’s first season as head coach, appearing in the QuickLane Bowl at Ford Field to face Northern Illinois.
Also from Athlon:
▶ Michigan State checks in at No. 58 overall.
▶ Johnson, Graham and Loveland were named first-team All-Americans.
▶ Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 30) is the No. 1 game, with Texas at Michigan (Sept. 7) at No. 4, and Oregon at Michigan (Nov. 2) at No. 7.