Michigan named Sherrone Moore as head coach after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL following the program’s National Championship. Moore, the former offensive coordinator, guided the Wolverines to an 8-5 record and ReliaQuest Bowl victory despite losing key players like running back Blake Corum and quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The Wolverines earned the No. 14 spot in Monday’s preseason Coaches Poll Top 25.
Michigan sits one spot behind South Carolina and ahead of Ole Miss. The ranking reflects expectations that the program will improve with elite prospect Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top high school recruit, taking over at quarterback.
The defense returns several standouts including edge rusher Derrick Moore, defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny and safety Rod Moore.
CBS Sports’ Will Backus questioned whether Michigan deserves its top-15 ranking.
“Underwood provides a much-needed injection of talent at quarterback for Michigan, but it’s a lot to ask of a freshman to hit the ground running in a conference like the Big Ten,” he wrote. “There’s also concern about the supporting cast around him. Michigan’s wideouts are lackluster, the Wolverines lost key running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards — though Justice Haynes was a nice transfer get — and top pass-catcher Colston Loveland.”
The program also lost several defensive stars from last season’s squad.
“Plus, Michigan has to replace some iconic players on defense, such as linemen Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and cornerback Will Johnson,” Backus continued. “There’s reason to believe Michigan will be a lot better this season, though a top-15 ranking seems a bit high at this point.”
Michigan’s schedule could work in their favor. No. 2 Ohio State is the only ranked opponent they’ll face from this week’s poll.
The Big Ten features six teams in the preseason rankings: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Penn State, No. 7 Oregon, No. 12 Illinois, No. 14 Michigan and No. 19 Indiana.
