FOOTBALL

Michigan football, Ohio State break top 5 in initial preseason rankings

Michigan football and Ohio State are both ranked in the top 5 to start the year.

Published

10 months ago

June 29, 2023

Michigan Wolverines football, preseason ranking

Oct 1, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) and wide receiver Ronnie Bell (8) in action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, Athlon Sports released its initial preseason rankings for the 2023 college football season. These rankings differ from the post-spring rankings, which were released after the Wolverines’ spring game in April. In the new rankings, three Big Ten programs made it to the top 10, with Michigan football and Ohio State both ranking in the top 5 to begin the year.

Michigan football and Ohio State both ranked in the top 5 in initial preseason rankings for 2023 season

According to Athlon Sports’ initial preseason rankings, both Michigan football and Ohio State are among the top 5 teams to start the year. Additionally, Penn State broke into the top 10, securing the 8th position ahead of the 2023 college football season.

After winning the Big Ten title for two consecutive seasons and making appearances in the College Football Playoff during both years, the Michigan Wolverines are preparing for a significant season this fall. Michigan is ranked as the 2nd best team in the country, trailing only the Georgia Bulldogs, to kick off the 2023 season. In a few months’ time, the Maize and Blue will embark on a crucial campaign as they seek to reclaim the sport’s ultimate prize for the 12th time in program history.

Ohio State also made it into the top 5, grabbing the 5th spot nationally. They finished the 2022 season with an 11-2 record, suffering losses to Michigan and in the College Football Playoff semi-final. Since the beginning of the decade, the Buckeyes have gone 0-2 against the Wolverines, a trend that head coach Ryan Day will undoubtedly aim to reverse this fall.

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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.