Michigan football ranking update: Wolverines come in at No. 2 in post-spring practice rankings

As April comes to a close, college football teams have concluded their spring practices, and the focus has shifted toward recruiting and the upcoming season. For the Michigan Wolverines football team, many expect them to contend for the national title this fall, which has led to increased media attention and national recognition. Most recently, USA Today published its post-spring rankings, placing Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines as the No. 2 team in the country, right behind the Georgia Bulldogs, in the latest Michigan football ranking update.

Michigan football ranking update: Wolverines named the No. 2 team in the nation following spring practice

After a period of decline from 2008-2014 and narrowly missing the mark from 2015-2020, the Michigan Wolverines football team has made a significant comeback to national prominence. They have won back-to-back Big Ten titles, made it to the College Football Playoff twice, and dominated Ohio State in the past two years. Moreover, Michigan has won 25 of its last 28 games, including 19 out of 20 Big Ten games during that time frame.

Despite having nine players drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft (and more signed post-draft), the Wolverines have a wealth of returning talent, with over 80% of last year’s production coming back to Ann Arbor this fall. This makes the 2023 season the prime opportunity for Michigan football to win a national title in the modern era of college football.

However, Georgia currently holds the national championship title, having won it in back-to-back seasons; therefore, until the Bulldogs are dethroned, they deserve to be the nation’s top-ranked team. Nevertheless, USA Today’s post-spring ball rankings have placed the Michigan Wolverines as the No. 2 team in the country, hot on the heels of Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.

Why is Michigan the 2nd-ranked team in the country?

Here is what USA Today had to say about the 2023 post-spring Michigan football ranking update.

“An offensive line set to rebuild around multiple Power Five transfers will lead the way for another intimidating running game. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards give the Wolverines an explosive backfield also capable of taking over games with tough yards inside the box. On paper, this is the strongest and deepest roster of the Jim Harbaugh era and a team worthy of being viewed as Georgia’s biggest threat. it will also benefit from an easy non-conference schedule and manageable Big Ten slate outside of Penn State and Ohio State.”

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