Michigan Wolverines football breaks top 3 in Phil Steele’s preseason poll

The 2023 Michigan Wolverines football season is projected to be a big one for the Maize and Blue, who are in pursuit of a third-straight Big Ten title and more this fall. After making the College Football Playoff in consecutive seasons and falling short of the national title game both times, the Wolverines are looking to break through that glass ceiling and finish among the nation’s best for the third year in a row. According to Phil Steele’s new 2023 preseason poll, Michigan is poised to be in the conversation for a title once again.

Michigan Wolverines football ranked top 3 in Phil Steele’s preseason poll

Heading into the 2022 season, it had been many seasons since the Michigan Wolverines football program finished in the top 3 in consecutive seasons. That said, Jim Harbaugh led the Maize and Blue to top 3 finishes in 2021 and 2022 and will embark on a mission to do it once again in 2023.

Recently, Phil Steele released his 2023 preseason poll, ranking Michigan football as the No. 3 team in the nation, right behind the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes. For most Wolverines fans, this poll may be a bit of a head-scratcher — Michigan has defeated Ohio State in back-to-back years, both times in blowout fashion. Additionally, the Wolverines are hosting the Buckeyes this year, further tipping the scales in Jim Harbaugh’s favor.

Other Big Ten programs listed in this 2023 preseason poll include the Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 5, the Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 16, and the Wisconsin Badgers at No. 18. Notably, Iowa — who sits just outside the top 15 — is led by former Michigan football quarterback and team captain Cade McNamara, who led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title in 2021, defeating his current team in the championship game by 39 points.

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