Michigan Wolverines football could earn No. 1 preseason ranking

Heading into the 2023 college football season, the Michigan Wolverines football program appears to be in prime position to win a national title. Over the past two seasons, the Maize and Blue have come close, claiming Big Ten conference titles in both seasons and appearing in the College Football Playoff semifinals as a result. According to Rece Davis, Michigan should be ranked No. 1 in the nation in this year’s initial preseason rankings. ON3 analyst JD Pickell adds that Davis may have a strong case to make for the Wolverines to earn the nation’s top spot.

Michigan Wolverines football may be the No. 1 team in America in initial preseason ranking

Over the past two seasons, the Michigan Wolverines football team has amassed an impressive record of 25-3 overall, including a 19-1 record in the Big Ten. They have secured two Big Ten titles and earned two College Football Playoff berths. As they enter the 2023 season, the Wolverines aim to reach new heights by claiming the coveted No. 1 ranking.

Analyst Rece Davis suggests that Michigan football deserves the top spot in the preseason rankings for this year. ON3’s JD Pickell agrees with Davis, acknowledging that it is a reasonable argument to have the Wolverines ranked as the best team in the country at this time.

“What Rece Davis said isn’t crazy. The logic itself, to me, is pretty sound,” JD PicKell said on his podcast, ‘The Hard Count.’ “Because you look at the way Michigan is built? Top-five in returning production, right? So that’s solid. A lot of pieces are coming back. (They) have the best backfield in the country with Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum, who was playing at a Heisman level last year before he got hurt.”

While Michigan football may have a compelling argument for this year’s No. 1 preseason ranking, the Georgia Bulldogs are likely to hold the top spot. The Bulldogs have achieved consecutive national titles, establishing themselves as the team to beat. In fact, in the championship game of the 2022-23 season, Georgia delivered a dominant performance, defeating TCU with a commanding 65-7 victory. While Michigan has the potential to emerge as the best team this year, Georgia will likely retain their No. 1 ranking until another team proves otherwise.

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