Where is Michigan football in the “way too early” top 25 rankings?

The 2022 college football season officially wrapped up this earlier week in spectacular fashion. The Georgia Bulldogs pulled off the largest blowout win in bowl history (58 points) in the National Championship game against No. 3 TCU.

It was somehow exciting and anti-climatic at the same time, and it got many thinking already about which teams will be able to challenge Georgia’s historic reign next season. After back-to-back Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances, the Wolverines are cruising at full speed right now. With the level of talent that is returning to Ann Arbor for team 144, the expectations are sky-high for Michigan football as most expect U-M to have the best chance at taking down the Bulldogs.

Here’s a look where some of the nation’s major publications rank Michigan football in 2023.

ESPN

The “World-Wide Leader in Sports” has Michigan ranked No.3 behind (unsurprisingly) Georgia and (somewhat surprising) Ohio State.

“..Depending on how many underclassmen return in 2023, Michigan could again be the team to beat in the Big Ten. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is coming back, and star RB Blake Corum announced Monday he would return after injuring his left knee 11 games into the season. Turner and Big Ten defensive lineman of the year Morris have entered the draft, and linebacker Michael Barrett might as well. Regardless, Harbaugh has built a solid culture and foundation. A handful of additions from the transfer portal might provide some immediate help..”

Fox Sports

Fox Sports’ R.J. Young has the Wolverines as his No. 2 team behind only Georgia. Many Michigan fans will remember him leaving the Wolverines out of his top-25 all together to begin this past season. It looks like he’s fully on the Wolverine hype train now.

“The return of Blake Corum is legitimately shocking. The sure-fire first-round pick elected to run it back, giving the Wolverines an opportunity to win their third straight Big Ten title and make their third straight CFP appearance.”

CBS Sports

CBS Sports also sees Michigan as the second-best team in the nation for next season, just ahead of Ohio State, who is ranked No. 3.

“Harbaugh & Co. have the roster to win it all in 2023. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy should develop into a difference-making star as a junior based on his finish to 2022. Donovan Edwards will be the workhorse at running back alongside Blake Corum, who is returning to the Wolverines but faces a long recovery from his season-ending knee injury.”

Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports mixed it up some, while they have the Wolverines at three, it’s behind Georgia and Alabama. The Buckeyes round out the top four.

“..From a roster perspective Michigan should be right back in contention for another Big Ten title next fall. The Wolverines have won the conference the last two seasons and return J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards on offense and have an emerging star at cornerback in Will Johnson. Michigan has also added several quality players in the transfer portal, including ex-Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann, ex-Coastal Carolina pass rusher Josaiah Stewart and three potential starters on the offensive line.”

Sports Illustrated

SI agrees with what seems to be the consensus, that Michigan football is the second-ranked team heading into 2023; however, they deviate heavily from the other polls by ranking LSU No. 3 and Penn State No. 4.

“..Until Big Ten East rivals Ohio State and Penn State prove they can even come close to beating the Wolverines, they deserve to be the highest-rated team from that conference. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards return to keep the offense humming, with Colston Loveland looking like the next dynamic Michigan tight end. Replacements are needed at wide receiver and on the offensive line. An outstanding defense will also takes some hits, but that was the case last year as well, and the unit maintained a high level of performance. Cornerback Will Johnson is a rising star.”

USA Today

Michigan football comes in second again behind only Georgia in USA Today’s top-25 as well. Penn State ranks No. 5, while the Buckeye’s sit at No. 6.

“..Michigan could be highly motivated by a Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU and again roll through Big Ten play with a physical running game and suffocating defense. The Wolverines have quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, and will rebuild on the offensive line with multiple transfers.”

The Athletic

Stewart Mandel at The Athletic has Michigan as his No. 2 team behind only Georgia, with Ohio State and LSU rounding out his top four.

“..QB J.J. McCarthy and standout RBs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will all be back. Three Pac-12 starting offensive linemen have transferred in, as has Indiana TE AJ Barner. Linebacker Junior Colson, CB Will Johnson and S Mike Sainristil return. Coastal Carolina edge Josaiah Stewart was a big pickup, as was Nebraska LB Ernest Hausmann, a freshman starter.”

Pro Football Focus

PFF not only has the Wolverines ranked second ahead of Ohio State and Florida State, but writer Max Chadwick also picks Blake Corum to win the Heisman.

“Michigan proved last season’s Big Ten championship and playoff berth weren’t flukes, repeating those feats in 2022. The Wolverines will return many key players from this year’s squad, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Donovan Edwards and cornerback Will Johnson. The biggest returnee, though, is running back Blake Corum. The junior was my pick to win the Heisman Trophy this season after leading all players with a 95.9 grade. In fact, that grade ranks fourth among Power Five players since PFF began charting college football in 2014. He’s my pick to win the Heisman next season.”