Rece Davis explains why he's ranking Michigan No. 1 in preseason rankings

Michigan is the preseason No. 1 team in college football, according to College GameDay host Rece Davis.

That’s for good reason too, considering what Jim Harbaugh and company brought back for the 2023 season. It always starts with the quarterback, in this case, J.J. McCarthy. But with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards back in the backfield, a stout defense and momentum in the Big Ten, Michigan looks ready to win it all.

Davis made the case on Thursday’s edition of The Paul Finebaum Show.

“Well, because it’s in the state of Michigan, they’re asking me if Michigan is going to win the national championship … and at least to start the season, and I believe ranking should be very fluid early. I’m going to have Michigan No. 1 in the preseason,” Davis said. “My biggest reason is they are one of the few contenders who have enough everywhere else and a proven quarterback who I believe is going to be much better. He was already good, but I think he’s going to take a giant step forward, J.J. McCarthy this upcoming season.”

However, Davis provided reasons why other big schools could top Michigan this season.

“Now, if Georgia comes out and shows that they’re locked in at quarterback, then I’m probably going to move the Bulldogs back to No. 1 pretty quickly,” Davis said. “But at least to start, Michigan has offensive linemen and they’ve added to it through the transfer portal. I think they’ll be good enough on defense, they also helped themselves with a pass rusher on defense, McCarthy and obviously they have two terrific running backs.”

But like a lot of expert predictions and analysis on the Wolverines this season, it always comes down to what McCarthy can do at quarterback.

“But McCarthy’s the big thing to me,” Davis said. “He is potentially an elite player. And if he can take that next step, then I think that gives Michigan a chance. But before the Georgia fans call in and say that I don’t know what I’m talking about … Georgia has a better roster, there’s no question about that. But I want to see the quarterback play and I don’t think that’s too much. Same deal with Ohio State, same deal with Alabama as well.”

Michigan is a popular pick over Ohio State again in the Big Ten, but the race will be fascinating. Say if the Wolverines can beat Georgia in the playoff, Davis will be vindicated.