Why ranking Michigan No. 1 in preseason 'isn't crazy'

Michigan has exploded into the tier of national title contenders over the past two seasons. With all that they’ve done and all that they’re bringing back from last year’s team, it recently led ESPN’s Rece Davis to select the Wolverines as his preseason No. 1.

On3’s JD PicKell isn’t too far off from that decision either. When recently discussing Davis’ designation for Michigan, PicKell described his logic as “pretty sound”. Considering what they’re bringing back, it’s a solid foundation for the Wolverines to continue to build on this fall.

“What Rece Davis said isn’t crazy. The logic itself, to me, is pretty sound,” PicKell said. “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.”

However, PicKell, like Davis, knows the deciding factor in the entire equation is QB JJ McCarthy. After winning the starting gig over Cade McNamara, he led Michigan to another win over Ohio State, another Big Ten Championship, and another College Football Playoff berth.

If he can take it to another level in his first full season as the Wolverine’s starter, PicKell agrees with Davis that that could take that team to a whole other level.

“JJ McCarthy has elite tools, looked really promising at the end of last year, especially against Ohio State. The College Football Playoff left something to be desired,” said PicKell. “But you feel like if he takes the next step? And Rece Davis said this. If he takes the next step? That’s kind of the key for Michigan. Then Michigan could really explode.”

To be fair, there are several other programs, including one down in Athens, that might want to have a word with Davis. PicKell admitted as much as he continued his take. Still, all signs are pointing to Michigan being right in the thick of things in the national hunt this year as they look to advance past the playoff semifinals and play for the whole thing.

Sherrone Moore emerges as potential candidate for Northwestern

Now that Pat Fitzgerald is out at Northwestern, the Wildcats find themselves starting a coaching search. Less than a day after Fitzgerald’s firing, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman dropped an interesting name who could be in the mix to replace him as part of his initial list of potential candidates: Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore.

Moore was the Wolverines’ co-offensive coordinator the last two seasons. He is currently preparing to take the reins on his own in 2023. He also serves as the offensive line coach, helping turn Michigan’s unit into the best in the country. The Wolverines have won the last two Joe Moore Awards as the top offensive line in the country. In doing so, they became the first program to achieve the honor back-to-back.

Fitzgerald was at the helm at Northwestern — his alma mater — for 17 years and became the winningest coach in program history. The Wildcats fired him as a result of a hazing scandal within the program which initially led to a two-week suspension without pay. Ultimately, though, Northwestern president Michael Schill made the decision to fire Fitzgerald on Monday afternoon.