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Michigan ranked below both rivals in latest ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•05/20/22•

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Michigan football's Jim Harbaugh dropped to 3-4 against Michigan State with a 37-33 loss in 2021. (Getty Images)

Michigan football has much to figure out in the leadup to the 2022 season, but still projects favorably to defend its Big Ten Championship. During its latest batch of Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, ESPN has the Wolverines rated the 10th-best team in the country.

Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, USC and Texas A&M were the top five teams listed.

Michigan has pieces to replace from last year’s 12-2 squad, but still has the bones of a great football team.

“The Wolverines will have to reload, as well, after losing the heart and soul of the team that won a Big Ten championship and reached a CFP semifinal,” Mark Schlabach wrote. “Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald returned to the Baltimore Ravens, and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis took a job at the University of Miami. New D-coordinator Jesse Minter has many holes to fill. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was impressive this spring, along with fellow tackle Kris Jenkins and edge rusher Jaylen Harrell. The quarterback battle between returning starter Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy didn’t materialize this spring, as McCarthy didn’t throw in practice because of soreness in his shoulder. Oluwatimi, a transfer from Virginia, was working as the No. 1 center.”

However, it was what came next that might raise some eyebrows.

Spartans ahead of Wolverines?

Schlabach ranked Michigan State a spot higher at No. 9 in the country. MSU has to replace star running back Kenneth Walker III and has its own questions. Can head coach Mel Tucker have as much success in the transfer portal this time?

The ESPN writer believes so.

“After posting the biggest turnaround in school history, the Spartans spent the spring searching for Walker’s replacement and filling in key transfers on defense,” Schlabach wrote. “Berger has already transferred from Wisconsin, and Broussard, who ran for 1,556 yards the past two seasons at Colorado, is expected to enroll in May. Greene, a Washington State transfer, might be able to help at guard or center. Two other transfers — Windmon (UNLV) and Brule (Mississippi State) — started at inside linebacker in the spring game. Speed, a Georgia transfer, was one of the starting cornerbacks.”

Michigan and Michigan State will have to settle it on the field. The two teams meet on Oct. 29 at the Big House in Ann Arbor. Tucker currently has a 2-0 edge over Harbaugh and the Wolverines.

How Michigan compares to the Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the media darlings of the offseason again. They have much to prove after a loss to Michigan last year but are still seen as a tier above. Schlabach’s latest rankings have them at No. 2 in the land.

“After failing to win a Big Ten title for the first time in coach Ryan Day’s three seasons, much of the attention this spring was on the 4-2-5 defense under new coordinator Jim Knowles,” he said. “The Buckeyes ranked ninth in the Big Ten in scoring defense (22.8 points) and total defense (372.6 yards), and they’ll have to vastly improve to get back to the playoffs. The addition of McCalister, who started 23 games the past two seasons at Oklahoma State, should help in Knowles’ “safety-driven” defense. Finding adequate replacements for Olave and Wilson also was a priority, although the return of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards with nine touchdowns, should make things easier. Noah Ruggles, one of the top kickers in the FBS, took the spring off, but he is expected to return this summer, according to Day.”

It will be another case of a rivalry playing itself out on the gridiron. Michigan and Ohio State meet at noon on Nov. 26 in Columbus.

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