Michigan Slightly Disrespected In Early Preseason Rankings

After the 2-4, COVID-ridden 2020 season, expectations had been at an all-time low for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan. All of the Wolverines did was beat Ohio State soundly, destroy Iowa within the Huge Ten title recreation and play within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. So after a 12 months like that, expectations are as soon as once more fairly excessive for Harbaugh and his Wolverines.

In keeping with ESPN’s preseason FPI Rankings, the Wolverines are simply thought of a prime ten staff within the nation.

The FPI is predicated on a number of metrics that’s additional outlined by the graphic beneath, giving a deeper take a look at how and why these groups are ranked the place they’re in mid-April.

For those who keep in mind final 12 months, Michigan was given only a 2% probability to win the Huge Ten. That mark turned considerably of a battle cry for the Wolverines all through the 2021 season. This 12 months, the quantity is greater, however nonetheless fairly low at simply 7.2%. Ohio State, who’s sitting at No. 2 within the FPI behind solely Alabama, has a 73.6% probability at profitable the Huge Ten.

For those who ask me, that is disrespectful to Michigan. The Wolverines manhandled OSU final 12 months and return a ton of expertise, particularly on offense. Positive, changing Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, together with each coordinators, shall be powerful, but it surely’s attainable due to U-M’s cohesive workers and proficient roster. I additionally perceive that this 12 months’s iteration of ‘The Recreation’ is in Columbus, however 74% to simply 7%?! Come on.