Michigan football is known for two things — its run game and its defense. Yet, despite having a loaded roster on the defensive side of the ball, somehow, the Wolverines are getting slept on.
By a videogame.
On Thursday, EA Sports released its College Football 25 top 10 defenses and the Wolverines somehow managed to be ranked No. 7 with a 90 score. They are behind Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame.
All this despite Michigan having at least three likely first-round NFL draft picks in 2025 in defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant as well as cornerback Will Johnson — and that’s not even mentioning players like linebacker Jaishawn Barham or the bulk of the safety room.
The Top 10 Defenses in #CFB25…. Thoughts?
Top 25 | đź”—: https://t.co/QJRUvTib0f pic.twitter.com/bcgprMgGYX
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) June 27, 2024
Though EA Sports reportedly worked in association with PFF to come up with its grades, it seems to be buying in to typical preseason hype that you usually see every college football offseason. Many have decided that Ohio State was going to be the best team in college football and across the board, thus the Buckeyes get a ton of love. It’s been that way for eons, even in years like 2011 when Oklahoma was the preseason favorite. But usually, though not always, the team that’s projected as the best oftentimes doesn’t finish that way.
Regardless, if Michigan has earned the benefit of the doubt, it’s in two areas, as mentioned — run game and defense. And somehow, it’s being doubted in both. A video game ranking is a symptom, not the disease and Sherrone Moore would tell you of people doubting Michigan: ‘Good.’