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As of right now, we don’t know how the novel coronavirus pandemic will unfold in the United States, but what we do know is that there was very little in terms of spring football around the country.
While some were able to partake by way of a handful of practices, Michigan never got there, with the pandemic taking hold just before the Wolverines were set to hit the field at Schembechler Hall.
However, with it being similar across the country, that wasn’t enough to stop USA TODAY Sports from putting together a ‘post-spring’ preseason Top 25, and the maize and blue came in ranked surprisingly high.
11. Michigan
Former backup quarterbacks Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton are the contenders to replace Shea Patterson, who had a steady run as the Wolverines’ starter but never matched the huge expectations that accompanied his run as a five-star recruit. McCaffrey may have the edge in overall experience but both have spent the same amount of time in the team’s current offensive scheme.
To us, however, this isn’t much of a surprise. While it’s not an obvious scenario, should the Wolverines be able to get past Washington in the season opener in Seattle, given how Michigan has handled Penn State and Wisconsin at home in the Jim Harbaugh era, the maize and blue certainly could find themselves 11-0 going into the Ohio State game.
Everything hinges on the aforementioned quarterback battle, as well as who fills in along the offensive line. But, the defense should reload nicely, and perhaps take a step forward.
Given all that, Michigan being just outside the top ten may seem a little high right now, but it’s certainly not unfeasible.
Of course, some of the teams the Wolverines face are also in the this preseason ranking: Ohio State is No. 2, Penn State is No. 8, Wisconsin is No. 18 and Washington is No. 24.
There is no mention of Minnesota, which Michigan plays on the road. The Golden Gophers had a resurgent season under head coach P.J. Fleck, beating Penn State and Auburn, but played very few top teams in the process, outside of the aforementioned.