The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL games before disappearing from the lineup after U-M's week nine win over Rutgers; Green did not see the field again. The three players have not said where they will suit up next year. MICHIGAN RANKED IN TOP FIVE OF 2016 PRESEASON POLLS Though the Wolverines finished 12th in the final Associated Press poll of 2015, expectations for next season are already sky high. Sports Illustrated has Michigan ranked No. 2 for 2016, USA Today and Yahoo Sports have listed U-M at No. 3, ESPN.com and FoxSports.com tabbed the Wolver- ines at No. 4, CBSSports.com placed Michigan No. 6 nationally, Athlon- Sports.com puts the Maize and Blue at No. 7 and S p o r t i n g N e w s . com pencils them in at No. 9. U S A To d a y w r i t e s : " S u r - prised? Don't be. There's no reason to think Michigan won't be capable of making this climb in the follow-up to Harbaugh's successful debut. Another season in his unique system will yield an even stronger, deeper, tougher and more physical team, and one that will be right in the mix for the national championship." The Wolverines checked in USA Today's poll behind only the two national championship competi- tors from this fall, Clemson (which is ranked No. 1 for next year after falling in the title game) and Ala- bama. Big Ten foes Ohio State (No. 6), Michigan State (No. 13) and Iowa (No. 19) are also ranked. In the ESPN.com poll, Michigan fol- lows Clemson, Alabama and Baylor. The site writes: "After a five-win improvement in Jim Harbaugh's first season at his alma mater, the Wolver- ines might be the team to beat in the Big Ten in 2016. Michigan will bring back almost everybody on offense, although losing quarterback Jake Ru- dock and center Graham Glasgow is significant. Houston transfer John O'Korn might be the top candidate to replace Rudock. " D e f e n s i v e l y, M i c h i g a n w i l l have to replace its entire line- backer corps, but its defensive line figures to be one of the country's best. New defen- sive coordinator Don Brown led one of the stingi- est defenses in the FBS at Boston College this past season. Michigan plays eight home games this coming season, but three of its road games — at Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State — should be tough." CBSSports.com is also high on the Wolverines, noting: "How hard can this Big Ten/national championship DIGITAL BONUS: CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST BTN.com's Tom Dienhart discusses the Big Ten East and West division races in 2016.