ESPN ranks Michigan #3 in preseason SP+ rankings

With the first transfer portal window closed and signing day over, eyes are now turning to the 2023 season.

Bill Connelly of ESPN uses algorithms for returning production, recruiting, and previous season results to create his projections. With much of that known to a large percentage, he has released his first rankings of the season and Michigan finds itself near the top.

Georgia leads 2023 preseason college football SP+ rankings (espn.com)

Michigan lands at #3 in the first rankings. Two other Big Ten teams are in the top 5 with Ohio State at #2 and Penn State at #5. The gap to the 4th ranked team is the most significant in the power 5 with Wisconsin appearing at #25 with a rating of 10.1.

Connelly also released his assesement of ESPN's initial top 25 rankings.

There appear to be clear tiers in the top 10 heading into the 2023 season. Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan are the three teams that Connelly says can go 12-0 in 2023.

For Michigan, Connelly says the biggest variable for Michigan's 2023 season is on the defensive side of the ball.
"Pass rush. The third of the three teams in the "12-0 to 9-3" range boasts something the others don't: an incumbent quarterback (J.J. McCarthy). They'll have one of the most experienced teams in the country, too. There's a lot to like. But the Wolverines' pass rush in 2022 was merely good, not great, and now they must replace edge rusher Mike Morris. Between Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart and some youngsters, Michigan will need to unearth some players who not only match last year's sack production but increase it."

I have to agree with Connelly, for the second straight year Michigan's biggest question mark is pass rush. While Michigan was able to improve total sacks numbers with a committee approach in 2022, replacing Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo's production with sacks from multiple players at multiple positions. What they seemed to lack was consistency and a "go to" pass rusher in clutch situations.

Connelly mentions Stewart, who is expected to have an even bigger role with Eyabi Okie transferring out. Stewart had 12.5 sacks for Coastal Carolina in 2021, playing more of a true EDGE role. Players on last year's roster who could also fill that role include Braiden McGregor, Derrick Moore, and Jaylen Harrell.

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