The first coaches poll of the college football season has been released, and Michigan is one of three Big Ten teams in the top 10.
The Wolverines come in at No. 2 on the heels of a 13-win season, behind two-time defending national champion Georgia. That puts them one spot ahead of Alabama and two ahead of Ohio State, and marks their highest preseason ranking in the history of the coaches poll, which was introduced in 1950.
Michigan brings back a loaded offense, led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy and star running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. It also appears to have another elite offense live. If the defense, which finished sixth in the country last season, meets its own high standard, there's no reason Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines can't capture their third straight Big Ten title -- and get over the hump in the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes will obviously pose a challenge, the results of the last two years notwithstanding. So will Penn State, No. 7 in the coaches poll. The only other Big Ten team in the Top 25 is Wisconsin (No. 21), but the Wolverines and Badgers don't meet this season.
Also ranked are future Big Ten teams USC (No. 6), Washington (No. 11) and Oregon (No. 15). The full top 25 is below.
1. Georgia (15-0 last season)
2. Michigan (13-1)
3. Alabama (11-2)
4. Ohio State (11-2)
5. LSU (10-4)
6. USC (11-3)
7. Penn State (11-2)
8. Florida State (10-3)
9. Clemson (11-3)
10. Tennessee (11-2)
11. Washington (11-2)
12. Texas (8-5)
13. Notre Dame (9-4)
14. Utah (10-4)
15. Oregon (10-3)
16. TCU (13-2)
17. Kansas State (10-4)
18. Oregon State (10-3)
19. Oklahoma (6-7)
20. North Carolina (9-5)
21. Wisconsin (7-6)
22. Mississippi (8-5)
23. Tulane (12-2)
24. Texas Tech (8-5)
25. Texas A&M (5-7)
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