Michigan football is just about two and a half weeks away from kicking off the 2026 season and thus a new era for the Wolverines. Kyle Whittingham is now leading the charge, and the maize and blue are expected to be much better as a result. But, with a bear of a schedule, despite higher expectations, it will be tough sledding for the players in winged helmets.
There's no surer way to see that the season is fast approaching than the release of the preseason polls, and now we know what the media thinks of Michigan. In the newly-released preseason AP Top 25, the Wolverines come in ranked No. 16 -- just like in the US LBM Coaches Poll. But Michigan will face No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 18 Penn State, and No. 22 Iowa this season. Other opponents, Minnesota and Western Michigan, both received votes but didn't crack the top 25.
Here is the full poll:
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Oregon Ducks
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Texas Longhorns
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Miami Hurricanes
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Oklahoma Sooners
- LSU Tigers
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- BYU Cougars
- USC Trojans
- Michigan Wolverines
- Washington Huskies
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Tennessee Volunteers
- SMU Mustangs
- Utah Utes
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Houston Cougars
- Louisville Cardinals
- Missouri Tigers
Others receiving votes
Clemson 112, Florida 51, Boise State 43, Arizona 32, TCU 11, Navy 10, South Carolina 10, Illinois 9, Oklahoma State 8, Vanderbilt 8, Pittsburgh 7, Virginia Tech 6, Minnesota 5, UNLV 4, New Mexico 4, Georgia Tech 4, James Madison 3, Auburn 3, Memphis 2, California 2, Liberty 1, Western Michigan 1, Tulane 1, Virginia 1
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football enters season ranked No 16 by AP