USA TODAY Sports ranks Michigan football in preseason poll – WolverinesWire

We are at a little standstill with college football news now that spring practices and the spring game have concluded.

The only real news trickling in are possible players entering the transfer portal, speculation on depth charts, and the good ole’ name, image, and likeness saga.

On the Michigan landscape of things, there have been a few players to transfer out since the spring game happened like Jack Stewart and Jordan Morant, but the team has pretty much stayed intact.

Thankfully media outlets create some talking points for college football fanatics. USA TODAY Sports came out with a post-spring college football top 25 preseason poll. 

Erick Smith, who wrote the article, ranks the Wolverines No. 7 in the preseason poll — which is one spot higher than he had them in his previous poll.

Here’s what Smith had to say about the maize and blue:

7. Michigan (8)

There was a time in February where it seemed the Wolverines would need a new coach with Jim Harbaugh’s public flirtation with the Minnesota Vikings. With that door closed, Michigan is full steam ahead on trying to follow up on its playoff appearance with another run at the Big Ten title. Cade McNamara was the starter at quarterback but faces competition from J.J. McCarthy. Wide receiver Ronnie Bell went down in the opener and is expected to be healthy and team with Andrel Anthony and Cornelius Johnson to give the offense three quality receivers. There were wholesale losses on defense, including coordinator Mike McDonald. Whether that group can again be one of the best in the country will determine how the season evolves.

Smith had six Big Ten teams ranked in his top 25 poll, with Ohio State leading the way ranked No. 3.