The 2024 college football preseason AP Poll top 25 was released on Monday afternoon.
Georgia came in at No. 1 overall, while Ohio State came in at No. 2. Oregon, Texas and Alabama rounded out the top five in the preseason Top 25 poll.
Michigan, the reigning national champions, come in at No. 9 overall. It’s the lowest preseason ranking for a defending national champion in nearly 15 years. Auburn started at No. 23 overall in 2011 following their national championship season.
Michigan at No. 9 is the lowest ranked defending national champion since Auburn in 2011 started No. 23. https://t.co/fmalQm3ygC
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) August 12, 2024
Here’s the complete top 25, from the Associated Press:
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Texas
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- Penn State
- Michigan
- Florida State
- Missouri
- Utah
- LSU
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State
- Kansas State
- Miami
- Texas A&M
- Arizona
- Kansas
- USC
- NC State
- Iowa
Michigan lost a lot this offseason, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, who bounced for the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Wolverines, who went 15-0 in 2023, winning a national championship, also lost quarterback J.J. McCarthy and plenty of other talent.
The Wolverines will have a tough task defending their national championship, especially given how deep the Big Ten should be in 2024. Michigan will have to battle with Ohio State, Oregon, Washington and others at the top of the Big Ten Conference this fall.
Michigan is scheduled to open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 against Fresno State.
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