College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bo Scarbrough #9, head coach Nick Saban, and Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7 in their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with Noah Furbush #59 of the Michigan Wolverines after the Michigan Wolverines recovered a fumble and scored against the Florida Gators in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

11. Michigan Wolverines

Ranking coming into Week 1: No. 11

OK, so Michigan played against Florida’s practice squad in Arlington this past Saturday. But, despite the countless suspensions for the Gators, the Wolverines looked dominant in their 33-17 victory.

Technically, it was 33-3 because Florida’s lone two touchdowns came via the arm of Michigan’s starting quarterback Wilton Spieght.

Regardless, Michigan’s defense didn’t look like a unit that was introducing almost an entirely new 11 on the field. The Wolverines lost a ton from last year’s team that made the Orange Bowl last season, but they made life miserable for the Gators offense all day long. Florida had 27 carries for 11 yards on Saturday. Yes, you read that right.

It wasn’t pretty for the Wolverines, but with a Jim Harbaugh-coached team, it usually never is in victory or defeat. Michigan ran the ball 49 times for 215 yards, including 114 yards for Ty Isaac, who averaged over 10 yards a carry against the Gators.

Michigan’s the odd man out in the loaded Big Ten West Division this season and with two brutal matchups that include Wisconsin and Penn State on the road, plus the annual game with Ohio State, you can see why many aren’t as high on the Wolverines this season compared to last.

Still, this is a good football team.

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