PFF Power Rankings Place Ohio State Over Michigan

In spite of beating the Buckeyes convincingly over the last two seasons, Michigan is still viewed by some as an underdog when it comes to the rivalry with Ohio State.

After nearly two decades of heartbreak, the Michigan Wolverines have flipped the rivalry with Ohio State in convincing fashion - dominating the Buckeyes by an average of of 18.5 points per game. 

With the rivalry shifting back to Ann Arbor in 2023, coupled with the fact that Michigan is returning over 80 percent of its production from the 2022 season, you would think that the Wolverines would be the favorite when compared to the Buckeyes.

Not according to Pro Football Focus. 

Big Ten Power Rankings👀 pic.twitter.com/hVJV418bS2

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 24, 2023

In a Big Ten preseason power rankings list released on Saturday, PFF placed the Buckeyes at the top of the pecking order - followed by Michigan at No. 2 and Penn State at No. 3. 

Here are five reasons why Michigan absolutely belongs in that top spot:

1. The Coaching Staff

There's absolutely no question that the best case scenario for the football program was that Jim Harbaugh would opt to remain at Michigan for the foreseeable future, and that's exactly what he decided to do. After spending several weeks flirting with an NFL return following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Harbaugh made his intentions clear.

"I love the relationships that I have at Michigan - the coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono and especially the players and their families," Harbaugh said. "My heart is at the University of Michigan. I once heard a wise man say, 'Don't try to out-happy, happy.' Go Blue!"

With Harbaugh committed to remaining at Michigan, he was able to maintain the top members of his coaching staff from 2022 - including guys like offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Co-DC Steve Clinkscale, running backs coach Mike Hart, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert.

With so much leadership and experience on staff returning to Schembechler Hall in 2023, it's easy to feel optimistic about Michigan's chances of making in three Big Ten Championships in a row.  

2. The Defense

Defensively, the Wolverines are pretty much set at every single position on the field. After a slight question mark lingered at one of the corner postions, Harbaugh's staff secured the commitment of UMass transfer Josh Wallace. The veteran corner joined other transfers like linebacker Ernest Hausmann and EDGE Josiah Stewart, all who figure to play a significant role in 2023

Beyond the transfers, Michigan returns significant experience in the secondary with guys like Mike Sainristil, Rod Moore, Makari Paige, and Will Johnson. Up front, the Wolverines feature guys like Kris Jenkins, Rayshaun Benny, Kenneth Grant, and Mason Graham. Throw in linebackers Junior Colson and Mike Barrett, along with a whole host of edge rushers like Braidan McGregor, Derrick Moore and Jaylen Harrell, and there's every reason to believe that this will be a top-five unit in 2023. 

3. JJ McCarthy

Though it was far from perfect, it's clear that sophomore JJ McCarthy was exactly what Michigan fans hoped he would be when he took over as the starter in Week Two. From his infectious personality, to his elite physical and leadership abilities, there's no question that McCarthy is already the best quarterback of the Harbaugh era to date.

When McCarthy had a clean pocket, he proved that he could put the football pretty much anywhere he needed to. When things broke down, McCarthy showed his ability to burn a defense with his legs - finishing as the teams third leading rusher with 70 yards and 5 touchdowns on 14 attempts.

As a starter, McCarthy went 12-1 and became the first quarterback in Michigan Football history to win their first 12 games as a starter - passing former U-M QB Dennis Franklin who won his first 10 starts back in 1972.

Entering his junior season, he'll have a whole host of weapons at his disposal - including guys like Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, Darrius Clemons, Tyler Morris, and more. With a year of experience now under his belt, there's very little doubt that McCarthy returns as the top quarterback in the Big Ten conference. 

4. The Offensive Line

Although the Wolverines have featured some great offensive lines in years past, the 2023 version might be the best in program history - which is saying a lot when considering that the Wolverines have captured the Joe Moore award for the last two seasons.

Michigan returns veteran experience in guys like left guard Trevor Keegan, right guard Zak Zinter, and tackles Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones.

Although they lose the experience of left tackle Ryan Hayes and center Olu Oluwatimi, the Wolverines did a phenomenal job in securing talent from the transfer portal to help fill any gaps that may exist. Center Drake Nugent, a transfer from Stanford, is the most likely candidate to take the place of Oluwatimi. Myles Hinton (6-7, 320 lbs), another transfer from Stanford, will certainly make a push for a starting tackle role. Ladarius Henderson, a transfer with experience at both the tackle and guard positions, will also have the opportunity to solidify a starting role up front.

Either way you cut it, the Michigan Wolverines are absolutely stacked on the offensive line - with at least 14 guys already on the roster who have a legitimate opportunity to earn a starting role. 

5. The Backfield

Last, but certainly not least, is the tandem backfield of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. The duo, who most refer to as 'lightning and lightning', put together the most prolific single-season for a backfield duo in Michigan Football history - accounting for a combined 2,454 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground.

Although both battled injuries during the 2022 season, the two talented backs are expected to return to 100 percent health by the time the fall season roles around.

With Corum's ability to present a consistent and devastating rushing attack, along with the potential for Edwards to take it to the house any time he gets his hands on the ball, this backfield is going to present a big problem for opposing defenses in 2023.