College Gameday Host On Wolverines: 'I Think I'd Put Michigan No. 1'

Although the ESPN FPI is giving the Buckeyes the best shot at winning it all in 2021, one prominent College Gameday host thinks the Wolverines belong in the top spot.

When it comes to the world of college football, it's never too early for preseason rankings and debates about who would be where. Most recently, ESPN released its annual preseason FPI rankings - where Ohio State is the best team in the country and the current favorite to win it all in 2023.

Despite dominating the Buckeyes over the last two meetings, winning back-to-back conference championships, and returning a significant number of key starters from 2022, ESPN's FPI places Michigan at No. 6 in its preseason rankings.

Here's a look at the Top-10, along with each teams odds of making the College Football Playoff and winning the national championship:

1. Ohio State - CFP: 82 pct, Natty: 37 pct 
2. Alabama - CFP: 62 pct, Natty: 20 pct 
3. Georgia - CFP: 63 pct, Natty: 19 pct 
4. LSU - CFP: 24 pct, Natty: 4 pct 
5. Texas - CFP: 34 pct, Natty: 6 pct 
6. MICHIGAN - CFP: 26 pct, Natty: 4 pct 
7. USC - CFP: 25 pct, Natty: 3 pct 
8. Clemson - CFP: 24 pct, Natty: 3 pct 
9. Notre Dame - CFP: 16 pct, Natty: 2 pct
10. Penn State - CFP: 11 pct, Natty: <1 pct

Even though Michigan is  ranked No. 6 and given just a 4 percent chance of winning it all according to the ESPN FPI, at least one College Gameday host thinks it's the Wolverines that belong in the No. 1 spot. 

So if you filled out a pre-season ranking right now, who is number 1? Any thoughts ⁦@UMichFootball⁩ There’s a chance ⁦@DesmondHoward⁩ might like my early lean. ⁦@CollegeGameDay⁩ pod with ⁦@PeteThamel⁩ pic.twitter.com/gSRhW4yhzD

— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) April 20, 2023

In the video above, Rece Davis provides sound logic as to why the Michigan Wolverines should be considered the preseason No. 1 team. 

"Michigan has a proven quarterback that I think is going to improve greatly this year," said Davis. "They've got the best cornerback in American in Will Johnson, they've got some transfers on both lines of scrimmage - including a pass rusher that should shore up some of the things that they've lost. They've done a really good job in the transfer portal over the last couple of years, particularly on the line of scrimmage. They've got their running backs coming back, a couple of wide receivers that even be bigger threats, a transfer tight end from Indiana. I think if I had to fill out the ballot right now, based on what I know - the type of production I know I'm going to get, I think I'd put Michigan No. 1"