Can't Wait For Saturday Utah East? That works just fine for fans in Ann Arbor as long as wins keep coming
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Aug. 3—
Once again, I will represent the state of Illinois on The Associated Press AP Top 25 panel. It is an honor and one of my favorite parts of the job I have been doing for 38 years.
Of course, some of you won't like how I rank the teams each week and that's cool. We are all entitled to our opinions. I will take any criticism you want to deliver. If you make a convincing argument, I will change my mind.
The poll starts with a preseason Top 25 that will be released Aug. 17. To get the poll talk going, I'm going to use this space over the next month and a half to count down my Top 40.
Why 40? Because that is number of teams I usually track closely during the year, give or take a team or two.
Who is unveiled today …
— When the Wolverines found themselves with an unexpected opening at the top, the retired coach at Utah was not the first name mentioned by most experts. But considering Kyle Whittingham's track record, he should have been at the top of the list.
The guy brings immediate credibility and respect to a place that is short on both. Just a few seasons removed from a national title, the Michigan program was about to slide off the map in the wake of the messes made by Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore. The hope in Ann Arbor is that Whittingham can build a better program. One that wins without the stain of negative headlines.
The 66-year old is new to the Midwest. He has spent his entire college coaching career in Utah or Idaho. He has 177 wins, all with the Utes. Impressive.
— Whittingham certainly checked out the returning roster before he signed up. Top of mind is having Bryce Underwood back at quarterback and making full use of his potential. The running game should be in fine shape with Jordan Marshall returning and the addition of hot-shot recruit Savion Hiter.
— All that running is a lot easier with a bunch of talented big guys up front blocking. Michigan brings back four starters on the offensive line. They have to be fired up by Whittingham's desire to run the ball.
Nov. 28 at Ohio State. Is there any other choice? Normally no, but Whittingham drew a particularly brutal first-year schedule. Of the eight Big Ten teams in my Top 25, the Wolverines play five of them. Plus Oklahoma.
13. LSU SEC
14. Southern California Big Ten
15. Houston Big 12
16. Washington Big Ten
17. Alabama SEC
18. Penn State Big Ten
19. Texas Tech Big 12
20. Missouri SEC
21. Utah Big 12
22. SMU ACC
23. Louisville ACC
24. Iowa Big Ten
25. Tennessee SEC
26. Boise State Pac-12
27. TCU Big 12
28. Clemson ACC
29. Florida SEC
30. Illinois Big Ten
31. South Carolina SEC
32. Arizona Big 12
33. Virginia Tech ACC
34. Auburn SEC
35. Kansaas State Big 12
36. Georgia Tech ACC
37. Pitt ACC
38. Arizona State Big 12
39. Virginia ACC
40. UCLA Big Ten
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