The college football preview stories and opinions are almost at full blast now.
ESPN is contributing to the cause, publishing its list of the top 50 college football for the upcoming season.
There are four Michigan football players listed, starting with defensive tackle Rashan Gary at No. 8, who was heralded for his “great speed and impeccable footwork.”
Fellow junior defender Devin Bush is 22nd.
“Good instincts and a fearsome attitude will make Bush the tone-setting centerpiece for another fast, aggressive group in Ann Arbor,” ESPN said of U-M’s leading tackler from last season.
But the eyebrows raised a bit on No. 25, which is new Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson. You can even sense ESPN’s skepticism in their own choice.
“Patterson’s ability to extend and make plays will – provided he wins the starting job – give Jim Harbaugh’s staff a weapon it has not had under center at Michigan,” it said.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg spoke to this idea in the website’s analysis of the rankings. Under the “who’s ranked too high” category, Rittenberg picked the Ole Miss transfer.
“Some of this is projection, and Patterson certainly could turn out to be one of the nation’s better quarterbacks this season for Michigan, which desperately needs an upgrade there. But slotting Patterson ahead of proven college quarterbacks such as Washington’s Jake Browning and even guys such as Missouri’s Drew Lock and Georgia’s Jake Fromm doesn’t sit well,” Rittenberg said.
There’s one more U-M defender mentioned: Chase Winovich is listed at No. 46.
“The first-team All-Big Ten selection bypassed the NFL draft for one more shot at a Big Ten title as he joins fellow All-America candidate Rashan Gary on Michigan’s line,” ESPN wrote.
Sports Illustrated posted a similar list, ranking the top 100 players for the season (overachievers, aren’t they?). Gary was ranked ninth and Bush 25th. Winovich was 56th, Khaleke Hudson 62nd and Lavert Hill 78th. Patterson was only 80th in the minds of the SI writers.
By the way, there were no Michigan State players on ESPN’s list. Running back LJ Scott was 87th on SI’s list.
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