Michigan Football inside Top 10 of ESPN's Power Rankings

The Wolverines are considered one of the best teams in all of college football entering the 2024 season, but are surrounded by tough competition in the Big Ten Conference...

Sep 23, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings (20) runs against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

College football is entering a new era with an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, an 18-member Big Ten Conference and a 16-member Southeastern Conference. It will never have been tougher to win one of those two leagues, or a national championship, than in 2024 and beyond.

That's reflected in ESPN's preseason Top 25 power rankings, which features eight teams in the Top 10 from either the Big Ten or the SEC. In total, 15 of the 25 teams listed reside in one of those two conferences.

Michigan comes in at No. 9 in ESPN's rankings, which is low considering the Wolverines are the reigning national champions but a solid starting point considering everything U-M lost this offseason. Still, like most other publications' rankings or projections, Michigan is the fourth-highest ranked team in its own conference. Here's the full list...

ESPN College Football Preseason Power Rankings

1.) Georgia
2.) Ohio State
3.) Oregon
4.) Texas
5.) Alabama
6.) Notre Dame
7.) Ole Miss
8.) Penn State
9.) MICHIGAN
10.) Florida State
11.) Missouri
12.) Utah
13.) LSU
14.) Tennessee
15.) Clemson
16.) Kansas State
17.) Oklahoma
18.) Oklahoma State
19.) Miami
20.) NC State
21.) Arizona
22.) Texas A&M
23.) USC
24.) Kansas
25.) Iowa

The Wolverines will face four opponents who reside in the above power rankings including home games against No. 4 Texas (Sept. 7), No. 23 USC (Sept. 21) and No. 3 Oregon (Nov. 4) and a road trip to No. 2 Ohio State (Nov. 30). Should Michigan make it through that gauntlet and reach the Big Ten Championship game, the Wolverines would face a likely rematch with the Buckeyes or Ducks, or could face a new opponent like No. 8 Penn State or No. 25 Iowa.

The expanded playoff makes the road to a national championship that much tougher as well. The four highest-ranked conference champions will need to win three playoff games to claim the title, while the other eight teams included in the CFP will need to win four. All that makes for what should be an exciting and unpredictable season of college football this fall.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

Top NFL Draft evaluator: Michigan's D-Line 'might be best in college football'

Michigan Football expected to make huge addition to 2025 recruiting class

WATCH: New Dr Pepper 'Fansville' commercial teases Michigan, Connor Stalions

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @WingedHelmetMedia
• Follow us on Facebook: @TheWingedHelmet
• Follow us on Twitter: @TWH_chris | @TrentKnoop  | @mlounsberry_SI