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Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?

By Dan Vasta

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

11) Michigan Wolverines

Key Player: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

He hasn’t even played a down yet for Michigan, but the hype will prove to be real this season. He has a chance to come in and make an immediate impact. Michigan lost their top three pass catchers from the past two seasons, so the opportunity is there to really shine. He has the size, speed and athleticism to lead this team in the passing game.

Key Stat: Jim Harbaugh may own the offseason and the headlines on a consistent basis, but he sure hasn’t exactly won all of his big games. In fact, he has hardly won any of them while at Michigan. The last time Michigan won the B1G title was in 2004 whereas the last trip to Pasadena was in 2006. Coming off an Orange Bowl bid is very good, but their standards have their fans antsy as they search for more.

Key Game: 11/25 Ohio State

Michigan has had major issues slowing down the Buckeyes success and if they cannot get them at home this season, the pressure will heat up more. Ohio State is consistently winning more and playing in bigger games due to winning this all-time rivalry recently. If we don’t see change soon, Michigan will be forced to play for consolation type of bowl games.