Big Ten Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season

5. Michigan falls out of top 25

The Michigan Wolverines received a No. 9 ranking in the first edition of the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll that was released in early August, making it two straight years earning preseason top ten recognition.

Last season, the Wolverines proved their ranking throughout the year- floating around the top four mark for its entirety before losing a heartbreaker in the regular season finale in controversial fashion to the Ohio State Buckeyes. To add insult to injury, the Wolverines then had to watch their arch-rival Buckeyes basically take their CFP spot from them and landing Michigan on the outside looking in.

One thing we are starting to learn, though, when it comes to Michigan is that you can never count out a Jim Harbaugh-led team. Now that he has been around for awhile and has some traction under him, successful seasons are expected and there is no rebuilding mode, only reloading.

In 2017, that mantra will be put to the test as the Wolverines return just five starters. Yes, you read that right- only five. This number puts Michigan last in the entire NCAA (FBS) for number of returning starters and of course last in the Big Ten by a very wide margin.

The main thing that held Michigan down last season was their defense- led by Jabrill Peppers and company. An offense that is still trying to find some consistency will have to pick up the slack in 2017 as the defense returns just one starter from a year ago.

Lastly, the 2017 schedule is brutal for the Wolverines. An opener against the Florida Gators got a little easier with the Gators losing many big-time players to suspension, but in the Big Ten it gets much more difficult, especially in the East division.

The wolverines will have to play Penn State and Wisconsin on the road, and will battle Minnesota and Ohio State in Ann Arbor.

It won’t be a down year for Harbaugh and his boys, but don’t be surprised to see a rough patch or two.