Where Should Michigan Be Ranked in 2016 College Football Preseason Polls?

The release of college football preseason polls is a highly anticipated time in August, and Michigan will be a popular topic following the initial 2016 rankings.

After a 10-3 finish last season, the Wolverines are expected to contend for a Big Ten title and—more importantly—the College Football Playoff. The roster boasts 15 returning starters and several other weekly contributors, particularly on defense.

But where should fans expect Jim Harbaugh's team to begin its championship pursuit when the Amway Coaches Poll (Aug. 4) and Associated Press (Aug. 21) rankings are released?

First and foremost, defending national champion Alabama and runner-up Clemson are likely to sit atop the country. According to the composite preseason top 25 Bleacher Report's Justin Ferguson has assembled, the programs are ranked Nos. 1-2 in six of 11 selected polls.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Florida State, Oklahoma, LSU and Michigan are the leading candidates for the No. 3 ranking, and there's no clear choice.

What's obvious, however, is the perceived gap between those four programs and the remainder of the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Baylor was included in that group until the sexual assault investigation resulted in the dismissal of Art Briles. Though quarterback Seth Russell (neck) is cleared to play, the college football world simply doesn't know what to expect from the Bears.

Notre Dame, Tennessee and Stanford are relatively safe Top 10 selections, but each school is behind the Wolverines in 10 of 11 predictions Ferguson gathered—the outlier being Phil Steele's ranking.

Plus, the level of respect for Houston, Michigan State, Ole Miss and TCU varies greatly. The extremes are scattered, suggesting an outcome near the middle and solidly removed from the Wolverines.

Team	High	2nd-Highest	2nd-Lowest	Low	Composite
Houston	6	10	17	20	12
Michigan State	9	11	18	20	13
Ole Miss	7	10	21	22	14
TCU	6	11	22	25	15

But the biggest wild card is Ohio State.

Despite massive turnover on the roster—namely 12 NFL draft picks and a few other undrafted free agents—the Buckeyes enter the upcoming campaign as the favorite in the Big Ten.

Although the conference stopped releasing a preseason poll in 2011, Cleveland.com conducts an annual survey of Big Ten media. In the 2016 edition, 27 of 39 voters tabbed Ohio State as the eventual conference champion.

However, that projection isn't reflected in early rankings. Not only is Michigan initially being placed ahead of the Buckeyes feasible, but it's likely. Seven of the 11 polls list the Wolverines higher than their longtime rival and Big Ten East competitor.

If the trend continues, Michigan is indeed a Top Six program this preseason. And at this point, you may as well break out a dartboard. There isn't much separation between the Maize and Blue, Florida State, Oklahoma and LSU. Expect Harbaugh's team to fall behind two and be ahead of one for an initial No. 5 national ranking.

Regardless of where the Wolverines are ranked in the preseason poll, though, the entire program would agree on one important point.

It doesn't matter where you start. It's where you finish.

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.