Michigan No. 8 in ESPN.com preseason power rankings, 4 spots ahead of MSU, 6 in front of OSU

By Nick Baumgardner University of Michigan Sports Reporter

Posted on Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.

ESPN.com rates the Michigan football team at No. 8 in its initial power rankings.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Apparently, ESPN.com sees the Michigan football team the same way the coaches do.

A week after being ranked No. 8 in the initial USA Today Coaches' Poll, the Wolverines came in at No. 8 overall in ESPN.com's annual preseason power rankings.

Michigan is currently the highest-rated Big Ten squad on the list, four spots ahead of Michigan State and six in front of Ohio State. ESPN has yet to release its top six teams.

"The Wolverines will go as far as senior quarterback Denard Robinson's fleet feet and arm will take them on offense as he shoots for a second straight double-digit win season and potentially Pat White's NCAA quarterback rushing record," the site wrote. "Defensively, Michigan has its most talented secondary in years."

Not everyone at ESPN seems to agree with Michigan's top Big ten ranking, though. ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg, who co-authors the site's Big Ten blog, called Michigan State's No. 13 ranking in the initial coaches' poll a "joke" on Twitter last week.

He then explained how he and colleague Brian Bennett see the Spartans -- not the Wolverines -- as the top-rated Big Ten club heading into the 2012 season.

Michigan State came in at No. 12 in ESPN.com's overall power rankings, while Ohio State was No. 14. Wisconsin was No. 15.

Again, we'll ask your thoughts?

Is Michigan rated correctly? If not, where should they sit?

Tags: Wolverines,