They may only be ranked eighth in the preseason poll, but the Michigan Wolverines are in prime position heading into the 2012 season.

USA Today recently released its Preseason Coaches Poll and the Wolverines find themselves sitting in the Top 10 ranked behind powerhouses the likes of LSU, Alabama, USC, Oklahoma and Oregon.

They also fall behind two programs rapidly arising from the abyss: Florida State and Georgia.

It could be argued that Michigan should be ranked ahead of those two because it had a better year last season, but that's an argument for another day.