The Maize and Blue starts this season right where it finished last season in the coaches’ poll announced today. Michigan is the highest-ranked Big Ten team, with Ohio State at No. 9 and Iowa at 12. Elsewhere in the conference, Wisconsin , Minnesota and Purdue fall in at 22 and tied for 23rd with Michigan State and Illinois landing in the “others receiving votes” category.

Here’s what ESPN.com has to say about the Wolverines:

7. Michigan
(1,128 points, 10-3 and No. 7 in ‘03 final poll)

It’s worth the price of admission — even for one of those sweetheart alumni suites — just to watch the Wolverines’ receivers. Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant, Tyler Ecker and Steve Breaston are poetry in maize and blue. Now the big question is who will throw the ball to them. Matt Gutierrez finally gets his shot at QB, but some questions at O-line and RB won’t help. There are also some holes on the D-line, but the secondary will be among the nation’s best. Michigan gets Iowa and Minnesota at home, but a trip to Columbus to likely determine its Big Ten and BCS fate.

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