Week 1 AP Top 25 most overrated, underrated and biggest surprise in the Big Ten

Illinois football clearly didn’t make the week one AP Top 25 poll, but let’s take a look at the Big Ten as a whole.

The Illini take on four AP Top 25 opponents in 2024. That is a lot of talent on one schedule, and three out of the four are from the Big Ten.

Here is the Week 1 AP Top 25 most overrated, underrated and biggest surprise in the Big Ten

Week 1 AP Top 25 Most Overrated: #9 Michigan Wolverines

I have nothing but respect for the Michigan Wolverines. Winning a national championship is impressive, and they went through some great competition to get to the mountaintop.

This is 2024, though. 2023 is behind us, and the Wolverines lost a ton of talent. Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and their starter from 2023, JJ McCarthy, is now in the NFL. That is a big position to replace.

Quarterback is the main position that can hurt a program if the player doesn’t return. But Michigan is dealing with more than just a quarterback leaving.

Just 40% of the production from the Wolverines’ program last season returns in 2024. That includes just 27% of the offense.

There are a lot of new snaps being had in Ann Arbor, and when you mix that in with the fact that Jim Harbaugh is no longer a coach and there is a new play-caller, that could mean a step back for Michigan in 2024.