Michigan: Who Is Our Most Popular College Football Team?

The Michigan Wolverines have won the Big 10 Championship the past two seasons. However, the Michigan State Spartans have won the head-to-head battle between the two rivals in two out of their past three matchups.  Here, we will examine who is Michigan's most popular college football team this season.

Both teams are off to hot starts and currently sit at 1-0. The Spartans beat another popular school in Central Michigan to open their season. The Wolverines steamrolled East Carolina by a score of 30-3. They are also currently ranked as the #2 team in the nation.

Nonetheless, there are two different ways to approach the question of who is Michigan's more popular college football team this year. One method identifies an in-state team that fans continuously gravitate toward. The other looks at the entire landscape of college football to determine which team nationally is drawing the most interest.

Although the Wolverines did lose head coach Jim Harbaugh to a suspension for the first four games, their schedule does not have another ranked opponent on it until November 11, when they play Penn State. It is fair to say the Wolverines may be an obvious choice here. Spartan fans have a lot to be excited about still. They have an extremely passionate fanbase, a young and exciting team, and their first four games of the schedule at home in East Lansing.

CBS Sports and USA Today recently dove into the subject of who is the most popular college football team in Michigan for 2023.  Here is what they determined.

CBS Sports looked at college football teams in each state and selected the most powerful one. They examined key metrics such as their 2022 record and the school’s projected future success. Furthermore, they weighed the importance of the new rules and regulations in NCAA college football today, saying, “now with the introduction of not just the transfer portal but the one-time transfer exemption and the proliferation of name, image and likeness rights.”

This analysis pinpoints the more recent overall success of the Wolverines program instead of some of the inconsistencies the Spartans have shown.

USA Today‘s recent feature examines the ten most searched-for college football teams to identify the most popular in each state. They analyzed Google trends since 2017 and in the south, each state is aligned to big-name schools from within their borders.

What is interesting to note about USA Today's feature is that they rank Michigan as the sixth most popular team in all of college football this season. However, the state of Michigan is the only place in the country where the Wolverines are the most popular. That is not the case for rivals  Ohio State or Nebraska; each of these teams are the most popular outside of their home states.

In conclusion, there is only one true way to settle this. The Michigan vs. Michigan State game this year is on October 21 in East Lansing.

Football season is officially here. That's cause to rejoice, in my book. I really don't want to see summer end, but the good thing about it is that football is starting up. So, who are the best NFL teams going into the 2023 season?

Of course, everyone has their opinion. But, that opinion is often, or should be, based on fact. Certain teams going into the new season made good on their draft picks, while others kind of flubbed up. Also, many teams - such as the Kansas City Chiefs - have been tough to beat for years. So, of course, they're going to be favorites.

Before I get into my personal picks for the 10 NFL teams going into the 2023 season, let's talk about some of the weaker teams. What's shocking is that the Los Angeles Rams are considered one of the weakest teams this year. I mean, we're just two years out from their Super Bowl win. So, that's somewhat surprising. Then again, it's not surprising seeing their performance last season. I'm ranking them in the bottom five of NFL teams, because I just don't see them having the players and coaching chemistry to go far this year. That said, they should still bask in the light of their Super Bowl victory.

Also at the bottom of the pack are the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts. Both teams have struggled for years, and they just don't seem to be making the right decisions on and off the field. Who knows, maybe these teams will turn it around and surprise us. But, right now, the Cardinals, Colts and Rams are looking rough.

So, who are the best NFL teams going into the 2023 season? Read on for my thoughts. Also, I'm a sports podcaster and host a podcast about the Detroit Lions called "The Squad with Anne Erickson." Find my podcast here and reach out to me on socials here with your NFL thoughts.

I could have put these guys higher, as the Baltimore Ravens are solid in 2023. What they have that a lot of teams - even good teams - don't have is a fantastic defense. As they say, defense wins games. So, they're Super Bowl contenders, but I see them struggling against the teams coming up on this list.

Okay. You might say I'm a bit biased here, since I'm a Detroiter and a Detroit Lions fan. But, nearly every NFL critic has the Detroit Lions in their top 15 going into the new season. Some even having them winning the Super Bowl. I really think that Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and company have what it takes to make it to the playoffs the year. As for the Super Bowl? I could see them there in the next few years.

I kind of consider the Seattle Seahawks the surprise team for 2023. They tend to fly under the radar on best-of lists, but they've got one of the best offenses in the NFL. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are magic.

The Dallas Cowboys have been flirting with getting to the Super Bowl, and they're almost there. They have a super tight defense, and now, their offense has solidified. They've got new star players in Stephon Gilmore, Brandin Cooks and Mazi Smith, which will certainly help.

The Buffalo Bills were favorites to make it to the Super Bowl last season, but they fell towards the end of the season. Still, they're one of the strongest teams in the league, and now, they have something to prove.

I know, I know. How could I put the San Francisco 49ers as low as No. 5 on this list? Many think they'll go all the way this year. Hey, I think they're strong and definitely Super Bowl Contenders. But, the teams that follow will be hard to beat. In any case, the 49ers' coaching staff is fantastic, so that will help.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been nickel-and-diming their way to the top. They have strong defenses and offenses, plus recently added left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to their defense roster. With their A-list roster of players and smart coaching staff, they could go all the way.

I'm ready for the hate mail. (But, please, don't send it!) Pretty much every NFL critic has the New York Jets in their top 10, or even top five, this season. But, selecting them as No. 3 is stepping out on a limb a bit for me. That said, as a Lions fan, I've watched Aaron Rodgers over the years. I know he's not always easy to take. But, he's still one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. Now, he's with a new team, and that team is stacked. As I see it, the New York Jets could go all the way this season, or they could be a total flop. Flip a coin.

While most NFL critics have the Kansas City Chiefs as their No. 1 pick going into the season, I've put them at No. 2. That said, they are so, so close to my No. 1 pick, so it could go either way. The Kansas City Chiefs were fantastic in the Super Bowl earlier this year. They took home a definitive win. They also still have a solid, strong roster, including the head of it all, Patrick Mahomes. I really think Mahomes is a modern-day Brady. He's already proved himself on the field over and over again. Also, he's still very young, so he could be an elite quarterback for years to come.

Honestly, picking the No. 1 best NFL team going into the new season was very difficult. Any team in the top five could have had this slot. But, I'm going with the Philadelphia Eagles. Why? Well, we already know that they're talented and a strong team. But, so are the other teams on this list. So, what sets them apart? I believe what sets them apart is that they're hungry. After losing in the Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts are company are hungrier than ever to finish up that unsettled business. I think this is the year they'll do it.