Too high, too low: Initial impressions from preseason AP Poll

The preseason edition of the AP Poll was released Monday, and certain parts of the top 25 just don't look quite right.

Upon examination, a pair of teams are clearly ranked too high, while two others are, just as obviously, too low:

Too high: Washington (No. 8)

Much of Washington's success last year was tied to its stellar secondary, a unit that since lost three starters over the offseason. The offense, meanwhile, was exposed versus top competition like USC and Alabama, raising concerns about its viability going forward. The Huskies need quarterback Jake Browning to take another step this season, but there's no guarantee that'll happen following the departure of his favorite receiver, John Ross.

Too low: Michigan (No. 11)

Michigan defeated both Penn State and Wisconsin last year and finished with just as many losses as both teams, yet somehow finds itself ranked below the Nittany Lions (No. 6) and Badgers (No. 9). Thanks to Jim Harbaugh's two-year recruiting splurge, the Wolverines should be able survive the loss of several key veterans with relative ease, and re-establish themselves as a top-10 program - at the very least.

Too high: Texas (No. 23)

Texas is coming off three straight losing campaigns and didn't make any eye-opening roster additions in the offseason, so it's hard to figure out why the Longhorns received any top-25 hype at all. New head coach Tom Herman could make a difference, but Texas has struggled too much in recent years to assume he most certainly will.

Too low: West Virginia (No. 22)

Not only is West Virginia coming off a 10-win season, but the Mountaineers also upgraded at quarterback by activating transfer Will Grier. Virginia is replacing eight defensive starters from 2016, but a more consistent offense should help compensate for those changes. Besides, everyone knows defense doesn't win Big 12 championships these days.