PRZMI Week 5: Power 20

<a href="https://prepredzone.com/michigan/team-database/">Power Scores</a> are here! Now live, Power Scores for the top 500 programs in Michigan. Today, I'll take a look at the Top 20 Power Scores in Michigan, give my insight, and compare them to the <a href="https://x.com/alex_pallone/status/1970624266040418685">Media Poll</a> rankings.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Power 20</h2>   1. Saline (96.57)   4-0, and looking like another undefeated season for Saline. In our media poll, Saline is ranked #3. Absolutely looking like a top 5 team on paper. Saline's region should be significantly easier than in year's past. Plus, this team genuinely looks like the best Saline has had this decade. An elite QB in [player_tooltip player_id='568192' first='Tommy' last='Carr'], plus several other star players. Now, Ford Field is not a mere pipe dream; it's a real possibility.   2. Portage Central (96.22)   Portage Central has not given up a single point this season. Utter dominance against some good programs. I was surprised by how well this team performed last season. Seems like they're once again outperforming expectations. To me, the Prep Redzone ranking is a bit high. Though, nobody is going to argue with #2 if Portage Central goes ahead and wins it all.   3. West Bloomfield (95.46)   The Lakers are having a great year. A few more things falling their way this season. Yes, our media poll does have West Bloomfield ranked a bit lower, but this is absolutely looking like a top-20 program. Time will tell, as West Bloomfield faces an incredibly difficult schedule.   4. Harper Woods (95.42)   Harper Woods has proved it so far this season. The win against Clarkston was incredible- extremely impressive W against a no-doubt top-20 program. Seems like the offense, headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='547739' first='Dakota' last='Guerrant'], is finally humming.   5. Woodhaven (95.33)   Seems like the Prep Redzone algorithm and the Goosepoop algorithm likes Woodhaven. Ranked significantly lower in our Media Poll, but still a top-50 program. Some good young talent. Undoubtedly a program on the up and up. So far, their strength of schedule has been weak, so it's hard to tell where Woodhaven belongs. Week 7 against Carlson will be a great measuring stick game.   6. DET Catholic Central (95.11)   Ranked #6 here, and ranked #1 in the Media Poll. I mean, I strongly beleive that Detroit Catholic Central has the best resume in Michigan right now. They've dominated every game, and they've faced some of the best programs in Michigan and Ohio. I saw it first hand- all three units are insanely good. [player_tooltip player_id='1148715' first='Samson' last='Gash'] is a legit top-5 prospect in Michigan. The O-Line is one of the best I've ever seen. I could go on and on.   7. Cass Tech (64.86)   Prep Redzone has Cass Tech ranked #7. I'll agree to disagree. There's little reason to rank Cass Tech outside of the top 2. There's an excellent case for #1, and an excellent case for #2, and little case for #3 and below. Star-studded, ultra-competitve program that is probably on a crash course with Detroit Catholic Central BEFORE the state championship.   8. Grand Blanc (94.58)   Just about right. In my view, Grand Blanc is a top-10 program. An amazing offense and an improved defense from last season. This is a team that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the state. The matchup against Davison looms, then likely a showdown with an OAA Red squad in the postseason.   9. Hudsonville (94.55)   The 2024 D1 runner-up places at #9 in the Prep Redzone rankings, and I would agree. For now. Hudsonville is ranked #7 in the media poll, and it's going to be a difficult spot to keep. Hudsonville should easily beat Jenison (unranked in media poll, #86 in Prep Redzone). Past that, they have an incredibly difficult 4-week stretch, which includes Rockford, East Kentwood, and Grandville.   10. Grosse Pointe South (94.46)   I find it interesting that Grosse Pointe South is ranked #10 by Prep Redzone, while crosstown rival Roseville is not ranked inside the top 30. For context, in the media poll, GPS is ranked #31, while Roseville is ranked #33. GPS has a good win against Romeo, while Roseville has a competitive loss against Davison. I suppose the Prep Redzone model really values wins. Regardless, GPS is a great team, and could prove their #10 ranking with a deep playoff run.   11. Divine Child (94.33)   Divine Child has been clicking from the start. A team that I'd really like to watch in person this season. On paper, this team could go against anyone in the state. They are ranked a little higher here than the Media Poll (#26), but #11 is not outside the of the realm of possibility.   12. South Lyon (94.26)   Okay, okay. South Lyon heads into Week 5 at 4-0. Though their strength of schedule has been suspect at best. The reality is that the Lakes Valley conference is extremely weak when compared to the past decade. South Lyon could be a top-30 team, but I don't think they deserve this ranking until they play a few great programs.   13. Northville (94.09)   Last year, Howell took over the KLAA. This year, that team is Northville. A win against Lake Orion kicked things off, then a 17-7 win against Howell solidified their spot atop the KLAA rankings. I personally wouldn't put Northville at #13 just yet, but they're absolutely a top-30 team. Can't wait to see the result against Brighton this week.   14. Mt. Pleasant (94.02)   Mt. Pleasant looked excellent when I watched them against Midland Dow. I LOVE this team's run defense. Linebackers fly around and hit hard. The offense flows well. A solid run game, and a surprisingly good pass game. Super high floor team.   15. Lowell (93.77)   Lowell has been one of the most surprising teams in West Michigan. Seems like the Prep Redzone formula thinks highly of them. I've got them winning the RCA, but there is firm competition with Kenowa Hills.   16. Unity Christian (95.53)   UC keeps on proving people wrong. Lost a boatload of starters after last season. This program was able to reload and remains a state championship contender. Not too far off from the media poll ranking either.   17. Seaholm (93.33)   The Maples are looking good! 4-0, with a few nail-biting wins. Last week's win against Oak Park is absolutely a confidence-booster. At this point, the Maples are probably the favorites to win the OAA Blue, but there are some amazing programs in D2 that I beleive are better than #17 Seaholm.   18. Davison (93.28)   Absolutely ranked too low. Davison is a top 10 program, and I don't think there's much question. Four quality wins, with a few more quality opponents on the schedule. This program will get thrown into the fire come playoff time- let's see if Davison can finally emerge from the chaos that is the D1 bracket.   19. Big Rapids (93.21)   Big Rapids is newly ranked at #50 in the media poll, and they come in at #19 here. Hard to argue with a top 50 ranking, though I feel that #19 is a bit high for right now. We'll see after this week!   20. Carlson (93.12)   Carlson looks even better than last season. An elite run game and an always stout defense. #20 seems about right in my eyes. If things fall their way, they could pull off a massive upset in the postseason.

Power Scores are here! Now live, Power Scores for the top 500 programs in Michigan. Today, I'll take a look at the Top 20 Power Scores in Michigan, give my insight, and compare them to the Media Poll rankings.