After being absent from the College Football Playoff rankings in 2024, Michigan is back.
The Wolverines debuted at No. 21 in the first set of rankings released by the 13-member CFP selection committee on Tuesday, setting the stage for a potential run to the postseason.
Michigan (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) was one of seven Big Ten teams to appear in the initial CFP rankings, with defending league and national champion Ohio State leading the way at No. 1. 9-0 Indiana is second.
This year, the five highest-ranked conference champions will join the next seven highest-ranked teams to form the 12-team playoff. Michigan remains in play for both, with league games against Northwestern, Maryland and Ohio State remaining.
Winning all three would likely rocket the Wolverines up the rankings and into the league title game, securing a playoff bid. One loss would assuredly doom Michigan, who already has losses to Oklahoma and USC.
Unbeaten Texas A&M is No. 3, followed by Alabama and Georgia at four and five, a carbon copy of this week’s AP Top 25 and coaches’ polls.
Oregon checked in at No. 9, with USC the next-highest ranked Big Ten team at No. 19. 6-2 Iowa is ranked ahead of Michigan at No. 20.
Washington is the final Big Ten team, ranked No. 23.
Helping Michigan’s resume is a 24-7 win over Washington on Oct. 18, along with a 30-27 road win at Nebraska earlier in the year. Both of the Wolverines’ losses came on the road.
Michigan’s No. 21 ranking matches its spot in the AP Top 25 poll this week. The Wolverines were No. 20 in the coaches’ poll.
It will be hard for Michigan to improve its standing this week. Sherrone Moore’s team is on a bye and does not play until next Saturday, Nov. 15. That means wins are critical down the stretch here; winning all three remaining games, including the regular-season finale against Ohio State, will be necessary.
The College Football Playoff rankings:
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Texas A&M
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Ole Miss
- BYU
- Texas Tech
- Oregon
- Notre Dame
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Virginia
- Louisville
- Vanderbilt
- Georgia Tech
- Miami (Fla.)
- USC
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Washington
- Pittsburgh
- Tennessee
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.