ESPN completely changes stance on Michigan football

Earlier this fall, the infamous ESPN rankings (FPI) had Michigan football close to falling out of the top 15 nationally. That said, after continuing their winning ways, the Wolverines continue to climb in the rankings, now coming in at No. 2 nationally — Michigan is ranked ahead of Penn State football and below Ohio State football heading into a Week 9 bye.

ESPN rankings reverse stance on Michigan football

ESPN is a bit all over the place when it comes to figuring out how good Michigan football actually is right now. Per the latest Football Power Index rankings, the Wolverines are the No. 2 team in the nation, only trailing Ohio State football, boasting a 36.1% chance of winning the Big Ten and a 46.2% chance of making the College Football Playoff.

Despite Michigan football being 8-0 on the year — winning every game by no less than 24 points thus far — ESPN once had Michigan outside of the top 10. In fact, after the Bowling Green win, the Football Power Index had the Wolverines close to falling out of the top 15. Michigan’s response? Keep on winning.

Michigan’s resume continues to grow — Wolverines favored against Ohio State, Penn State?

Since the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener against Rutgers, a 24-point home win, Michigan football has kicked things into high gear, causing the ESPN rankings to shoot Michigan back into national title talks. A 45-7 win at Nebraska, a 52-10 win at Minnesota, a 52-7 win against Indiana, and a 49-0 win over Michigan State all headline Michigan’s incredible eight-game resume thus far.

Additionally, for quite some time, the FPI has seen Michigan football losing to both Penn State football and Ohio State football. Still, after the Buckeyes downed the Nittany Lions yesterday, Michigan-Penn State is back to 50/50, per the Football Power Index. On the other hand, Jim Harbaugh‘s Wolverines are now favored against Ohio State, boasting a 52.7% chance of picking up a home win in Week 13.

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