The ESPN Football Power Index rankings have been all over the place when it comes to judging how good the Wolverines are this year, even ranking Jim Harbaugh and his team as low as No. 14 following a 31-6 win over Bowling Green in Week 3. That said, yesterday afternoon, Michigan football improved to 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten) on the season with an impressive 24-15 win over a top-10 Penn State team, which was ranked No. 3 in the FPI. Now, heading into Week 12 of the season, the Maize and Blue have jumped Ohio State for the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s rankings.
ESPN FPI moves Michigan football to No. 1, Ohio State down to No. 2 following Penn State game
In the latest ESPN Football Power Index rankings, a new face has emerged as the No. 1 team in the nation: Michigan football. Right below the Wolverines are the Ohio State Buckeyes (2) and Penn State Nittany Lions (5), with Oregon and Alabama sitting in between them.
The good news for Michigan football? Through ten games, the Wolverines are still perfect for the second season in a row, even though both Connor Stalions and Jim Harbaugh were not at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.
Still, while the Penn State win was impressive, crucial, and dominant, Michigan football must remain focused. The Wolverines still have a bout against Ohio State — which is ranked No. 1 in the CFP poll — in Ann Arbor in just 13 days. Assuming both Michigan and Ohio State can avoid upset next weekend, ‘The Game’ on November 25th will almost entirely decide the Big Ten title and College Football Playoff races this year, pitting two 11-0 teams against each other for all the marbles.
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