Michigan football drops in ESPN rankings, Penn State now favored

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan football was ranked No. 6 nationally, according to the ESPN Football Power Index, which is widely regarded as one of the top prediction models in the sport. On Saturday, the Wolverines kicked off their new season, defeating East Carolina 30-3 under the guidance of interim head coach Jesse Minter. However, the FPI was not impressed, moving the Maize and Blue down to No. 8 nationally. The model also predicts that Ohio State and Penn State football will outperform Michigan in November.

Michigan football moves down in new Football Power Index rankings

Over the past two seasons, Michigan football boasts an impressive 19-1 Big Ten record, securing two Big Ten titles and making CFP appearances. It’s also worth noting that Michigan has defeated Ohio State and Penn State football twice in a row and seems to have a solid chance of making it three straight victories against both this fall.

That being said, per the ESPN Football Power Index, Michigan football is no longer expected to beat both Penn State and Ohio State this fall. Despite opening the season with a Week 1 blowout win over East Carolina, the Wolverines dropped from No. 6 to No. 8 in this week’s FPI rankings. Penn State has also gained an edge in the FPI prediction model, now boasting a 53.3% chance of victory over the Wolverines this November. Penn State defeated WVU over the weekend, and the game was not close.

Penn State football, Ohio State projected to beat the Wolverines

The only other game on the 2023 Michigan football schedule that the FPI expects the Wolverines to lose is against Ohio State, with a 32% chance of victory. The seven teams ahead of Michigan in the current FPI rankings are Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, and USC. The next-highest-ranked Big Ten team is the Penn State Nittany Lions, who now sit at No. 11 in the FPI rankings.

This weekend, Michigan football will host UNLV at the Big House in Ann Arbor — the game will kick off at 3:30 PM (EST) as the Wolverines look to begin 2-0.

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