Michigan football still ranked below Penn State, Ohio State in ESPN rankings

Yesterday, Michigan football crushed the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road, 52-10, improving to 6-0 on the year and 3-0 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines have seen their ups and downs in this year’s ESPN Football Power Index rankings, recently cracking the top 10 for the second time this year after the Nebraska win. After killing Minnesota, Michigan remains in the top 10, yet is still ranked behind Penn State and Ohio State heading into Week 7.

Michigan football still ranked below Penn State, Ohio State in ESPN rankings

Despite winning back-to-back Big Ten titles and more, the Wolverines are not the top-ranked team in the Big Ten conference right now. Michigan football is ranked No. 2 in the coaches and AP polls right now — a ranking the Wolverines have maintained throughout the entire year — though in the ESPN Football Power Index rankings, Michigan is the 8th-ranked team in the nation.

Additionally, Penn State (7) and Ohio State (1) are ranked higher in the FPI rankings. Notably, the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have both played one game less than Michigan due to a bye week.

The FPI also gives Michigan football a 22.2% chance of winning the Big Ten Championship Game and a 28.0% chance of making the College Football Playoff by season’s end. This weekend, when the Wolverines take on Indiana at the Big House, the FPI gives Michigan football a 96.6% chance of downing the Hoosiers and improving to 7-0 heading into Week 8’s game at Michigan State.

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