Michigan Falls to No. 19 in Final CFP Rankings After Loss to Ohio State: What It Means for the Wolverines
The final College Football Playoff rankings are in, and for Michigan fans, they bring a tough but not unexpected reality. After a decisive 27-9 loss to No. 1 Ohio State in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines dropped from No. 15 to No. 19 in the final standings - a fall that officially ends any hopes of sneaking into the expanded 12-team playoff field.
The Slide That Sealed Their Fate
Let’s be honest - this wasn’t a shock. Michigan came into “The Game” needing a statement win over the undefeated Buckeyes to even enter the playoff conversation.
Instead, they were outplayed in their own stadium, and the committee responded accordingly. A 9-3 record, with a lopsided loss to the top-ranked team in the country, simply doesn’t hold up against the resumes of one- and two-loss squads ahead of them.
The Wolverines do have some quality on their résumé - an early-season win over Washington stands out - but that victory lost some shine as the Huskies fell out of the rankings. Losses to Oklahoma and USC (who, notably, stayed ahead of Michigan at No. 16) only further complicated their case. When the dust settled, it was clear: the Ohio State game wasn’t just a loss; it was the defining moment of Michigan’s season, and not in the way they’d hoped.
Bowl Season Now Takes Center Stage
With playoff hopes officially in the rearview, the focus now shifts to bowl season. Michigan’s No. 19 ranking likely puts them in line for a high-profile, non-New Year’s Six bowl - think Citrus Bowl or ReliaQuest Bowl - depending on how the rest of the Big Ten’s bowl bids shake out.
And while it’s not the playoff, there’s still plenty at stake for Sherrone Moore’s squad:
- A shot at 10 wins: A bowl victory would cap the season at 10-3 - a strong finish for a team that navigated a tough schedule, dealt with key injuries, and started a true freshman at quarterback.
- Momentum for 2026: A strong showing in the bowl game could serve as a springboard into next season, especially for the young core that’s expected to lead the program going forward.
- Development time: Extra practices are gold for a team leaning on youth. Quarterback Bryce Underwood and the rest of the highly touted freshman class will benefit from the added reps, setting the stage for what could be a breakout year ahead.
What This Ranking Really Says About Michigan
Landing at No. 19 is a clear signal: Michigan’s not far off, but they’re not there yet. They won nine games, but the ones that mattered most - against top-tier opponents - didn’t go their way.
The gap between Michigan and the Big Ten’s elite, namely Ohio State, was on full display last weekend. And until that changes, the playoff conversation will remain just out of reach.
Still, this team has a foundation. The pieces are there.
The bowl game offers a chance to close the season with purpose, build confidence, and send a message about where things are headed. The 2025 campaign may not have ended with playoff glory, but the path back to national relevance starts now - and it runs straight through bowl season.