Michigan is back in the AP Top 25 after its 17-10 upset of then-No. 11 Oklahoma, with the Wolverines checking in at No. 19.
The ranking comes after a day that featured a major shakeup across the poll, but Michigan’s climb was built on defense. The Wolverines held quarterback John Mateer and the Sooners to just 10 points, even as quarterback Bryce Underwood continued to show inconsistency.
Some Michigan fans may look at No. 19 and think the Wolverines were shortchanged. They’re unbeaten, and one of their two wins came against one of the SEC’s most formidable teams.
The source also points to Ohio State staying in the top 10 despite a disastrous loss to Texas, calling that a sign of preseason inertia and another example of the early-season poll’s flaws. Michigan’s uneven showing against Western Michigan last week may also still be weighing on voters.
For now, the Wolverines have re-entered the rankings, and there should be more chances ahead to move higher.
At the top of the poll, Texas takes over No. 1 after beating Ohio State, which falls to No. 6.
Oregon drops all the way to No. 21 after its upset loss to Oklahoma State. The Big Ten also has USC at No.
12, Penn State at No. 14 and Iowa at No. 18.
The full top five is Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Miami. Behind them are Ohio State, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Alabama. BYU sits at No. 11, followed by USC, Texas Tech, Penn State, Tennessee, SMU, Utah, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Houston, Louisville, Oklahoma and Virginia.
In Other News...
Michigan Just Got Another Worry On The Offensive Line
Michigans offensive line depth took another hit this week as Andrew Babalola, the former five-star recruit who was expected to be in the mix at left tackle next season, remains sidelined after an ACL tear in 2025. Head coach Kyle Whittingham said Babalola has had a setback that is delaying his return, leaving Michigan without one of its most promising young linemen for the near future.
The timing adds another layer of concern for a unit already dealing with injuries, though there is a bit of better news in the short term. Guard Evan Link, who missed the recent game because of an injury, could be back for the upcoming matchup with UTEP, offering at least one potential reinforcement while the Wolverines keep waiting on Babalolas recovery. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Oklahoma Win Revealed Who Really Drove The Offense
Michigans win over Oklahoma offered a useful snapshot of how the offense is starting to take shape, and the Pro Football Focus grades helped explain why the unit looked more balanced than explosive. Savion Hiter did not pile up many rushing yards, but he still made an impact as a receiver, while Bryce Underwoods running ability added another layer to the attack. The analysis also pointed to steady work from the offensive line, which held up even after dealing with an injury, giving the rest of the offense a chance to function with some rhythm.
JJ Buchanans receiving production was another bright spot in a game where Michigan needed contributions from multiple spots to move the ball. The snap counts for the tight ends and wideouts also told part of the story, showing how the workload was distributed as the Wolverines searched for reliable answers in the passing game. The broader takeaway is encouraging, but it also leaves open a larger question about which pieces will keep driving the offense once the competition gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Had John Mateer Hearing It From Oklahoma Fans
John Mateer found out quickly what it means to take the stage in a high-profile game against Michigan. The Oklahoma quarterback was harassed enough on the field that even a solid chunk of production could not hide the rough edges, as he finished with 189 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception and 45 rushing yards while the Wolverines kept the pressure on.
Afterward, Mateer admitted he missed throws he normally does not miss, which only added to the sting of a loss that lingered with Sooners fans in an unexpected corner of the internet. Some of them turned to Facebook Marketplace to mock him in a half-joking way, a strange little aftershock that showed just how much the result still had people buzzing. [Read more 🡒]