Michigan’s steady climb in ESPN and Bill Connelly’s SP+ continued after a 52-17 win over UTEP, even with the Wolverines needing a little time to settle in on Saturday.
The victory pushed Michigan up four spots in the post-Week 3 rankings, landing the Wolverines at No. 21. Their SP+ rating also ticked up to 15.1, a jump of 1.3 points from last week.
For anyone unfamiliar with SP+, the system weighs offense, defense and special teams efficiency to estimate how many points a team would be expected to beat - or lose to - the “average” college team by on a neutral field. It’s less about résumé and more about how well a team is actually playing across every phase.
Michigan still has company above it on the national board. Ohio State moved back into the No. 1 spot after rolling past Kent State, while Indiana and Oregon sit at No. 4 and No.
- Penn State is also climbing, checking in at No. 12 after finishing non-conference play with a win over Buffalo.
Oklahoma, which Michigan beat in Week 2, is No. 16 after edging New Mexico 14-6.
Next up is the start of Big Ten play, with Iowa coming to Ann Arbor next week. The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 18 and are getting that spot largely thanks to their defense and special teams. SP+ says Iowa would be favored by 2.2 points on a neutral field, but Michigan will have home-field advantage for the “stripe out” when the teams meet Saturday afternoon.
In Other News...
Michigans Next Road Test Just Got More Serious For Wolverines Fans
Michigans trip to Minnesota on Oct. 3 now has a clearer stage, with the Big Ten matchup set for noon ET on FOX. It will be the Wolverines second game this season in the Big Noon Kickoff window, giving fans another early start to a road test that should draw plenty of national attention.
The timing adds another layer to a series that has long carried its own weight, especially with Michigan heading into a conference road environment that has not always been easy. With both programs bringing recent results and history into the conversation, this one already feels like more than a routine October date on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Defense Showed Something Fans Will Care About In Big Ten Play
Michigans defense gave fans a reason to pay attention beyond the final score against UTEP, holding the Miners to 17 points while showing it could handle both sides of the game plan. The front was active, the coverage held up, and the unit looked like one that can carry real weight once Big Ten play starts to tighten the margins.
Jonah Lea'ea provided the headline play with a pick-six, while Tariq Boney added disruption off the edge with tackles for loss and a sack. The rotation also mattered, with players such as Shamari Earls and Jordan Young seeing meaningful snaps, a reminder that the Wolverines are building depth as well as production on a defense that will be asked to do more when the competition steps up. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan's Backfield Debate Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Savion Hiter keeps making the Michigan backfield discussion harder to settle. In the Wolverines 52-17 win over UTEP, the freshman turned 11 carries into 62 yards and two touchdowns, giving the offense another burst of energy while sharing work with Jordan Marshall, who remains the heavier-duty option in the rotation.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham praised Hiters running style and upside, and the comments only add to the sense that his role could keep growing if the opportunities follow. For now, Michigan has a useful one-two punch, but Hiters performance suggested the balance of carries may be worth watching closely in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]