Michigan’s path back into the AP Top 25 starts with one simple thing: stop making Saturdays stressful.
The Wolverines entered the season at No. 16, but after a shaky Week 1 showing against Western Michigan, they were completely left out of the latest poll. That result wasn’t hard to explain.
Michigan needed far too much drama to get past a game it usually handles comfortably, escaping with a last-second win on a wild Hail Mary. Even the decision to allow that final play sparked controversy, which only added to the mess.
Now the climb back begins, and it won’t come from just squeaking by. Michigan needs statement wins - the kind that make it obvious the Wolverines are operating on a different level than the team across from them. That means dominant performances, big point totals, and an offense that finally looks like it’s in rhythm.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood has to be part of that turnaround, too. If Michigan is going to force its way back into the rankings, the offense needs to start humming and doing it consistently.
One good showing won’t be enough. The Wolverines need to stack wins, and they need to do it in convincing fashion.
That’s the bar because the teams ahead of them are already clearing it. Ohio State stayed at No. 1 after rolling past Ball State, 56-3, and Texas backed up its spot with a 59-7 win over Texas State. In a poll shaped by lopsided results, Michigan has no margin for another wobble.
In Other News...
Ohio State Looks Strong But Michigan Already Has A Big Ten Problem
After Week 1, the Big Ten mostly stayed in line with expectations, and Ohio State was right where it wanted to be near the top after a decisive opening win. Indiana joined the Buckeyes in holding onto the conferences upper tier, a sign that the leagues early order is already taking shape even if most teams still have plenty to prove.
Michigan, meanwhile, created the first real headache in the standings, squeezing out a narrow and controversial win that left more questions than answers. Rutgers also took a hit with an upset loss, and with early-season results already nudging the rankings around, the next few weeks should tell us far more about which teams are actually built to stay there. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Is Suddenly In Play For Two Huge 2028 Targets
Ohio States season-opening rout of Ball State did more than get the Buckeyes off to a fast start on the field. It also gave the staff a chance to showcase the program to a sizable group of visitors, and the early returns in the 2028 recruiting cycle are already starting to matter as the class begins to take shape around both sides of the ball.
Among the names worth tracking are five-star wide receiver Braylon Clark and four-star safety Jalen Flowers, both of whom have Ohio State among their top schools. The Buckeyes already have commitments from several offensive and defensive prospects, and the staff is clearly pushing to build on that foundation while the 2028 board is still forming. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Still Has One Protection Concern With Texas Up Next
Ohio State rolled past Ball State by 53 points, but the offensive line did not escape the kind of scrutiny that usually follows a sloppy pass-protection day. The Buckeyes had issues that looked awfully familiar to last season, from handling simulated pressures and stunts to sorting out blitz pickups and keeping the communication clean enough to keep the pocket stable.
Phillip Daniels drew particular attention at right tackle, where the protection problems seemed to keep showing up on the edge. With Texas next on the schedule, the concern is less about what the Buckeyes did to Ball State and more about whether they can get that side of the line settled in time for a far bigger test. [Read more 🡒]