Michigan climbs to No. 23 in AP poll, re-enters coaches poll

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson celebrates Saturday's win against Illinois at the Big House. Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan, bolstered by two consecutive routs, has eked up in both major polls.

The Wolverines (4-2, 2-0), who thrashed Purdue two weeks ago and Illinois on Saturday, are No. 23 in this week's AP Top 25. That's up from No. 25 last week.

They're No. 25 in the coaches poll after a three-week absence following the Notre Dame loss.

Michigan began the season at No. 8 in both polls, but tumbled after a 2-2 start. That start is not looking so bad anymore, though, as both losses came away from Ann Arbor against top-five teams.

Alabama is No. 1 and Notre Dame is No. 5 in both polls.

Michigan is the second-highest ranked two-loss team, trailing only Stanford (No. 22 AP/No. 23 coaches).

Only No. 7 Ohio State is ranked higher than the Wolverines among Big Ten teams in the AP poll. The Buckeyes are ineligible for the coaches poll, due to NCAA sanctions, making Michigan the league's only representation in that ranking.

Michigan State (4-3, 1-2), Michigan's next opponent, did not receive a vote in either poll for the first time this season.

AP poll
1. Alabama (60) 6-0
2. Oregon 6-0
3. Florida 6-0
4. Kansas State 6-0
5. Notre Dame 6-0
6. LSU 6-1
7. Ohio State 7-0
8. Oregon State 5-0
9. South Carolina 6-1
10. Oklahoma 4-1
11. USC 5-1
12. Florida State 6-1
13. Georgia 5-1
14. Clemson 5-1
15. Mississippi State 6-0
16. Louisville 6-0
17. West Virginia 5-1
18. Texas Tech 5-1
19. Rutgers 6-0
20. Texas A&M 5-1
21. Cincinnati 5-0
22. Stanford 4-2
23. Michigan 4-2
24. Boise State 5-1
25. Ohio 7-0

Coaches poll
1. Alabama (59) 6-0
2. Oregon 6-0
3. Kansas State 6-0
4. Florida 6-0
5. Notre Dame 6-0
6. LSU 6-1
7. Oklahoma 4-1
8. South Carolina 6-1
9. USC 5-1
10. Florida State 6-1
11. Oregon State 5-0
12. Georgia 5-1
13. Clemson 5-1
14. Louisville 6-0
15. West Virginia 5-1
16. Mississippi State 6-0
17. Rutgers 6-0
18. Cincinnati 5-0
19. Texas A&M 5-1
20. Texas Tech 5-1
21. TCU 5-1
22. Boise State 5-1
23. Stanford 4-2
24. Arizona State 5-1
25. Michigan 4-2

-- Download the “Michigan Wolverines on MLive app” for your iPhone and Android to keep up with news on the Wolverines.