Michigan continues climb up football polls; No. 11 in USA Today, No. 12 in AP
Updated: Michigan might not be 11th or 12th best team in the country, but it has the resume
After its most convincing win of the past decade, the Michigan football team was rewarded with a big bump in the national polls.
The Wolverines moved up to No. 11 in the USA Today coaches poll and is ranked No. 12 by The Associated Press after their 58-0 win over Minnesota. They were No. 19 in both last week.
It's the highest Michigan (5-0) has been ranked since it was No. 5 in both 2007 preseason polls. The Wolverines dropped from that perch quickly after being upset by Appalachian State in their season opener.
In 2010, the Wolverines were No. 17 in the USA Today poll and No. 18 in the AP poll after a 5-0 start. They lost five of their next seven games.
Southeastern Conference rivals LSU and Alabama hold the top two spots in the AP poll after the Crimson Tide beat No. 10 Florida 38-10 and jumped past No. 3 Oklahoma. Alabama's rise gives the SEC the top two teams in the country for the 10th time in the last four seasons.
Wisconsin also moved up after a big victory, jumping three spots to No. 4 after a 48-17 win against Nebraska.
In the USA Today poll, Oklahoma remains No. 1, followed by LSU, Alabama, Stanford and Wisconsin.
Other Big Ten teams in the AP poll include No. 14 Nebraska and No. 19 Illinois.
In the USA Today poll, Nebraska is No. 15, Illinois No. 16 and Michigan State No. 20.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
Dwayne
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 6:29 a.m.
I love how all of you supposed fans that have 'forgotten' about RR, can talk about nothing but RR when you should be celebrating the success of the THIS team and the new coaching staff. Enough already. Can we just move forward with THIS team and THIS coaching staff and leave the last three years where they belong? One of the main reasons that I usually skip most of the MLive articles that are linked here, because I know it'll be the same old worn out comments by the same old tired screen names that have been doing nothing but bashing Michigan Football for the past three years. Each week, I check in to see if anything has changed and each week I am disappointed. Well, maybe next week...but probably not. Go Blue!
Dwayne
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.
Oh, I know BluDogg...I start at MLive and they have links to AA.com articles, which I've been hesitant to click. A lot of times, the comments are my favorite part of the article, but at AA.com, I know all I'll be reading is RR bashing and I think that point has been made enough...but it's the only tune they know. Disgusting. Go Blue!
Blu-dogg97
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
Dwayne your on AA.com not Mlive ,but I do agree with you on the past is the past.
Blu-dogg97
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 11:03 p.m.
I believe Michigan will handle NWU next Saturday Eve, Michigan travels well to Evanston ,There will be a large contingent of Blue fans out of Chicago.. Michigan 34 NWU 17 GO BLUE..
Blu-dogg97
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Heartbreak I was assuming Persa will play,I have full confidence in G-Mattison and his defense. I'll stand behind my 34-17 Michigan win.
heartbreakM
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
Depends a lot if Persa is injured. If he does not play, Michigan will have a much easier time I think. And does anyone know the early weather forecasts? How will DR do in a nighttime frigid environment? Keys to the game!!
#58ontheroster
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
We're finally seeing a MICHIGAN team, not a transplanted undersized Big East spread team. Toughness, intensity and a complete game. This is what we became accustomed to. RichRod ruined that. WE FINALLY HAVE A DEFENSE. I know it needs improvement. But this shutout was a big step forward. Never happened in RichRod's term. Yost, Chrysler, Oosterbaan, Bump, Bo, Mo and Lloyd are smiling again!!
1st Down
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 1:13 a.m.
listen to 7718 who is obviously still on RRs payroll.... "same team as last year"....lol...well maybe so ...but now they are getting proper coaching.
7718
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
It 's the same team as last year.....
heartbreakM
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
Rankings in early October are the same thing as fools gold. Fun to look at and talk about and absolutely meaningless. But interesting that our ranking now in Hoke's fifth game is higher than at any time during former coach's stay, and that is starting from not being ranked at all. Personally, I think 11 is a bit high, but based on the continued improvement since the ND game, I think ranking for UM at this time is appropriate. And that ND win is large for rankings because ND will end up being one of the better teams before it's done. (Though their whupping on Purdue is about equal in significance to the UM whupping on equally inept Minnesota).
ohiowolverine
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
When Michigan finishes the month of October at 8-0, then I can see a top 10 ranking. TiM GO BLUE!!!
Dan
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
TiM?
lawrencelaundry
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
I still don't believe we should be ranked that high. We beat State and northwestern and ill believe. this team is night and day compared to rich rod era though. GO BLUE!
tulsatom
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
Chances are Brady Hoke and his staff are minimizing the importance of the polls and concentrating on the team's weekly improvement, which is the most important focus at this time. I think U-M is definitely better than last year's team but we won't know how good this team really is until the first road game of the year next week at Northwestern against the best team they've played since Notre Dame. If they pass that test, they'll know they are deserving of their ranking instead of having the ranking just because they beat Notre Dame (seems like any team that beats Notre Dame jumps a lot higher in the polls than they might otherwise deserve) and humiliated a totally outmanned Minnesota Gophers squad.
goldenblue
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
Lets get through October and then talk rankings. It was real nice to see Devin and Thomas play yesterday.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
Too early. I wonder how MSU got ranked 20th after beating Ohio State while Michigan is ranked "11-1/2th" after beating Minnesota. Just trying to be realistic AT THIS POINT in the season.
XTR
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
Maybe because they were impressed with the offense and defense. With MSU, maybe they were impressed they won at OSU.
MichFanTex
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
MSU losing to ND and Michigan beating ND might be one reason. I'm just guessing.
mookienation
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
Also, Rich Rodriguez has got to be feeling like a total bum right now.
1st Down
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 1:11 a.m.
Dont be surprised if we hear crybaby Rich spouting off again in the media this week about "how we were not given a chance to see the fruits of our labor" blah blah blah...same old RR story from the narcissistic excuse-maker deluxe.
7718
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
Any coach would be 5-0 with this team. The tougher test for Hoke will come in the next several weeks. Hoke is getting credit for the wins right now, will he also get the blame for the losses? Somehow I think RR will always be blamed for wry Michigan loss for the next two or three years.
MRunner73
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 9:55 p.m.
Love it, made me LOL. Me thinks Rich Rod would have lost to WMU, ND and a Brady Hoke led SDSU if he had stayed. Talk about mutiny. A bad dream, wake me up...yes, the world is right these days. Seriously, let's see how well we do the next two weeks. Confidence abounds.
heartbreakM
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
No, former coach is taking credit for this team in the same vein that he blamed Lloyd Carr for his lack of success in 2008. What a welcome change in coaches we have since last year. Saved Michigan football as far as I'm concerned.
XTR
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.
RR must be saying "if Michigan did not fire me, I would be 5-0 right now and on to the national championship!" lolz
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 6 p.m.
Rich... Who? ;-)
JustfortheRecord
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
And thanks to Dave Brandon for ponying up some real cash for great coordinators!
JustfortheRecord
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
This is the "old normal." I like it. I bet Hoke gave a good talkin' too to the players that said that being ranked was a jinx. I though it was sad that they thought that way...There was once a time when Michigan had the longest consecutive rankings of all the schools on the board...(not of ALL time...just of that period). Being ranked shouldn't be a big deal to them...
mookienation
Sun, Oct 2, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
Wow. This feels strange. #11??? Did I just get sucked through a wormhole? Hopefully being in this position will have a positive effect on the players and coaches rather than a negative one. Honestly, folks. Jim Harbaugh who? We got the right coach.
1st Down
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 : 1:09 a.m.
Harbs is 3-1 at SF in the NFL. It all worked out for the best for everyone. He is a great coach and a Michigan man. So is Coach Hoke.