Michigan football up to No. 18 in USA Today poll, No. 20 in AP

By Nick Baumgardner University of Michigan Sports Reporter

Posted on Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.

Michigan football is back in the top 20.

After improving to 2-2 on the road with a 31-14 win at Illinois on Saturday, the Michigan football team moved up to No. 18 in the latest USA Today Top 25 coaches poll and No. 20 in The Associated Press' Top 25 poll.

The Wolverines (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) were No. 21 in the coaches poll a week ago and No. 22 in the AP rankings.

The last time Michigan was ranked higher in both polls this late in the season was 2007, when the 8-2 Wolverines were No. 13 in both polls.

Michigan fans cheer after the Wolverines' victory Saturday at Illinois. Michigan is ranked No. 18 in the latest USA Today poll and No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Michigan is one of five Big Ten squads to find itself in the AP's Top 25, as Michigan State ranks at No. 12, Wisconsin at No. 15, Nebraska at No. 17 and Penn State at No. 21.

Also moving into the Top 25 in both polls this week is Notre Dame (No. 24 AP, No. 25 coaches). Michigan beat Notre Dame 35-31 during the second week of the season.

The Wolverines will face the Cornhuskers on Saturday at Michigan Stadium (Noon, ESPN).

LSU retained the top spot in the AP poll, netting all 60 first-place votes, while Oklahoma State, Alabama, Oregon and Oklahoma rounded out the top five.

Arkansas, Clemson, Stanford, Virginia Tech and Boise State capped the top 10.

Tags: Wolverines,

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Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.