UM #23 in today's AP Poll
Link: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
1 - Clemson (2-0) 1 ACC 1,542 (55)
2 - Alabama (1-0) 2 SEC 1,473 (3)
3 - Florida (1-0) 5 SEC 1,324
4 - Georgia (1-0) 4 SEC 1,310
5 - Notre Dame (2-0) 7 IA Independents 1,231
6 - * Ohio State (0-0) Big Ten 1,169 (4)
7 - Auburn (1-0) 8 SEC 1,133
8 - Miami (FL) (3-0) 12 ACC 1,045
9 - Texas (2-0) 8 Big 12 862
10 - * Penn State (0-0) Big Ten 840
11 - UCF (2-0) 13 American Athletic 743
12 - North Carolina (1-0) 11 ACC 734
13 - Texas A&M (1-0) 10 SEC 705
14 - * Oregon (0-0) Pac-12 651
15 - Cincinnati (2-0) 14 American Athletic 646
16 - Mississippi State (1-0) SEC 590
17 - Oklahoma State (2-0) 15 Big 12 555
18 - Oklahoma (1-1) 3 Big 12 535
19 - * Wisconsin (0-0) Big Ten 510
20 - LSU (0-1) 6 SEC 401
21 - Tennessee (1-0) 16 SEC 377
22 - Brigham Young (2-0) 18 IA Independents 295
23 - * Michigan (0-0) Big Ten 277
24 - Pittsburgh (3-0) 21 ACC 248
25 - Memphis (1-0) 17 American Athletic 196
September 27th, 2020 at 2:29 PM ^
Forgot to add:
Others receiving votes: Virginia Tech 195, Louisiana-Lafayette 126, * Minnesota 110, * USC 104, Kansas State 60, SMU 37, Marshall 31, Baylor 22, * Iowa 16, * Utah 14, Virginia 12, Arkansas State 11, UAB 5, Washington 4, Kentucky 4, Louisville 4, Army 3
Not that it matters that much considering that many have not played a single game yet (and 0-1 LSU is ranked above multiple 3-0 teams.)
September 27th, 2020 at 2:30 PM ^
I was hoping that Minnesota would be ranked ahead of us. That would have given us the opportunity to move up big after game 1.
September 27th, 2020 at 2:36 PM ^
I'd be kinda surprised if Michigan hasn't fallen out of the rankings by the time week 1 comes around.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:22 AM ^
I'm thinking the opposite. Despite this being the first ballot for which big ten teams were eligible, not everyone included them yet (even OSU was left entirely off some ballots which is why they're 6th instead of the top 3 that they should be).
My guess is more voters will be considering them as the big ten season draws near and Michigan will move up. Especially as some of these teams lose.
September 27th, 2020 at 2:39 PM ^
No one knows what these poll voters are really doing with the inactive teams. There are 4 weeks to go before Big Ten play still - I see no reason any of them should move up over that time, let alone stay where they are. Yet, I also wouldn't put a winless team (that lost decided at home) in the top 10 either.
September 27th, 2020 at 3:37 PM ^
If anything the Big Ten schools will move up due to losses above falling out.
September 27th, 2020 at 6:09 PM ^
If anything the Big Ten schools will move down due to winners below jumping in.
See how that logic works (or doesn't)?
September 27th, 2020 at 9:38 PM ^
I guess we’re on a different logic here. Traditionally a loss is much more devastating than no change and wins rarely jump no changes unless very notable.
September 27th, 2020 at 4:00 PM ^
There's an article that I just read that actually states admittedly that some poll voters aren't including teams in their rankings that haven't played yet, including OSU.
September 27th, 2020 at 2:32 PM ^
My first thought was, "#23 for what?"
September 27th, 2020 at 2:35 PM ^
For being undefeated going into October.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:27 AM ^
For having good players that were good last year? It's not a resume poll, it's a quality poll. Everyone gets ranked preseason before they've played a game. No reason voters can't similarly continue to judge quality for teams that haven't had the opportunity to play.
September 28th, 2020 at 5:53 AM ^
It is somewhat both - it is all up to the discretion of the individual voters. Some make it more resume based and others make it more prediction based - which is part of the reason why there is so much variation in the voting.
September 27th, 2020 at 2:33 PM ^
These rankings make no sense. 2020 makes no sense so this is OK I guess.
September 27th, 2020 at 2:35 PM ^
We're #23! We're #23! (Take that Memphis!)
September 27th, 2020 at 2:47 PM ^
Frankly, these rankings are so disappointing when one considers Michigan Football. I graduated UM in 1972, so have been around a long time.
I can get use to being ranked below OSU, Bama, ND, Florida and the like, but when we get ranked below teams like UCF, North Carolina, Cincinnati ( WTF), Miss State, BYU and so forth, this is a huge problem.
While most teams go through a down period, ours has been longer than most.
I do not have an answer. Just venting.
September 27th, 2020 at 2:55 PM ^
They haven’t even played a game. Relax
ranking shouldn’t even come out until 4/5 weeks into the season on a normal year if you ask me
September 27th, 2020 at 2:59 PM ^
Disappointing to see Florida in the top 5 with Mullen in what, his second or third year? Here's UM in Harbaugh's 6th coming in at 23.
September 27th, 2020 at 3:21 PM ^
Michigan was ranked #2 in Harbaugh's 2nd year and even remained top 5 after losing on the road to Iowa before "JT Barrett WAS SHORT, damnit" happened.
Also, Michigan hasn't played a game yet.
September 27th, 2020 at 3:47 PM ^
Polls this early in a normal season are pretty arbitrary, so in a season where most teams have only played one or two games (and Michigan has played none), I don't get all the consternation about Michigan's completely meaningless ranking and the random teams ahead of them.
September 27th, 2020 at 4:03 PM ^
Agree with you in general and, in a fair system, any pre/early season poll should be almost meaningless. The problem lies in two aspects: poll-inertia and the influence of the polls on more meaningful considerations (kickoff times/network choices, CFP/BCS, recruiting, etc.) The polls get better over time, but the early rankings still matter, unfortunately.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:30 AM ^
But these polls aren't used for anything that matter anymore. The CFP starts much later so they aren't anchored by preseason expectations. Everything will shake out just fine.
September 28th, 2020 at 5:58 AM ^
They are not "officially" used for anything now, but it is unlikely that they have no de facto influence on other decisions - even the CFP.
September 27th, 2020 at 5:06 PM ^
Is this a serious comment or sarcasm? Some voters refused to vote for any teams that have not played yet, resulting in skewed rankings with those teams that have not played falling lower in the poll. There is your answer.
September 27th, 2020 at 5:34 PM ^
We’re ranked lower than them because we haven’t played a game yet. OSU is #6. Had there been a season that started on time, they’d be top 3. They did this to all the B1G and PAC-12 teams, knocked them down a couple spots to reward some of the teams ACTUALLY playing.
September 27th, 2020 at 3:13 PM ^
All that means is: We’re moving on up!
September 27th, 2020 at 3:56 PM ^
September 27th, 2020 at 3:41 PM ^
Honestly, how is Michigan ranked and Minnesota isn't? Minnesota finished top 10 and has their star QB and WR returning. Was really hoping this would be a top 20 or top 15 game.
September 27th, 2020 at 5:35 PM ^
Maybe the pollsters realized Minnesota didn’t play anybody of note last year and their 11 wins were a mirage
September 27th, 2020 at 8:43 PM ^
Minnesota and Michigan had six common opponents last year. Three were mutual routs of Illinois, Maryland and Rutgers. The other three:
—Iowa: Minn L 23-19 (away), Mich W 10-3 (home)
—Penn St.: Minn W 31-26 (at home), Mich L 28-21 (away)
—Wisconsin: Minn L 38-17 (at home), Mich L 35-14 (away)
Minnesota and Michigan were as even as it gets last year. There’s a one-point net edge in Minnesota’s favor in those three games above, but Michigan had the disadvantage of being on the road for two of the three. Minnesota was top-10 and Michigan wasn’t because the rest of their schedules were quite imbalanced.
September 27th, 2020 at 3:49 PM ^
But can Milton still win the September Heisman?
September 27th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^
My Lord. Did anyone see Georgia play the 19 SEC losses in a row Arkansas Razorbacks? Just a joke if UGA is a top 15 team.
September 27th, 2020 at 4:38 PM ^
I will say that it looks exactly like you'd think the 2020 polls would look a few weeks into what there is of a season.
September 27th, 2020 at 5:36 PM ^
Texas is laughable at 9!!
September 27th, 2020 at 6:14 PM ^
Year 6 of Harbaugh right on track. Competing neck and neck with heavy hitters like BYU, Pitt and Memphis. Group of 5 titles are right around the corner! Happy times await!
September 27th, 2020 at 6:44 PM ^
It's alright. We have an honest version of Cam Newton on our side
September 27th, 2020 at 7:34 PM ^
Michigan is officially Terriyaki. OSU is Original Buffalo which makes sense because it tastes like crap to me.
September 27th, 2020 at 11:27 PM ^
So Nashville Hot is less hot than normal Hot. I wonder what Nashville folks think of this ?
September 28th, 2020 at 5:36 AM ^
The thai curry is growing on me when I'm in the mood for $20 wings.
September 27th, 2020 at 9:25 PM ^
This poll confirms my prediction of a 5-3 season
September 27th, 2020 at 10:30 PM ^
This is good news.......I had us ranked 24th.
September 28th, 2020 at 9:21 AM ^
North Carolina is #12? When did they get good? They've lost 24 games the last 3 seasons alone. Is it considered special to beat Syracuse?