Michigan cracks top 25 with win over Notre Dame
Top-25 voters took note of Michigan's thrilling win over Notre Dame on Saturday, moving the Wolverines into the national rankings for the first time under coach Rich Rodriguez.
Michigan checked in at No. 25 in the Associated Press poll released Sunday, and was the top team in the "others receiving votes" category in the USA Today/Coaches poll.
The Wolverines, coming off a 3-9 season, were last ranked at the end of the 2007 season, when they were 18th.
On SportsCenter Sunday morning before the polls were released, Rodriguez said he didn't plan to talk to his team about the rankings.
"I talked to the team last night about staying humble and staying hungry," Rodriguez said. "I think those are two reasons why we've gotten better over the last nine months and we'll continue to preach that."
Michigan beat Notre Dame, 38-34, Saturday on Tate Forcier's last-second touchdown pass to Greg Mathews. The Irish, previously ranked 18th, were one of two teams to fall out of the AP poll. No. 25 Missouri was the other.
Penn State (tied for fifth with Mississippi) and Ohio State (No. 11) are the only other ranked Big Ten teams.
With games the next two weeks against Eastern Michigan and Indiana, Michigan could start 4-0 for the first time since 2006, when it finished 11-2 and nearly played for the national championship.
Comments
stevieboy
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 2:07 a.m.
I know one thing little brother can't beat baby brother (CMU) at home. They didn't not struggle in that game and clearly got out played. Michigan deserve this ranking and will continue to play hard like they have always been doing and move up. No, we may not be a top ten contender yet but we sure can play with the best of them. Plus, we are not loosing to little brother this year. OSU look out too. Go Blue!!!!
fasteddie2009
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 10:09 p.m.
Watched a great game against ND and it made me proud to been an supporter of RR and his staff. This years team showed they are true winners and will make their fans proud again. Enjoyed how RR outcoached Charlie big. Look for 9 wins this season.. "GoBlue from Pennsylvania"..
tater
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9:25 p.m.
Humble and hungry? They have enough revenge games on the schedule to keep them as h and h as they need to be this year.
aareader
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9:11 p.m.
How does it go? "One game at a time". Tate is for real! The Offense, Defense, and Special Teams are alive! It is still a race as to fast we can improve each week to keep winning. Everyone knows it is an uphill slog. The TRADITION of the Wolverines can make anything possible. From a fan for 50+ years... Go BLUE
Txmaizenblue
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9 p.m.
What a difference two games can make! I hope the players don't lose that chip. I definitely like their chances of finishing over.500.
michboy40
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 5:51 p.m.
Wow. I would not have expected a ranking this early. Great win, and I think we are on a track to win 8, when I thought 6 or 7 was more realistic. Only caution in the wind is if we get an injury at QB. D Rob and Nick are major down grades.
Kubrick66
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 5:27 p.m.
ez... You know all I have to do is cilck on your name to find your previous quotes like this one... "IM A BIG BLUE FAN (GOLD AN BLUE) THAT IS--I LIKE 2 TEAMS ---WV AN WHO EVER PLAYS UM" I think we all know where you're coming from. So please don't use the word "we" when speaking of Michigan.
DraderOHIO
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 4:19 p.m.
Ez. Michigan wis 6 games this year im happy. I see them winning 9 or even 10 games. Ohio State, Penn State are games Michigan might lose. But after seeing Tate ( Superman) Michigan might go 12-0.
DraderOHIO
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 4 p.m.
Michigan is 2-0 Ohio State 1-1 priceless
tulsatom
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 3 p.m.
I think the top #25 ranking is deserved and am happy for the team because RR has them playing about as well as they can play right now. I think this team is made up of very few stars and a bunch of overachievers who work very hard with the coaches to get every ounce of ability out of their bodies. ND exposed deficiencies in the defense, like the lack of a pass rush and questionable play at defensive back. U-M should still be able to beat average and poor teams but will be hard-pressed to beat a Top 10 team, at least this year unless they find a way to fix the problems on defense. For example, if they had a better pass rush, it would help the defensive backs play better because the opposing QB wouldn't have so much time to pick them apart. When U-M blitzed yesterday, they had some success in getting Clausen to rush and throw the ball away. In my view, these problems are due to lack of personnel although the coaching staff is doing a good job to make the most out of what they have. I hope I am wrong and hope that U-M runs the table, but they will have to play almost perfectly on offense in every game to make up for their shortcomings on defense.
CUfan
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 2:15 p.m.
What a great win over the Irish! I'm so sick and tired of the stories about Michigan's "violations" of NCAA rules, and of how high and mighty the "Foldin' Irish" are. Great win for Michigan. We are definitely back on the right track. Go, RichRod!
JHAWKDPT
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 1:42 p.m.
I agree with that sentiment...way too early to bank on the post-season. How about just reporting on the poll and not speculating!
azwolverine
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 1:36 p.m.
Let's go 3-0 before we talk about 4-0. I know we "should" beat those teams, but I've learned over the years not to bank on "should." Play 'em one at a time, like RR said, and we'll be okay.