The Michigan football team was off last week, but that didn't stop the Wolverines from moving up in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Michigan was No. 21 in the first College Football Playoff rankings released last week. Yet, after a bye week, and some chaos in College Football Week 11, the Wolverines jumped up three spots in the second edition of the rankings released on Tuesday night.
Michigan is now 18th. The Wolverines are still one spot behind USC. The Trojans have moved up to 17th. Oklahoma is 11th. That game in Norman has been essentially a playoff game so far. The Sooners are ranked ahead of Michigan football because of that win.
Michigan football controls its College Football Playoff destiny
Even if the Wolverines beat USC, they would likely be in the top 12 right now. As it stands, though, they still control their own destiny.
Michigan might need some help, but even if USC wins out, which would include a win over Oregon, the Wolverines would be in a good spot if they beat Northwestern and Maryland the next two weeks, then follow it up with a win over Ohio State.
USC, Michigan, and Oregon would be 10-2. The Trojans would have wins over Michigan and Oregon in this scenario. Michigan would have a win over Ohio State. Oregon's best win might be Washington, assuming they beat the Huskies, so it seems like a no-brainer in favor of the Wolverines. And if Oregon beats USC, Michigan will finish ahead of the Trojans if it finishes 10-2.
So even though Michigan needs to jump seven spots in the next four weeks, winning out should make that dream a reality.