As far as where Michigan football is ranked right now, according to the updated AP Poll, it almost doesn't even matter.
That's because regardless of the ranking this week, which is 18th, according to the latest edition of the AP Top 25 released on Sunday, the Wolverines will have plenty of chances to prove themselves over the next four weeks.
It starts on Saturday with 17th-ranked Iowa.
In a way, it's crazy that Iowa is ranked ahead of Michigan. Both teams are 3-0. Yet, the Wolverines are the team that has defeated two teams that won 10 games a year ago. One of those teams, Oklahoma, is still ranked in the Top 25.
Michigan beat that team when it was ranked 11th. The Wolverines started the season ranked 16th. Some AP voters really want Western Michigan to be a loss for the Wolverines, even though it isn't and never will be; there is no justification for it.
If Michigan had beaten two cupcakes, sure. Western wasn't a cupcake. Neither was Oklahoma. But again, it doesn't matter, because if the Wolverines beat Iowa, Minnesota, and Penn State in the next three weeks, AP voters won't be able to deny them anymore.
Now, if Michigan wins the next three weeks and the Wolverines still aren't ranked in the top 10 with multiple wins over ranked teams, then it will be clear that voters have an agenda, which many of them probably do.
At the end of the day, the AP Poll doesn't matter. It has no bearing on the College Football Playoff race. However, it would be silly to think that the selection committee isn't influenced a little by the Coaches and AP Polls. That's just human nature.
As I wrote last week, Michigan controls its playoff destiny. If the Wolverines win 10 games, there is no doubt they will be in the 12-team College Football Playoff. With a schedule that includes Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State, all teams ranked in the Top 25 right now, the Wolverines just need to reach double-digit wins.
The rest will take care of itself. That's why the AP Poll really doesn't matter. What Michigan does on the field over the next few weeks is what does.
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