The Wolverines' absence from the AP Top 25 didn't last long. After a 24-7 win on Saturday over Washington, Michigan football is back in the AP Poll at No. 25.
The Wolverines are 5-2. They dropped out of the rankings last week, after a 31-13 loss to USC. This time, USC is the team that dropped out after losing to Notre Dame by double digits on the road.
Ohio State is still ranked No. 1, followed by Indiana at No. 2. The Hoosiers moved up after the loss to Indiana. Nebraska, a team Michigan beat on the road, dropped out of the rankings, too, thanks to a loss to Minnesota.
Michigan is one of the five Big Ten teams ranked. Oregon is also No. 8. Illinois is ranked 23rd. Michigan might not have a strong playoff resume, at first glance, based on that.
However, both losses were on the road against Oklahoma (No. 13) and USC, which is just outside the AP Top 25. The AP Poll doesn't matter. The College Football Playoff committee rankings do. However, it's good to see that the Wolverines are within striking distance.
If the committee released a poll this week, Michigan would probably be ranked. How many teams could play at USC, Oklahoma, and Nebraska and have just two losses? Nebraska and Washington are each 5-2.
Maryland, Northwestern, Michigan State and Purdue are the other opponents. They won't add much to the resume but with Ohio State looming, the Wolverines just need to keep winning.
The rest will take care of itself for the 25th-ranked Michigan football team.