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Michigan football news: NFL standouts, polls, and playoff projections

Aidan Hutchinson plays on Monday night but some other Michigan football players stood out on Sunday in Week 4 of the NFL season.

By Chris Peterson

Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) signals after a first down during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) signals after a first down during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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It's been a fun NFL season for Michigan football fans as a number of former Wolverines have been standouts or downright stars.

Aidan Hutchinson, the hometown hero and Detroit Lion, is one of those dudes making headlines. He's been as good as any defender in the NFL and he'll be on the field for the Lions on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

However, other former Michigan football players continued to stand out on Sunday led by Nico Collins who hauled in 12 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown in a Texans win over the Jaguars Sunday. It was the third 100-yard game this season and has a league-leading 489 yards (122 per game).

Collins is on pace to challenge the receiving yards record set by Calvin Johnson (1,964). Johnson only played 16 games and Collins would need to up his average a little and maintain it. Yet, it shows how dominant the former Wolverine has been and it makes you lament his time as a Michigan football player because it feels like U-M could have thrown him the ball a lot more. A LOT MORE.

Still, it's awesome to see Collins balling out (especially when he's on my fantasy football team).

Jabrill Peppers keeps making plays. The New England Patriots dropped their road game to the 49ers but Peppers came away with the interception. Brandon Graham also had sacks for the Eagles in their road loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Michigan football rankings updates

Following the win over Minnesota on Saturday, Michigan football jumped two spots to No. 10 in the AP/Coaches Poll. ESPN and CBS Sports are also projecting the Wolverines to make the College Football Playoff.

U-M is 4-1 but faces another test this week with a road game against Washington on Saturday night. That's not going to be easy. The offense has to figure out how to pass the ball. It would be great to get to the bye week at 5-1. But even at 4-2, it probably doesn't matter.

If Michigan football is a nine-win team, but has a win over Oregon or Ohio State, as well as USC, a playoff berth is still possible. I think the Wolverines would have a better chance in that scenario than beating Washington and everyone else but losing to Oregon and Ohio State.

Regardless, Michigan football needs to worry about winning the national title rematch, because it's going to be anything but easy.

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