Michigan football is fifth in the initial 2022 CFP ranking
Michigan is undefeated at 8-0, but the Wolverines still have plenty of work to do to if they’re going to make the college football playoff. Head coach Jim Harbaugh’s team is currently in good shape, however, still in control of its destiny after opening at No. 5 in the initial CFP rankings.
The Wolverines are behind No. 1 Tennessee, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 Clemson. Michigan faces Rutgers in Piscataway this weekend before facing Nebraska and No. 16 (CFP) Illinois (7-1) at home, and then travels to Columbus for the game that should decide the Big Ten East Division champion.
Most believed U-M would be ahead of Clemson, but the ESPN talking heads believed their current strength of schedule might have been the difference. The Michigan slate ranks just inside the top 80.
Michigan is dominating the competition this year, in the top five in several national categories. The defense is third nationally in total defense at 250.2 yards per game, third in scoring defense at 11.5 points per game. The Wolverines are 5th in rushing offense, as well, at 246 yards per contest.
But it’s not all perfect. The Michigan offense is sputtering in the red zone, much the way they did last year before picking it up in November. They settled for 5 field goals in a 29-7 drubbing of Michigan State that should have been much worse.
“Yeah, we got inside [the red zone] — especially the 10 — I think four times,” Harbaugh said. “We had two touchdowns, two field goals. The two we had to settle for field goals, we didn’t gain positive yardage on the first down play — one at the six, one at the nine. It’s something we will continue to work on. We definitely want to get those touchdowns.
“But we also have a great kicker. [Michigan grad student] Jake Moody — a fantastic game. Five field goals, a 54-yarder — he’s been tremendous. And when it comes to putting points on the board, there’s not another kicker we’d rather have.”
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Penn State (6-2), which led Ohio State with 10 minutes remaining last week, is the only other ranked Big Ten team, coming in at No. 15.
Harbaugh isn’t taking anything for granted, starting this weekend at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights only lost by a touchdown at Michigan last year.
“It’s always been a challenging team to play. They’re a very physical team,” Harbaugh said. “Defense, offense, special teams — they’re very well coached. It’s the same thing you say about a Greg Schiano team every time you go to play them.”
Michigan opened as a 26.5-point favorite for what will be its second straight night game. The Wolverines hammered Michigan State, 29-7, last week in Ann Arbor. Tennessee and Georgia face off this weekend, so it stands to reason U-M will be in the top 4 with a win over the Scarlet Knights.
