AP Poll: Michigan football suffers big drop following loss to Texas

The Wolverines looked nothing like a Top 10 team in their 31-12 loss to Texas, and the Associated Press poll voters reacted accordingly...

Matt Lounsberry | Sep 8, 2024

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson defends Texas running back Jaydon Blue during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan football looked nothing like a Top 10 team in its 31-12 loss to Texas on Saturday, and the Associated Press Top 25 poll voters punished the Wolverines in response.

On Sunday afternoon, Michigan fell seven spots to No. 17 in the Week 3 edition of the AP Poll, the second-largest drop of any team in the Top 25. Only No. 18 Notre Dame, who was upset by Northern Illinois (16-14) at home, suffered a larger tumble, dropping 13 spots from No. 5 last week. The Wolverines had enjoyed 45 consecutive weeks inside the Associated Press' Top 10 prior to this latest ranking. Michigan's spot at No. 17 is its lowest ranking since Sept. 19, 2021.

AP Top 25: SEC grabs six of the first seven spots in rankings as Notre Dame tumbles to No. 18 https://t.co/nFZGufDNsv
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 8, 2024

No. 1 Georgia held its spot atop the poll, while No. 2 Texas leaped No. 3 Ohio State following the win over the Wolverines. The Bulldogs and Buckeyes enjoyed blowout victories over Tennessee Tech and Western Michigan, respectively.

As for other Big Ten teams, No. 8 Penn State held serve while No. 9 Oregon dropped two spots in the latest update. Both the Nittany Lions and Ducks suffered near upsets at the hands of Bowling Green (34-27) and Boise State (37-34), respectively. No. 11 USC climbed two spots, while No. 23 Nebraska entered the AP Poll for the first times this season. The Trojans blew out Utah State (48-0), while the the Cornhuskers enjoyed a 28-10 win over rival Colorado. Illinois (No. 26), Washington (No. 31), Iowa (No. 32) and Wisconsin (No. 37) are the Big Ten teams which fell among "Others receiving votes".

Biggest Risers

No. 7 Tennessee made the biggest jump this week, climbing seven spots following a 55-10 beatdown of then-No. 24 NC State. The Wolfpack are no longer ranked. No. 6 Missouri, No. 13 Oklahoma State, No. 14 Kansas State, No. 18 Louisville and No. 22 Clemson each rose three spots following victories on Saturday. No. 21 Iowa State, No. 23 Nebraska, No. 24 Boston College and No. 25 Northern Illinois ener the AP Poll Top 25 for the first time this season.

Biggest Fallers

As mentioned above, No. 17 Michigan and No. 18 Notre Dame suffered the largest drops among ranked teams. In addition to NC State, teams that fell out of the Top 25 include Kansas (previously No. 19), Iowa (No. 21) and Georgia Tech (No. 23).

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