AP POLL: Michigan State makes big jump, Michigan climbs back into Top 25

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A successful week of football in the state of Michigan has resulted in positive movement for both school’s in the Week 11 AP Poll.

Michigan State (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) made the largest jump after their impressive home win against Saquon Barkley and Penn State, climbing up 11 spots to No. 13. This sets up a top-15 matchup next week in Columbus when the Spartans take on No. 11 Ohio State, who tumbled from last week’s spot at No. 3 due to a surprising loss to Iowa.

Michigan State and emerging star quarterback Brian Lewerke now control their own destiny in the Big Ten East race as they look to keep climbing in the polls.

Michigan made their way back into the Top 25 after back-to-back wins against Rutgers and Minnesota. Although the wins came against two unranked opponents, the important thing was they appeared to have found some success on the offensive side of the ball.

The Wolverines ran all over the Minnesota defense that is ranked 23rd in the nation in total defense thanks to an impressive night from the offensive line. Higdon and Evans took full advantage of those holes running for a combined 391 yards. Brandon Peters’ highly-anticipated first start at quarterback took a back seat to the running backs as he managed an 8/13 stat line for 56 yards and a touchdown.

The rest of the top 25 looks as follows:

1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Notre Dame
4. Clemson
5. Oklahoma
6. Wisconsin
7. Miami (FL)
8. TCU
9. Washington
10. Auburn
11. Ohio State
12. Oklahoma State
13. Michigan State
14. UCF
15. USC
16. Penn State
17. Virginia Tech
18. Mississippi State
19. Washington State
20. Memphis
21. Michigan
22. South Florida
23. West Virginia
24. Iowa State
25. Iowa

Other notable observations:

  • Unlike the College Football Playoff rankings, the AP Poll has Alabama at No. 1, and rightfully so. Georgia, Notre Dame, and Clemson respectively fill out the all-important top four.
  • Despite another win, the lone remaining undefeated Big Ten team Wisconsin fell out of the top four to No. 6. The Badgers stay ahead of fellow undefeated team Miami who checks in at No. 7, despite the Hurricanes’ big win at home over a ranked Virginia Tech team. Both Miami and Wisconsin are two of the remaining four undefeated Power 5 teams, along with aforementioned Alabama and Georgia.
  • Clemson (No. 4) and Oklahoma (No. 5) jumped Wisconsin after they both picked up wins over ranked opponents over the weekend. The Sooners have another tough test coming up, hosting No. 8 TCU next Saturday.
  • Iowa slides in at No. 25 after their huge upset against Ohio State. That gives the Big Ten six teams in the Top 25, the most among any of the Power 5 conferences.
  • After finding themselves as a heavy favorite for the Playoff, Penn State goes from No. 2 to No. 16 in a span of two weeks and no longer controls their own destiny to win the Big Ten East.