College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 8
By Zach Bigalke
Another dominant Michigan outing should keep the Wolverines threatening for a College Football Playoff spot as they lurk high in the Top 25 rankings. The UM defense saw its shutout streak end in the fourth quarter against Illinois. But it had zero impact on the final result, a 41-8 blowout in which the defense held Illinois under 100 passing yards and under 100 rushing yards. Wilton Speight threw for 253 yards and two scores on a short day of work, while sophomore running back Karan Higdon needed just eight carries to rush for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Wolverines still have three tough road trips on the schedule. Next week they wrap up the October slate with a trip to East Lansing to take on rival Michigan State. They begin November at home against Maryland before facing Iowa on the road on November 12. Then the Wolverines finish off their home schedule against Indiana before the big game in Columbus against Ohio State. Even if they lose to the Buckeyes and miss out on the playoff, a Rose Bowl berth would be a nice consolation for the Wolverines this season.