College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 12

Against an Indiana side that has been a tough out all season, Michigan was able to double up the scoreline in their home finale. Without injured starting quarterback Wilton Speight, the Wolverines struggled a bit on offense. De’Veon Smith was the catalyst for the offense, rushing for 158 yards and two scores to pace the victory. And the defense held the Hoosiers to just 255 total yards of offense, recovering from their disappointment in Iowa City to reach the 10-win mark.

Michigan is one win away from playing for the Big Ten championship for the first time since the conference expanded to 12 teams and started playing a title game. If they win out against Ohio State and the West champ, it would give the Wolverines their first league title since sharing the crown with Iowa in 2004. Perhaps more importantly, they would guarantee themselves a spot in the College Football Playoff as a 12-1 Big Ten champion. Regardless of what happens, though, a 10-win Michigan team is going to be in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 and the CFP rankings and will be playing in a New Year’s Six game regardless of the Thanksgiving result.