Michigan finishes in Top 10 in final national polls

Michigan (11-2) finished the 2006 season with a Top 10 ranking in the final national polls. Michigan finished ranked #8 in the AP poll and #9 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. This was the fifth time Michigan finished in the Top 10 in the season ending AP Poll (and sixth time in the Coaches' Poll Top 10) during Coach Carr's 12-year head coaching tenure. Although impressive, it should be noted that Coach Schembechler's teams finished in the Top 10 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll eleven (11) of his first 12 seasons as Head Coach. Overall, Michigan has finished in the AP top-25 rankings 21 of the past 22 years and 36 of the past 39 years. The Wolverines were not ranked in 1984 and did not receive a final ranking in 1982 and 2005. Go Blue!

Michigan remains #2 in BCS heading into game vs. #1 OSU

#2 Michigan (11-0) and #1 Ohio State (11-0) kept up their winning ways setting up their showdown this Saturday, November 18, 2006. However, many of the teams behind them suffered upsets and there were massive changes in the rankings. Following are the BCS Standings, the USA Today Top 25 Coaches' Poll, and the AP Poll. However, all that Michigan and Ohio State are focused on is November 18th. It's win and you are in. See you in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 8, 2007. Go Blue!

Michigan #2 in standings/polls

Michigan defeated Northwestern 17-3 and as Coach Carr always says the polls will take care of themselves. With USC's loss yesterday (33-31 to Oregon State) Michigan jumped up to #2 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Wolverines, of course, maintained their #2 spot in the BCS standings. Michigan also maintained its #2 ranking, behind Ohio State, in the AP Poll. What does all this mean? Well it means the hype meter will start cranking up even higher for the November 18th matchup between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes. There is a "countdown to kickoff clock" on the Michigan/OSU Rivalry Online Library Exhibit for those of you counting down the hours. Go Blue!

Michigan now #2 in the BCS standings

With Michigan's 20-6 victory yesterday over Iowa, the Wolverines have now moved up to #2 in the BCS standings. Michigan passed USC and trails only #1 OSU whom they have a date with on November 18th in Columbus, OH. Click here for an explanation of the Bowl Championship Series formula. Once you figure it out you can explain it to me. Also, the Wolverines remain ranked #2 in the AP poll and #3 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Go Blue!

Michigan #3 in initial BCS standings

Michigan is #3 in the initial BCS standings released today behind Ohio State and USC. Michigan is ranked #2 in the AP Poll and, as I posted earlier today, they are #3 in the coaches' poll. The BCS standings can be found here. With the #3 ranking in the BCS, Michigan is in control of its own destiny if they and OSU both "win out" prior to the showdown on November 18th. Even if USC is #2, a Michigan victory over #1 OSU in the season finale would propel Michigan into the BCS title game on January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona. Now the trick is for both Michigan and OSU to get to their November 18th date in Columbus, OH undefeated. Go Blue!

Wolverines ranked #15 in USA Today Coaches Pre-Season Poll

The 2006 USA Today Coaches Pre-Season Poll has been released and Michigan is ranked #15. Perched atop the poll at the #1 ranking are the Wolverines arch-rivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the guys over at the Men of the Scarlet and Gray could not be happier. As for Michigan, this is the first time in the past nine seasons that the Wolverines will enter the year outside the top-10 of the national polls. Nevertheless, I am happy with Michigan's pre-season ranking. The timeless truism "It's where you finish not where you start" applies herein. Last season Michigan started high (in the top 5 in most pre-season polls) but finished out of the top 25 by the end of the season. Incidentally, the last time Michigan was outside the top 25 in a season ending poll was in 1984 and the Wolverines came back the following season and achieved a season ending ranking of #2 which was Bo's best finish in his 21 year tenure with the Wolverines. I would like to see the current Wolverines duplicate or improve on that feat in 2006. Go Blue!