Despite being idle in Week 12, the Michigan Wolverines still dropped in the latest edition of the ESPN FPI:
The Michigan Wolverines have been falling down the ESPN FPI rankings all season long, and continued to do so during their second bye week of the season. They were 42nd overall entering Week 12, and now head into Week 13 as the No. 43 team on the FPI.
Additionally, the FPI has Michigan finishing with a projected record of 5.9-6.1, and an 81.4 percent chance of becoming bowl eligible. Standing in the Wolverines’ way of that this weekend is Northwestern, which is rated No. 77 overall. The FPI is giving Michigan a 79.7 percent chance of winning that game at the Big House on Saturday (3:30 p.m., FS1).
And just in case you’re curious what the FPI thinks about The Game in Columbus next Saturday, it is giving the Buckeyes a 92.9 percent chance to beat Michigan for the first time since 2019.
*gulp*
Elsewhere, the Texas Longhorns move up a spot to No. 1 despite beating Arkansas by only 10 points. Alabama moved down to No. 2 in the process, while Ohio State, Notre Dame and Georgia round out the top-five.
Other Big Ten teams above Michigan include Penn State (No. 7), Oregon (No. 8), Indiana (No. 11), USC (No. 16, Iowa (No. 22), Wisconsin (No. 34) and Minnesota (No. 35).