After one half of play in Evanston on Saturday night, Michigan's perfect record and its top 15 ranking looked like they were on their way to disappearing. A stellar second half changed that outlook, however. Michigan scored 28 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 42-24 win and a 6-0 record.
Last week, Michigan was 11th and 12th in the college football rankings. This week, the Wolverines will look at moving into the top 10. It's unlikely the Wolverines will be a top 10 team in the AP Top 25 considering Texas was the only team ahead of them that lost. In the USA Today Poll, it will come down to whether voters feel that Arkansas should jump Michigan after beating Auburn. The Razorbacks were one spot behind Michigan last week and could pass them in the new rankings.
Michigan's opponent next week, Michigan State, is already ranked 20th in the USA Today Poll. The Spartans are looking to move into the AP Top 25 after finishing one spot out of the poll last week. With Florida State, the 23rd ranked team in last week's AP Top 25, losing on Saturday to Wake Forest, the Spartans are a good bet to return to the rankings.
The game between Michigan and Michigan State will have big implications on the Big Ten race and where each team is ranked. A Michigan win would give them a 7-0 record and put them into the top 10 for sure. A Michigan State win, on the other hand, would likely inch the Spartans up near the top 15 and put them in great position for a huge game against Wisconsin a week later.