Published 11 hours ago • loading... • Updated 4 hours ago
AP Voters Drop Michigan Out of Top 25 Despite Win, Citing Poor Play and Disputed Finish
Michigan fell to unranked after 46 AP voters dropped the Wolverines following a disputed finish against Western Michigan.
The Michigan Wolverines fell from No. 24 to out of the Associated Press Top 25 following Saturday's controversial 13-12 victory over Western Michigan, the largest drop from ranked to unranked after a win since 2008.
Voters and analysts questioned why one second was added back to the clock at Michigan Stadium after it showed zero, prompting the Mid-American Conference to formally appeal the result to the NCAA and College Football Playoff.
Voter Bob Asmussen of the Champaign News-Gazette, who removed Michigan from his ballot, noted the offense sputtered after their opening drive; victory came only when JJ Buchanan caught a Hail Mary pass from quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Western Michigan head coach Taylor, named the Paul 'Bear' Bryant national coach of the week, addressed the 'gut punch' loss alongside university president Russ Kavalhuna on Sunday, stating the team will move forward focused.
Michigan must quickly regroup before hosting No. 10 Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 12, to avoid a 0-2 start, while Western Michigan faces Monmouth the same day before focusing on MAC play.