Michigan tumbles in latest AP Poll after loss to Spartans
10/8/2017Michigan’s deflating 14-10 home loss to Michigan State dropped the Wolverines to No. 17 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll released Sunday, this while Ohio State’s lopsided 62-14 win against Maryland lifted them to No. 9.
The Wolverines (4-1) fell 10 spots in the poll following their defeat to their in-state rival Spartans (4-1). Chalk it up to torrential rain, Michigan State’s stout defense, or injured quarterback Wilton Speight’s absence, but the Wolverines offense fell flat Saturday. Backup quarterback John O’Korn threw three interceptions without any touchdowns, and no players surpassed 100 yards of total offense.
To add insult to injury, ESPN reported Speight may be out for the season after suffering three broken vertebrae in his back against Purdue last week.
Meanwhile, Ohio State (4-1) cruised behind quarterback J.T. Barrett, whom some fans wanted benched in early September. He tossed three touchdowns and rushed for another. Four other Buckeyes, including leading rusher J.K. Dobbins (98 yards), ran for touchdowns of their own. The Buckeyes’ biggest test is to come at the end of October, when they host No. 3 Penn State.
Among other notable rankings, No. 12 Oklahoma — which handed Ohio State its only loss of the season — fell from the top four after a 38-31 loss to unranked Iowa State. Michigan State jumped to No. 21 following its win over the Wolverines. No. 7 Wisconsin (5-0) has quietly risen in the rankings each week, and it was business as usual for No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson.