While the AP Polls have Michigan at No. 18, the S&P computer poll, which is a ratings system derived from every college football game, has the Wolverines sitting at the No. 3 position (up seven spots from last week).
Football Outsiders S&P Top 5: 1. Alabama, 2. Oklahoma, 3. Michigan, 4. Clemson, 5. Florida
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) October 4, 2015
Yes, that is S&P+ giving Michigan a 60% chance to win 10 or 11 games. https://t.co/AZUzKekM0W
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) October 5, 2015
Michigan's defense is fifth in the nation vs. the run and second vs. the pass according to S&P+.
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) October 5, 2015
The components for S&P+ reflect opponent-adjusted components of four of what Bill Connelly has deemed the Five Factors of college football: efficiency, explosiveness, field position, and finishing drives. (A fifth factor, turnovers, is informed marginally by sack rates, the only quality-based statistic that has a consistent relationship with turnover margins.)”