Michigan dropped two places in ESPN's SP+ rankings following its victory over Rutgers on October 31, 2026, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Wolverines defeated the Scarlet Knights but saw their analytical standing decline in the updated rankings released afterward.
Wide receiver Salesi Moa, wearing number 12 for Michigan, was photographed making a catch while pursued by Rutgers defensive back Devonte Anderson, number 21, during the first quarter. The game took place at SHI Stadium, with the image captured by Mark Smith of ISI Photos via Getty Images.
The ranking movement comes despite the on-field result, highlighting how SP+ evaluates team performance beyond win-loss records. The analysis was reported by Nick Durand for SB Nation on November 1, 2026.
