Fansided

How far will Michigan fall after Michigan State loss?

By Michael Straw

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jabrill Peppers (5) runs back a kickoff against the Michigan State Spartans during the1st half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jabrill Peppers (5) runs back a kickoff against the Michigan State Spartans during the1st half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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How high will Michigan State rise, and how far will Michigan drop after the crazy ending between the two schools?

It was arguably the most incredible finish in the history of college football, with less than 10 seconds to go in the game Michigan was setting up for a punt that would’ve killed the remaining time off the clock. What happened, however, was something that you can’t make up.

Michigan punter Blake O’Neill botched the snap, leading to a turnover that Michigan State returned for a touchdown as time expired. The score gave the Spartans the shocking 27-23 victory, leaving the fans in Ann Arbour stunned.

And while people are sure to debate whether or not it was the craziest finish in the sport’s history, the impact of the game is going to be felt across the college football landscape in the form of the rankings.

The Wolverines entered the game ranked 12th in the country, and were coming off three straight shutout victories. The Spartans, on the other hand, were ranked seventh after falling from fourth the week prior.

Michigan State didn’t hold a lead throughout the game until the very end, but they did manage to overcome a fourth quarter nine-point deficit. The perseverance of the Spartans is sure to sit well in the eyes of the pollsters, leading to a potential jump back up the polls. The big question, though, will be just how far the Wolverines will fall after blowing the lead.

After moving up from 22nd to 12th over the last two weeks, there is no doubt Michigan will fall. It’s a given, especially with big wins by Stanford and Iowa. But how far should they fall?

Because of how close the game was, even with the blown lead, Michigan shouldn’t fall out of the top 20. Even with two losses on their resume, it’s hard to say the Wolverines aren’t a top 20 team in the country. They will behind, as they should, Iowa and Stanford — both won big this weekend — but they will remain among the nation’s best.

That being said, you can kiss any outside playoff hopes goodbye for the Wolverines in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as coach. Still, don’t be surprised to see them in a major bowl game at the end of the year.

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