Michigan football cracks AP Top 25 after dominant win over Washington

The Wolverines are back among the top.

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan looked like the Wolverine team fans came to love on Saturday. A mixture of great defense and a vintage rushing attack propelled Michigan over Washington. After a 24-7 win, the Wolverines moved to 5-2 on the season and Michigan has everything it wants ahead of it. The Wolverines will be favored from here on out with a big meeting against Ohio State at the end of the season.

With Michigan's win, the Wolverines sneaked back into the AP Top 25 Poll after being one week removed. After the win over the Huskies, Michigan is now ranked 25.

Top 25 poll

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Oregon
7. Georgia Tech
8. Ole Miss
9. Miami
10. Vanderbilt
11. BYU
12. Notre Dame
13. Oklahoma
14. Texas Tech
15. Missouri
16. Virginia
17. Tennessee
18. South Florida
19. Louisville
20. LSU
21. Cincinnati
22. Texas
23. Illinois
24. Arizona State
25. Michigan

Week 8 recap for Michigan

It looked like vintage Michigan football on Saturday and that was without starters Rod Moore, Brandyn Hillman, Marlin Klein, and Justice Haynes. But the Wolverines didn't need them. After some 'tough conversations' and a good practice week, Michigan put it all together.

There are still things the offense needs to clean up, like WRs still dropping passes and the lack of third and fourth-down conversions, but it was a performance fans should be happy with. RB Jordan Marshall had a career day, rushing for 133 yards and a score. Bryce Underwood continues to get better. He threw for 230 yards and two scores, while completing 78% of his passes.

But it was the defense that shined. Washington had a dynamic duo of QB Demond Williams and RB Jonah Coleman to make up a lethal rushing attack. No issues for Michigan, though. The Wolverines allowed just 40 yards on the ground against UW and the Huskies had to answer for the Michigan front seven.

Cole Sullivan, Jimmy Rolder, and Jacob Oden all picked off Williams to cap off a three-takeaway day. There were a few explosive plays Washington had, but when push came to shove, Michigan answered the bell.

After the Week 8 win, Michigan will now head to East Lansing to take on the Spartans.

More From Michigan On SI:

• Michigan football PFF grades, snap counts following dominant win over Washington
• Social media reacts to Michigan's win, a top win for Sherrone Moore as head coach
• Game notes, things you didn't know following Michigan football's win vs. Washington
• Coach Moore explains why Michigan football starters didn't play against Washington, Evan Link update
• Takeaways from Michigan's win, keeping season alive with dominant victory over Washington