Michigan, on the strength of a 45-20 win over Maryland on Saturday, jumped up in this week's Associated Press college football poll.

Michigan wide receiver Donaven McCulley (1) runs the ball toward the end zone for a touchdown against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) AP

No. 18 Michigan had a hiatus from the College Football Playoff last season, but the Wolverines have made three of the last four -- including a 2023 national championship. Heading into the home stretch of the season, the program still has an outside shot to reach the postseason again.

Where things stand in the new AP top 25 college football rankings after Saturday's action and looking ahead to a very consequential Rivalry Week.

Week 13 was in many ways the quiet before the storm, with just about everything going according to chalk this weekend. But Rivalry Week and conference champions

The Michigan Wolverines haven't made it look easy in recent weeks, but they are winners of four straight and have put themselves in position to push for a bid in the College Football Playoffs. It will take some chaos to get there,

We were only getting started. Devon Dampier found Larry Simmons for a 20-yard score with 2:47 left, and after a K-State three-and-out (the Wildcats' first since the first drive of the game), Dampier raced 59 yards on fourth-and-1 to set up his own go-ahead touchdown with 56 seconds remaining. Lander Barton sealed the comeback with an interception.

The Michigan Wolverines (8-2), ranked 18th in the College Football Playoff poll, play their final road game on Saturday before their showdown with Ohio State next week when they visit the free-falling Maryland Terrapins (4-6), who come in with six straight losses.