The NCAA power rankings heading into Week 7 are starting to take shape, and now with the meat and potatoes portion of the conference schedule coming up over the next few weeks for all of the teams in the Power 5 conferences, the playoff picture and bowl schedule should begin to take shape.

Wolverines poised for Big Ten title run

Jim Harbaugh has felt the pressure since he took over the head coaching job in Ann Arbor back in 2015. With back to back 10-3 seasons and an overall record of 33-12, one would think that Michigan fans would love what they are seeing.

Well, they do and they don’t. That can all change this Saturday when Michigan hosts Wisconsin at the Big House.

Harbaugh has yet to defeat Michigan State, Ohio State or win a big road game. This year’s team is poised to do just that.

According to an ESPN update, the Wolverines are currently in fourth in the Big Ten power rankings for the power five conferences. Ahead of the Wolverines are the Wisconsin Badgers, which they play this Saturday, Penn State, which they host on November 3, and Ohio State, who they will face on November 24.

So the schedule lines up perfectly for Michigan if they want to be in the Big Ten title game this December.

Oh, and as for a possible playoff spot? Well, that will definitely happen as well if Michigan wins out.

The only loss Michigan suffered in 2018 so far was on the road to No. 5 ranked Notre Dame. While Wolverines fans were angry with the sluggish performance on opening day, looking back in hindsight the loss may actually help Michigan down the road in the standings.

Notre Dame looks like a force this season and falling to the No.

5 team in college football, on the road nonetheless, isn’t a bad thing if you continue to win from here on out.

There is a lot of action left, and for Wolverines fans defeating Wisconsin is the first step towards the playoff dream.

Two other teams deserve some props in their big rise this week. The Iowa Hawkeyes improved to 5-1 on the season and went from unranked last week to this week's No.

20 team overall. Also, look out for Texas. They are the biggest mover as they jumped from No. 19 all the way up to No. 9 after defeating OU 48-45.

Current leaders

While these are not the official teams in the college football playoffs, ESPN has listed their the five power ranking leaders to this point. Remember, only four teams will be playing for the NCAA title, so that means even one of these squads will be on the outside looking in this December.

Power 5 leaders:

  • SEC -- Alabama
  • ACC -- Clemson
  • Big Ten -- Ohio State
  • Big 12 -- West Virginia
  • Pac 12 -- Washington

Top 25

1. Alabama

2. Ohio State

3. Clemson

4. Georgia

5. Notre Dame

6. West Virginia

7. Penn State

8. UCF

9. Texas

10. Washington

11. Oklahoma

12. Michigan

13. Wisconsin

14. Miami

15. Florida

16. LSU

17. N.C. State

18. Oregon

19. Washington State

20. Iowa

21. Colorado

22. Cincinnati

23. South Florida

24. Kentucky

25. Auburn
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