The College Football Playoff committee released its initial rankings for the 2022 season Tuesday night and Michigan football checks in at No. 5.
The Wolverines (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) outside of the top four is a bit of a surprise, but with an uninspired non-conference schedule, the committee seemed to mark down U-M.
Tennessee (8-0, 4-0 SEC) is No. 1, followed by No. 2 Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten). Defending champion Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC) is third, followed by Clemson (8-0, 6-0 ACC).
At least one of those SEC teams will likely fall out of the top four next week, when the Volunteers travel to Athens to take on the Bulldogs.