While numerous publications and outlets attempt to measure college football teams using statistical formulas nowadays, statistician Jeff Sagarin's method is viewed as one of the best.
His ratings have been used by the NCAA tournament committee while selecting the field since 1984, and were also used by the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) from 1998 until 2014.
Sagarin's current mathematically based computer ratings are not as high on Michigan so far this season as some other outlets are, though — he has them ranked No. 13 nationally, with an overall score of 87.74. In comparison, the Maize and Blue are currently ranked No. 7 in the AP poll.
He also has the Wolverines behind three other Big Ten teams — Ohio State at No. 3 (95.43), Penn State at No. 5 (92.61) and Wisconsin at No. 9 (90.58); Michigan is still slated to face all three of those teams this season.
Sagarin also thinks highly of the Wolverines' upcoming opponent, Michigan State, ranking them at No. 27 (79.70).
Three of Michigan's next five opponents after MSU are rated slightly lower, with Indiana at No. 47 (74.67), Minnesota at No. 44 (75.46) and Maryland at No. 55 (72.90).
Unsurprisingly, Rutgers is by far the lowest-rated opponent left on the Maize and Blue's schedule, checking in at No. 108 (59.81).
Sagarin also rates Michigan's overall schedule as the 41st-toughest in the country.
His full rankings can be seen here.
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