Michigan football is on the rise in the Associated Press college football poll. After dropping three consecutive weeks in the rankings, the Wolverines (3-1) climbed six spots in Sunday's updated AP Top 25, to No. 12 after Saturday's 27-24 victory over then-No. 11 USC in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines grinded out a win over the Trojans, plus the rest of the weekend’s most notable winners and losers.

Could Michigan keep up with USC if it couldn’t pass? As the climax of Michigan football’s victory Saturday neared, a nervous crowd found the answer.

However, the Michigan football coaches did just that. Sherrone Moore installed Alex Orji as the starting quarterback, deciding that running (and protecting) the football was much more important than having someone who could make throws downfield -- which occasionally ended up in the hands of someone wearing the wrong uniform.

Michigan football had limped into Week 4, not having a resounding victory to its name and with a one in the loss column after the Week 2 defeat to Texas. Saturday brought an opportunity to right those wrongs with No.

Here's a look at social media reactions to Michigan defeating USC football, despite having just 32 passing yards from quarterback Alex Orji:

This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Much to remember from the 21st night of September. Onward: Even as the NFL bends itself to caveman-football enthusiast Jim Harbaugh’s will,