The 2025 Michigan football schedule isn't overbearing. Even though there are six road games, it's easier than the 2024 schedule, which featured three of the five best teams in college football last season, at least during the regular season.
At first glance, because things are always different once the season starts, the most difficult games on the schedule are Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC, and Ohio State.
The first three of those games are on the road. Essentially, if Michigan football can split those games with a 2-2 record, a 10-win season is well within reach, as long as the Wolverines can avoid the "trap games."
There might only be one top-10 opponent on the schedule this season, but Michigan doesn't have many easy wins, and here are three potential trap games for the Wolverines in 2025.
Wisconsin (Oct. 4)
Michigan has only played Wisconsin once since 2021. This will be the Badgers' first trip to the Big House since they embarrassed the Wolverines during the 2020 COVID season.
It was right after that game that J.J. McCarthy posted his message for Michigan football fans to relax. How prophetic that proved to be.
Looking ahead to this season, Luke Fickell finds himself potentially on the hot seat. Wisconsin has won just 12 games during hs first two seasons and the Badgers have one of the most difficult schedules in college football.
Many of those games come down the stretch. The Badgers play Alabama early in the season, before heading to Ann Arbor in October.
That means the Badgers likely won't be as wore down as they will be come November. Billy Edwards, a Maryland transfer, is expected to be the starting quarterback. He was pursued heavily by Michigan, and is an underrated dual threat.
Wisconsin is trying to get back to its more traditional brand of football. Gone is Phil Longo and the air raid offense. Bryce Underwood will be making his fifth start, so he'll have some seasoning, but a veteran defensive mind like Fickell might be able to trip him up a few times.
It feels like this could turn into like a 20-13 kind of game and it's probably the one home game on the schedule that worries me outside of Ohio State.