Kyle Whittingham's Michigan football debut will come Saturday as the Wolverines will host Western Michigan for the 2026 season opener.
Michigan is a heavy favorite. Yet, there are reasons why the Broncos, a team that won 10 games last season and returns Broc Lowry, the 2025 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, could give the Wolverines trouble.
You never know exactly what you're going to get from a team in Week 1. Michigan is no different. Yet, here are five reasons to expect a rout in favor of the Wolverines on Saturday.
Bryce Underwood will be much improved
The former five-star quarterback has been a hot topic of conversation this offseason. Whittingham has repeatedly said that Underwood has made major progress since the spring. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback feels like he has turned a corner.
It also feels like Underwood will be playing with a point to prove on Saturday night, so expect a Central Michigan like performance with close to 300 total yards.
Western Michigan won't be able to stop the run
The Broncos allowed opponents to give 3.7 yards per rushing attempt last season. In 2024, that number was 2.2. It shouldn't matter, though.
Western Michigan is one of the favorites to win the MAC. Their defense is solid, with multiple preseason All-MAC selections. Yet, with Jim Harding coaching the offensive line, it should also be much improved.
With Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter, and Underwood leading the way, the running game should explode on Saturday.
The run defense will be up to the challenge
Lowry only threw for 1,809 yards last season with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Yet, he added 964 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns. Running quarterbacks are hard to defend. Western also brings back a 1,000-yard rusher (Jalen Buckley).
It could be a challenge for the front seven, especially if the linebackers aren't as good as advertised. Whittingham said the D-line was the strength of the team. If that group plays like it, and the linebackers live up to the fall camp buzz, Michigan should have the game under control before the Broncos get out of neutral.
The Whittingham effect
Whittingham has won 68 percent of his games during his career as a college football head coach. He has won three conference titles and led Utah to an undefeated season, with a Sugar Bowl win over Nick Saban.
This team will physically impose its will, sort of like Michigan used to do in the Jim Harbaugh era. The Broncos won't be able to stand up to that. The Wolverines will dominate in the trenches, which will lead to a lopsided result.
Elite talent at wide receiver
Andrew Marsh and J.J. Buchanan are going to dominate in the Big Ten this season. Marsh had four games with 75 yards or more in the Big Ten last season. There isn't anyone who can match up with him on the Western Michigan roster. The same goes for Buchanan.
Explosive plays in the running game and the passing game will be the name of the day.
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