It's hard to know what to expect in Kyle Whittingham's first season as the Michigan football head coach. He's got a strong track record of success and by all accounts, a really strong roster.
The Wolverines have four players who earned some sort of preseason All-American honors from Athlon Sports. John Henry Daley was picked as a first-teamer. Running back Jordan Marshall, offensive lineman Andrew Sprague, and cornerback Jyaire Hill were picked for the fourth team.
Michigan also has players like Andrew Marsh, J.J. Buchanan, five-star running back Savion Hiter, five-star EDGE Carter Meadows, Trey Pierce, Zeke Berry, and some other really strong pieces on the offensive line, such as Blake Frazier, Jake Guarnera, and five-star Andrew Babalola.
The big question is Bryce Underwood. However, one analyst doesn't seem sold, which is Chip Patterson of CBS Sports, who has the Wolverines going 7-5.
The clip @Chip_Patterson doesn't want you to see! I have never seen anybody hate Michigan as much as he does in these 102 seconds! pic.twitter.com/Kj2EvQkMnn
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) June 25, 2026
Michigan football's schedule isn't easy in 2026 by any means. Two of the first four games are against Oklahoma and Iowa. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff last season, while Iowa won nine games. Both are in Ann Arbor, though. Patterson sees Michigan football losing both games on its way to a 7-win regular season.
The Wolverines have to play at Oregon and Ohio State. Indiana is also coming to the Big House, meaning U-M will play four of the 12 teams that made the College Football Playoff last season. Two of those games are at home, two are on the road.
Patterson said if Michigan played Oklahoma in October, instead of September, he would probably predict a Wolverines win. However, he sees it taking time for Bryce Underwood to adjust to the new offensive system.
Chip Patterson predicts Michigan will go 7-5.
— Michigan Metal 〽️ (@Metaleka_) June 26, 2026
Which is possible in a nightmare scenario,
But he doesn’t realize that Michigan’s defense will probably be a top ten group by the end of the year.
Don’t forget that we are going in with one of the best secondaries in CFB. pic.twitter.com/DJe1BHsHgI
Will this crazy Michigan prediction come true?
If Michigan goes 7-5, folks will be freaking out. The point about Underwood is fair. It also ignores the fact that the Wolverines will have an elite defense.
The one advantage Oklahoma had last season was the quarterback's ability to run. Michigan didn't even let Bryce Underwood try to run in that game or do much of anything. That won't happen this season. Underwood will run. a lot, especially early in the season.
The Wolverines will have to win some games ugly. However, the 7-5 record might not be as far-fetched as some Michigan fans want to believe. Assuming Michigan beats Iowa, a big assumption, it would need to split with Indiana and Oklahoma just to get nine wins.
Of course, Michigan could easily win those games, all at home, and reach the College Football Playoff with a 10-2 record. That seems more likely than going 0-3. That would be a disaster. Three home losses and a loss to Ohio State would be about the worst-imaginable scenario.
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