The 2025-26 Michigan football season is an important one for head coach Sherrone Moore. The Wolverines took a step back in the 2024 season, with an 8-5 record, but still managed to build some positive momentum at the end of the season with a win over Ohio State.
Michigan also beat Alabama in the Reliaquest Bowl, giving the Wolverines two wins over top-11 teams to close the season. Ohio State went on to win the national title, so even with the worst pass offense in the power four, Michigan football beat the best team in college football on the road.
That's something to build on. So is the fact that Michigan football signed Bryce Underwood this offseason. Michigan added Justice Haynes as a running back, as well as some wide receivers and some defensive linemen.
With a stellar secondary, too, as well as the return of their top two linebackers, the defense should be elite again, maybe the best in the Big Ten. Add a five-star quarterback to that mix, plus a new offensive play-caller, and the future is exciting.
Here's a look at the floor and the ceiling for Michigan football in 2025-26.
The floor
The floor probably isn't that much different from last season. Michigan's quarterback room is going to be better. Underwood will compete for the starting job with Mikey Keene.
It sounds like the best man will win. I feel like it will be Underwood at some point, if not by Week 1. But either way, the pass offense will be much better. The running game shouldn't drop off much.
The Wolverines need their offensive line to be better, but if it is, Michigan should have a stellar running game. So, even in the worst-case scenario, it's hard to see the Wolverines winning fewer than seven or eight games.
None of the road games are going to be easy, especially the trips to USC, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. The Wolverines will need to play well to win in East Lansing, too. A four or five-loss season is possible, especially if there are growing pains at the quarterback position, and the offensive line isn't improved but a winning season is still the floor.
The ceiling
Michigan's ceiling is more complicated to figure out. If Underwood, who has been compared to Vince Young and Cam Newton, can play anything close to that as a freshman, all bets are off.
The Wolverines need another wide receiver or two in the transfer portal. They could use an offensive tackle, too. But Michigan football should have enough to be a playoff team.
With a great defense, a great running game, and an uber-talented quarterback, anything is possible once you make the playoff. Ohio State proved that last season, but just making the field would be a huge win for the Wolverines.