Kyle Whittingham is known as one of the best head coaches in college football, which is good, because the Wolverines will need every bit of help they can get in 2026.
As easy as the schedule was in 2025 for Michigan football, despite playing two teams that wound up in the College Football Playoff, only one of those games was on the road. There were two top-25 games on the road, plus a game against nine-win Washington at home.
It was still very manageable. The 2026 schedule for Michigan football is anything but. We don't know the schedule in terms of dates and times, but we do know who the Wolverines will be playing.
On Monday, ahead of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, On3 released its preseason Top 25 for next season. The Wolverines are ranked as the No. 11 team. That seems just about right. There is a lot to prove, especially quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Looking at the schedule, it's very possible that Michigan is a much better team in 2026, but has the same record or one that's even worse.
Brutal schedule in 2026 will make it tough for Michigan football
That's because, according to the On3 rankings, Michigan will have games against five of the top-14 teams in college football next season, which includes home games against Indiana, Penn State, and Oklahoma, as well as road games against Oregon and Ohio State.
Both of those road games will be very difficult to win, especially with Oregon and Ohio State returning their starting quarterbacks. The Wolverines will likely need to win out at home in order to reach the College Football Playoff, which would include beating Indiana, the team that could be the defending national champions.
If Bryce Underwood takes a massive step forward under Jason Beck, which is possible, so is a 10-win season, but nothing is going to come easy for the Wolverines in Kyle Whittingham's first season as head coach.