The wait for the 2026 Michigan football season is nearly over. We are less than three weeks from the season opener against Western Michigan.
For the second time in three seasons, the Wolverines are starting the season with a new head coach. Kyle Whittingham is expected to do much better than Sherrone Moore, after winning 68 percent of his games at Utah, including three conference titles.
Whittingham said the goal for this season is to be playing for a chance to reach the Big Ten championship when the Wolverines head to Columbus for "The Game."
That seems like a reasonable goal. Bryce Underwood feels like he has taken a big step forward in his development, at least based on what we have seen and been told.
It won't matter until the real bullets start flying, against Oklahoma, but here's a complete breakdown of the 2026 Michigan football schedule with game-by-game predictions.
Michigan vs. Western Michigan (Sept. 5, 7:30 EST, NBC)
The running game is legit. If Michigan's defensive line is as good as advertised, the Wolverines should overpower Western Michigan. Expect a strong showing on the ground, and a solid, but not spectacular, debut from Bryce Underwood.
Whittingham's debut goes off without a hitch.
Michigan 38, Western Michigan 17 (1-0)
Michigan vs. Oklahoma (Sept 12, Noon EST, Fox)
Big Noon Kickoff will be in Ann Arbor for what should be a top-15 matchup. The game had plenty of College Football Playoff implications, just like last season. If the Wolverines had finished last season 10-2 with a win over Oklahoma, they would have been in the 12-team playoff.
If Michigan beats the Sooners this year, it could have a strong case to make as the Big Ten's fourth playoff team, even if it doesn't beat Oregon, Ohio State, or Indiana.
This will be the first big test for Bryce Underwood. It will be a big test for the entire team. Underwood played poorly last season, but the Wolverines were beaten in the trenches. Oklahoma ran it better. The Sooners protected their quarterback better and allowed him to run as needed to win.
Michigan played the game scared. Whittingham won't coach that way. Underwood will get over 10 carries in this game, and the Wolverines will find a way to win a defensive struggle.
Michigan 20, Oklahoma 17 (2-0)
Michigan vs UTEP (Sept. 19, 3:30 PM EST, BTN)
The Miners are the easiest game on the 2026 Michigan football schedule. UTEP lost all 11 offensive starters to the transfer portal. Their projected win over/under is 3.5.
Michigan football should cruise in this game. Underwood should be sitting for most of, if not the entire second half, at least if things go according to plan.
Michigan 49, UTEP 10 (3-0)
Michigan vs Iowa (Sept. 26, TBD)
This will be the first meeting between Michigan and Iowa since the 2023 Big Ten championship game. The Hawkeyes have talent, with numerous All-Big Ten selections this season, most of them in the trenches.
The quarterback is a question mark. Iowa hasn't named a starter for the 2026 season. Iowa won't make life easy on Underwood. This will be a physical football game, but Michigan will win the battle with talent. This is the kind of game Sherrone Moore might lose, but Whittingham will win.
Michigan 23, Iowa 16 (4-0)
Michigan at Minnestoa (Oct 3, TBD)
The Golden Gophers are coming off an eight-win season and return Drake Lindsey at quarterback after he started all 13 games last season as a redshirt freshman, throwing for over 2,300 yards to go along with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Darius Taylor is also expected back for Minnesota. However, there were some key losses via the transfer portal, too. PJ Fleck's teams always play hard. This game won't be easy, but Michigan football's talent edge is too big.
Michigan 27, Minnesota 17 (5-0)
Michigan vs. Penn State (Oct. 17, TBD)
The first season under Matt Campbell should be an interesting one. Unlike Kyle Whittingham, he doesn't bring back most of the roster from last season.
Michigan lost some key players to the NFL, such as Derrrick Moore, but outside of that, the Wolverines lost one starter to the transfer portal (Cole Sullivan). Michigan also added a preseason All-American (John Henry Daley) to replace Moore, while adding to the WR room with JJ Buchanan.
Penn State lost nearly its entire offensive line and both of its starting running backs. Campbell brought over some key pieces from Iowa State's offense, but the Cyclones didn't set the world on fire last season.
Rocco Becht should be solid at quarterback. This Penn State roster is still in the upper half of the Big Ten, and many see this team as a fringe playoff contender. It's just hard to see Penn State's offense moving the ball much, and, similar to the Iowa game, Michigan will win by double digits.
Michigan 31, Penn State 17 (6-0)
Michigan vs. Indiana (Oct. 24, TBD)
After three challenging games to open the Big Ten schedule, the Wolverines will welcome Indiana to the Big House. It will be Michigan's second matchup againt Curt Cignetti, and he will be making his first trip to Ann Arbor.
Indiana will be fascinating to watch this season. Josh Hoover has taken over as the quarterback. Nick Marsh, the former Michigan State wideout, was one of the big transfer portal additions. The fifth-year ruling could help out Indiana, too, allowing some former starters to return.
It feels like this will be another Big Noon Kickoff. This will be a great game, and it's not like Indiana is invincible. The Hoosiers need a last second touchdown to defeat Penn State on the road last season.
One thing to remember is that the Hooisers host Ohio State the week before. Is it crazy to think the Hoosiers could knock off Ohio State and have a letdown in Ann Arbor?
The Hoosiers play at Nebraska and Washington. They also get Ohio State and USC at home. Yet, with it being on the road, this could be the toughest game on the schedule. Yet, I have to see Underwood beat a team like this, a team much better than Oklahoma, before I believe it.
Indiana 24, Michigan 20 (6-1)
Michigan at Rutgers (Oct. 31, TBD)
Rutgers is Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights will have a new quarterback this season, likely Dylan Lonergan, the former Boston College starter.
The Scarlet Knights do have two All-Big Ten honorees. Rutgers had as many players make the list as Ohio State, thanks to running back Antwan Raymond and wide receiver KJ Duff.
Beyond that, though. Rutgers just doesn't have the depth or talent to hang with Michigan. The Scarlet Knights are always a threat to pull off an upset. Greg Schiano gets his team up for games like this, but Michigan won't slip up in New Jersey, although it could be closer than expected.
Michigan 38, Rutgers 20 (7-1)
Michigan vs. Michigan State (Nov. 7, TBD)
The Wolverines benefit from a favorable schedule. It's difficult, but with Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, and Indiana all at home, if Michigan can win its home games, it will be in business.
Michigan dropped just one game at home last season. That was to Ohio State. Bryce Underwood actually played well at home, outside of that game.
Pat Fitzgerald will have Michigan State ready. The Spartans will be a much-improved team this season, but there just isn't a ton of talent in East Lansing. Alessio Milivojevic is the projected starting quarterback. He had some good moments last season. The Spartans added Cam Edwards from UConn and return linebacker Jordan Hall.
This will be a fierce battle and an ugly game. Yet, Whittingham wins his first Paul Bunyan trophy.
Michigan 23, Michigan State 13 (8-1)
Michigan at Oregon (Nov. 14, TBD)
If Bryce Underwood is having a strong season, there will be even more hype regarding this matchup, especially if this prediction comes true and the Wolverines have just one loss heading to Eugene.
The problem is that Michigan struggles on the West Coast. We have seen the Wolverines lose to USC, Washington, and in previous trips to Oregon, even when it had a better team.
It matters when and where to play teams. Oregon has the best roster in college football, and the Ducks will handle their business at home against Michigan.
Oregon 34, Michigan 20 (8-2)
Michigan vs. UCLA (Nov 21, TBD)
The thing about Michigan's schedule is there aren't many easy wins. Every Big Ten game offers challenges, and the first game of the season against Western Michigan won't be a cakewalk.
UCLA will come to Ann Arbor one week before "The Game." Nico Iamaleava should thrive this season under new head coach Bob Chesney, who led James Madison to the College Football Playoff.
The last head coach from James Madison worked out pretty well. Chesney should, too. It feels like the Bruins found a real one, and they will be competitive in this game, although the Wolverines will escape with a win.
Michigan 34, UCLA 24 (9-2)
Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 28, 12 PM EST, Fox)
The first meeting between Michigan and Ohio State in the Kyle Whittingham era will be fascinating. He said that he doesn't have to hate the Buckeyes to beat them.
We'll see if those feelings change after a trip to the Shoe. Michigan football has won there twice in a row, but there's a reason there was a 22-year drought before that. It's one of the toughest places to win in all of college football.
Underwood said recently that this is just another game. It's hard to believe that statement. However, he will need to play much better than he did a season ago for Michigan to have a chance.
Even if Bryce plays better, and I think he will, it's hard to predict a win in Columbus. The Buckeyes will make it two in a row, putting a ton of pressure on Underwood going into "The Game" in 2027.
Ohio State 27, Michigan 20 (9-3)
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