Last season, Michigan went 9-3, and while there were a few rumblings of the Wolverines snagging a College Football Playoff spot, there was just too much traffic ahead of them. Now, heading into 2026, the Wolverines have a brutal schedule, and because of it, this time, a 9-3 record could be good enough to sneak into the CFP.
It is Year 1 under Kyle Whittingham, and he is being welcomed to Michigan with a schedule littered with ranked opponents, six to be exact. This isn't the best welcoming gift, but it also may not be the worst one either.
Another 9-3 season wouldn't be the worst thing for Michigan and the College Football Playoff
While Michigan's schedule looks daunting, with so many ranked opponents on the schedule, it could actually work out in the Wolverines' favor. If Michigan can go 3-3 against preseason-ranked opponents this season and take care of business in the other six games, it could get them back to 9-3.
Some may question why Michigan would be okay with the same record as last season, but looking at the Wolverines' opponents and the strength of schedule, 9-3 could get them into the conversation for the College Football Playoff.
Based on the Preseason Coaches Poll, Michigan is set to face No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 17 Penn State, and No. 22 Iowa this season. Michigan itself is ranked No. 16, so at the very least, the Wolverines need wins over the lower-ranked Penn State and Iowa.
That leaves Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Oklahoma to try and get at least one more ranked win, and honestly, there is potential to get more than that. There is no telling what Indiana will look like after winning the National Championship. Plus, the Hoosiers have to come to The Big House in October, giving Michigan a little bit of an edge in that game.
Michigan will also welcome Oklahoma in Week 2 for a good ol' fashion Big Ten vs. SEC matchup. Last season, Michigan dropped the big game against the Sooners, but now with a Noon game in The Big House, this one could see a different ending. It is early enough in the season that both teams will still be finding their footing, but a win over a Top 10 team is big for a CFP resume.
If Michigan can win those four games, or even just three of them, that gives the Wolverines two to three quality losses, something the selection committee takes into serious consideration. The Big Ten is expected to get four teams into the playoff like the SEC, so it feels realistic that Michigan is one of them.
The schedule is brutal, but it could also be the key to Michigan getting back to the College Football Playoff and contending for another National Championship.
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