College football fans can rejoice knowing that the 2026 season is so close, close enough for the AP to release its preseason Top 25 rankings. Michigan received the type of ranking that totally encapsulates what everyone thinks about the Wolverines this season, coming in at No. 16, the middle of the pack.
The Wolverines have more to worry about, though, than their preseason rankings, especially when looking at the number of opponents they face this season also in the rankings. Right now, Michigan will face six ranked opponents this season, but that may not be the case by the end of the season.
In 2025, 12 teams ranked before the season ended were unranked, so where will Michigan's ranked opponents fall when they actually face off? Well, here are a few predictions.
Week 2 vs. No. 10 Oklahoma
OU Prediction: No. 9
This is probably the easiest of all the ranked matchups to try and predict. Michigan will face No. 10 Oklahoma in just the second game of the season, which means the rankings should shake up too much after Week 1. Neither Michigan nor Oklahoma is set to play too high-profile teams in Week 1.
The best guess for this prediction is that both teams move up at least one spot, especially if they win in big fashion. So, by Week 2, this could turn into a Top 15 matchup with Michigan moving to No. 15 and Oklahoma most likely moving into the No. 9 spot.
Week 4: vs. No. 22 Iowa
Iowa prediction: No. 23
Michigan will open Big Ten play against No. 22 Iowa. The Hawkeyes always find a way to squeak into the AP Preseason Top 25, even with the offense looking as rough as it has been the past few years. It is the Iowa defense that always has them ranked before the season begins.
Three weeks into the season, there still may not be much movement in the Top 25 rankings, as Week 4 is typically when conference play starts in college football. The Hawkeyes open the season against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa, so there isn't a ton of competition there, but the Cy-Hawk Rivalry is always one that could go either way.
There is no telling how good the Cyclones will look without long-time head coach Matt Campbell in Ames anymore, so this one could swing Iowa's way. If that is the case, this could still be another ranked matchup for Michigan, but if Iowa drops the rivalry game, there is no question that the Hawkeyes will be out of the Top 25. At best, Iowa stays exactly where they are at No. 22.
Week 7: vs. No. 18 Penn State
Penn State prediction: No. 13
The matchup between Michigan and No. 18 Penn State is a very interesting one, as both programs are going through head coach changes, with both new head coaches coming from the Big 12. When these two meet in Week 7, Michigan will be coming off a bye, and the Nittany Lions will have just played six very easy games.
At worst, when Penn State comes to Ann Arbor, the Nittany Lions are 5-1, with the possible loss coming at the hands of USC. At best, this could turn into a matchup against two undefeated teams if Michigan takes care of business against Oklahoma and Iowa.
By Week 7, there should be a lot more movement in the Top 25, but with the teams both teams are playing, it wouldn't quite be a Top 10 matchup. Michigan could be knocking on the door, and Penn State may not be too far behind. Don't be surprised if these two teams are looking at a No. 13 vs. No. 12 matchup midway through October.
Week 8: vs. No. 6 Indiana
Indiana prediction: No. 9
Michigan most likely gets back-to-back ranked matchups in Weeks 7 and 8, with Penn State and Indiana both coming to Ann Arbor. Like Penn State, the Hoosiers are looking at a potential one-loss record after playing Ohio State the week prior.
The defending National Champions are a big question mark this season, with no one quite sure what they will look like after losing a good portion of the roster, including Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza. Even with a loss to Ohio State, that doesn't automatically drop the Hoosiers out of the Top 10, and if Michigan wins all their ranked games to this point, this could be a Top 10 matchup.
I predict that at this point, Michigan could jump Indiana in the rankings, but not by much just yet. This could be another close ranking, with Indiana around No. 9 and Michigan coming in at No. 8.
Week 11: at No. 2 Oregon
Oregon prediction: No. 5
Michigan will get a small reprieve from ranked opponents until mid-November, when, for the first time all season, the Wolverines will have to travel to face a ranked team. To start the season, Oregon stands at No. 2 in the rankings, behind only Ohio State. However, by the time they meet up with the Wolverines, they probably won't be in that position.
Like Michigan, Oregon has a tough schedule, mainly weighed down in the middle of the season. After an easier schedule to start the season and Big Ten play, the Ducks will face Nebraska and Illinois back-to-back, get a reprieve against Northwestern, then take on Ohio State and Michigan.
While it feels like Oregon should be able to handle business against the Illini and Cornhuskers, going to Columbus might prove tough for the Ducks. Oregon will get to play in the comfort of Eugene when it faces off against Michigan, but it might not be enough. At that point, I predict Oregon will be reeling after a tough loss to the Buckeyes, and Michigan should be able to take advantage of that.
Even if Michigan ends up dropping a game or two earlier in the season to ranked opponents, it feels like this could easily be a Top 10 matchup with the Ducks still rocking in the Top 5, probably right at No. 5, and Michigan hovering around the Top 10, potentially ranked at No. 10.
Week 13: at. No. 1 Ohio State
Ohio State prediction: No. 3
The biggest game of the season comes at the very end when Michigan travels to Columbus for The Game. Like Michigan, the Buckeyes also have a tough schedule, and that No. 1 ranking probably won't last long. In Week 2, the Buckeyes have to take on No. 5 Texas, and while they have had the Longhorns' number in years past, this could be the year Arch Manning gets it done for Texas.
That is an early loss for Ohio State that would knock them out of that No. 1 ranking. It is hard to believe that the Buckeyes lose too many more games other than the Texas game, unless USC and Oregon really surprise everyone, so expect the Buckeyes to still be in at least the Top 3 when they meet up with a Michigan team that could be knocking on the door of a very high ranking and playing for a College Football Playoff ranking.
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