The Michigan Wolverines have a fairly friendly schedule for the 2025 season when looking at who the Wolverines will be playing when. Of course, the season will end with Michigan's toughest game as it always does against Ohio State, but looking at the schedule, the Wolverines have some easier games sprinkled in.
As most FBS teams do, Michigan has two bye weeks during the season, this year, coming in the weeks of September 27 and November 8. However, when looking at the different opponents on Michigan's schedule, some of the teams look like "extra bye weeks," meaning they are easier opponents that Michigan could have a big lead on early and rest the starters late.
While this is college football and really any team can win on any given day, looking at the state of these teams just really makes it seem like Michigan should be fine and able to rest the starters late.
1. Wisconsin on October 4th
The Wisconsin Badgers have just not been able to put it all together under head coach Luke Fickell in the two years he has been with the team. The Baggers have struggled, and Fickell hasn't been able to figure out his quarterback situation. With this game coming off of Michigan's first bye week, this could be like a back-to-back bye weeks situation for the Wolverines. They will want to play their starters as much as possible in order to keep them from getting rusty, but this should be a sure-handed win for Michigan.
Michigan currently leads the series against Wisconsin 49-15-1 having won their last matchup against the Badgers back in 2021.
2. Purdue on November 1st
The Purdue Boilermakers have been in the basement of the Big Ten for quite some time, and they are getting ready to enter a new era in their program. Former UNLV head coach Barry Odom was hired to be the next head coach at Purdue, and while he will bring success with him, it may take him a while to get settled into the Boilermakers' program.
This game comes at a great time for Michigan as they will be coming off a game against Michigan State, and the game against Ohio State still looms. While this could be an easy trap game, Purdue just doesn't have to firepower to compete just yet, but Odom could bring great change. This should be an easy one for Michigan late in the season, giving their starters much-needed rest.
Michigan currently leads the all-time series against Purdue 41-13, winning the last six matchups in a row, including their most recent in the 2023 season.
3. at Northwestern on November 15th
The third and final "creampuff" team that will give Michigan an extra bye week during the 2025 season will be when the Wolverines head to Illinois to take on Northwestern. While the Wildcats have had some recent success in the past few seasons, they are at a low point right now and are working to find their way back.
This game comes at a good time as it will come off Michigan's second bye week, so with just two games in the regular season after this, Michigan will have time to see everything they need to heading into the postseason of a potential College Football Playoff appearance.
Michigan currently leads the all-time series against Northwestern 56-13-2 with a current 8-game win streak against the Wildcats.