Michigan is one of the most fascinating teams in college football this season, because the Wolverines are one of the sport's biggest unknowns.
Joel Klatt called Michigan football one of college football's biggest wildcats, putting them only behind LSU, a team he said could reach the College Football Playoff or finish unranked.
Michigan might not have that range of ceiling and floor this season, but the 16th-ranked Wolverines, at least according to the Coaches Poll, have plenty to prove this season. That starts with former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Underwood wasn't as bad last season as some have made him out to be, but he wasn't much better. He certainly didn't meet the massive expectations, although there were times when you could see it all coming together.
Why things could all come together for Michigan to make the College Football Playoff
This season, it has to come together. Kyle Whittingham, the new Michigan football head coach, is doing his best to make that happen. He hired a QB guru and offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, known for getting the best out of quarterbacks, as he did with Devon Dampier at Utah.
Whittingham has plenty to prove, too. As he found out with his Ohio State comments, Michigan is a different job. He will be under a microscope. Every decision will be dissected, and every comment analyzed.
However, there is a strong case to be made for Michigan reaching the College Football Playoff. On3's Andy Staples made it earlier this week on the Brandon Walker Show.
"What drugs were you on that made you put Michigan in the playoffs?" - @BFW @AndyStaples pic.twitter.com/IIy9lEoJII
— Brandon Walker College Football Show (@BFWshow) August 14, 2026
Walker asked Staples what kind of drugs he was on when he picked Michigan to make the playoff. Staples responded, the kind of drugs that made him realize that the Wolverines went 9-3 with a freshman quarterback, who didn't have a QB coach, a head coach, who's mind clearly wasn't on football, and a bunch of distractions.
Despite all that, a team that started six freshman or redshirt freshman on offense, won nine games, and would have had a compelling argument for the playoff last season with a win over Ohio State. Obviously, OSU dominated "The Game", but a more seasoned Underwood and a healthy Jordan Marshall could have made a huge difference.
The Wolverines return a lot of experience. Beyond Underwood, Marshall, and Andrew Marsh, the offensive line has five guys back who started games last season, plus the top recruit in program history on the offensive line. The defense has a projected All-American at EDGE, really intriguing defensive tackles, and again, more five-star talent at EDGE.
Linebacker, the one question mark, has seen Nathaniel Staehling emerge as a potential playmaker along with the returners from last season, which include former five-star recruit Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng.
Ohio State is on the road. So is the game against Oregon. But Michigan football gets Oklahoma, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa at home. If the Wolverines split those games and avoid upsets, that puts them at 10-2.
Whittingham said his goal this season was to head to Columbus with a chance to win the Big Ten championship. It's not crazy to think that's a possibility.
Or is it crazy to think Michigan can reach the College Football Playoff.
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