ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A new era of Michigan football is officially on the clock.
The Wolverines unveiled their 2026 schedule on Tuesday, marking the first season under head coach Kyle Whittingham. And if the slate is any indication, Whittingham’s debut campaign will be anything but a slow build. With eight games at the Big House and a lineup that blends tradition, rivalry, and heavyweight showdowns, Michigan fans can expect a fall packed with storylines.
Let’s break it down.
September: All Roads Lead Through Ann Arbor
Michigan opens the season with a trio of non-conference home games, starting with Western Michigan on Sept. 5.
It’s a familiar in-state matchup, but the real fireworks come a week later when Oklahoma rolls into town on Sept. 12.
That one’s already circled in red - two powerhouse programs, two storied traditions, and a national spotlight. The non-conference stretch wraps with UTEP on Sept. 19, a game that should offer Michigan a chance to tighten things up before Big Ten play begins.
Big Ten Opener: A Classic at the Big House
Conference play kicks off Sept. 26 when Iowa visits Michigan Stadium. It’ll be the 120th time the Wolverines open Big Ten play at home - and there's always something special about launching the conference grind in front of 100,000-plus in maize and blue.
October: Rivalries, Road Tests, and a National Champ
Michigan’s first road trip of the season comes Oct. 3 with a visit to Minnesota. Beyond being a key conference game, this one carries historical weight - it’s the 100th meeting in the battle for the Little Brown Jug, college football’s oldest trophy. Michigan leads the all-time series 74-23-2, and you can bet the Gophers will be fired up to even the score in front of their home crowd.
After a bye week on Oct. 10, the Wolverines return to Ann Arbor for back-to-back showdowns. First up: Penn State on Oct. 17, always a physical, high-stakes affair.
Then, on Oct. 24, Michigan hosts defending national champion Indiana - yes, you read that right.
The Hoosiers have climbed the mountain, and this matchup could have major implications in the conference race.
The month wraps with a Halloween trip to Rutgers on Oct. 31.
Don’t let the calendar fool you - Michigan will need to be sharp. Road games in the Big Ten are never freebies.
November: Trophy Season, Coast-to-Coast Battles, and The Game
November kicks off with a rivalry that needs no introduction. Michigan State comes to town on Nov. 7 for the 74th edition of the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
The Wolverines lead the series 42-29-2 and have the edge in the overall rivalry, 75-38-5, dating back to 1898. With bragging rights and postseason positioning often on the line, this one always delivers intensity.
Then comes a cross-country swing: Michigan heads to Eugene to face Oregon on Nov. 14.
It’s their first meeting as Big Ten foes, and Autzen Stadium is one of the toughest road environments in the country. A week later, UCLA visits the Big House on Nov. 21 - another new face in the Big Ten, and another test for Whittingham’s crew.
And then, of course, there’s The Game.
Michigan closes the regular season on Nov. 28 in Columbus against Ohio State. It’ll be the 122nd meeting in one of college football’s most iconic rivalries.
Michigan has won its last two trips to the Horseshoe - a 45-23 victory in 2022 and a 13-10 slugfest in 2024. The Wolverines currently lead the all-time series 62-53-6, but as always, the numbers take a backseat to the stakes.
This one could decide the Big Ten, playoff hopes - maybe even more.
2026 Michigan Football Schedule
- Sept. 5 - Western Michigan
- Sept. 12 - Oklahoma
- Sept. 19 - UTEP
- Sept. 26 - Iowa
- Oct. 3 - at Minnesota
- **Oct.
10** - BYE
- **Oct.
17** - Penn State
- **Oct.
24** - Indiana
- Oct. 31 - at Rutgers
- Nov. 7 - Michigan State
- Nov. 14 - at Oregon
- **Nov.
21** - UCLA
- Nov. 28 - at Ohio State
Whittingham inherits a Michigan program with high expectations and a fanbase hungry for more titles. This schedule?
It’s built for drama, for rivalries, and for defining moments. Buckle up - 2026 is shaping up to be a ride.