The Big Ten dropped its 2026 football schedule, and for Michigan fans, it’s time to buckle up. The Wolverines are staring down one of the most loaded regular-season slates in the country - a gauntlet that features four top-10 teams, a national champion, and a handful of programs in the midst of serious rebuilds with new leadership. Let’s dive into the road ahead for the Maize and Blue.
Michigan’s 2026 Schedule
- Sept. 5 - vs. Western Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI
- Sept. 12 - vs. No.
10 Oklahoma | Ann Arbor, MI
- Sept. 19 - vs.
UTEP | Ann Arbor, MI
- Sept. 26 - vs.
Iowa | Ann Arbor, MI
- Oct. 3 - at Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN
- Oct. 11 - BYE WEEK
- Oct. 17 - vs. No.
22 Penn State | Ann Arbor, MI
- Oct. 24 - vs.
No. 8 Indiana | Ann Arbor, MI
- Oct. 31 - at Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ
- Nov. 7 - vs.
Michigan State | Ann Arbor, MI
- Nov. 14 - at No.
4 Oregon | Eugene, OR
- Nov. 21 - vs.
UCLA | Ann Arbor, MI
- Nov. 28 - at No.
1 Ohio State | Columbus, OH
The Home-Heavy Schedule Comes With Heavyweight Matchups
Michigan gets eight games at the Big House, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a cushy setup. The 2026 schedule is a step up from last season’s slate, and it starts early.
Oklahoma rolls into Ann Arbor in Week 2, fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance and carrying top-10 preseason buzz. That’ll be a massive early test for a Michigan team with new leadership on the sidelines and young stars under center.
Then there’s Indiana - yes, that Indiana - coming to town as the defending national champions. The Hoosiers are no longer a feel-good underdog story. They’re a powerhouse now, and they’ll be looking to prove that last season was no fluke.
And of course, the Wolverines close the regular season with a brutal one-two punch: a cross-country trip to face No. 4 Oregon, followed by The Game in Columbus against the top-ranked Buckeyes.
Don’t Sleep on the Middle of the Pack
Beyond the headline matchups, Michigan’s midseason stretch is filled with landmines. Penn State, now under the guidance of Matt Campbell, brought in the No. 5 transfer portal class according to 247Sports. That’s a team in transition, but one with serious upside.
Iowa, always a thorn in the side of Big Ten contenders, is coming off a 9-4 season and could crack the top 25 to start the year. Michigan State and UCLA both enter new eras with fresh head coaches - Pat Fitzgerald and Bob Chesney, respectively - and while those programs may not be immediate threats, they’re wild cards with something to prove.
What Michigan Brings to the Table
The Wolverines may be facing a gauntlet, but they’re not walking into it empty-handed. CBS Sports has Michigan ranked No. 9 in its early top 25, and there’s good reason for optimism in Ann Arbor. The team returns 22 of its 42 most-used players from last season, including its offensive core: quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall, and wide receiver Andrew Marsh.
Underwood, in particular, is the player to watch. He flashed serious potential last season, and with a new offensive coordinator known for opening things up, the sophomore signal-caller could be poised for a breakout.
Michigan also made moves in recruiting. The 2026 class ranks No. 12 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, and the Wolverines landed the No. 17 transfer portal class, highlighted by four-star additions JJ Buchanan, Smith Snowden, John Henry Daley, and Salesi Moa - all from Utah. That’s not a coincidence.
The Utah Connection
December’s hiring of longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham marked a seismic shift for the program. Whittingham didn’t just bring his reputation - he brought his staff. Nine on-field assistants followed him from Utah and BYU, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill.
Beck’s offense at Utah was dynamic and explosive, and he’ll be tasked with unlocking Underwood’s full potential. CBS Sports called Whittingham’s hire a “master stroke,” and if Beck can replicate his previous success, Michigan’s offense could be one of the most exciting in the Big Ten.
What’s Next
Michigan will open spring practices in March and hold its annual spring game on April 18. That’ll be the first real look at Whittingham’s Wolverines - a team that blends returning talent with fresh energy and a new coaching identity.
The road to the Big Ten title - and potentially more - won’t be easy. But if Michigan can navigate this schedule, they won’t just be back in the national conversation. They’ll be leading it.