Michigan Football’s 2026 Schedule: A New Era Kicks Off in Ann Arbor
The 2026 season marks a fresh chapter for Michigan Football - and it’s one that opens with both opportunity and expectation. With Kyle Whittingham stepping in as the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach, the Wolverines are set to launch into their 147th season with a schedule that’s as historic as it is intriguing.
Let’s break it down.
September: A Homegrown Start for Whittingham
There’s no easing into the Whittingham era - but there is home-field advantage. Michigan opens the season with four straight games at the Big House, giving the new head coach a comfortable runway to establish his system and culture.
The non-conference slate kicks off with Western Michigan (Sept. 5), followed by a marquee matchup against Oklahoma (Sept. 12), and then UTEP (Sept. 19). While Western and UTEP offer a chance to fine-tune, the Sooners bring a national spotlight and a real measuring stick early in the season.
The Wolverines wrap up September with their Big Ten opener against Iowa (Sept. 26), also at home. It’s a fitting transition into conference play - a physical, disciplined opponent that will test Michigan’s readiness for the grind ahead.
October: Rivalries, Road Tests, and a Title Rematch
October opens with a trip to Minneapolis (Oct. 3) for one of college football’s most storied traditions: the 100th battle for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan holds a commanding 74-23-2 edge in the series, but don’t expect Minnesota to roll over in the centennial edition of this rivalry.
After a bye week, the Wolverines return to Ann Arbor for back-to-back heavyweight bouts. First up: Penn State (Oct. 17), a perennial contender with plenty of firepower. Then, defending national champion Indiana (Oct. 24) comes to town - a matchup that could have major postseason implications.
Michigan closes the month with a Halloween trip to Rutgers (Oct. 31).
Trap game potential? Sure.
But it’s also a chance to reset before the November gauntlet.
November: Rivalry Season in Full Swing
If October is about positioning, November is where legacies are made.
It starts with the 74th edition of the Paul Bunyan Trophy game against Michigan State (Nov. 7).
The Wolverines lead the trophy series 42-29-2 and hold a 75-38-5 edge in the all-time rivalry, which dates back to 1898. But records rarely matter when these two collide - the stakes are always high, and the emotions even higher.
Then comes a pair of firsts. Michigan heads west to face Oregon (Nov. 14) in Eugene - the first time the two programs meet as Big Ten foes.
A week later, UCLA (Nov. 21) visits the Big House for its inaugural Big Ten showdown with the Wolverines. These games aren’t just new - they’re a glimpse into the future of an evolving, coast-to-coast conference.
Nov. 28: The Game
It all builds to this.
The 122nd edition of The Game - Michigan vs. Ohio State - will be played in Columbus on Nov.
- And recent history favors the Maize and Blue.
Michigan has won its last two trips to the Horseshoe, including a 45-23 statement win in 2022 and a gritty 13-10 victory in 2024.
With a 62-53-6 all-time lead in the rivalry, the Wolverines know what’s at stake. Whether it’s playoff hopes, Big Ten title dreams, or just the eternal bragging rights that come with beating the Buckeyes, this one never disappoints.
Looking Ahead
Eight home games. Two historic trophy matchups.
Three brand-new conference rivalries. And a closing stretch that could define the season.
The 2026 schedule is more than just a list of dates - it’s a roadmap for a team looking to reassert itself at the top of the college football landscape. For Kyle Whittingham and the Wolverines, the journey starts now.
Stay tuned. Ann Arbor is about to get loud.