Urban Meyer isn’t letting Michigan off the hook anytime soon.
The former Ohio State coach used his latest college football rankings to put the Wolverines back under the spotlight, slotting them at No. 7 on his Triple Option list of the sport’s top 10 programs. Meyer said his ranking was built around recruiting infrastructure, administration, fan base and past success, and Michigan’s history was enough to keep it inside the top tier even after a shaky stretch.
“The fan base is out of control. You know, I've been in that stadium.
Historically, winningest program in college football. They went on a little bit of a very average run for quite a while.
Someone put out that Ohio State's won 10 games straight for however many years, and the Wolverines haven't,” Meyer said.
The numbers behind that legacy are massive: Michigan owns 1,021 all-time wins and 12 national titles, the most victories in college football. That’s the standard Meyer was pointing to, and the one he says the Wolverines still have to live up to.
This offseason has only sharpened the conversation in Ann Arbor. Michigan fired Sherrone Moore in December after an off-field scandal, then hired Kyle Whittingham away from Utah on a five-year deal worth about $8.2 million per year.
Former athletic director Warde Manuel also announced he will step down by the end of the year. Meyer said he has spoken privately with Whittingham, a longtime friend from their Utah days, but he wouldn’t reveal what was said.
Meyer has been taking his shots at Michigan all summer, even while tossing in praise for the new coach. “Don't worry, Ohio State will be fine,” Meyer said.
“Ohio State is recruiting at a whole different level.” That’s the Meyer formula: a compliment with a jab attached.
On the field, Michigan is trying to climb out of a hole after Ohio State ended the Wolverines’ four-game run in the rivalry with a 27-9 win in Ann Arbor last November. Michigan had beaten the Buckeyes four straight times from 2021 through 2024, but now the streak belongs to Ohio State, and the reset is on.
Bryce Underwood is the reason there’s still optimism around the program. The true freshman starter threw for 2,428 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and preseason publications are expecting a sophomore jump.
The outside buzz isn’t dead either. Phil Steele labeled Michigan “playoff caliber” and called Whittingham “the perfect hire” for the way he builds offensive and defensive lines.
The Coaches Poll placed the Wolverines at No. 16, while several other outlets had them closer to No. 13.
Michigan also has work to do offensively. The Wolverines finished 11th in the Big Ten in scoring in 2025, which is where new coordinator Jason Beck enters the picture after arriving from Utah, where his offense averaged 41.1 points per game. On the other side, new defensive coordinator Jay Hill is expected to improve a unit that already travels well.
The Big Ten picture isn’t getting any easier. Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana sit in the conference’s first tier, while Michigan is trying to keep pace with USC, Washington, Iowa and Penn State in Tier 2.
The schedule gives the Wolverines little room to ease in. They host Oklahoma on Sept. 12, then finish the regular season at Ohio State on Nov. 28 at noon ET in Columbus.
Indiana and Oregon passed Michigan in the Big Ten pecking order last season. If the Wolverines want back in the top tier, they have to get there first before even thinking about the Buckeyes.
Meyer put the legacy on the table. Now Whittingham and Underwood have to prove they can carry it.
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Michigan Fall Camp Is Heating Up Around A Few Crucial Starting Battles
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For Michigan, the appeal is obvious: these are the kinds of battles that can shape both the depth chart and the tone of the season before August is even over. Some of the evaluations are still unfolding, with coaches praising what certain players can do and leaving the final answer open, which is exactly what makes camp worth watching this time of year. [Read more 🡒]