Michigan Wolverines 2026 College Football Preview
Posted July 19, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 9-4
ATS – 4-9
Year one of the Bryce Underwood experience wasn’t wonderful, but it wasn’t bad either. The Wolverines lost early in the season at Oklahoma, which is nothing to be ashamed of, and the only teams they lost to the rest of the season were USC, Ohio St, and Texas. Despite inconsistent play at times, the Wolverines had a nice little HEATER at one point where they won eight of nine games, and came very close to making the College Football Playoff.
Can Michigan get back to the top of the Big Ten mountain in 2026?
Michigan Wolverines 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Big Ten):
- Scoring: 27.5 PPG (#11)
- Total Offense: 396.9 YPG (#7)
- Rushing: 210.2 YPG (#2)
- Passing: 186.8 YPG (#14)
- Sacks Allowed: 21 (#9)
Bryce Underwood had his struggles during his freshman season (60%, 11-9 TD to INT, 6 rush TD) but he definitely showed the potential that made him such a highly-regarded specimen coming out of high school. We expect better things from him in 2026, particularly with the assistance of new OC Jason Beck (Utah). Michigan is still loaded at the RB position even after the departure of Justice Haynes, as Jordan Marshall is one of the best backs in the Big Ten (932, 6.2, 10 TD) and the Wolverines snagged the #1 RB high school prospect in the nation in Savion Hiter, who just might make a splash this year.
Michigan doesn’t appear to be very deep when it comes to THROW GAME weaponry, but sophomore WR Andrew Marsh looks like a legit WR1 to us after how he closed out the 2025 campaign, and he ended up leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and TDs (45, 651, 4 TD). Utah transfer JJ Buchanan (427, 16.4, 5 TD) was one of the best freshman tight ends in the country last year but he’s officially moved to WR for the Wolverines. Expect him to be moved around and provide a beefy target (6-3, 225) for Underwood to utilize.
The offensive line has good size and over 60 career starts as a group, and it’s also worth noting that ace OL coach Jim Harding rolls into town from Utah, along with new HC Kyle Whittingham.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Big Ten):
- Scoring: 20.4 PPG (#7)
- Total Defense: 323.3 YPG (#6)
- Rushing Defense: 111.9 YPG (#6)
- Passing Defense: 211.4 YPG (#12)
- Sacks: 28 (#9)
The defense wasn’t the brick wall we’ve been spoiled watching over the last several years, and the pass defense was particularly shoddy at times. The PENETRATION was also lacking at key moments. We expect a strong performance out of the stop unit this year under new DC Jay Hill, who did a great job at BYU, particularly when it came to forcing turnovers.
The front line needs to be rebuilt and two guys are off to the NFL, but thankfully both Michigan and new HC Kyle Whittingham are SOLID GOLD when it comes to putting stellar defensive lines on the field. There’s plenty of raw talent aboard, and the Wolverines made a fine free agent signing with the addition of pass-rushing freak John Henry Daley from Utah (11.5 sacks LY). The LB unit will need some new faces to shine after the departure of the team’s top-two tacklers. Our best bet to make a big impact is sophomore LB Chase Taylor, who has the size and speed to be a force in the middle, and he looked sharp in limited action during his freshman campaign.
There’s no doubt about the quality in the secondary as they’ve got playmakers all over the place including star CB Jyaire Hill, safety Rod Moore, and Utah transfer NB Smith Snowden. Yep, we expect much better out of the back end in 2026, especially if they can get more pressure on the QB. Stay tuned!
SPECIAL TEAMS
Things look pretty solid. Punter Cameron Brown is back in the mix, Andrew Marsh does good work on returns, and the Wolverines added former Pitt PK Trey Butkowski, who nailed 20/23 FG attempts with the Panthers in 2025.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Wolverines have a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big House, and that’s the only non-conference game they need to worry about. Apologies to Western Michigan. The Big Ten schedule is NASTY. They’ve gotta face Iowa, Penn St, and Indiana, but at least those games are at home. The real test comes in November when they have to travel to face Oregon and Ohio St in a three-game span.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – UTEP (Sept 19)
Now that you’ve stopped laughing, consider this. Michigan will be laying a bundle of points and this game is sandwiched between the Oklahoma rematch and the Big Ten opener vs Iowa. It doesn’t look like a great spot to back the home favorite, but you do you.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – July 19
Over 8.5 +140
Under 8.5 -180
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
That looks about right. We’ve got them pegged at 8-4/9-3, and there’s too much talent on board for a fade.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Little Brown Jug, the oldest trophy in college football, started with a THEFT. In 1903, Michigan left a water jug behind after a 6-6 tie at Minnesota. Gopher students (and a custodian) kept it, painted the score on it, and refused to give it back. Six years later both schools made it official: the winner of the Michigan–Minnesota game keeps the jug. It’s been fought over ever since. And THAT, friends, is why you never leave your water bottle, or anything of value in Minneapolis.
Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon survived two plane crashes in WWII. In 1943, while ferrying a bomber to a combat theater, he bailed out over the South American jungle, spent days cutting through the wilderness as the sole survivor, and later was shot down over CHY-NA and rescued by guerrillas. He came home a hero, acted in a movie about his own life, and became the father of NCIS star Mark Harmon. Now THAT is Trivia GOLD, bay-bee.
Former Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is definitely not having drinks with your girlfriend right now.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
In one of the more intriguing moves of the offseason, Michigan hired Utah coaching legend Kyle Whittingham to take over the reins in Ann Arbor. Whittingham has an excellent track record, but Big Ten country is a tough place to hang your tack.
We expect more from the offense this season as Bryce Underwood matures at the quarterback position, and the defense will be really good. Do they have enough firepower? Can they overcome a tough schedule? This is a very talented team, but we think they’re a slight notch below the true killers in the conference. We’ll call for nine wins and a top-notch bowl bid.
GO BLUE!