The 2026 Michigan Wolverines football team is a college football team that represents the University of Michigan as a member of the Big Ten Conference in the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and are led by first-year head coach Kyle Whittingham, offensive coordinator Jason Beck, and defensive coordinator Jay Hill.
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries vs Western Michigan
Michigan entered the season ranked No. 16 in both the AP poll and the Coaches Poll. On September 5, Michigan opened its season with a 13–12 victory over Western Michigan before a crowd of 110,879 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Bryce Underwood. Western Michigan responded with a 52-yard field goal by Dieter Kelly. Western Michigan scored the only points of the second quarter via a 45-yard field goal by Kelly as time expired in the half. Michigan led, 7–6, at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Western Michigan scored six points in the fourth quarter via two field goals by Kelly from 39 yards and 33 yards respectively, giving them the lead. With nine seconds left on the game clock, Michigan attempted a Hail Mary pass that was caught out of bounds by Western Michigan safety Micah Davis as time initially expired. However, in a controversial review, the officials added one second back on the game clock, and Michigan completed a 47-yard Hail Mary pass from Underwood to JJ Buchanan to win the game. After the game, the Big Ten Conference stated that the officials' replay system showed one second remaining when Davis touched the ball after stepping out of bounds, making the play dead, despite NBC's game clock showing zero seconds at that moment. Following the game, Michigan fell out of the AP poll's top 25, establishing a record for the highest ranked team to fall out of the poll following a win since the poll expanded from 20 to 25 teams in 1989, surpassing the 2014 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.
Statistics WMUMICH First downs 16 12 Plays–yards 67–221 48–276 Rushes–yards 46–132 25–106 Passing yards 89 170 Passing: –– 15–21–0 12–23–1 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 40:08 19:52 Team Category Player Statistics Western Michigan Passing Broc Lowry 15/21, 89 yards Rushing Jalen Buckley 19 carries, 62 yards Receiving Aveion Chenault 6 receptions, 53 yards Michigan Passing Bryce Underwood 12/22, 170 yards, TD, INT Rushing Bryce Underwood 9 carries, 47 yards, TD Receiving JJ Buchanan 6 receptions, 126 yards, TD
vs No. 11 Oklahoma
On September 12, Michigan defeated No. 11 Oklahoma, 17–10, before a crowd of 111,240 at Michigan Stadium. On its first possession, Michigan drove into Oklhoma territory on a 15-yard run by Andrew Marsh and a 12-yard pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan, but a holding penalty stopped the drive. On its second possession, Michigan drove 91 yards, including a 36-yard pass from Underwood to Buchanan and ending with a 38-yard touchdown run by Underwood. Late in the second quarter, Michigan drove 34 yards to the Oklahoma 22-yard line, and Trey Butowski converted a 40-yard field goal. Michigan led 10–0, at halftime.
On its first drive of the second half, Oklahoma drove 90 yards as quarterback John Mateer completed four passes, culminating in a 22-yard touchdown pass to Mackenzie Alleyne. On its second possession of the second half, Oklahoma started at its one-yard line after a perfect punt by Cam Brown and drove 83 yards, tying the score on a 34-yard field goal by Tate Sandell. On Oklahoma's third drive of the second half, and with With 8:49 remaining in the game, Jyaire Hill intercepted a Mateer pass and returned it 24 yards to the Oklahoma six-yard line. Following the interception, Jordan Marshall scored on a one-yard run to put the Wolverines ahead, 17–10.
Michigan's defense held Oklahoma to 115 yards of total offense in the first half, with no red-zone attempts and no points. Michigan's defense also limited Oklahoma to 3-of-13 on third down, including 1-of-5 in the first half. The Wolverines won their 46th consecutive game after leading at halftime, the longest streak in the FBS, and improved to 33–0 after holding an opponent scoreless in the first half (since 2014). The win was Michigan's first at home against a ranked opponent since defeating No. 11 USC in 2024.
Statistics OUMICH First downs 17 14 Plays–yards 62–289 58–263 Rushes–yards 29–100 41–152 Passing yards 189 111 Passing: –– 17–33–1 9–17–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 26:43 33:17 Team Category Player Statistics Oklahoma Passing John Mateer 17/33, 189 yards, TD, INT Rushing John Mateer 13 carries, 45 yards Receiving Rocky Beers 6 receptions, 94 yards Michigan Passing Bryce Underwood 9/17, 111 yards Rushing Bryce Underwood 18 carries, 87 yards, TD Receiving JJ Buchanan 2 receptions, 48 yards
vs UTEP
On September 19, Michigan defeated UTEP 52–17, before a crowd of 110,668 at Michigan Stadium. UTEP opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 45-yard touchdown pass from EJ Colson to Carver Cheeks following a Michigan turnover. Michigan finally got on the board in the second quarter via a six-yard touchdown run by Savion Hiter to tie the game. UTEP regained the lead via an 18-yard touchdown pass from Colson to Lamar Sperling. Michigan responded with ten unanswered points in the quarter via a 21-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan and a 49-yard field goal by Trey Butkowski. Michigan led 17–14 at halftime. Michigan scored 28 points in the third quarter via a six-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall, an eight-yard touchdown run by Hiter, a 34-yard touchdown pass from Underwood to Andrew Marsh and a nine-yard interception return by Jonah Lea'ea as time expired in the quarter. This was Michigan's first pick-six since Will Johnson on September 21, 2024 against USC. UTEP scored their only points of the second-half via a 39-yard field goal by Carlos Arreola. Michigan scored the final points of the game late in the quarter via a 19-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Carr to Salesi Moa. This marked freshman Carr's first career collegiate appearance and first career touchdown. UTEP converted on just two of their 12 third-down attempts, forcing them to punt six times. Michigan's defense outscored UTEP's offense in the second half.
Offensively, Michigan scored a season-high 52 points, totaled 431 yards of offense and converted 9-of-13 third-down attempts and both of its fourth-down tries. Michigan's 28 points in the third quarter were its most in the quarter since scoring 28 against Rutgers on November 5, 2022.
Statistics UTEPMICH First downs 9 27 Plays–yards 43–150 71–431 Rushes–yards 32–57 42–185 Passing yards 93 246 Passing: –– 10–15–1 21–28–0 Time of possession 28:22 31:38 Team Category Player Statistics UTEP Passing EJ Colson 7/9, 86 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Tavorus Jones 9 carries, 34 yards Receiving Carver Cheeks 1 reception, 45 yards, TD Michigan Passing Bryce Underwood 19/25, 223 yards, 2 TD Rushing Savion Hiter 11 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD Receiving Andrew Marsh 10 receptions, 105 yards, TD
vs No. 17 Iowa
On September 26, Michigan lost to No. 17 Iowa 19–20, before a crowd of 111,126 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 21-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to JJ Buchanan. Iowa responded with a 99-yard kickoff return by Braeden Jackson to tie the game. Michigan scored the only points of the second quarter via a 41-yard field goal by Trey Butkowski, making the score 10-7 in favor of Michigan at halftime. Michigan extended their lead in the third quarter via a 22-yard field goal by Butkowski. Iowa took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter via a 16-yard touchdown pass from Hank Brown to Reece Vander Zee. Michigan responded with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Underwood to Buchanan to regain the lead. During the final play of the game, Iowa scored via a 16-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Vander Zee as time expired to win the game.
Bryce Underwood recorded a career-high 276 passing yards, completing 17-of-28 passes. Two Wolverine receivers surpassed 100 yards, as Andrew Marsh recorded seven passes for 106 yards and JJ Buchanan recorded five for a career-high 130 yards. This was the first time two Michigan receivers surpassed 100 yards since December 31, 2022, against TCU. Michigan's defense held Iowa to 77 yards and five first downs in the first half. Iowa finished with 58 rushing yards, its fewest in a game since recording 49 against Nebraska in 2024.
Statistics IOWAMICH First downs 16 21 Plays–yards 59–285 68–429 Rushes–yards 24–58 40–143 Passing yards 227 276 Passing: –– 21–35–0 17–28–1 Time of possession 25:31 34:29 Team Category Player Statistics Iowa Passing Hank Brown 21/35, 227 yards, 2 TD Rushing Kamari Moulton 13 carries, 44 yards Receiving Reece Vander Zee 5 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD Michigan Passing Bryce Underwood 17/28, 276 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jordan Marshall 11 carries, 59 yards Receiving JJ Buchanan 5 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD
at Minnesota
On October 3, Michigan lost to Minnesota, 14–20, before a crowd of 51,012 at Huntington Bank Stadium. Minnesota opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run by Darius Taylor. Michigan finally got on the board in the second quarter via a five-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall to tie the game. Michigan scored the final points of the half via a 79-yard interception return by Nathaniel Staehling, making the score 14-7 in favor of Michigan at halftime. Michigan was held scoreless in the second half, as Minnesota controlled possession, holding the ball for more than twice as long as Michigan. Minnesota scored the only points of the third quarter via a 31-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki. Minnesota scored ten points in the fourth quarter, first a 26-yard field goal by Drzewiecki, then a three-yard touchdown pass from Drake Lindsey to Taylor. The Wolverines turned the ball over three times after halftime on a muffed punt and two interceptions and were forced to punt six times in the game. The loss marked Michigan's first road loss to Minnesota since 1977.
Defensive end Lugard Edokpayi Jr. tipped a punt in the second quarter. This was Michigan's first blocked or tipped punt of the season and the first since Michigan blocked a punt against Purdue on November 1, 2025.
Statistics MICHMINN First downs 11 17 Plays–yards 49–180 65–262 Rushes–yards 28–79 40–126 Passing yards 101 136 Passing: –– 10–21–2 17–25–2 Time of possession 22:24 37:36 Team Category Player Statistics Michigan Passing Bryce Underwood 10/21, 101 yards, 2 INT Rushing Jordan Marshall 10 carries, 50 yards, TD Receiving JJ Buchanan 4 receptions, 50 yards Minnesota Passing Drake Lindsey 17/25, 136 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing TJ Thomas 12 carries, 56 yards Receiving Noah Jennings 7 receptions, 70 yards
vs Penn State
Statistics PSUMICH First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Penn State Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Indiana
Statistics IUMICH First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving
at Rutgers
Statistics MICHRUTG First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving Rutgers Passing Rushing Receiving
vs Michigan State
Statistics MSUMICH First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Michigan State Passing Rushing Receiving Michigan Passing Rushing Receiving
at Oregon
Statistics MICHORE First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: –– Time of possession