Michigan football's top hurdle in 2026? An incredibly difficult schedule

In an expanded Big Ten, where teams only play half of the league in conference, not all schedules are created equal. Michigan football entered 2025 with, statistically, the easiest schedule in the league. Its nonconference foes had a .

457 winning percentage the year prior, while Ohio State (the defending national champion at the time) was the only Big Ten team U-M faced that won more than seven games the year prior. Michigan finished the season 9-4, with half of its losses coming in the four non-league opponents it faced, falling to Oklahoma (24-13) in Week 2 before losing its Cheez-It Citrus Bowl matchup to Texas (41-27) to end the year. While the Wolverines have obstacles to overcome this season − an entirely new coaching staff, a rebuilt roster and yet another game against the Sooners − perhaps the toughest aspect of this season is simply the teams U-M will play.

CBS Sports recently came out with its own ranking for the toughest schedules among College Football Playoff hopefuls, and Michigan was near the top of the list, checking in at No. 4 behind only Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio State. Kyle Whittingham's squad will play the Sooners in Week 2 once again, this time in Ann Arbor.

Brent Venables' team comes off a CFP appearance in 2025 and returns Heisman trophy candidate John Mateer as its quarterback. STAR POWER: Michigan's Bryce Underwood puts in offseason work with Joe Burrow But the real trouble lies in the league schedule. Michigan appears to ease into the season with six of its first seven games at home.