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2026 Michigan Wolverines Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Best Bets

by Ryan Cobbett - 8/7/2026

Michigan Wolverines football predictions Bryce Underwood

It is no secret that the last few years have been like a rollercoaster for Michigan and their fans. From the end of the Harbaugh era, to the quick end of Sherrone Moore’s tenure, paired with the hiring of Kyle Wittingham, and the underwhelming season Bryce Underwood has last season after being labeled as a program cornerstone (and getting paid like one), there has been a whole lot of crash and burn in Ann Arbor. Despite the noise, Wittingham brings a level of consistency that Michigan has not had in quite some time. He is an accomplished coach that brings a lot of talent with him from Utah. However, perhaps the biggest storyline for this season is whether or not he and his staff have what it takes to improve the offense and get back into the playoffs.

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Michigan Wolverines Football Summary of Last Season

Last season was rather disappointing for Michigan. They finished the regular season with a 9-3 record. They hit an early road bump in Week 2 when they fell to Oklahoma on the road, and then later they got dominated by USC on the road (31-13). After their 4-2 start, the Wolverines put together a strong five-game winning streak, keeping their playoff hopes alive until the final week of the regular season. In their season finale against Ohio State, Michigan looked absolutely silly, losing 27-9, and with the third regular season loss, they missed the playoffs. They would go on to lose to Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl 41-27.

Michigan had a decent offense, led by a strong ground attack. They ranked seventh in the Big 10 in YPG (396.9), though their 210.2 rushing YPG was second in the conference behind Indiana. The Wolverines averaged 27.5 PPG. Bryce Underwood was underwhelming last season, throwing for 2,428 passing yards, recording a 60.3% CMP%, while only adding 11 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes formed a dynamic duo out of the backfield. Marshall ran for 932 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and Haynes added 857 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Underwood added 392 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Andrew Marsh was the leading receiver with 651 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Donaven McCulley recorded 588 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. No other receiver recorded more than 300 receiving yards.

As for the Wolverines’ defense, they ranked sixth in the Big 10 in YPG allowed, allowing 323.3 YPG. They held opponents to 20.4 PPG. Jimmy Rolder led the team with 73 tackles, and he also recorded two sacks, one pass deflection and one interception. Ernest Hasumann recorded 68 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. Cole Sullivan led the team with three interceptions, Derrick Moore led the team with 10 sacks, and Zeke Berry led the team with 10 pass deflections.

Michigan Wolverines Football Key Additions/Losses

The Wolverines rank 20th in the country in returning production (63%), with a 72% offensive returning production mark that ranks sixth in the nation. They had six players drafted in the NFL Draft, losing some big-time production on defense. Moore and tight end Marlin Klein were drafted in the second round, edge rusher Jaishawn Barham was drafted in the third round, Rolder was drafted in the fourth round, tight end Max Bredeson was drafted in the fifth round, and defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny was drafted in the seventh round. Michigan also saw Haynes depart to Georgia Tech via the transfer portal. Sullivan left for Oklahoma, cornerbacks Jayden Sanders and Elijah Dotson left for Notre Dame and Missouri, and offensive tackle Ty Haywood transferred to Alabama.

Wittingham brought a lot of his former Utes players with him to Ann Arbor to replace some of the departed talent from last season. The defense added edge rusher John Henry Daley (Utah), cornerback Smith Snowden (Utah), cornerback Salesi Moa (Utah), defensive lineman Jonah Lea’ea (Utah), and safety Taylor Tatum (Oklahoma). The offense brought in wide receiver JJ Buchanan (Utah) and wide receiver Jaime Ffrench Jr. (Texas).

2026 Michigan Wolverines Football Schedule Breakdown

The Wolverines have one of the toughest schedules in the country this season. They have two cupcake games, before taking on a gauntlet. While they spend the entire month of September on home turf, their opponent lineup isn’t the easiest. They have Western Michigan and UTEP, but they also have to host Oklahoma and Iowa, two dangerous teams that are looking to knock Michigan early. The Wolverines have to leave Ann Arbor just four times this season with stops at Minnesota, Rutgers, Oregon, and Ohio State. Their remaining home schedule isn’t exactly easy either as they host Penn State, Indiana, Michigan State, and UCLA. Unfortunately for Michigan, they have to play the three best teams in the Big 10, a strong SEC foe, and sneaky opponents like Penn State, Iowa, UCLA, and Minnesota.

2026 Michigan Wolverines X-Factors/Big Questions

Can Bryce Underwood lead Michigan to a playoff appearance?

With a tough schedule on deck, Underwood has no choice but to improve or he is going to be replaced. One would think with the new staff in place, Underwood may have a quicker than normal leash if he cannot limit the turnovers, proving unproductive. After losing Haynes in the portal, Michigan may not have the talented backfield to bail Underwood out, which could lead to a decline in production on that side of the ball. He is getting paid like he is the best thing that has ever happened to Michigan, and he has yet to prove he is capable of being a good piece to the puzzle for the Wolverines.

Is Michigan a Dark Horse candidate?

No. Their schedule is too tough, and they have a lot of uncertainty around the quarterback position and the offense as a whole. Underwood has yet to prove he is the guy to run that offense, and with the new staff in place there may be some growing pains that they cannot afford with the tough start to their schedule. Wittingham was a great hire, and he will lead this team to strong heights again soon, but it won’t be this year. Michigan will be a really good seven or eight win team.

2026 Michigan Wolverines Football Notable Odds:

National Championship: +3500

Big 10 Champion: +1500

Heisman Winner- Bryce Underwood: +3500

Predicted Win Total: 8.5 Games

2026 Michigan Wolverines Football Predictions:

I am taking the under on the win total for Michigan. There are three losses on the schedule in Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State, and I just don’t see them being perfect in the remaining portions of their schedule. Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, and UCLA all travel to Ann Arbor, but they won’t go a perfect 4-0 in that stretch. Underwood has been underwhelming, and the offense lost its best weapon from a season ago. With all the noise and distraction around this program, the growing pains of a new staff, and the highly questionable offense, there is little to like about the Wolverines.

Prediction: Under 8.5 Wins, -180

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