Michigan entered the 2025 season with a 9‑4 record and is now setting its sights on a return to the College Football Playoff for the 2026 campaign.
The slate they will face next year reads like a gauntlet, with road trips to take on Oklahoma, Penn State, Oregon, Indiana and Ohio State, while home games will include the much‑anticipated matchup against Iowa.
Analysts at CBS Sports have penciled the Wolverines into an 8‑4 finish, projecting defeats at the hands of Oklahoma, Iowa, Oregon and Ohio State, a scenario that would test the depth of their roster.
Key storylines
A win over Iowa in Ann Arbor could prove pivotal, especially given that Iowa’s offense is expected to be in flux after the departure of quarterback Mark Gronowski, leaving the Hawkeyes with a relatively untested unit.
Indiana, the reigning national champions, arrive in Ann Arbor as a formidable opponent, bolstered by head coach Curt Cignetti and transfer quarterback Josh Hoover, who brings experience from TCU.
Meanwhile, Ohio State continues to dominate the series in Columbus, having not lost to Michigan in ‘The Shoe’ since 2018, adding another layer of difficulty to the Wolverines’ road challenges.
If Michigan can string together key victories, particularly against Indiana, a 9‑3 record might be enough to re‑ignite Playoff conversations, but the margin for error appears razor‑thin.