Michigan’s football program has announced that it will host Central Michigan as the season opener at Michigan Stadium in both 2028 and 2031, cementing a non‑conference home‑and‑home series that dates back several decades.
A Dominant Historical Edge
The Wolverines have never lost to the Chippewas, compiling a 5‑0 record that includes a 63‑3 victory in 2025. That game featured freshman sensation Bryce Underwood, who accounted for three touchdowns and a career‑high 114 rushing yards.
Across those five meetings the margin of victory has averaged nearly 40 points, underscoring the disparity between the Big Ten powerhouse and the Mid‑American Conference opponent.
The upcoming openers fit into a broader non‑conference slate that already includes a 2027 matchup against Buffalo, a high‑profile test against Texas, and a game versus Eastern Michigan. From 2028 through 2034 the Wolverines plan to schedule a single non‑conference opponent each season, with the exception of 2032.
Renewed Rivalry with Notre Dame
The schedule also guarantees a revival of the storied rivalry with Notre Dame, slated for the 2033 and 2034 seasons. Those games will mark the first meetings between the two programs in more than a decade and are expected to draw national attention.
Together, these arrangements illustrate Michigan’s strategy of blending traditional rivalries with carefully chosen non‑conference opponents, ensuring marquee matchups that bolster both the program’s brand and its fans’ expectations.