On September 5, 2026, the Western Michigan Broncos will kick off their 2026 football season by traveling to Ann Arbor to face No. 16 Michigan at the iconic Michigan Stadium, marking the ninth installment of a series that has seen Michigan win each of the eight previous meetings.
A Historic Rivalry Renewed
Western Michigan enters the contest with a roster that retains six offensive starters and four defensive starters, including redshirt junior quarterback Broc Lowry, redshirt junior running back Jalen Buckley and senior cornerback Joshua Franklin. Lowry, the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, has earned spots on the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Davey O’Brien Award watch lists, while Buckley also appears on the Maxwell watch list and Franklin is listed among the Bronko Nagurski Trophy candidates.
The Broncos boast a nation‑top‑tier return rate on offense, leading the Mid-American Conference with 35 returning touchdowns and an 85.4 percent turnover, good for a tenth‑place ranking in FBS. Their ground attack is especially potent, with 26 returning rushing touchdowns that tie for fifth nationally, and the team fields 29 transfers and 14 graduates who will wear special MAC Graduate patches on their jerseys.
The game will be televised live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, while the Bronco Media Network provides additional coverage, ensuring that fans across the country can follow the showdown that forms part of a series played exclusively in Ann Arbor.
With a blend of experienced returnees, award‑watch list talent and a strong rushing attack, WMU hopes to leverage its depth and continuity to challenge the higher‑ranked opponent and build momentum for the remainder of the season.