Season Expectations in 2026 for Michigan Football

1. Bryce Underwood has to be Bryce Underwood

It's a story as old as time. A highly rated prospect commits to a program, brings with him high expectations and a personal ego, but just doesn't pan out the way fans expected.

That cannot be the Bryce Underwood story.

Underwood was the consensus #1 overall prospect in the 2025 class and according to On3, the highest ranked prospect in the history of high school football. When Michigan flipped him from LSU and got him to stay home, it was seen by many as a changing of the tide in college football.

Bryce started every game as a true freshman, completing 60.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards but threw only 11 touchdowns and 9-INTS, leaving much to be desired in a 9-4 Michigan season. It's important to remember that he had just turned 18 whenever he took the field for the first time in the Big House. With that said, these are nowhere near the numbers expected from a generational talent.

This year, without focusing too much on the past, things are different. Kyle Whittingham is the Head Coach. Jason Beck is the offensive coordinator. This year's scheme is going to be designed around the arm and mobility of Underwood, using his legs deliberately and giving him clearer answers. Having already been named the starter (as if it was in question), Whittingham has described Bryce as a "workaholic" and is "getting closer". Underwood has even taken it upon himself to workout with NFL star Joe Burrow and being very blunt with his goals this season: national championship, Heisman, and being the leader his team trusts.

For Underwood, the physical tools were never the question. At 6-foot-4 and 228 pounds, a cannon for an arm, and real speed, he's always looked the part. The questions thus far have been his mechanics, decision making under pressure, consistency, and turning that raw talent into something that feels natural. These are the exact areas we expect a new staff and a full year of experience to address. Improving the pieces around him, whether that be the run game or receiver talent, should help. So should a coaching staff not fighting off-field fires.

Michigan's schedule isn't going to be easy, as we'll get to next. But it really feels as if this is Bryce Underwood's moment to step up into the spotlight, both at Michigan and nationally. For a young man with personal expectations beyond many, it feels as if he knows that too.

2. Bummer, not Boomer, Sooner

9/24 on passes, 3/14 on third downs, and a 5-minute disadvantage in time of possession.

Those were the stats that defined Michigan's game vs Oklahoma in 2025. The game this year has to be different. With a matchup so early in the season between two programs that are bluebloods, it truly feels like this game will set the tone for the rest of the season for Michigan.

A good performance against the Sooners does not require perfection. It requires the opposite of what happened last year in Norman: higher completion percentage, sustained drives that convert on third down, and enough time of possession to keep the defense fresh. This is a game where Bryce Underwood or someone else may try to become a hero. This game is in Ann Arbor, so let's keep it there instead of letting it go to our heads.

Michigan's 2026 season does not rest on the second week, but it will go a long way in telling us what type of team we have. For me, Michigan needs to win this game. The expectation this year is that we're not going to let an SEC team whip us around for 60 minutes like we have against Texas and Oklahoma the last two years. Michigan needs to take care of this game on their own turf or there will be questions to be answered.

3. Shock the Shoe

Prior to 2021, everyone always said the expectation was to beat Ohio State, but, for nearly a decade, that felt impossible. Now, in 2026, things are different.

You could point to any of Michigan's four wins over OSU as a marker, but what really put the world on notice was 2024. Coming into Columbus as multi-touchdown underdogs and a season already going through collapse, there were not many souls on this earth that expected the Wolverines to leave Columbus with a win. But alas they did.

That game reminded us that no matter the circumstances or the season, the priority and bare minimum in A2 is to beat the Buckeyes. It cannot be the end all be all, but it is the standard.

In order for this season to be successful in any capacity, whether that includes a Top 25 finish or a National Championship, Michigan has to beat Ohio State again. I do not care if they go 11-1 and win the National Championship, if they don't beat OSU, it will always leave a sour taste. You may say it's not going to happen, or that we should set this expectation to next year, but you're wrong. For Whittingham and Michigan to make a statement and hold their heads high... They have to shock the Shoe.

So... Will it happen?

It's always so hard as a fan to stay real to yourself while also being a dreamer. I'm the type of guy where I expect every season to end with a banner and a Heisman winner, but unless Nick Saban comes out of retirement that's just not going to happen. But I do believe that Michigan's 2026 season will be a drastic change compared to the last two years.

For me, if 1 happens, meaning Bryce Underwood makes the changes he needs to and lives up to the hype, we'll come back to this post thinking this was a floor for the season instead of a checklist for success.

Personally, I see the Wolverines going 10-2 with losses to Oregon and Indiana. Playing against the team that just won the national championship then a few weeks later on the other side of the country seems likely where Michigan will slip up. But Michigan beats Ohio State in Columbus. That's a win for me.