3 bold predictions for Michigan Football vs Western Michigan
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We made it, folks! It’s finally game week, and the excitement is especially high among the fan base right now with the Kyle Whittingham era at Michigan kicking off in just a couple of days.
Optimism is high around Ann Arbor after the coaching change, and the Michigan Wolverines will begin the 2026 campaign under the lights on Saturday in the Big House at 7:30 against Western Michigan. Let’s make some bold predictions for the first game of the season.
Bryce Underwood will be responsible for 4+ touchdowns
I’m trying to manage expectations and not get too excited before I actually see anything, but I’m fully drinking the Kool-Aid on Bryce Underwood right now. There was never a question about his ability and about the natural traits that he possesses that can make him elite. He made a lot of impressive plays last season as a true freshman, and with an actual coaching staff around him, I think he’s going to excel.
Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck had a similar situation last year with Devon Dampier. Bryce has a very similar build and skill set to Dampier, and Utah’s offense was one of the best in the country last year. If Beck and Whittingham can replicate that for Underwood, this Michigan offense should be miles ahead of what we’ve seen the last two seasons.
I think we see the new and improved Underwood right away on Saturday. We know that he can do it all with his arm and his legs, and I think we finally get to see it all on display. Underwood will have a big night and put four touchdowns on the stat sheet.
JJ Buchanan will have 100+ receiving yards
All of the talk from the offensive coaching staff this offseason has been around Michigan’s passing game and how it is finally going to be something that fans are excited about. This is something that the Wolverines have lacked for a long time, but with a totally new coaching staff with proven success in this department taking over, the optimism around throwing the football is higher than it’s been in a long time. One player who has raved about the new-look offense is Utah transfer wide receiver JJ Buchanan.
Of all the transfers that Michigan has this season, Buchanan is the one that I am most excited to watch. We know that the Wolverines have an elite receiver in Andrew Marsh, but no one was able to step up last year and form that special receiver duo that Michigan fans want so badly. Buchanan appears to be the guy who can make that happen, and he will show out in his debut with over 100 yards.
Michigan wins 40-10
I like to do a final score prediction to end things, as that’s just about the toughest thing that there is to predict. At the end of the day, I hope to see Michigan have more balance on offense and truly be able to complement the run game with the passing game that has been talked about by the coaches during the offseason. Defensively, I want to see the tough, disciplined and physical Michigan defenses that we saw during the Harbaugh era. If the Wolverines do those things, Saturday should be smooth sailing, with Michigan winning 40-10.
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