Michigan Wolverines are set to enter the 2026 season as one of the biggest winners, and they haven't played a game yet

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Kyle Whittingham and the Michigan Wolverines are set to enter the 2026 season as one of the biggest winners, and they haven’t played a game yet.

The Michigan Wolverines are set to enter a somewhat weird 2026 season. They finished 2025 in a down year. Well, by their standards, it was a down year, considering they won a National Championship just a few years ago. But, 9-4 usually doesn’t cut it in Ann Arbor.

Luckily for them, they are using that season to move forward. The way it’s all being looked at is that there’s only one way: Up. It was a down year and a weird one with some off-the-field things. But that was the first year with Bryce Underwood. And, they now have a better head coach than they had.

Not to mention, the roster may be much better, too. So, they’re one of the biggest winners in college football this offseason. On3 CFB analyst Ari Wasserman listed them as the fourth biggest winner.

Michigan is the fourth-biggest winner this offseason

“Michigan is in an interesting spot because what happened with Sherrone Moore could have been an absolute disaster for the program. Instead, Michigan landed on Kyle Whittingham, the best coach in Utah history. While there is uncertainty about whether Whittingham’s resume is a reliable predictor of success in the Big Ten, there is no question he is a remarkable fit for the Wolverines.

“Whittingham built a career on creating disciplined, tough football teams in Salt Lake City, which aligns with the personality Michigan identifies with. Whittingham also retained many of Michigan’s productive players from a year ago – including quarterback Bryce Underwood – and brought in one of the best defenders in the portal, John Henry Daley. Michigan may not win the Big Ten this year, but it landed on its feet after a scandal that could have set the program back years.” – Ari Wasserman, On3

And, to make things even better, they’re still recruiting well, too. With as much turnover as they have had in their coaching staff and all the off-the-field stuff they have had, Michigan still has the 11th-ranked class for 2027. And, they seem to be off to a good start in the 2028 recruiting class, too. They have sent out some strong offers and are garnering interest from elite players. So, yes, Michigan is one of the biggest winners from this offseason.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Michigan Wolverines are set to enter the 2026 season as one of the biggest winners, and they haven’t played a game yet

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