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The offseason is finally over.

Michigan will officially begin the 2026 season tomorrow when it welcomes Western Michigan to The Big House for its first game of the season. While the Wolverines enter the matchup as the clear favorite, the opener represents much more than simply an opportunity to start the season 1-0.

It will also provide the first real look at a Michigan team featuring plenty of new faces, unanswered questions, and expectations of competing for a Big Ten championship.

A New Era Begins

Perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding Michigan entering the season is the beginning of a new chapter for the program under head coach Kyle Whittingham.

The Wolverines have spent the off-season adjusting to a new coaching staff and new systems and Saturday will offer the first opportunity to see what that transition looks like when the games actually count.

Michigan has made it clear that the standard remains unchanged. The Wolverines expect to compete for championships and Whittingham has already emphasized that winning the Big Ten is the goal.

The first step toward accomplishing that goal comes Saturday.

All Eyes On Bryce Underwood

Michigan fans, and college football fans in general, will be watching closely to see how the offense looks under offensive coordinator Jason Beck with former No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood running the show. The sophomore quarterback had little to no guidance last year and still managed to do some impressive things. He was inconsistent, and there were mechanical issues, but those things were targeted aggressively by Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer.

Michigan doesn't need to unveil everything that Underwood can do against the Broncos, but he still needs to make the right reads, throw accurate passes with touch at times and run the ball more often than he ever did last year. His legs might not be needed much against WMU, but this staff uses its quarterbacks in the run game, so it'll be interesting to see how that looks. 

A strong performance against Western will set Underwood up confidently to take on the Oklahoma Sooners in week two, which is a huge early-season matchup for the maize and blue.

New Faces, New Opportunities

The opener should also provide opportunities for several new players who are expected to play pretty big roles this season. Whether they're incoming transfers or true freshmen, several guys are going to be on the field a lot tomorrow.

Five guys immediately come to mind because they are expected to be on the field A LOT. Wide receiver JJ Buchanan, cornerback Smith Snowden and edge rusher John Henry Daley, who all came over from Utah, are rarely going to come off the field. Buchanan has been described as a natural playmaker at receiver, while Daley is being viewed as one of the best overall defensive players in the entire Big Ten. Snowden will be involved as a standard cornerback and nickel and could also make plays in the return game.

Linebacker Nathaniel Staehling, who came to Michigan from North Dakota State, and safety Chris Bracy, a former Memphis Tiger, have been described as difference makers on defense. Both of them are experienced and ready to shine in Jay Hill's system. 

Throw in true freshmen Savion Hiter at running back and edge rushers Tariq Boney and Carter Meadows, and you have some really talented young dudes ready to step up for the Wolverines.

Predictions

Zack Besaw

The Wolverines defense should have little trouble neutralizing the Broncos' playmakers, while their powerful ground attack and efficient play action passing should keep Western Michigan's front seven pinned back all evening.

Expect Michigan to control the line of scrimmage, dictate the tempo early, and Bryce Underwood to showcase the extensive off season work he’s put in. Running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter will have a fun night under the lights and will find the end zone multiple times. I would be surprised if Michigan did not have an interception and a defensive touchdown. I’m predicting a convincing win for the maize and blue at the Big House.

Michigan 38, Western Michigan 10

Brandon Brown

Michigan is far more talented than Western Michigan and it should show tomorrow night. Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck have a knack for getting the most out of their players and for putting guys in a position to succeed. That should look obvious for U-M with guys like Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter, Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan all shining. 

On defense, Michigan's incredible depth and talent up front is going to be a lot for the Broncos to handle. With guys like John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols coming of the edge, it could be a long night for WMU quarterback Broc Lowry. The secondary is also very talented and already experienced, which should keep things locked down if the pass rusher don't get home. As for the linebackers, it's going to be interesting to see how much each guy plays and how effective they are as that unit finds its way.

Michigan 52, Western Michigan 10

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