Analyst Says One Team Has Michigan Football Circled For 2026 Season

The Wolverines have recently had their number.

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The 2026 season is still months away and teams are still trying to figure out what their roster is going to look like come the end of August. But it's never too early to start thinking about the new season. Since Indiana took down Miami in the national title, analysts have already begun thinking about who the best teams are going to be next season.

As far as Michigan, the Wolverines are one team that is receiving big praise with Kyle Whittingham running the program. While Michigan returns a lot of talent and has a capable coaching staff in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines will have a tough schedule next year.

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Michigan didn't have to play Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, or Penn State in 2025 — but will see all four teams in 2026. Plus, Oklahoma will come to Ann Arbor and Michigan has to play Ohio State and Michigan State, among others. And according to CBS Sports' Will Backus, the Nittany Lions will have the Michigan game circled for next season.

"Expectations will be high in Matt Campbell's first year. Penn State expects to compete. That's why it fired coach James Franklin, who did a really good job, but ultimately failed consistently compete for titles. While Campbell will get some leeway, he's going to need to be at least competitive against the Big Ten's top tier."

Michigan has had the Nittany Lions' number

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The main reason James Franklin was fired was due to not winning titles, but the inability to win the big games against both Ohio State and Michigan. The Wolverines beat Penn State in their last three matchups, and Michigan is 7-3 in the last 10 times the two teams have played.

With Campbell and Whittingham now the new head coaches, both programs are going to look different when they square off in 2026. The PSU fanbase doesn't want to endure more losses to the likes of Michigan and Ohio State, while the Wolverines are going to need to beat the Nittany Lions if they are going to compete for a Big Ten title in Year 1 of the Whittingham era.

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