The Wolverine - Michigan Football Preview 2026 - The Wolverine - Michigan Football Preview 2026 Volume 38, No. 1

Aug 7, 2026

Michigan Football Preview 2026 focuses on the Wolverines’ 2026 season through team previews, staff and player spotlights, and position-by-position analysis. It presents a full game schedule with key matchups and TV details, alongside editorial features covering coaching transition, scheme questions, and competitive outlook in the Big Ten and nationally. The issue also includes Q&A sessions, opponent-oriented context, rosters, and recurring departments designed to track momentum, news, and on-field developments throughout the year.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages164

Reading Time6 h 53 min

AccessFree to download

2026 Season Preview

Kyle Whittingham, Year 1 — Talented Team, But Question Marks

Right Man, Right Time

Kyle Whittingham Comes To Michigan With Something To Prove

New Sheriff, Same Marsh all

Jordan Marshall Knows He’s Where He Belongs

The Foundation Upfront

Defensive Tackle Trey Pierce Is Prepared To Meet His Lofty Potential

Features

Transitional Year

Burning Questions

Gearing Up

All Eyes On 19

Power Move

O-LINE Legacy

A New Minister Of Defense

‘Relentless’

Leading And Competing

A Step Up

Smith Snowden: Ready To Show What He Can Do On Biggest Stage

Position Groups

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Departments

Wolverine Watch

Michigan Football Notes

Sayfie Blitz

Inside The Numbers

Inside Michigan

Also Inside

Rosters

Big Ten Preview

Opponent Previews

2025 Year In Review

2025 Statistics

2021 Class Revie

Strong coaching builds a LEGACY Building on proactive plans and defensive tactics, we’ll help you and your family chart a financial game plan that aligns with your investing, retirement, and legacy objectives. We’re a locally owned, independent advisory firm and proud to be a part of the Ann Arbor and U-M community for more than 30 years. Learn more about our team and approach. [734-769-7727 | risadvisory.com](734-769-7727 | risadvisory.com) 2301 Platt Road, Suite 300 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 © 2026 Advisory services offered through Retirement Income Solutions, Inc., an independent registered Investment Advisor, not affiliated with TIAA, Fidelity or any university. Nothing contained herein should be construed as offering specific investment advice, legal, accounting and/or tax advice. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2026 VOLUME 38, NO. 1 ISSN 1048-9940 [TheWolverine.com](TheWolverine.com) Senior Editor Chris Balas Senior Writer John Borton Staff Writers Clayton Sayfie Anthony Broome Ethan McDowell Drew Hallett Contributing Editors Stu Coman Matt Herb Cathy Jones Chris Riffer Steve Downey Layout And Design Jeanette Blankenship Chris Miller Contributing Photographers Lon Horwedel, Ty Kornblue Cover Photo Lon Horwedel Editor & Publisher Mark Panus Business Analyst Sarah Boone Circulation Coordinator Beverly Taylor Advertising Sales Maria Taustine (502) 552-4390 Marketing Coordinator Elena Rehberg Customer Service Elena Rehberg, Josh Mattes, Cathy Jones (800) 421-7751 The Wolverine is published monthly. A one-year (12 issues) subscription is $74.99. The Wolverine Football Preview edition is printed by Walsworth in St. Joseph, Michigan. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. Periodical postage paid at Durham, NC 27702 and additional offices. For advertising or subscription information, call 1-800-421-7751 or write The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. The Wolverine is a publication of Coman Publishing Co., a division of On3 Sports LLC., located at 922 Broad St., Suite D, Durham, NC 27705. E-Mail Address: [magazines@on3.com](magazines@on3.com)[ ](magazines@on3.com)[Subscription questions:](Subscription questions:)[ ](Subscription questions:)[magazines@on3.com](magazines@on3.com)[ ](magazines@on3.com)Website: [www.thewolverineondemand.com](www.thewolverineondemand.com) PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL IN THIS ISSUE 2026 SEASON PREVIEW Kyle Whittingham, Year 1 — Talented Team, But Question Marks PAGE 28 | 2026 Michigan Football Schedule
DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME TV SERIES HISTORY | | --- | | Sep. 5 WESTERN MICHIGAN Ann Arbor 7:30 p.m. ET NBC U-M leads, 8-0 | | Sep. 12 OKLAHOMA Ann Arbor Noon ET FOX Oklahoma leads, 2-0
Sep. 19 UTEP Ann Arbor 3:30 p.m. ET BTN First meeting | | Sep. 26 IOWA Ann Arbor TBA TBA U-M leads, 45-15-4 | | Oct. 3 at Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. TBA TBA U-M leads, 78-25-3
Oct. 17 PENN STATE Ann Arbor TBA TBA U-M leads, 17-10 | | Oct. 24 INDIANA Ann Arbor TBA TBA U-M leads, 62-11 | | Oct. 31 at Rutgers Piscataway, N.J. TBA TBA U-M leads, 9-1 | | Nov. 7 MICHIGAN STATE Ann Arbor TBA TBA U-M leads, 75-38-5
Nov. 14 at Oregon Eugene, Ore. TBA TBA Series tied, 3-3 | | Nov. 21 UCLA Ann Arbor TBA TBA U-M leads, 8-3 | | Nov. 28 at Ohio State Columbus, Ohio Noon ET FOX U-M leads, 62-53-6
Dec. 5 Big Ten Championship Indianapolis, Ind. 8 p.m. ET FOX | | Schedule subject to change; Home games at Michigan Stadium in bold | THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 1 PHOTOS BY LON HORWEDEL Right Man, Right tiMe Kyle Whittingham Comes To Michigan With Something To Prove PAGE 24 new SheRiff, SaMe MaRShall Jordan Marshall Knows He’s Where He Belongs PAGE 50 the foundation upfRont Defensive Tackle Trey Pierce Is Prepared To Meet His Lofty Potential PAGE 82 |
FEATURES
TRANSITIONAL YEAR 21
New Coaching Staff Plus A Mix Of Talent Have Michigan Primed To Compete In Big Ten And Na

FAQs

What key content does the 2026 Michigan Football Preview include?

The issue includes a 2026 season preview, featured player and staff spotlights, multiple Q&A sections, and position group breakdowns, supported by editorial analysis and recurring departments.

Is the 2026 schedule detailed in the issue?

Yes. It provides a complete 2026 Michigan football schedule with dates, opponents, locations, times, and TV info, and notes schedule changes and which home games are in bold.

Which topics are covered in the main feature sections?

Features address the coaching transition, burning questions about the season, offensive and defensive coordinator insights, spotlight profiles across key players, and additional department coverage for rosters and conference context.

Aug 7, 2026

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