Michigan Wolverines is 1-0 on the season, 0-1 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +13.3. Michigan Wolverines enters the season with a power rating of +13.3, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Michigan Wolverines host Oklahoma next in Week 2. In 2025, Michigan Wolverines went 9-4 overall, 4-9 against the spread, and 6-7 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Michigan Wolverines Power Rating of +13.3 is 13.3 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Michigan Wolverines have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 6,280 miles, ranking 83rd heaviest in the FBS.
Bryce Underwood QB, Jordan Marshall RB, Savion Hiter RB, Andrew Marsh WR, JJ Buchanan WR, Jaime Ffrench WR, Salesi Moa WR
John Henry Daley EDGE, Trey Pierce DL, Enow Etta DL, Jyaire Hill CB, Zeke Berry CB, Rod Moore S, Smith Snowden CB, Chris Bracy S
Cameron Brown P, Trey Butkowski K
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Week 2 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| Week 3 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Week 4 | 3-1 | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Week 6 | 4-1 | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Week 7 | 4-2 | 2-4 | 2-4 |
| Week 8 | 5-2 | 3-4 | 2-5 |
| Week 9 | 6-2 | 3-5 | 3-5 |
| Week 10 | 7-2 | 3-6 | 3-6 |
| Week 12 | 8-2 | 3-7 | 4-6 |
| Week 13 | 9-2 | 4-7 | 5-6 |
| Week 14 | 9-3 | 4-8 | 5-7 |
| Postseason | 9-4 | 4-9 | 6-7 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +17.2 in the preseason and finished +13.3 after week 2, a move of -3.9 points. High +18.3 (week 1), low +13.3 (week 2).
PreW2
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured home field advantage of +0.5 is regressed to +1.9 before it is applied, a difference of 1.4 points. A single venue's raw result carries a lot of noise, so the applied figure is pulled toward the league pattern. See how much is home field advantage really worth.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan | 2 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Iowa | 5 | 4-1 | 4-1 |
| Minnesota | 4 | 4-0 | 3-1 |
| Penn State | 8 | 5-3 | 6-2 |
| Indiana | 9 | 7-2 | 4-4-1 |
| Rutgers | 8 | 8-0 | 3-4-1 |
| Michigan State | 10 | 7-3 | 4-5-1 |
| Oregon | 1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Ohio State | 9 | 4-5 | 6-3 |
No meeting on record since 2016: UTEP, UCLA.
Week 06,280 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Western Michigan | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Oklahoma | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 3 | UTEP | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 4 | Iowa | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 5 | Minnesota | 510 mi | 1,021 mi |
| Week 6 | - | Bye | |
| Week 7 | Penn State | Home | 1,021 mi |
| Week 8 | Indiana | Home | 1,021 mi |
| Week 9 | Rutgers | 497 mi | 2,015 mi |
| Week 10 | Michigan State | Home | 2,015 mi |
| Week 11 | Oregon | 1,972 mi | 5,959 mi |
| Week 12 | UCLA | Home | 5,959 mi |
| Week 13 | Ohio State | 161 mi | 6,280 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Kyle Whittingham's debut as Michigan head coach nearly ended in disaster, as the Wolverines needed a controversial second-chance Hail Mary to escape Western Michigan 13-12. Bryce Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown after officials reviewed the previous play and added one second to the clock. The narrow win exposed early growing pains under a new coaching staff, but also showed resilience in a pressure-packed moment. Michigan was a 27.5-point favorite and won by just one, a sign that the team is still finding its identity.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood showed flashes of his potential, leading a touchdown drive early and delivering the game-winning throw, but he also threw an interception, nearly got picked off twice more, and lost a late fumble that nearly cost Michigan the game. Whittingham took the blame publicly, saying the loss was not on Underwood. The sophomore's development under new offensive coordinator Jason Beck will be critical, as the team hopes to unlock the playmaking ability that made him a top recruit. His decision-making under pressure remains a work in progress.
Michigan's rebuilt offense, featuring returning receiver Andrew Marsh and transfer additions JJ Buchanan and Jaime Ffrench, was expected to be far more explosive than last year's 68th-ranked scoring unit. Against Western Michigan, the unit managed just 13 points and struggled to sustain drives, with three turnovers. The offensive line, which returned four starters, did not dominate as anticipated against a MAC-level front. The potential for a high-powered spread attack under Beck remains, but the execution has not caught up yet.
Jay Hill's defense, which aims to replicate the 2023 national title unit with varied looks and simulated blitzes, held Western Michigan to four field goals and no touchdowns. The Broncos' 20-play, 13:40 drive in the fourth quarter that resulted in a go-ahead field goal was a concern, as was the defense's inability to force turnovers. The secondary, featuring Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, Rod Moore, and transfers Smith Snowden and Chris Bracy, is deep and experienced, while edge rusher John Henry Daley anchors the front. The unit has the talent to be elite, but it needs to create more game-changing plays.
Michigan's schedule does not get easier, with No. 10 Oklahoma visiting Ann Arbor in Week 2. The Sooners are favored by 5.5 points, and the prediction market gives Michigan just a 32% chance to win. The Wolverines' depth concerns, particularly at linebacker, and their offensive inconsistency will be tested against a higher-caliber opponent. Whittingham's experience and the team's talent suggest a 9-3 ceiling is possible, but the margin for error is thin. The rest of the season will reveal whether the Western Michigan scare was an anomaly or a sign of deeper issues.
Michigan Wolverines is 0-1 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 0% of games.
Michigan Wolverines holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +13.3, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Michigan Wolverines's home field advantage rating is 1.9 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Michigan Wolverines's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 8.5 wins, priced at +135 over and -170 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Michigan Wolverines travels 6,280 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 83rd heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Michigan Wolverines: 1-0 overall, 0-1 ATS, power rating +13.3 (2026 records).
.png)
