If Michigan football had the same schedule it had during much of the College Football Playoff run in 2021-23, there’s a good chance things could look much easier this season. However, the one thing potentially holding new head coach Kyle Whittingham back in his first season in Ann Arbor is the absolute bear of a schedule.
And some outlets are taking notice.
The Wolverines play a ton of high-profile teams and powerhouses this season, more than usual. At home, Michigan will face Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, and Indiana, while it’s set to face Oregon and Ohio State on the road. Such a schedule was nearly unconscionable in previous years, even though playing Penn State, Indiana, and OSU were a yearly given (but the Hoosiers were never considered a threat until recently). Adding a big nonconference game wouldn’t have surprised, but to see Oregon (now in the Big Ten) and Oklahoma also on the schedule in one year, in addition to the rest — well, that’s just a lot.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford is taking a look at the teams with the hardest schedules, and Michigan came in ranked No. 4 overall.
4. Michigan
Number of ranked opponent in post-spring top 25: 6
There’s nothing forgiving about what Kyle Whittingham will face in his first season, a schedule built to test a playoff-caliber roster. That already means navigating the weekly Big Ten grind, but Michigan’s slate goes a step further with its combination of elite opponents and difficult timing. Start at the backend with the annual showdown against Ohio State — a rivalry that rarely needs extra stakes but almost always carries them anyway. Then layer in matchups against other conference heavyweights like Indiana and Oregon, who bring different styles and physical challenges. There’s no stylistic breather anywhere on the Wolverines’ schedule; they at least get the benefit of opening the season with four straight home games (including Oklahoma).
Of course, teams that have to play Michigan don’t exactly have it easy, either. Ohio State’s schedule is ranked third, as the Buckeyes have similar issues, starting with a Week 1 contest at Texas. Oklahoma is ranked second, having to travel to Ann Arbor on top of its top-heavy SEC schedule. Oregon and Indiana both round out the 12-team list.
The good news is, as Crawford noted — there are four straight home games. Last year, the schedule wasn’t just tough because of who was on it, but the Wolverines never had two home games in a row.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football faces one of college football’s hardest schedules
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
