Western Michigan at Michigan - 2026 Matchup Preview
Western Michigan logo Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan WolverinesMichigan logo
Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Michigan Stadium - Ann Arbor, MI

 
Broncos (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Taylor (20 - 19)
Avg Score : 25 - 17 (18 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Michigan -23.5  (SP+ MICH -14)
Projected Score: WMU: 10 - MICH: 33 (43)
MICH Win prob: 96% | Cover: 54%
WMU Travel: 95 miles
Wolverines (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kyle Whittingham (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 28 - 20 (29 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Western Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Western Michigan at Michigan+23.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Michigan's Schedule
Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Michigan vs Western Michigan-23.5
Sat 9/12 Michigan vs Oklahoma+2
Sat 9/19 Michigan vs UTEP-31
Sat 9/26 Michigan vs Iowa-4
Sat 10/3 Michigan at Minnesota-9
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Michigan vs Penn State-3
Sat 10/24 Michigan vs Indiana+11
Sat 10/31 Michigan at Rutgers-14
Sat 11/7 Michigan vs Michigan State-20
Sat 11/14 Michigan at Oregon+12.5
Sat 11/21 Michigan vs UCLA-20
Sat 11/28 Michigan at Ohio State+16.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Michigan's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WMU#103 (.12)43% (55)24.947% (31)3.18 (25)20537% (116)1393.35 (105)#16 (.06)37% (17)17.438% (21)37% (21)2.83 (13)40.11.11.7
MICH#54 (.19)44% (47)27.549% (13)3.29 (16)21140% (89)1873.64 (75)#52 (.12)42% (78)20.441% (58)44% (105)3.79 (80)39.11.31.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MICH0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WMU Offense1424.918.343.4%3.351.1193432051394.665%33%47%37%12%.12
MICH Defense1320.413.342.3%3.791.4 - - - - - 46%52%41%44%17%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WMU Defense1417.421.736.9%2.831.7 - - - - - 49%49%38%37%17%.06
MICH Offense1327.529.244.4%3.641.3203982111875.554%44%49%40%12%.19

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Michigan1432:3418.940%44%4.640.11.11.75.93.1232
Michigan1329:4720.244%39%4.439.11.31.45.82.2031.1
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WMU Offense1465% (5)47% (31)44.2204.54.631 (49).14 (57)3.18 (25)76% (38)9% (61)0.9 (97)
MICH Defense1346% (23)41% (58) - - - - .07 (49)2.68 (28)59% (11)10% (52)0.88 (23)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WMU Defense1449% (56)38% (21) - - - - .06 (46)2.77 (48)73% (86)11% (17)1.02 (98)
MICH Offense1354% (33)49% (13)38.2211.25.533 (23).23 (17)3.29 (16)77% (32)8% (27)0.98 (62)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WMU Offense1433% (132)37% (116)13.221.8138.56.410.510 (114)6 (34).1 (125)1.4 (120)30% (44)24% (128).15 (121)3% (7)1.9 (103)
MICH Defense1352% (116)44% (105) - - - - - - 13 (4).22 (57)1.3 (3)30% (98)33% (111).4 (114)7% (38)2 (69)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WMU Defense1449% (75)37% (21) - - - - - - 12 (55).1 (11)1.5 (28)34% (23)28% (54).12 (12)6% (67)1.7 (6)
MICH Offense1344% (103)40% (89)15.526.2186.87.11211 (106)10 (20).2 (96)1.5 (107)30% (51)30% (74).25 (91)4% (20)1.7 (132)

Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: -9.96  #90
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 5.34  #98
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 20.30  #86
2026 Talent Rating: 510.00  #108
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Western Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Western Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.4  #78
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #105
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.8  #42

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 524.17
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -9.96   Michigan: 17.925

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -1.4   Michigan: 12.4




Michigan's Power Ratings
Michigan's Power Rating: 17.925  #16
Michigan's Offense Rating: 20.68  #15
Michigan's Defense Rating: 7.23  #17
2026 Talent Rating: 928.00  #24
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.4  #25
Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.9  #48
Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #15

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 18.3
Defense: 17.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 21.7

Western Michigan's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Michigan 33
Western Michigan 10

Projected Total Points: 43
Michigan Scoring
Offense: 27.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.2
Defense: 20.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.3

Michigan's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202109/04Michigan47Western Michigan14Michigan -16.5Michigan65.5Under
201809/08Michigan49Western Michigan3Michigan -27.5Michigan54.5Under
201109/03Michigan34Western Michigan10
200909/05Michigan31Western Michigan7
200209/07Michigan35Western Michigan12
200109/22Michigan38Western Michigan21
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Michigan620 Overs
Western Michigan002 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 02 - 02 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 60 - 20 - 00 - 2

(#90) WMU at (#16) MICH
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWMUMICH
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #90 #16
SP+SP+ #78 #25
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #108 #24
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Western Michigan on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffMICH Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #55 #78
ExplosiveExp #136 #10
PPAPPA #103 #52
PowerPwr #98 #17
SP+SP+ #105 #15
Pts POPPO #105 #80
HavocHav #18 #46
Western Michigan Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffMICH Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #31 #58
Run ExplRExp #97 #23
PPAExp #57 #49
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #25 #28
Stuff RateStuff #30 #85
TackleTak - NR
Western Michigan Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffMICH Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #116 #105
Pass ExplPExl #120 #3
PPAExp #125 #57
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #61 #52
DB HavocDB #7 #38
Michigan on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCatMICH OffWMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #47 #17
ExplosiveExp #119 #66
PPAPPA #54 #16
PowerPwr #15 #86
SP+SP+ #48 #42
Pts POPPO #75 #13
HavocHav #13 #33
Michigan Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat
MICH OffWMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #13 #21
Run ExplRExp #62 #98
PPAExp #17 #46
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #16 #48
Stuff RateStuff #9 #96
TackleTak - NR
Michigan Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCatMICH OffWMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #89 #21
Pass ExplPExl #107 #28
PPAExp #96 #11
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #27 #17
DB HavocDB #20 #67
Program Comparison
MICH 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Remains Top 25 Contenders

WMU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'26 Profile: Up to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Michigan Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WMU's OC Walt Bell (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Broc Lowry16626263%1803936.9
Ofa Mataele010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jalen Buckley179100395.667
Broc Lowry203963144.737
Ofa Mataele5725234.422
Aveion Chenault335011.725
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Baylin Brooks27372013.842
Aveion Chenault23277212.045
Jalen Buckley127516.334
Terence Marshall445011.328

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Chris O'Leary (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jarvarius Sims612104
Micah Davis601023
Joshua Franklin5362110
Joey Pope443112
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marcel Tyler336211
Joshua Franklin5362110
Jarvarius Sims612104
Dakari Frazier101100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joshua Franklin5362110
Jarvarius Sims612104
John Peters140004

MICH's OC Jason Beck (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Bryce Underwood20233560%24281197.2
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Tr)448254%488126.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Marshall150932106.265
Bryce Underwood8839264.537
Tomas O'Meara118307.537
Smith Snowden (Tr)84015.09
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Andrew Marsh45651414.569
JJ Buchanan (Tr)26427516.460
Zack Marshall16199112.437
Channing Goodwin12148012.339

View Michigan's Full Roster

MICH's DC Jay Hill (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Bracy (Tr)717019
John Henry Daley45181201
Smith Snowden (Tr)372009
Jyaire Hill363105
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Henry Daley45181201
Dominic Nichols196210
Max Alford (Tr)212110
Jyaire Hill363105
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Bracy (Tr)717019
Smith Snowden (Tr)372009
Jyaire Hill363105