Western Michigan at Michigan - 2026 Matchup Preview

Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Wolverines

Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 AM 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 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: Michigan -27 (SP+ MICH -14)
Projected Score: WMU: 8 - MICH: 35 (43)
MICH Win prob: 98% | Cover: 56%
WMU Travel: 95 miles

Wolverines (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kyle Whittingham (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 28 - 20 (29 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.1 - 3.9 (#35)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)

Matchup
Schedules
WMU Players
MICH Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Western Michigan's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Western Michigan at Michigan	+27	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19	Western Michigan at Rice	-6	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	Western Michigan vs Boise State	+6.5	—	—	—	—

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

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Michigan vs Western Michigan	-27	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	Michigan vs Oklahoma	+0.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	Michigan vs UTEP	-36.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	Michigan vs Iowa	-5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/3	Michigan at Minnesota	-10.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17	Michigan vs Penn State	-4	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/24	Michigan vs Indiana	+8	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/31	Michigan at Rutgers	-15	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/7	Michigan vs Michigan State	-22	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/14	Michigan at Oregon	+9.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/21	Michigan vs UCLA	-18.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/28	Michigan at Ohio State	+13	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Michigan's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WMU	#103 (.12)	43% (55)	24.9	47% (31)	3.18 (25)	205	37% (116)	139	3.35 (105)	#16 (.06)	37% (17)	17.4	38% (21)	37% (21)	2.83 (13)	40.1	1.1	1.7
MICH	#54 (.19)	44% (47)	27.5	49% (13)	3.29 (16)	211	40% (89)	187	3.64 (75)	#52 (.12)	42% (78)	20.4	41% (58)	44% (105)	3.79 (80)	39.1	1.3	1.4

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WMU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
MICH		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WMU Offense	14	24.9	18.3	43.4%	3.35	1.1	19	343	205	139	4.6	65%	33%	47%	37%	12%	.12
MICH Defense	13	20.4	13.3	42.3%	3.79	1.4	-	-	-	-	-	46%	52%	41%	44%	17%	.12

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WMU Defense	14	17.4	21.7	36.9%	2.83	1.7	-	-	-	-	-	49%	49%	38%	37%	17%	.06
MICH Offense	13	27.5	29.2	44.4%	3.64	1.3	20	398	211	187	5.5	54%	44%	49%	40%	12%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Western Michigan	14	32:34	18.9	40%	44%	4.6	40.1	1.1	1.7	5.9	3.1	2	32
Michigan	13	29:47	20.2	44%	39%	4.4	39.1	1.3	1.4	5.8	2.2	0	31.1

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WMU Offense	14	65% (5)	47% (31)	44.2	204.5	4.6	31 (49)	.14 (57)	3.18 (25)	76% (38)	9% (61)	0.9 (97)
MICH Defense	13	46% (23)	41% (58)	-	-	-	-	.07 (49)	2.68 (28)	59% (11)	10% (52)	0.88 (23)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WMU Defense	14	49% (56)	38% (21)	-	-	-	-	.06 (46)	2.77 (48)	73% (86)	11% (17)	1.02 (98)
MICH Offense	13	54% (33)	49% (13)	38.2	211.2	5.5	33 (23)	.23 (17)	3.29 (16)	77% (32)	8% (27)	0.98 (62)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WMU Offense	14	33% (132)	37% (116)	13.2	21.8	138.5	6.4	10.5	10 (114)	6 (34)	.1 (125)	1.4 (120)	30% (44)	24% (128)	.15 (121)	3% (7)	1.9 (103)
MICH Defense	13	52% (116)	44% (105)	-	-	-	-	-	-	13 (4)	.22 (57)	1.3 (3)	30% (98)	33% (111)	.4 (114)	7% (38)	2 (69)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WMU Defense	14	49% (75)	37% (21)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (55)	.1 (11)	1.5 (28)	34% (23)	28% (54)	.12 (12)	6% (67)	1.7 (6)
MICH Offense	13	44% (103)	40% (89)	15.5	26.2	186.8	7.1	12	11 (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: -8.79 #110
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 5.93 #113
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 19.72 #95
2026 Talent Rating: 530.00 #114
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #103
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 546.62
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -8.79 Michigan: 21.71

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

Michigan's Power Ratings
Michigan's Power Rating: 21.71 #11
Michigan's Offense Rating: 23.80 #12
Michigan's Defense Rating: 2.78 #12
2026 Talent Rating: 1000.00 #13
Blue Chip Ratio: 48 #11
Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 8.1 - 3.9
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 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

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 35
Western Michigan 8

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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2021	09/04	Michigan	47	Western Michigan	14	Michigan -16.5	Michigan	65.5	Under
2018	09/08	Michigan	49	Western Michigan	3	Michigan -27.5	Michigan	54.5	Under
2011	09/03	Michigan	34	Western Michigan	10
2009	09/05	Michigan	31	Western Michigan	7
2002	09/07	Michigan	35	Western Michigan	12
2001	09/22	Michigan	38	Western Michigan	21

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Michigan	6	2	0 Overs
Western Michigan	0	0	2 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	6 - 0	2 - 0	2 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 6	0 - 2	0 - 0	0 - 2

(#110) WMU at (#11) MICH

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WMU	MICH
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#110	#11
SP+SP+	#78	#25
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#114	#13
Blue ChipsBC%	#103	#11

Western Michigan Notes(2/6) Elevated Greer Martini (LB) to DC (O'Leary->NFL)
Western Michigan Injury Report

Michigan Notes(2/14) Vibes: Unclear, but new staff + QB exciting
(2/4) RB Marshall back, big expectations for 5* Fr Hiter
(2/4) New Staff, great HC/OC/DC. Huge upgrade
(1/28) WR has Marsh and ? Buchanan (TE) helps
(1/28) IOL lacks exp, OT's solid. RB2 will be a FR
(1/28) QB Underwood w/ new OC Beck, big leap?
(1/28) DL looks good, LB has ? but 3 portal adds help
(1/28) CB starters good, S looks ? Depth is inexp.
Michigan Injury Report

Western Michigan on Offense

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	WMU Off	MICH Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#55	#78
ExplosiveExp	#136	#10
PPAPPA	#103	#52
PowerPwr	#113	#12
SP+SP+	#105	#15
Pts POPPO	#105	#80
HavocHav	#18	#46

Western Michigan Run Game

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	WMU Off	MICH Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#31	#58
Run ExplRExp	#97	#23
PPAExp	#57	#49
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#25	#28
Stuff RateStuff	#30	#85
TackleTak	-	NR

Western Michigan Pass Game

Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	WMU Off	MICH Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#116	#105
Pass ExplPExl	#120	#3
PPAExp	#125	#57
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#61	#52
DB HavocDB	#7	#38

Michigan on Offense

Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat	MICH Off	WMU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#47	#17
ExplosiveExp	#119	#66
PPAPPA	#54	#16
PowerPwr	#12	#95
SP+SP+	#48	#42
Pts POPPO	#75	#13
HavocHav	#13	#33

Michigan Run Game

Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat	MICH Off	WMU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#13	#21
Run ExplRExp	#62	#98
PPAExp	#17	#46
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#16	#48
Stuff RateStuff	#9	#96
TackleTak	-	NR

Michigan Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat	MICH Off	WMU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#89	#21
Pass ExplPExl	#107	#28
PPAExp	#96	#11
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
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 Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Broc Lowry	166	262	63%	1803	9	3	6.9
Ofa Mataele	0	1	0%	0	0	0	0.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jalen Buckley	179	1003	9	5.6	67
Broc Lowry	203	963	14	4.7	37
Ofa Mataele	57	252	3	4.4	22
Aveion Chenault	3	35	0	11.7	25

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Nathan Levicki	33	478	6	14.5	75
Baylin Brooks	27	372	0	13.8	42
Aveion Chenault	23	277	2	12.0	45
Jalen Buckley	12	75	1	6.3	34

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Greer Martini (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jarvarius Sims	61	2	1	0	4
Micah Davis	60	1	0	2	3
Joshua Franklin	53	6	2	1	10
Joey Pope	44	3	1	1	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
DeJuan Echoles	27	6	4	2	2
Joshua Franklin	53	6	2	1	10
Jarvarius Sims	61	2	1	0	4
Jori Benson	4	1	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Joshua Franklin	53	6	2	1	10
Jarvarius Sims	61	2	1	0	4
John Peters	14	0	0	0	4

MICH's OC Jason Beck (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Bryce Underwood	202	335	60%	2428	11	9	7.2
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Tr)	44	82	54%	488	1	2	6.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jordan Marshall	150	932	10	6.2	65
Bryce Underwood	88	392	6	4.5	37
Bryson Kuzdzal	76	326	4	4.3	22
Tomas O'Meara	11	83	0	7.5	37

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Andrew Marsh	45	651	4	14.5	69
JJ Buchanan (Tr)	26	427	5	16.4	60
Zack Marshall	16	199	1	12.4	37
Channing Goodwin	12	148	0	12.3	39

View Michigan's Full Roster

MICH's DC Jay Hill (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Chris Bracy (Tr)	71	7	0	1	9
John Henry Daley	45	18	12	0	1
Smith Snowden (Tr)	37	2	0	0	9
Jyaire Hill	36	3	1	0	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
John Henry Daley	45	18	12	0	1
Dominic Nichols	19	6	2	1	0
Jyaire Hill	36	3	1	0	5
Jonah Lea'Ea (Tr)	34	3	1	1	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
Zeke Berry	33	0	0	10
Chris Bracy (Tr)	71	7	1	9
Smith Snowden (Tr)	37	2	0	9