The Mitten Report

Well, folks, college football is officially upon us. Another season of Michigan football means another 4 months of news, predictions, and opinions. Michigan comes into this season with fairly lofty expectations. Many fans believe this team has the talent to make a run back into the college football playoff. I believe the biggest question is how well this coaching staff has meshed with the players during camp. Everything we have seen and heard points to yes. Everyone is excited for a brand new season of Michigan football so let’s not waste any time and get into some predictions for week 1.

Why Michigan will Win

Michigan has the clear talent advantage here, and I think that starts with defense. In 2025, they ranked 23rd in opponent total yards. 20th in rushing defense (111.9 yds/gm) and 54th in passing defense (211.4 yds/gm). They return a plethora of talent in the secondary, with the likes of Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Rod Moore, Jordan Young, and Mason Curtis all returning from 2025. They also bolstered the defense through the transfer portal. Adding Smith Snowden (Utah), John Henry Daley (Utah), Chris Bracey (Memphis), and Nathaniel Staehling (NDSU). Look for this defense to once again place top 25 during the 2026 campaign.

Moving to the offensive side, there are a few more question marks. The biggest one: can Bryce Underwood take the next step? They returned their leading receiver last year, Andrew Marsh. Also, JJ Buchanan (Utah) and Jaime Ffrench (Texas) came in via the transfer portal. This was a Michigan team that ranked an extremely mediocre 107th in passing offense (186.8 yds/gm) last year. If they are going to have the kind of success needed to lock in a playoff appearance they are going to need to be effective through the air. This is likely their best chance to do it in the last few years with the receivers they currently have.

Michigan also returns Jordan Marshall, a running back who had a 50/50 split of carries with last year’s “RB1” Justice Haynes, who ultimately ended up transferring to Georgia Tech. Marshall still racked up nearly 1,000 yards last year on the ground. Then the golden goose. Michigan added the #1 RB in the 2026 HS recruiting class with Savion Hiter. Jason Beck and Tony Alford have raved about Hiter calling him a “complete back”. Drawing comparisons with the likes of Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson, Michigan fans should be extremely excited for what’s in store with this backfield.

Why Western Michigan will Win

Western Michigan kind of has a dude at QB. Broc Lowry had a pretty solid year last year with the Broncos. He finished the 2025 season with 1,803 passing yards, 9 TDs, and 3 INTs, but ran for nearly 1,000 yards as well. Lowry is a dual-threat QB who can give defenses headaches quickly. It will be a nice test for the decision-making of Michigan’s defense. Western Michigan also returns an 1,000-yard rusher from last year, Jalen Buckley. The 5’11 225 lb senior form Aurora, IL had a very impressive season last year running for 1,003 yds, 9 TD, with 5.6 YPC. Western Michigan finished 103rd in total offense (342.7 yds/gm) in 2025.

Western Michigan’s defense also had a very pleasantly surprising defense statistically last year. They ranked 17th in total defense (305.5 opp. yds/gm), which was 2nd in the MAC behind Toledo. The Broncos’ entire starting defensive line is composed of transfers this year, however. The Broncos are in line for another successful season after finishing 10-4 last year, which included a MAC championship win and a beatdown of Kennesaw St. in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, where they won 41-6.

What I Want to See

I want to see Michigan throw the rock. I believe Underwood has the ability to throw for over 3,000 yards this year with this offense. Maybe airing it out is the key Michigan is looking for. There were flashes last year, especially with the Underwood-Marsh connection. But now Marsh is less one of one and more one of many. We have some legit talent at the WR position for the first time since the Nico Collins/DPJ duo in the late 2010’s. You got these guys for a reason, go use them. I would love to see some improved and smarter decisions-making by Underwood as well. Prove to the country that he has that high football IQ. Make a string of right decisions and make it a habit.

The LB room is a huge question mark for this team, likely the biggest question mark. You’re going to be hearing names you haven’t heard before, like Chase Taylor, Nathaniel Staehling, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, and Troy Bowles. Losing Cole Sullivan was a big hit for this LB room, but it only gives the guys behind him more opportunity. I’m extremely excited to these guys show the fanbase what they’re made of this year.

Lastly, Michigan’s secondary needs to be better. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t confident in Michigan’s run defense. But last year, Michigan’s pass defense got beat time and time again. I think Zeke Berry is an X-factor here. If Berry plays well, the secondary plays well; if he doesn’t, they don’t. I believe Jyaire Hill is far and away the best cover corner we have, even though we haven’t seen game action from Smith Snowden yet. If this secondary can step up I think Michigan will be scary good.

What will happen

This is interesting. I could see two things happening here. My gut is telling me that Michigan wins this game comfortably by 3+ touchdowns. But if last year’s opener was any indication, Michigan likes to get off to rocky starts. Western Michigan is a very talented, undervalued team. If they are crafty and able to attack Michigan’s defense in the ways they want to, this game will be closer than a lot of people think. I believe it could be very similar to the New Mexico game from week 1 in 2025.

But I’m going to stick with my gut. Michigan is clearly a more talented team. I trust that Underwood and the Michigan offense are going to be on the same page early and often. This is a game where Underwood is likely on a looser leash and I think he’ll let the ball fly a little more than people are expecting. Michigan’s rushing offense will take care of business as usual. I think this defense is also going to be slightly improved as well, especially from a pass-rushing standpoint. Look for 2+ turnovers from the Western Michigan offense. While I think that this game will likely be within 14 points at halftime I think that Michigan will pull away late and provide the fanbase with some faith going into a huge week 2 showdown against #10 Oklahoma in Ann Arbor.

Prediction:

#16 Michigan 34, Western Michigan 10 (+27.5) (U 48.5)

Confidence: 8/10