Michigan Football avoids most of the Big Ten heavyweights in 2025, but how is the rest of the schedule shaping up? We take a closer look at the Wolverines’ upcoming matchups and power rank each of them by potential difficulty:
Michigan football’s 2025 schedule feels like the stars have aligned. In a loaded new-look Big Ten, the Wolverines will somehow avoid most of the conference’s projected best (Here’s looking at you, Penn State, Oregon, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana).
That said, just how dangerous are the foes Michigan will take on in 2025? Here’s how we rank each of Team 146’s upcoming opponents, from least to most dangerous.
12. Week 1: New Mexico (Aug. 30)
This one’s a warm-up. New Mexico is undergoing a complete rebuild under new head coach Jason Eck, who inherits one of the least experienced rosters in FBS. The Lobos lost nearly all of their top playmakers to the portal, including quarterback Devon Dampier and wide receiver Luke Wysong. Michigan should cruise in Week 1.
11. Week 3: Central Michigan (Sept. 13)
New head coach Matt Drinkall is an intriguing hire, and the Chippewas have potential on defense, but this is still a MAC team that went 4-8 last year. Barring any interference from Sherrone Moore’s absence, this will be another tune-up game before the Big Ten grind.
10. Week 10: Purdue (Nov. 1)
First-year head coach Barry Odom is overseeing a total roster overhaul in West Lafayette. After losing 56 players to the portal, Purdue is in full rebuild mode. While the addition of Odom may result in future success, 2025 is too soon for Purdue to be competitive.
9. Week 12: @ Northwestern (Nov. 15)
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Preston Stone at quarterback makes Northwestern a slightly more dangerous team, but the Wildcats lost too much talent on defense to be taken seriously. Still, a November road trip to Wrigley Field could get tricky if the weather turns.
8. Week 13: @ Maryland (Nov. 22)
Despite a strong recruiting class, Maryland is very much in a transition period after losing six players to the NFL. Quarterback Malik Washington is one to watch for the future, but 2025 might be too early for him to pose a serious threat to the Wolverines’ vaunted defense. That said, it’s another road game late in the season — trap game vibes are possible.
7. Week 6: Wisconsin (Oct. 4)
Wisconsin added instant-impact defenders, a new offensive coordinator and former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., but it still feels like a team trying to find its footing. Luke Fickell is under pressure to deliver results in Year 3, and if he does, this one could be a tough out. For now, the jury’s still out until the Badgers can find a way to put it all together.
6. Week 9: @ Michigan State
(Oct. 25)
Rivalry games always hit different. The Spartans are banking on quarterback Aidan Chiles to make a leap, and wide receiver Nick Marsh is a game-breaker. Jonathan Smith has built a serviceable roster around his signal-caller, but Michigan still has the edge in nearly every category. Emotion keeps this game in the top half of these rankings.
5. Week 8: Washington (Oct. 18)
The Huskies are one of the toughest teams to figure out. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. leads a veteran-laden offense, but the defense has been gutted. If Washington finds its rhythm early, this team could make some real noise in the Big Ten. But striking the right balance with the roster remains a big question mark.
4. Week 7: @ USC (Oct. 11)
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USC is still finding its way in the conference, but the Trojans have plenty of upside and Lincoln Riley’s offense is never short on fireworks. With better defensive execution and a slew of promising skill players, this should be one of Michigan’s toughest road tests.
3. Week 4: @ Nebraska (Sept. 20)
The Cornhuskers are rising fast. Dylan Raiola looks primed for a sophomore breakout under new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, and Nebraska reloaded at key positions through the transfer portal. A packed Memorial Stadium and renewed optimism in Lincoln make this a huge challenge early in the season, especially without Moore.
2. Week 2: @ Oklahoma (Sept. 6)
The Wolverines will hit the road to face Brent Venables’ high-powered Sooners just two weeks into the season. Oklahoma was able to add key players like running back Jaydn Ott and quarterback John Mateer through the portal, while retaining defensive lineman David Stone after he initially entered his name in. This is the type of early-season showdown that could easily shape both teams’ College Football Playoff paths — especially with so few big-name matchups on the schedule for Michigan.
1. Week 14: Ohio State (Nov. 29)
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The Game. No matter the records, it all comes down to this. With both teams expected to stay near the top of the Big Ten, a conference title and playoff spot could once again hang in the balance. The Wolverines have won four straight — can they make it five?