Just how tough will Michigan’s schedule be in 2025? Today, we take a look at each opponent the Wolverines square off with this year and predict what their final record will be:
Before ultimately pulling out wins against the best teams on its schedule, Michigan’s 2023 was criticized by many for not being particularly challenging. However, the Wolverines were on the other side of the fence in 2024, playing against what turned out to be some of the Big Ten’s best teams.
As we enter the 2025 season, Michigan’s schedule features a bit of everything. We’ll see a road game in SEC territory, a trip to Los Angeles, a game at Wrigley Field, and a handful of traditional Big Ten matchups.
But just how tough will things be for Michigan this season based on the caliber of its opponents? Today, we’ll take a look through the schedules of every opponent for the Wolverines this season and predict how they will fare.
New Mexico
Michigan kicks things off with New Mexico on Aug. 30 at the Big House. The Lobos went 5-7 last year and return just 36 percent of their production, according to ESPN’s Bill Connelly .
New Mexico has games against UCLA, Michigan and Boise State to make things extra tough, but it’ll also face Colorado State, UNLV, and Air Force in the conference. With lots of new starters and a fairly tough schedule, it’ll be tough for the Lobos to get back to the same place they were last year.
Record prediction: 4-8
Oklahoma
Oklahoma went 6-7 last year and has underwhelmed a bit so far in the Brent Venables era. However, John Mateer’s arrival at quarterback from Washington State has breathed some new life into the program, making the Sooners a popular pick to take a step forward.
They face Michigan at home in Week 2, but also face a tough SEC schedule, including matchups with Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, LSU, Missouri and Ole Miss. I’d bet on Oklahoma improving its record from last year, but it’s still not likely a playoff team yet.
Record prediction: 8-4
Central Michigan
The Chippewas went 4-8 a year ago and are in the middle of the pack, returning 54 percent of their production from 2024. It’ll be tough sledding for Central Michigan this year, as it faces Pittsburgh, Michigan, San Jose State, and some tough MAC teams like Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Buffalo, and Toledo. But let’s bet on them to improve their standing from a year ago, only slightly though.
Record prediction: 5-7
Nebraska
Much like Oklahoma, Nebraska is a team many are expecting to take a step forward in 2025, but just how big will that step be? A lot of that hope is hinged on the development of quarterback Dylan Raiola, who could be poised to take his own leap heading into his second year.
The Huskers don’t have the easiest schedule in the world. They’ll open the season against Cincinnati, and host Michigan, USC and Iowa. They’ll also travel to Penn State, UCLA and Minnesota. They should get the job done in most of these games, but won’t be a major contender this year.
Record prediction: 8-4
Wisconsin
This could be a make or break year for Luke Fickell in Madison. It’s been an underwhelming tenure for him thus far, and his Badgers are coming off a 5-7 campaign. Fortunately, Wisconsin returns 67 percent of its production and brought in quarterback Billy Edwards from Maryland.
However, the schedule is absolutely brutal. Wisconsin have road games against Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, and Indiana, while also hosting Ohio State, Iowa, Washington and Illinois. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Badgers improve their record, but this schedule is going to make that a major challenge.
Record prediction: 6-6
USC
Much like it is at Wisconsin, it could be a make or break year at USC for Lincoln Riley. The Trojans are entering year four with Riley and things seem to be getting worse each year. Now, a talented dual-threat option in Jayden Maiava will step in at quarterback, but questions about the defense will still loom.
Despite some questions, USC doesn’t have the toughest schedule on paper. The Trojans will host Michigan, Iowa and UCLA, while heading to Notre Dame, Nebraska, Illinois and Oregon. I’ll bet on USC being able to stabilize things a bit, but still don’t think it’ll be good enough to compete for a conference title.
Record prediction: 8-4
Washington
Washington has found itself in a similar boat to Michigan over the last two years after reaching the national title. The Huskies lost lots of talent heading into 2024 and went 6-7 as a result. Now, things look to be trending up for Jedd Fisch’s squad.
Something that will help Washington get back on solid ground is a relatively easy schedule. The Huskies will face Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois and Michigan, but they don’t have any challenging games on paper beyond that. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Huskies competing in the conference title race as a result of their favorable draw.
Record prediction: 9-3
Michigan State
Things didn’t get off to the best start for Michigan State in the first year of the Jonathan Smith era, but there is some room for improvement from a year ago.
The schedule won’t be doing Michigan State any favors, though, as the Spartans will travel to USC, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota and Iowa, while also hosting Michigan, UCLA and Penn State. If the Spartans can show some serious strides, they’ll improve on their 5-7 mark from a year ago, but it is a formidable challenge.
Record prediction: 5-7
Purdue
Purdue was one of the worst teams in the country last season at 1-11 overall and 0-9 in Big Ten play, but the Boilermakers are looking to get back on the right track with new head coach Barry Odom.
Looking at Purdue’s schedule, it has some challenging road games against Notre Dame, Michigan, Washington and Minnesota. It’ll also host USC, Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana. There’s nowhere really to go but up for Purdue, but it’s going to be tough to win more than a few games.
Record prediction: 3-9
Northwestern
Much like Purdue, Northwestern isn’t expected to be competitive this year. The Wildcats will be anchored by transfers all over their roster, which could make them a bit of a wild card. Still, Bill Connelly has them as the No. 87 team in the country per SP+ as of right now.
Northwestern has a tough schedule, with home games against Oregon, UCLA and Minnesota, as well as a game against Michigan just down the road at Wrigley Field. The Wildcats will head to Penn State, Nebraska, USC and Illinois. They went 4-8 a year ago, but it’s tough to see an improvement from that in 2025.
Record prediction: 4-8
Maryland
The Terrapins have been pesky against Michigan in recent years, but it’s unlikely they will be this year.
Maryland’s schedule won’t do it any favors either, as it faces Wisconsin, UCLA, Rutgers and Illinois on the road. The home schedule also isn’t helpful, as Maryland will host Washington, Nebraska, Indiana and Michigan. Barring some unforeseen developments, the arrow will keep pointing down for the Terrapins.
Record prediction: 3-9
Ohio State
The Buckeyes are losing plenty of production on both sides of the ball, but have recruited so well that it shouldn’t matter.
Ohio State will get things started at home against what should be a great Texas team. It will also host Penn State this season. The road schedule is a bit of a challenge, as it travels to Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois. Still, Ohio State isn’t poised for some big fall off this year and should still manage to compete for a conference title.
Record prediction: 10-2