Looking ahead to Michigan Football’s non-conference opponents in 2026

Oklahoma returns most of the team from a season ago that went 10-3 and lost to Alabama in the opening round of the College Footbal Playoff, highlighted by quarterback John Mateer. Other players Michigan will be tasked with slowing down include leading rusher Tory Blaylock, leading receiver Isaiah Sategna III and leading tackler Kip Lewis.

Even though it’s so early in the season, the matchup is expected to have legitimate postseason implications. With the Big Ten schedule being so difficult, the Wolverines desperately need to avoid an early-season loss and pick up a quality win over a high-profile opponent in non-conference play.

UTEP (Sept. 19)

The final tune-up before Big Ten play is against UTEP in the first-ever meeting between the programs. UTEP is set to make its debut in the Mountain West this season, which will make it the fifth straight season that Michigan will face an opponent from the conference, holding a 12-1 all-time record against Mountain West opponents.

Similarly to the season opener, the Wolverines are set to be significant favorites over UTEP. The Miners are coming off an abysmal 2025 campaign, as they finished in last place in Conference USA with a 2-10 overall record and 1-7 in conference play. Despite such a poor season, UTEP is expected to be more competitive after bringing in transfer quarterback E.J. Colson.

According to Pete Thamel, Colson has already won the starting job. Colson is a former three-star recruit who started his career at UCF before transferring to Purdue and eventually playing at Incarnate Word last year. In addition to Colson, UTEP also brought in former Missouri running back Tavorus Jones, who could pose an early-season threat to Michigan’s run defense.