Michigan Wolverines Deemed Playoff-Caliber by Expert Phil Steele for 2026
College football expert Phil Steele is stirring things up again with his latest preseason rankings. For the 2026 season, he’s got the Michigan Wolverines at No. 14 in his power poll and No. 15 in his comprehensive rankings.
Steele’s take? Michigan is a playoff-caliber team, but their brutal schedule could keep them out of the 12-team College Football Playoff for the third year in a row. Let’s poke around Steele’s insights, Michigan’s chances, and what might shape their season.
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Phil Steele’s 2026 Preseason Rankings: A Closer Look
Phil Steele’s known for his deep dives and detailed preseason evaluations. In his 2026 power poll, he’s got the Wolverines sitting at No. 14, which says a lot about their overall strength.
But when you factor in everything—the schedule, the context—he nudges them down to No. 15. That drop isn’t huge, but it hints at the kind of obstacles Michigan’s looking at.
The Impact of Michigan’s Schedule
Michigan’s schedule is, well, a beast. They’re lined up to face some of the toughest teams in the country, including:
- No. 3 Ohio State
- No. 5 Indiana
- No. 6 Oregon
- No. 13 Oklahoma
The away games at Ohio State and Oregon are especially daunting. Those could be the ones that make or break Michigan’s playoff hopes.
Steele seems to think Michigan could drop at least three of these big matchups, which probably knocks them out of serious playoff contention.
Coach Kyle Whittingham’s Influence
There’s a new twist this season with head coach Kyle Whittingham at the helm. He’s got a reputation from his Utah days for building tough, physical teams that don’t back down.
Whittingham’s style really fits the old-school Michigan vibe—lots of grit at the line of scrimmage and a defense that’s hard to push around.
Building on a Solid Foundation
He’s even brought in some key transfers from Utah to give the roster a boost. The idea is to get this team firing on both offense and defense, which, let’s be honest, has always been Michigan’s bread and butter.
It’s not a magic fix, but this coaching fit could be a big deal for the Wolverines this year.
Key Players to Watch
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood is grabbing a lot of attention. Steele points him out as a real asset, not just for his talent but because he’s got a solid group around him.
How Underwood handles the pressure—and the gauntlet of this schedule—might end up being the story of Michigan’s season.
Supporting Cast and Depth
But it’s not a one-man show. Michigan’s got depth, with plenty of players ready to step up on both sides of the ball.
That depth is going to get tested, especially in those high-profile games. Someone’s going to have to have a breakout moment when it matters most.
Steele’s Predicted Order of Finish
Steele’s got Michigan pegged at fifth in the Big Ten, trailing Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and USC. Ouch, but not really a surprise given how stacked the conference is right now.
Here’s Steele’s top 15 for context:
- No. 1 Notre Dame
- No. 2 Georgia
- No. 3 Ohio State
- No. 4 Texas
- No. 5 Indiana
- No. 6 Oregon
- No. 7 Miami (Florida)
- No. 8 Alabama
- No. 9 Texas Tech
- No. 10 BYU
- No. 11 USC
- No. 12 SMU
- No. 13 Oklahoma
- No. 14 Ole Miss
- No. 15 Michigan
Big Ten Competition
That Big Ten slate is just relentless. Michigan’s got to deal with Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and USC, and that’s just the start.
Other Big Ten teams in Steele’s top 40—like No. 19 Penn State, No. 25 Washington, and No. 26 Iowa—are also on Michigan’s schedule. Every week feels like a must-win, doesn’t it?
Home and Away Games: A Balanced Challenge
On the plus side, Michigan gets eight home games this year. That’s not nothing.
They’ll open up on September 5 against Western Michigan University. Only one road trip before Halloween—a visit to Minnesota on October 3.
November: The Crucial Month
Then things get wild in November. Home games against Michigan State and UCLA, but then they’ve got to travel to Oregon and Ohio State.
Those late-season games? That’s where it’ll all shake out. If Michigan’s going to make a run, they’ll need to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Conclusion
Phil Steele’s 2026 preseason rankings dive deep into the Michigan Wolverines’ outlook for the season. It’s not going to be an easy road, that much is clear.
Coach Kyle Whittingham brings experience to the table, and Bryce Underwood’s got real talent. There’s a sense of optimism, even with the tough schedule looming.
If you’re curious about Steele’s full breakdown, you can check out all the details and predictions over at On3.com.
