So, you're looking at the Michigan football 2025 schedule and thinking it's just another year in Ann Arbor. Think again. This past season was a total fever dream. Seriously, if you had told a Michigan fan back in August that the year would end with Sherrone Moore being fired and Biff Poggi coaching the Citrus Bowl, they would have laughed you out of the Big House.
But here we are. The 2025 season is officially in the books, and it was a wild ride from the first snap against New Mexico to that final loss against Texas in Orlando. It’s been a year of "what ifs" and "how did that happens."
Honestly, the schedule looked manageable on paper. Analysts like Tom Fornelli over at CBS Sports even ranked it as the 12th toughest in the Big Ten. Easy, right? Not exactly. Between a freshman phenom under center and a mid-season coaching suspension, nothing about this season was "easy."
The Non-Conference Gauntlet and Early Slips
Michigan kicked things off on August 30 against New Mexico. It was the first time these two had ever met. The Wolverines walked away with a 34-17 win, but it wasn't exactly the dominant statement people wanted. All eyes were on Bryce Underwood, the five-star "super-recruit" freshman quarterback. He looked like a freshman—flashes of brilliance mixed with "oh no" moments.
Then came the trip to Norman.
September 6 was supposed to be a massive homecoming for Sherrone Moore, who played at Oklahoma. Instead, it was a reality check. College GameDay was there, the atmosphere was electric, and Michigan just... stalled. A 24-13 loss made everyone realize that life without the 2023 veteran core was going to be a struggle.
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They bounced back against Central Michigan (63-3) because, well, it’s Central Michigan. But the real test was the Big Ten opener.
The Meat of the Big Ten Schedule
On September 20, Michigan headed to Lincoln to face Nebraska. This game was weird. Coach Moore was actually suspended for this one, yet the Wolverines pulled off a gritty 30-27 win. It was the kind of win that makes you think a season is turning around.
The October stretch was a total see-saw:
- Wisconsin (Oct 4): A solid 24-10 win at home for Homecoming. The "Maize Out" crowd actually showed up.
- USC (Oct 11): A disaster. The first regular-season trip to the Coliseum since 1957 ended in a 31-13 loss. Lincoln Riley’s offense just carved them up.
- Washington (Oct 18): A rematch of the '23 title game. Michigan won 24-7, mostly because Washington looked like a shell of its former self.
- Michigan State (Oct 25): The Paul Bunyan Trophy stayed in Ann Arbor. A 31-20 win in East Lansing is always sweet, no matter how the rest of the season is going.
Basically, by November, Michigan was sitting at a respectable record, but the cracks were starting to show. They narrowly escaped Northwestern at Wrigley Field (24-22) in a game that shouldn't have been that close.
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The Breaking Point: The Game and Beyond
Everything came crashing down in November. After a 45-20 win over Maryland, Michigan hosted Ohio State on November 29.
It was "The Game." It was also the end of the streak.
Ohio State walked into Michigan Stadium and handed the Wolverines a 27-9 loss. It was the first time Michigan lost to the Buckeyes since 2019. The game drew 18.4 million viewers, the highest of the season, but for Michigan fans, it was just 60 minutes of pain.
Then, the bombshell dropped.
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On December 10, the University announced that Sherrone Moore was fired for cause. The rumors about an "inappropriate relationship with a staff member" turned out to be true, and just like that, the program was in flux again. Biff Poggi took the reins as interim for the Citrus Bowl against Texas on December 31.
Michigan fought, but losing 41-27 to the Longhorns felt like a foregone conclusion after the month they’d had.
What Really Matters: The 2025 Results
If you missed the games, here is how the Michigan football 2025 schedule actually played out:
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30 | New Mexico | W, 34-17 |
| Sept 6 | at Oklahoma | L, 13-24 |
| Sept 13 | Central Michigan | W, 63-3 |
| Sept 20 | at Nebraska | W, 30-27 |
| Oct 4 | Wisconsin | W, 24-10 |
| Oct 11 | at USC | L, 13-31 |
| Oct 18 | Washington | W, 24-7 |
| Oct 25 | at Michigan State | W, 31-20 |
| Nov 1 | Purdue | W, 21-16 |
| Nov 15 | at Northwestern | W, 24-22 |
| Nov 22 | at Maryland | W, 45-20 |
| Nov 29 | Ohio State | L, 9-27 |
| Dec 31 | vs. Texas (Citrus Bowl) | L, 27-41 |
The Wolverines finished 9-4. Honestly, with a freshman QB and a mid-season coaching scandal, that’s almost a miracle.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Transition
Now that the 2025 circus is over, the focus has immediately shifted to Kyle Whittingham. The former Utah coach was hired on December 26 to take over for the 2026 season. Here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve as a fan:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With a coaching change, expect a mass exodus or a massive influx. Whittingham is known for building tough, disciplined teams, so he’ll be looking for specific "Utah-style" players.
- Monitor Bryce Underwood: He showed he has the arm, but does he fit Whittingham’s system? The 2026 spring game will be the first real look at the "New Michigan."
- Check the 2026 Schedule Early: The Big Ten is only getting harder. With Oregon and Ohio State likely remaining powerhouses, Whittingham has no honeymoon period.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that ended in a crash. But in college football, the ride never truly stops. It just gets a new operator. Keep your eyes on the spring practice reports, because the Whittingham era in Ann Arbor has officially begun.