If you're frantically refreshing your feed looking for the score of today's Michigan football game, I have some news that might be a little frustrating, or maybe a relief depending on how much of your Saturday you've already spent looking. There isn't one. Michigan is not playing football today, January 17, 2026.
Honestly, I get the confusion. We're in the thick of the post-season window. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is dominating the headlines, and usually, mid-January is when the biggest trophies are handed out. But for the Wolverines, the pads have been tucked away for a few weeks now. Their 2025-2026 campaign hit its final whistle back on New Year's Eve in Orlando.
What happened to Michigan football?
The reality is that Michigan’s season ended at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, 2025. They faced off against the Texas Longhorns, and it wasn't the ending Ann Arbor was hoping for. Texas took that one 41-27.
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It’s a weird feeling for fans who got used to the deep January runs of the last few years. Remember 2024? That snowy January where the Wolverines were preparing for or celebrating a National Championship? This year is different. The CFP National Championship is actually scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026, but the matchup is No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami.
Seeing Indiana in the top spot while Michigan sits at home is... well, it's a lot for Big Ten traditionalists to process.
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Why the search for today's score is so high
People keep searching for the score of today's Michigan football game for a couple of logical reasons. First, the schedule for the new 12-team playoff format is still confusing for most of us. Games are scattered across December and January now. It’s not just "New Year's Day and the Title Game" anymore.
Second, there is a major Michigan game today. It's just played with a round ball on a hardwood floor. The No. 4 Michigan Men’s Basketball team is taking on the Oregon Ducks at 4:00 PM ET today. That game is being broadcast on NBC, and given Michigan's 15-1 record, a lot of people are tuning in. If you saw "Michigan vs. Oregon" on a sports ticker today, your brain probably jumped straight to the Big Ten football rivalry.
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Michigan’s 2025 Season at a Glance
To understand why they aren't playing today, you have to look at how the regular season shook out. It was a year of "almosts" and "what-ifs."
- The Ohio State Game: A tough 27-9 loss to the Buckeyes on November 29 effectively knocked them out of the Big Ten title race and the CFP conversation.
- The Record: They finished the regular season 9-4. In the old days, that's a great year. In the new era of Michigan expectations, it felt like underachieving.
- Post-Season: Because they didn't make the 12-team playoff, they headed to the Citrus Bowl. Once that game ended on December 31, the football calendar officially flipped to "recruiting and spring ball."
What’s next for the Wolverines?
Since there is no score of today's Michigan football game, fans are already looking toward the 2026 season opener. That one is a ways off. Michigan will host Western Michigan at the Big House on September 5, 2026.
If you're looking for live Michigan action right now, pivot to the basketball court. Coach May has the hoops team playing like a juggernaut. They are 18.5-point favorites against Oregon today. It’s not a goal-line stand in the Big House, but watching Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. dominate the paint is a pretty good consolation prize for a Saturday in January.
Basically, take the afternoon off from the pigskin. The football team is in the weight room, the coaching staff is hitting the transfer portal hard, and the fans are waiting for September.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Switch to NBC: Tune in at 4:00 PM ET if you want to see the Wolverines actually compete today—just remember it's basketball.
- Check the CFP Title Game: Watch Indiana vs. Miami on Monday night to see what the top of the mountain looks like this year.
- Clear Your Calendar: Mark September 5, 2026, for the return of Michigan Football against the Broncos.