If you’re refreshing your phone looking for the final score of a Michigan football game today, January 18, 2026, I have some news that might be a little frustrating. Michigan did not play a football game today. Honestly, it’s a weird feeling for fans used to the "Go Blue" energy carrying deep into January. Usually, this time of year is reserved for the absolute chaos of the College Football Playoff (CFP) or the high-stakes National Championship. But for the 2025-2026 season, the Wolverines' journey actually wrapped up a few weeks ago in Orlando.
What happened to the 2025-2026 season?
To understand why there’s no game today, we have to look back at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Michigan faced off against the Texas Longhorns at Camping World Stadium. It was a rollercoaster.
The Wolverines actually held a lead late in the game. Bryce Underwood, the freshman sensation who took over the starting job, dove into the pylon for a 5-yard touchdown that put Michigan up 27-24 with about 11 minutes left. Fans were ecstatic. But then, the wheels kind of came off. Arch Manning—yeah, that Manning—took over for Texas. He ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run that basically deflated the Michigan sideline.
Texas won 41-27. That loss ended Michigan's season with a 9-4 record. Since the season is officially over, the pads are packed away. The coaches aren't on the sidelines today; they’re likely in living rooms across the country trying to seal the deal on the next big recruiting class.
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Who Won the Michigan Football Game Today? The Current Landscape
Even though the football team is dormant, the Michigan athletic department never really sleeps. If you saw a headline about a "Michigan win" today, you might be thinking of a different sport.
- Basketball: The Michigan men's basketball team has been active in Big Ten play.
- Water Polo: Interestingly enough, the No. 15 Michigan women's water polo team just played a massive match against No. 5 Cal yesterday, January 17, and is wrapping up the Polopalooza in Fresno today.
- The Rivalry: If you’re a fan of "the other guys" in East Lansing, Michigan State actually just pulled off a big win against Washington on January 17, which might be cluttering up your social media feed.
But for the football team? It’s all about the "January Period," which is a fancy way of saying Transfer Portal Chaos. ### The Kyle Whittingham Era Begins
The biggest reason you aren't seeing a game today is that Michigan is in the middle of a massive identity shift. After the 2025 regular season, the program brought in Kyle Whittingham as the new head coach. That’s a huge deal. Whittingham, the longtime Utah legend, was hired just after Christmas.
Instead of preparing for a playoff game today, Whittingham and his new staff—including defensive coordinator Jay Hill and offensive coordinator Jason Beck—are rebuilding the roster.
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Who is Coming and Going?
Since there's no game to watch, the "scorekeeping" for fans right now is happening in the transfer portal. It's basically a game of musical chairs with elite athletes.
- The Losses: Michigan lost some big names to the portal this month. Star wideout Semaj Morgan headed to UCLA, and linebacker Cole Sullivan moved to Oklahoma. Even backup QB Jadyn Davis decided to look elsewhere.
- The Gains: It's not all bad news. Whittingham just secured commitments from some heavy hitters. Smith Snowden, a lockdown corner from Utah, followed his coach to Ann Arbor. They also landed Colin Hurley, a former four-star QB from LSU who’s looking for a fresh start.
- The Returns: Andrew Sprague, a massive offensive lineman who was a cornerstone for the unit last year, briefly entered the portal but announced on January 7 that he’s returning for the 2026 season.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
If you're already itching for the next time you can actually ask "Who won the Michigan football game?" and get a real score, you've got a bit of a wait.
The 2026 season-opener is set for September 5, 2026, at the Big House. Michigan will be hosting Western Michigan. It’s the start of a brutal schedule that includes a massive Week 2 home game against Oklahoma.
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Why the Playoff looks different this year
You might be wondering why other teams are playing today. The College Football Playoff National Championship is actually scheduled for tomorrow, January 19, 2026. It features the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (yes, you read that right) taking on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.
Michigan fans are used to being in that mix, but this year, the Big Ten dominance shifted toward Bloomington. Watching Indiana play for a title while Michigan sits at home is a bitter pill for many in Ann Arbor, but it's the reality of the 2025-2026 cycle.
Actionable Next Steps for Michigan Fans
Since there's no game to watch today, here is how you can stay up to date with what actually matters for the program right now:
- Check the Portal: Keep an eye on the 247Sports Transfer Portal tracker. Whittingham is still looking for help on the defensive line, and a few big names are expected to visit Ann Arbor this coming week.
- Follow the Coaching Staff: The new offensive staff is still being finalized. Look for announcements regarding position coaches, particularly for the wide receivers, as that unit needs a rebuild.
- Watch the Championship: Tomorrow’s Indiana vs. Miami game is a scouting opportunity. These are the teams Michigan has to leapfrog next year to get back into the playoff conversation.
- Spring Game Prep: Start looking for dates for the Maize and Blue Spring Game, usually held in April. That will be your first chance to see Bryce Underwood operate in Whittingham's new system.
Basically, the "game" today isn't on a field—it's in the recruiting office and the film room. Michigan is currently 0-0, just like everyone else, building for a September return.