Michigan Football Ranks Top 15 in ESPN’s 2026 SP+ Rankings
Kyle Whittingham will lead Michigan’s football program in 2026. The hire has generated optimism around the Wolverines. Observers point to a mix of youth and veteran leadership on the roster.
Michigan Football Ranks Top 15 in ESPN’s 2026 SP+ Rankings, occupying the No. 15 slot with a 16.1 rating. Bill Connelly released the early SP+ list on ESPN this week. The metric favors teams that show sustainable efficiency.
What SP+ Measures
SP+ is a tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency metric. It combines offense, defense, and special teams into one number. Connelly calls it a predictive measure, not a résumé ranking.
In practical terms, a 16.1 rating indicates Michigan should beat an average FBS team by 16.1 points on a neutral field. Offseason SP+ uses four main inputs to set initial ratings.
- Returning production
- Recent history
- Recent recruiting
- Coaching changes
Why Michigan Rates Well
Filmogaz.com notes Michigan’s returning production ranks among the nation’s best. Connelly places that category at No. 20, buoyed by nearly the entire offense returning.
The program has also signed top-15 recruiting classes nationally in each of the past three years. Those classes help justify the high placement despite a rocky recent finish.
Recent results over the past two seasons produced a 17-9 record. That mark likely dents Michigan’s profile. The new staff, however, provides an immediate boost in the projections.
Big Ten Context
Several conference powers sit near the top of Connelly’s list. Ohio State ranks No. 1, while Oregon is No. 2. Indiana appears at No. 5.
- USC is No. 13, just ahead of Michigan.
- Penn State slots at No. 17, just behind Michigan.
That second tier of Big Ten contenders—Michigan, USC, and Penn State—should provide a compelling race. Each team projects to improve and could challenge for late-season playoff consideration.
Season Opener Projection
Michigan opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Western Michigan. Connelly currently ranks Western Michigan at No. 95 with a -7.2 rating.
On a neutral field, the ratings imply Michigan would win by about 23.3 points today. That margin comes from subtracting Western Michigan’s rating from Michigan’s 16.1 number.
Filmogaz.com will continue tracking adjustments to SP+ as game data arrives. Early analytics favor the Wolverines, but rankings will change with results.
