Michigan football 2026: Biggest question at every position before Oklahoma showdown

Michigan football kicks off the 2026 season Saturday against Western Michigan, but the real test comes in Week 2 when Oklahoma visits The Big House. With fall camp in the rearview mirror, the Wolverines have plenty of questions that only game action can answer.

From quarterback Bryce Underwood's development to a rebuilt linebacker corps, here is a position-by-position look at what to watch as Michigan looks to make noise in the Big Ten and beyond.

Quarterback: Has Bryce Underwood really taken a step forward?

Many in the media treated Underwood's freshman year as a finished product, but that ignores the circumstances. He had little coaching, a scheme that didn't fit his strengths, and it was his first taste of college football.

Underwood has more raw talent than nearly any quarterback in the country. Reports out of Ann Arbor in the final week of fall camp indicate the lights have turned on. With an offense tailored to him, that makes sense, but the proof must come on Saturdays. If the leap is real, Michigan's offense could be formidable.

Running back: Is Savion Hiter the real deal?

Junior tailback Jordan Marshall will start, but the buzz surrounds five-star freshman Savion Hiter, the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class. His spring game performance gave fans hope for an elite run game.

Hiter might need a few weeks to find his footing against tough defenses like Oklahoma and Iowa. Having Marshall as the starter takes the pressure off, allowing Hiter to develop without backlash.

Wide receiver: Does Michigan have an above-average receiving corps?

Last year, freshman Andrew Marsh led the Wolverines in receiving. Now he is joined by Utah transfer JJ Buchanan, Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench, and a wave of talented newcomers including five-star Salesi Moa and camp standout Travis Johnson.

On paper, this unit has more talent than any Michigan receiving group since 2017-19. If Marsh and Buchanan can become a modern-day Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, this passing attack could stand on its own rather than playing second fiddle to the run game.

Offensive line: Has the pass protection improved?

The offensive line was the only group that looked better in the final game than the first last year, but pass protection remained a concern. Underwood scrambled often, and new offensive line coach Jim Harding arrived from Utah to fix the issues.

Reports indicate progress, but the real test comes against Oklahoma in Week 2. Harding's track record suggests a rapid turnaround is possible, much like the transformation from 2020 to 2021 that produced a Joe Moore Award-winning unit.

Tight end: Are there any bona fide playmakers here?

Head coach Kyle Whittingham says the tight ends have been the most consistently good unit on offense, but no one has separated himself as a go-to target. Zack Marshall returned from spring injuries, Hogan Hansen has the highest upside, and Deakon Tonielli is right there with him.

The group has plenty of names with potential, but little in the way of proven production. Week 1 should offer some clarity.

Edge rusher: Can John Henry Daley be as dominant as last year?

Daley burst onto the scene after transferring from BYU, finishing seventh nationally with 11.5 sacks in 11 games before rupturing his Achilles. He appears healthy, but returning to form after that injury is no guarantee.

Michigan has depth with Dom Nichols, Nate Marshall, Carter Meadows, and Tariq Boney, but the defense works best when Daley is wreaking havoc. Week 1 should provide a good indication.

Defensive tackle: Is the staff hype here real?

Whittingham surprised many in spring when he called the defensive line the team's biggest strength. The interior, led by seniors Trey Pierce and Enow Etta, has yet to prove it on the field, but Utah transfer Jonah Lea'ea and Deyvid Palepale add intrigue.

Previous staffs have talked up defensive tackle dominance in camp only to see it vanish in season. This group has reason for optimism, but it must show up when the lights are on.

Linebacker: Can this group play despite the inexperience?

This is the biggest question mark on the roster. The most experienced players are backups from smaller programs or an FCS starter. Chase Taylor and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng are promising second-year players, but neither has extensive time on task.

Troy Bowles, a Georgia transfer, had 437 snaps last year. North Dakota State transfer Nathaniel Staehling had 690. The departures of Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder leave a void that requires unexpected production.

Safety: Is Rod Moore actually, fully healthy?

Moore is slated to start, but the question is whether he is at full strength after missing most of the past two seasons following a spring 2024 ACL tear. He played in just three games last year.

If Moore can return to his 2022-23 form and take a step forward, he could be among the best safeties in the country. After two years studying the game from the sideline, a healthy Moore could be a cheat code for the secondary.

Cornerback: Who are corners 5-7?

The starting trio of Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, and Smith Snowden should be among the best in the Big Ten, with Shamari Earls solidifying a rotation spot. The question is depth behind them.

Jo'Ziah Edmond is hoping to return to form after a promising freshman year, but freshman Jamarion Vincent is pushing him. With several strong passing offenses on the schedule, depth will be tested.

Special teams: Is the Kerry Coombs effect real?

Michigan struggled on special teams for two straight years before JB Brown was fired and Kerry Coombs was hired. The turnaround in the Citrus Bowl against Texas was remarkable.

New kicker Trey Butkowski and punter Cam Brown lead the personnel changes, but it is Coombs' coaching that could turn this unit from a liability into a strength.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire.