After the surprising first two weeks of 2026, it would make sense for analysts to not hitch their wagons to Michigan football. Week 1, the Wolverines underperformed, which caused many to believe that they would be blown out in Week 2. However, the maize and blue emerged victorious against Oklahoma, and though many are looking at it as the Sooners not doing what they needed to do to win, Michigan did have a lot to do with that.
And a few, just a handful, are taking notice.
Among them is CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello, who likens the Wolverines to the Sooners -- last season. The winner of that Big Ten-SEC matchup ended up determining which team would make the College Football Playoff, and thus, OU was included while the maize and blue sat home.
But
more than that, Marcello believes that -- given what we saw from Ohio State and Oregon this week -- Michigan has what it takes to potentially challenge for the Big Ten this year.
"I know it's going to sound weird, but Michigan is this year's Oklahoma," Marcello said. "Oklahoma last year, where the offense was just really struggling, but they were able to kind of get just enough and be explosive enough to win some games and lean on that defense.
"Michigan, as you said, Brad, dominant in the trenches. I think they're going to be really, really good in the Big Ten. I also thought this. I thought Jason Beck, the offensive coordinator, called a heck of a game, putting Bryce Underwood in some really good spots to execute and move the ball down the field and also keep it away from Oklahoma at times when they had to. Bryce Underwood, of course, has got to improve not only as a passer, but also as a decision maker. But he's got a lot of weapons around him. And when you're playing behind that offensive line, it gives you room to develop. And it's really on this coaching staff to take advantage of that.
"Michigan in the preseason was my dark horse to make the College Football Playoff. They still are in my rankings. I have them at No. 15 today, a little bit higher maybe than others. But I'm just a believer that this team just kind of has what it takes to play winning football in the Big Ten with that style of play. And then also I just kind of get this inkling that the offense is going to come around, unlike OU a year ago when they were dealing with all those injuries and the lack of a running game."
āIām just a believer that this team just kind of has what it takes to play winning football in the Big Ten.ā@bmarcello on Michigan šŖ pic.twitter.com/hUnMEYK6XZ
ā CBS Sports College Football š (@CBSSportsCFB) September 13, 2026
It will be tough sledding, of course, but Michigan (mostly) had control against Oklahoma throughout the game on Saturday, and that was one of four big tests this season. The others -- Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State -- will still be daunting, but the Ducks' faltering at Oklahoma State perhaps makes it a little less so.
If the Wolverines can get past Iowa and Penn State, then it will host the Hoosiers with a likely unblemished record halfway through the season, and given that IU will be coming off a potentially emotional game against the Buckeyes, and that game being in Ann Arbor, it could reshape national expectations completely.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: CBS Sports analyst makes bold prediction for Michigan in Big Ten
