The Michigan Wolverines face the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday to kick off the 2026 season.
Here’s a look at what you need to know about Western Michigan.
Michigan is a 27.5-point favorite over the Broncos. Further, Michigan has never lost to WMU with a 7-o all-time record. The last two tilts have been blowouts for Michigan to the tune of 47-14 in 2021 and 49-3 in 2018.
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Passing offense: 129
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Rushing offense: 16
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Total offense: 101
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Scoring offense: 86
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Time of possession: 12
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Third-down conversion % offense: 63
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Total defense: 17
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Team sacks: 5
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Passing yards allowed: 18
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Rushing defense: 13
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Scoring defense: 9
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Turnover margin: 15
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Fumbles recovered: 5
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Third-down conversion % defense: 12
WMU won the Mid-American Conference Championship, going 10-4 on the season and 7-1 in the MAC. The Broncos played Kennesaw State in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and won 41-6. WMU played two Big Ten teams last year and lost both games — falling 23-6 to Michigan State and 41-0 to Illinois. 2025 was head coach Lance Taylor’s third year with the program and first winning season. Taylor’s record with WMU currently sits at 20-19 — a loss to Michigan would put him back at .500.
“They’re a really good team. They won the MAC last year. We are not overlooking them in any way, shape, or form. We know that the degree of difficulty as the season moves on goes up. This will be a good opportunity to see where we are and get a gauge on what we need to work on and what our strong suits are and what our deficiencies are.”Western Michigan is dangerous on the ground
The Broncos return two catalyts in their rushing attack — quarterback Broc Lowry and running back Jalen Buckley. Lowry rushed for 963 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns last season while Buckley rushed for 1,003 yards and nine scores. Lowry is an efficient passer (nine touchdowns to three interceptions last year), but the bread and butter of WMU’s offense is running the ball.
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Per Isaiah Hole of Wolverines Wire, Western Michigan eclipsed 200 yards rushing nine times in 14 games and notched over 300 yards twice.
Western Michigan has a new defensive coordinator in Greer Martini after Chris O’Leary left to become the DC of the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos defense was a good one last year and should be one of the better units in the MAC in 2026 with key contributors returning in Jarvarius Sims (led WMU in tackles last season with 64), cornerback Josh Franklin (53 tackles) and safety Micah Davis (60 tackles, one interception).
Western Michigan’s scheme should largely stay in tact to what it was last season when they ranked No. 9 in scoring defense and finished No. 5 in the nation in sacks — Martini was on the WMU staff last season as linebackers coach and there should be continuity in defensive philosophy.
