Welcome from The Staff 
Steve, Craig, Tim, and Steve B welcome you to The Wolverine Den!
- For a preview of the next game, see below.
- For a look back (and to see the incriminating pictures), choose a game on the Last Week menu.
- If you plan on attending a tailgate at The Den for the first time, see the blog menu for Den Law and the house rules to many of the usual tailgate "activities".
- Click on Buy Gear for TWD shirt!
This Week at The Wolverine Den
Game Weather
Western Michigan at Michigan (Championship/Olympic Recognition)
Michigan Stadium
September 5, 2026 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game Preview
The University of Michigan Wolverines start the 2026 football season with a game against the Western Michigan Broncos. It's a whole new era for Michigan as Kyle Whittingham takes over as the head coach. Whit spent 21 years as the head coach at Utah, compiling an outstanding record. He brings discipline, toughness and integrity, along with a bunch of players and coaches. His blueprint travels, "control the line of scrimmage, play disciplined football and punish the opponent with a defense built for November football" (Whit at the Big Ten Media days). The message is loud and clear as Michigan lost very few players to the transfer portal after the coaching change.
Pre-game Menu (5:30 p.m.)
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Corn on the Cob
Coleslaw
Baked Beans
Mac & Cheese
There are many rumors coming out of fall camp, but we will all find out together. What we know is the Wolverines have star power and significant depth at every position. So, let's talk about the opponent. Western Michigan won the MAC last year. They started slowly, losing their first three games but finished on a six-game winning streak for a 10-4 record. Life in the MAC means that your best players enter the transfer portal and you reload your roster with unproven transfers that could not get picked up by a power 4 team. This year, WMU has 15 projected starters that are transfers. They were, however, able to retain their QB from 2025. Broc Lowry has the distinction of being one of only 5 quarterbacks in the last 20 years (non-service academies) winning 10+ games while throwing 10 or fewer TD passes. He is a pretty good runner, putting up over 900 yards on the ground last year. WMU also returns their top running back from 2025, Jalen Buckley, who had over 1,000 yards and 5.6 yards per carry.
The Wolverine Den Trivia
Name any former Michigan quarterbacks that are now playing for other schools (hint: there are 6 of them).
It was the defense that really stood out for Western last year. The unit surged from 120th in the nation to 42nd in the nation in 2025. But the defensive coordinator is now working for Jim Harbaugh and the LA Chargers and every single player with 200+snaps from the defensive line and linebackers (all nine of them) is either graduated or transferred. The Broncos will finish among the top of the standings in the MAC, but are no match for the talent and perseverance of the Wolverines.
It will be exciting to get our first look at Team 147. Most of the rankings have Michigan ranked 14-16 with an outside chance at making the playoffs. The schedule is certainly daunting with 6 games against teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including 4 ranked in the top 10. But this team has the pieces to go a long way.
It all starts on Saturday. The Wolverines have an 8-0 record all-time against Western, including one when they were called Western State (1917).
Michigan is a 27½ point favorite.
Steve's Prediction
41-10
Brown's Prediction
35-12
Craig's Prediction
41-13
Tim's Prediction
41-10
Steve 0, Brown 0, Craig 0, Tim 0