Michigan football vs Western Michigan time, channel, streaming and odds

Michigan football will begin its 2026 season with an in-state matchup against a conference champion.

The Wolverines (0-0) will face the Western Michigan Broncos (0-0) in their season opener on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Kickoff will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock and Fubo.

This will be the first game for Kyle Whittingham as Michigan's coach after spending 21 seasons coaching the Utah Utes. Whittingham replaces outgoing coach Sherrone Moore, who was fired and subsequently arrested on Dec. 10 after an incident with a former U-M staffer with whom he had an affair.

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Michigan went 9-4 in 2025, finishing with a one-win improvement from the 2024 season but still well short of the team's College Football Playoff aspirations. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit of the class of 2024, underwhelmed in his first season in Ann Arbor but received rave reviews during fall camp.

Western Michigan, reigning Mid-American Conference champions, went 10-4 in 2025 under third-year coach Lance Taylor, who led the Broncos to a MAC title game victory over Miami (Ohio) at Ford Field in Detroit and a win over Kennesaw State at the Myrtle Beach Bowl. It was Western's first 10-win season since 2016, when the Broncos finished 13-1 under current Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck and went to the Cotton Bowl.

The Wolverines are favored entering the game and are looking for a similar performance as they got against another in-state opponent in 2025, when they beat Central Michigan 63-3 on Sept. 13. However, the defending MAC champions may present a bigger challenge than the Chippewas did in 2025.

Here's what you need to know about Saturday's season opener:

GARCIA: What's the record? Game-by-game predictions for Michigan football in 2026

Michigan time vs Western Michigan

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 5.
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET.
• Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

Michigan channel vs Western Michigan

• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET.
• Channel: NBC.
• Streaming: Peacock, Fubo.
• Radio: Michigan Gameday Radio Network (WCSX-FM 94.7 in Detroit).

Michigan kicks off its season with a home game against Western Michigan on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock and on Fubo.

Watch Michigan-Western Michigan on Fubo

Michigan odds vs Western Michigan

• Spread: U-M by 27½ points.
• Over/under: 48½ points.
• Moneyline: WMU (+2500), U-M (-10000).

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday.

Michigan 2026 football schedule

• Week 1: vs Western Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 5 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
• Week 2: vs Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 12 (Noon ET, Fox).
• Week 3: vs UTEP, Saturday, Sept. 19 (3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network).
• Week 4: vs Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 26 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 5: at Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 3 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 6: BYE.
• Week 7: vs Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 17 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 8: vs Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 24 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 9: at Rutgers, Saturday, Oct. 31 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 10: vs Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 7 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 11: at Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 14 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 12: vs UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 21 (time and TV TBA).
• Week 13: at Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 28 (Noon ET, Fox).

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football vs Western Michigan time, channel, streaming and odds

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