The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a rocky ride for the Michigan Wolverines, and at least one prominent analyst isn't shy about saying so.

ESPN's Sam Acho has boldly declared that Michigan will be the nation's biggest underachiever this year. Speaking on SportsCenter, Acho laid out a convincing case, pointing to a combination of a demanding schedule and the transition to a new head coach.

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“Michigan will be the biggest underachiever this year, mainly because of not just a new coach, but also their schedule,” Acho said. “Week 2, they play an Oklahoma team that’ll be significantly better. They have Oregon on their schedule, Indiana on their schedule, and yeah, they have a new coach, new culture. Also, they face a better Penn State team, Iowa as well. So I think Michigan will underachieve this season.”

The Wolverines are expected to open the season ranked inside the top 15, thanks to the return of star quarterback Bryce Underwood and a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball. But the program is navigating significant upheaval after Sherrone Moore was fired amid an off-the-field scandal, with criminal charges now pending. The fallout has already led to a lawsuit from a former staffer and raised questions about oversight during his tenure.

Into this storm steps Kyle Whittingham, the former Utah head coach, who brings a steady, old-school approach. He's already downplaying the hype around the rivalry game, insisting the team's focus is on the season opener against Western Michigan on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. “We've got 11 games first,” Whittingham said, echoing his pragmatic philosophy.

But Acho's skepticism isn't just about the coaching change. Michigan's 2026 slate is a gauntlet: Oklahoma in Week 2, then Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Ohio State. That's a murderer's row that would test even the most seasoned programs.

If the Wolverines can steal a win or two from that brutal stretch, they could still surprise. But as Acho sees it, the odds are stacked against them. The pressure is on Underwood and company to prove the doubters wrong.