There will be no questioning Michigan football's schedule in 2024.
While the Wolverines might not face a ranked team this season until they visit Penn State in November, they have a slew of marquee matchups on the slate next year. That includes meetings with five of the current top-10 teams in the nation.
Welcome to the new Big Ten.
While Michigan's 2024 schedule isn't formalized, its conference opponents, announced on Thursday, feature No. 4 Ohio State, No. 7 Washington, No. 8 Oregon and No. 9 USC. Michigan also has non-conference games against No. 3 Texas and No. 24 Fresno State.
Those rankings don't apply to next season, of course, but the programs speak for themselves. USC and Washington might not have star QB's Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr. anymore, but the Trojans and Huskies will present stiff tests regardless. The Washington game will be on the road.
The Big Ten's 'flex-protect plus' scheduling model means Michigan will continue to play rivals Ohio State and Michigan State every season. But with the dissolution of divisions, it won't see traditional foe Penn State again until 2026. It will see Wisconsin in 2025 and it will see UCLA as a conference for the first time in 2026.
Michigan last played UCLA in 2000 and holds an 8-3 edge in the all-time series. It last played Oregon in 2007 (3-2 all time), USC in 2006 (4-6) and Washington in 2021 (7-5.)
