Michigan football has high hopes heading into the 2025 season. After a disappointing 2024 season that ended with tons of momentum, the Wolverines are looking to make it back into the playoffs in 2025. They have a pretty favorable schedule, with only one opponent having finished the season ranked. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some tough matchups on the schedule. Let’s break down Michigan’s three toughest games in 2025.

1. VS Ohio State (November 29th)

This was obvious. The only team on Michigan’s 2025 schedule that finished the season ranked, the Buckeyes are the reigning (two-loss) national champions. Michigan football is on a four-game win streak against the Buckeyes, including defeating them as a three-score underdog in Columbus in 2024.

The Buckeyes will field a nearly entirely different starting lineup in 2025. They lose almost all of their starters from their national championship team, but bring back their two best players – wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Those are two legitimate game breakers.

It’s tough to get too specific about this matchup given how little we know about both teams. But what we do know is that the Wolverines have had the overwhelming mental edge in recent years, and that edge will be there in 2025. This matchup being in Ann Arbor doesn’t do any favors for the Buckeyes

This is almost always going to be the toughest and most important game on the schedule, and 2025 is no different.