The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2026 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS THREE FOOTBALL GAMES NAMED AMONG TOP 2026 MATCHUPS Michigan could have an exciting first season under head coach Kyle Whit- tingham, and three of the games on its schedule were cited as being among the most consequential in 2026. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford has three Michigan contests in his ranking of the upcoming season's top 26 games. At No. 22 is Michigan vs. Penn State in Ann Arbor on Oct. 17: "USC and Michigan are two oppo- nents we've circled on the Nittany Li- ons' slate entering Matt Campbell's first campaign, but there are a couple of oth- ers within the Big Ten equally worrisome if Penn State flatlines again. Michigan will be coming off an open date for this one, with plenty of time to plan for what the Nittany Lions are bringing to the table. The winner here stays in the conference title discussion, while a loss complicates matters expeditiously." U-M's showdown with Oklahoma is at No. 13, with the game set for Sept. 12 at the Big House: "Arguably the Sooners' most piv- otal matchup in 2026, a road win over a nationally-ranked Wolverines squad would come in handy during final play- off deliberations later in the season. A loss before opening the SEC gauntlet di- minishes the likelihood of a return CFP trip for Oklahoma. The Sooners used last year's win over Michigan in September as a catapult of sorts, establishing early confidence under quarterback John Ma- teer and a new offense." And finally, the big one. Michigan at Ohio State on Nov. 28 leads the way at No. 8: "The stakes here are always high, re- gardless of CFP and Big Ten reflections. But for the Wolverines, Kyle Whitting- ham's debut against the Buckeyes holds a significant indication of where this program is headed under his watch at the end of his first campaign. Implications are enhanced if Michigan takes the next step with Bryce Underwood and remains in playoff contention throughout." TWO DUSTY MAY ASSISTANTS NAMED HC CANDIDATES TO WATCH U-M's men's basketball program is singularly focused on chasing a national championship this year, but the coach- ing cycle could make for an interesting offseason. A pair of Dusty May assistants were tabbed candidates to watch by CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, who compiled a list of head coaches and high-major as- sistants who could be getting calls, with both Mike Boynton Jr. and Justin Joyner in the mix. Both are in their second sea- sons with the program. Boynton, who is also the program's defensive coordinator, was previously the head coach for eight years at Okla- homa State, after serving as an assistant under Brad Underwood at both Stephen F. Austin and at OSU. During his time there, he led the Cowboys to a 119-109 record and coached Cade Cunningham, the eventual No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. "Former Oklahoma State coach who has built Michigan into one of the best defenses in college basketball," Nor- lander wrote. "Experience as a head coach, still young (44) and a rock-solid reputation. He will definitely be getting calls, but it's going to take a big opportu- nity to leave one of the best assistant gigs in the sport." Joyner was included due to his ties to the West Coast and some bubbling in- terest behind the scenes. Prior to Michi- gan, he spent eight seasons at St. Mary's in a variety of roles, from director of basketball operations (2017-18) to assis- tant coach (2018-22) and associate head coach (2022-24). "Similar to [Duke head coach Jon Scheyer], Dusty May probably has to game out what he'll have to do if he loses two staff members after a huge season," Norlander said. "Joyner has West Coast ties (he was previously a longtime assis- tant for Randy Bennett at Saint Mary's College) and is a buzzy name already in this year's carousel chatter." MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK BY ANTHONY BROOME Michigan's matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes Nov. 28 at Ohio Stadium is ranked as the No. 8 college football matchup in 2026 by CBS Sports' Brad Crawford. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS Mike Boynton Jr. (right) is one of two Dusty May assistants who are getting buzz as potential head coaching candidates to watch this offsea- son. Justin Joyner (not pictured) is the other. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL