3 Michigan soccer video games amongst CBS Sports’ ‘most necessary’ for 2026

It won’t take lengthy for the Michigan soccer group to learn how it stacks up within the 2026 season.

Michigan will play host to Oklahoma on Sept. 12 within the second week of the season, going through a group it misplaced to final season in one other early-season showdown, because the Sooners earned a College Football Playoff bid.

That’s certainly one of three video games on Michigan’s schedule that made CBS Sports’ 26 “most important games” for the 2026 season. Only three packages — Texas, LSU (5 apiece) and LSU (4) — had extra video games on the schedule. Michigan was certainly one of six packages with three, becoming a member of Alabama, Georgia, Miami (Florida), Mississippi, and Oklahoma.

More: Here’s a more in-depth take a look at Michigan’s 2026 opponents coming into spring soccer

The recreation towards the Sooners checked in at No. 13.

“Arguably the Sooners’ most pivotal matchup in 2026, a road win over a nationally-ranked Wolverines squad would come in handy during final playoff deliberations later in the season,” CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford writes. “A loss before opening the SEC gauntlet diminishes 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 Mateer and a new offense.”

Also making the record: Michigan’s dwelling recreation Oct. 17 towards Penn State (No. 22), and its Nov. 28 showdown at Ohio State (No. 8). Ohio State defeated Michigan final season, 27-9, snapping the Wolverines’ four-game profitable streak within the heated rivalry.

That was Sherrone Moore’s final recreation as Michigan’s head coach. He was fired on Dec. 10 for partaking in an inappropriate relationship with a person on the soccer workers, and didn’t coach the Wolverines within the Citrus Bowl, a 41-27 loss to Texas that ended their season at 9-4.

“The stakes here are always high, regardless of CFP and Big Ten reflections,” Crawford writes. “But for the Wolverines, (head coach) Kyle Whittingham’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 (quarterback) Bryce Underwood and remains in playoff contention throughout.”

Michigan opens the season Sept. 5 towards Western Michigan.