CollegeFootballDigestfrom CooperSearch

Michigan vs. Western Michigan

Michigan and Western Michigan have 9 meetings on file, the first in 1917; Michigan leads the series 9–⁠0 in the games on file. Over the last 9 meetings it’s Michigan 9–⁠0, and Michigan has won the last 9.

Michigan wins
9
Western Michigan wins
0
Ties
0
Earliest on file
1917
Longest streak
9 Michigan
Current streak
9 Michigan
Last 10 meetings
Michigan 9–⁠0
Most recent
2026

The series at a glance

’0’1’2’3’4’5’6’7’8’9W–L
1910s1–⁠0
1940s1–⁠0
2000s3–⁠0
2010s2–⁠0
2020s2–⁠0
Average margin
24.8 points; 2 decided by one score (8 or fewer)
At Michigan
9–⁠0 Michigan’s record at home

Every meeting on file, as played. Ranks are the AP poll’s going in.

Games that tell the story

  1. Michigan’s biggest win1943: Michigan 57, Western Michigan 6by 51 points

Both programs through the years

End-of-season Elo ratings of Michigan and Western Michigan, 1917 on1300150017001900192019401960198020002020

Our Elo rating at the end of each season, a measure of how strong a team was, not a forecast; 1500 is an average FBS team.

On television

2026NBC4.1 million viewers

Viewers: Nielsen, as compiled by nschultz7’s ratings tracker.

Photos

  • The Western Michigan Broncos line up on offense during a game against the Michigan Wovlerines in Michigan Stadium, September 5, 2026
    The Western Michigan Broncos line up on offense during a game against the Michigan Wovlerines in Michigan Stadium, September 5, 2026Photo: BenjaminSmithChef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The 2026 game
  • Michigan fans storm the field after beating Western Michigan, September 5, 2026
    Michigan fans storm the field after beating Western Michigan, September 5, 2026Photo: BenjaminSmithChef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The 2026 game
  • The Western Michigan Broncos line up on offense during a game against the Michigan Wovlerines in Michigan Stadium, September 5, 2026
    The Western Michigan Broncos line up on offense during a game against the Michigan Wovlerines in Michigan Stadium, September 5, 2026Photo: BenjaminSmithChef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The 2026 game
  • The Western Michigan Broncos line up on offense during a game against the Michigan Wovlerines in Michigan Stadium, September 5, 2026
    The Western Michigan Broncos line up on offense during a game against the Michigan Wovlerines in Michigan Stadium, September 5, 2026Photo: BenjaminSmithChef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The 2026 game
  • UM_Western_09.04.21_0784
    UM_Western_09.04.21_0784Photo: Maize & Blue Nation, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The 2021 game
  • UM_Western_09.04.21_0434
    UM_Western_09.04.21_0434Photo: Maize & Blue Nation, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The 2021 game

From the rivalry’s and its games’ categories on Wikimedia Commons (free licenses only, each credited).

Every game

Sep 5, 202616Michigan 13, Western Michigan 12at Michigan
Sep 4, 2021Michigan 47, Western Michigan 14at Michigan
Sep 8, 201821Michigan 49, Western Michigan 3at Michigan
Sep 3, 2011Michigan 34, Western Michigan 10at Michigan
Sep 5, 2009Michigan 31, Western Michigan 7at Michigan
Sep 7, 20027Michigan 35, Western Michigan 12at Michigan
Sep 22, 2001Michigan 38, Western Michigan 21at Michigan
Sep 25, 1943Michigan 57, Western Michigan 6at Michigan
Oct 10, 1917Michigan 17, Western Michigan 13at Michigan

Every game is listed as played on the field.