Michigan football players confident they can win final four games

Story by

Story by
Michigan football players confident they can win final four games

Michigan football players confident they can win final four games

Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire · Wolverines Wire

Thu, November 5, 2026 at 8:27 PM UTC ·

4 min read

About Our Ads

ANN ARBOR, Mich. --Kyle Whittingham drew some consternation from the Michigan football fan base and beyond when he noted after the loss to Indiana -- the Wolverines ' third of the season -- that the team was just a handful of plays away from being undefeated. He's not wrong, but it's not exactly the type of thing you want to hear the head coach of a struggling team say.

Last week's game against Rutgers was a step in the right direction offensively, but special teams miscues and a couple of unusual defensive gaffes still made it a one-score win. The Wolverines have won or lost all of their games, except the romp over UTEP, by one score.

There's confidence in the defense, given that it's ranked No. 3 nationally. Theoretically, with four games remaining, it should keep the maize and blue in every remaining contest. The questions center on an offense that's just now seemingly finding its footing under new starting quarterback Tommy Carr.

With a rivalry game coming up against Michigan State , the hope is that the offense can build on the 28 scored points and ability to move the football it showcased against the Scarlet Knights . If it can do that, then perhaps there's a chance for a better record than many think.

"We just need to play a complete game first quarter to fourth quarter," junior tight end Hogan Hansen said. "It feels like we have bit ourselves in the butt like a lot of these weeks, and that's why we are 5-3. And we're not living in the land of hypotheticals -- we know we have all the tools. To go win out, and like we know we have all the tools to win some of the games we could have lost. And I think we have gotten better over the last couple weeks on sharpening up certain stuff.

"So I think it's just about trusting the process and trusting the way our offense is developing. And yeah, just putting it together on Saturday. And I think our confidence is definitely built up over the last week."

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano, left, talks with Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Salesi Moa (12) gains yards after catch during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) reacts after making a catch against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kevyn Humes (4) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) reaches for the end zone during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines kicks a field goal during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) drops back to pass during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) scrambles during the first half as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Rondo Porter (99) defends at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) runs with the ball during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Bryson Kuzdzal (24) carries the ball during the second half as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Chris Joines (20) pursues at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Bradlee Jones (5) and Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Salesi Moa (12) talk during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; A fan dressed as the character Ted Lasso holds up a sign during the second half between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Antwan Raymond (3) gains yards after catch as Michigan Wolverines linebacker Nathaniel Staehling (44) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) scores on a rushing touchdown during the second half in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman RJ Johnson Jr. (14) at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Chris Bracy (7) reacts after a defensive stop during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Michigan is favored by 13.5 points by BetMGM heading into this week's contest, but sophomore tight end Eli Owens says that doesn't matter. The only thing that matters in this game, and beyond, is winning each block on every down.

"I don't pay attention to that type of stuff, being favored, being the underdog," Owens said. "At the end of the day, you've got to line up, you've got to play football. It doesn't matter what you're supposed to do if you don't do it. If I'm supposed to block somebody and I don't go block them, it doesn't matter. I think we just line up. Forget underdog. Forget favorite. Forget analytics. All that stuff. At the end of the day, you've just got to line up. You've got to beat the guy across from you."

Senior offensive lineman Evan Link had more to say about being in the position Michigan currently finds itself in.

Despite the record, Michigan is still the hunted, as it will always be. But the way he sees it, the offense has an opportunity to right the wrongs of the first eight games of the season. There are four games remaining, and two of them are the most precious to the maize and blue -- vs. MSU and at Ohio State . If the Wolverines can put it all together offensively, then the team very well could win out given just how good the defense is.

"Every time we play anybody, right, we're going to get their best shot," Link said. "Because we're Michigan, right? We have the most wins in college football, right? Especially this conference, right? It's a great conference. Everybody's a great team. And I think these last four games are just a great opportunity to continue to work.

"And obviously, things haven't gone the way we wanted to. We've lost some games in fashions that we probably shouldn't have, right? But that's just the way things go, right? The only thing we can control is what we're doing right now. And so these last four games are really the chance to let everything loose for everybody, right? Especially a game like this, right? You're saying this is definitely the opportunity to do that because this is the game where you don't want this hanging over your head. You don't want the regret of losing this game because you didn't do everything you could have. I think, like you're saying, this game is really timely in that matter because, I mean, we have four games left and two of them are our biggest rivals, right? So it's really time to cut everything loose and just go."

The final four-game stretch of November starts this Saturday with MSU coming to town. Kickoff is at 7:40 p.m. EST and will be streamed on Peacock.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football players confident they can win final four games

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by:

Michigan football players confident they can win final four games

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Michigan football draws mixed reactions after 28-21 win over Rutgers

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Kyle Whittingham reacts to Michigan's 28-21 win over Rutgers

Michigan football teammates explain why they believe in Tommy Carr

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Michigan football players confident they can win final four games

Photos: Michigan football holds off Rutgers for 28-21 road win

Kyle Whittingham looks ahead to Michigan State after Rutgers win