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Michigan Football
The Winningest Program
The Blue Print
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The Winningest Program
College Football’s Winningest Program
Michigan Football has won more games than any other program in college football history. The Wolverines lead the nation in wins (1,021) and are fourth in all-time winning percentage (.7322).
Michigan became the first program in history to reach 1,000 wins with its 31-24 victory over Maryland on Nov. 18, 2023. U-M is the only program to eclipse the 1,000-win plateau.
| Top 5 FBS Schools by Wins | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Michigan | 1,021-362-36 | .7322 |
| 2. Ohio State | 990-337-53 | .7366 |
| 3. Alabama | 984-345-43 | .7329 |
| 4. Notre Dame | 972-342-42 | .7323 |
| 5. Texas | 971-396-33 | .7054 |
Champions
12 National Championships
Michigan has claimed 12 national championships in program history. The Wolverines currently rank fifth all-time in titles, trailing Yale (18), Alabama (16), Princeton (15) and Notre Dame (13).
U-M won three championships in the poll era (since 1936) and one in the College Football Playoff era, earning the title in 2023.
1901 · 1902 · 1903 · 1904 · 1918 · 1923 · 1932 · 1933 · 1947 · 1948 · 1997 · 2023
College Football Playoff appearances: 2021, 2022, 2023
Conference
45 Big Ten Championships
Michigan has claimed a Big Ten-leading 45 championships, including three straight outright titles with victories in the conference championship game (2021-22-23).
The Wolverines are third in all of college football in terms of conference titles won, trailing only Oklahoma (50) and Nebraska (46). Both programs won their titles as members of the Big 8 and Big 12 conferences.
| Big Ten Championships | |
|---|---|
| 1. Michigan | 45 |
| 2. Ohio State | 38 |
| 3. Minnesota | 18 |
Since 1879
147th Season
Michigan Football begins its 147th season of gridiron action in 2026. The sixth-oldest football program in NCAA history, the Wolverines are in their 143rd year of uninterrupted action, with 1882 being the only season that the program did not play any varsity games.
The Michigan program was established in 1879 when a group of 13 men fielded the first football team in school history and played a pair of off-campus games; defeated Racine 1-0 at White Stocking Park in Chicago, Ill., on May 30, 1879, for the first victory in school history and tied Toronto (0-0) to finish the year 1-0-1.
Postseason
Bowl Games
The Wolverines list among the Top FBS teams in both bowl game appearances and victories. Michigan made its 54th bowl appearance during the 2025 season, and ranks 11th in all-time appearances. The Maize and Blue have played in 13 different bowl games during its history, winning 24 contests, which lists tied for 16th among FBS schools.
The Wolverines are fifth among current Big Ten schools in both appearances and victories.
2026 Michigan Football
