The 2020 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines played in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was coached by sixth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The season was played amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Ten Conference initially canceled the fall sports season, on August 11, 2020, but reversed course on September 16, announcing an eight-game conference-only schedule. Michigan's previously scheduled nonconference games against Washington, Ball State, and Arkansas State were canceled due to the pandemic. Precautions were taken to promote player, staff, and fan safety, including regular COVID-19 testing, isolation requirements, and mask wearing; games were largely played with no fans in attendance.
Michigan began the year ranked 16th in the preseason AP Poll. In the season's opening game against then-No. 21 Minnesota, Michigan won, on the road, 49–24. After rising to 13th in the polls, Michigan was upset by unranked in-state rival Michigan State. After losing two more games against ranked opponents Indiana and Wisconsin, Michigan won a triple-overtime game against Rutgers, and lost to Penn State the following week. Michigan's final three conference games, against Maryland, Ohio State, and Iowa, were canceled due to COVID-19 outbreaks. While the NCAA's win requirements for bowl eligibility were lifted for the season, Michigan was not selected to a bowl game for the first time since 2014, ending the season with a 2–4 record.
Quarterback Joe Milton began the season as the team's starting quarterback, but by the end of the season he had been replaced by backup Cade McNamara. The team's leading rusher was Hassan Haskins, with 375 yards, and the team's leading receiver was Ronnie Bell with 401 receiving yards. On defense, lineman Kwity Paye led the team in tackles-for-loss and was named second-team all-conference. Linebacker Josh Ross led the team in tackles.
Preseason
Coaching changes
It was announced a day after the Citrus Bowl that safeties coach and special teams coordinator Chris Partridge accepted a co-defensive coordinator role at Ole Miss.
Coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of all University of Michigan athletic activities during the spring of 2020, including the football team's annual spring game. The pandemic also led to cancellation of the team's international trip for the first time since 2016.
On July 9, the Big Ten Conference announced that it would adopt "a conference-only season" for all sports due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision resulted in the cancellation of the first three games of Michigan's 2020 season against Washington, Ball State, and Arkansas State.
On August 11, the Big Ten announced that all fall sports, including football, would be indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19. The conference allowed for the possibility of competition in these sports to begin in the spring. However, the conference later announced the season would begin on October 23, with a schedule to be announced on September 19.
Recruiting
Michigan signed a total of 21 recruits in its 2020 recruiting class, including eight that enrolled early. The class was ranked 10th in the nation by 247Sports and 11th in the nation by Rivals.com.
Schedule
Michigan was originally scheduled to play non-conference games against Washington, Ball State, and Arkansas State; and conference games against Ohio State, Maryland, and Iowa. However those games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Ten Conference announced on July 9 that if the conference is to participate in a fall sports season, member schools will play a conference-only schedule. The Big Ten announced a revised schedule on August 5, which was scrapped when the conference announced postponement of the season on August 11. A new schedule was released on September 19.
Rankings
Radio
Radio coverage for all games was broadcast statewide on the Michigan Sports Network and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and online via TuneIn. The radio announcers are Jim Brandstatter with play-by-play, Dan Dierdorf with color commentary, and Doug Karsch with sideline reports.
Game summaries
At Minnesota
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On October 24, Michigan opened its season with a 49–24 victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Michigan retained the Little Brown Jug trophy in a rivalry that had not been contested since 2017.