The 2015 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines competed in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference, and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his first season.

Michigan's first game under Harbaugh was a road game against Utah, which the Wolverines lost 17–24. The team won their three remaining non-conference games in dominant fashion, including a 31–0 victory over then-No. 22 BYU, which was just Michigan's second victory over a ranked opponent in their previous 11 tries. This was the first season since 2002 in which Michigan didn't play Notre Dame either home or away. That game was the first in a series of three straight shutout victories, including a 38–0 victory over then-No. 13 Northwestern, the first three-game shutout streak for Michigan since 1980. Michigan rose to 12th in the polls, but fell to in-state rival Michigan State 27–23 after the Spartans returned a muffed punt for a touchdown on the last play of the game. The Wolverines won their remaining Big Ten games before a blow-out loss to rival Ohio State to end the regular season 6–2 in Big Ten play, to finish in third place in the East Division. Michigan was invited to the Citrus Bowl, where they defeated Florida, 41–7, to finish the year with a record of 10–3, and were ranked 12th in the final AP Poll. It was Michigan's first 10-win season since 2011. The team was the first Michigan team to go undefeated on the road in conference play since the national champion 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team.

Offensively, Michigan was led by quarterback Jake Rudock, a transfer from Iowa, who led the Big Ten in pass completion percentage (64%), and was the first Michigan quarterback to eclipse 3,000 yards passing since John Navarre in 2003. Tight end Jake Butt received the Kwalick-Clark Award as the Big Ten's tight end of the year. On defense, linebacker Jabrill Peppers was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was joined on the All-Big Ten first team by cornerback Jourdan Lewis.

Preseason In 2014, Michigan compiled a 5–7 record and was not bowl eligible for the first time since 2009. As a result of the team's poor record, head coach Brady Hoke was fired on December 2. His job status had been in jeopardy since September 28, 2014 when QB Shane Morris was reinserted after a concussion. On December 30, following a much publicized coaching search, Michigan announced the hiring of San Francisco 49ers coach and former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh as the 20th head coach in the program's history. Harbaugh hired D. J. Durkin for the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach positions and Tim Drevno for the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach positions. In addition to the co-ordinator positions, Harbaugh also hired John Baxter to coach special teams, former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, Jim Harbaugh's son Jay as the tight ends coach, Greg Jackson and Mike Zordich as the secondary coaches, Kevin Tolbert as the strength and conditioning coach, and former running back Tyrone Wheatley—who won a Rose Bowl while playing at Michigan—to coach the running backs. Michigan also retained Greg Mattison from Hoke's staff as the defensive line coach.

Recruiting

Recruits Michigan's recruiting class consisted of a total of 14 recruits.

Rankings

Schedule

Radio Radio coverage for all games was broadcast statewide on The Michigan IMG Sports Network and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The radio announcers were Jim Brandstatter with play-by-play, Dan Dierdorf with color commentary, and Doug Karsch with sideline reports.

Game summaries

At Utah

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To open the season, Michigan faced the Utah Utes. Utah dominated the previous meeting, winning 26–10 in a game that featured an almost two-and-a-half hour weather delay. After a starting quarterback was not named during the team's preseason, Michigan chose to start graduate transfer Jake Rudock over the returning junior Shane Morris.

Utah defeated Michigan, 24–17. Utah opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 30-yard field goal from Andy Phillips. Michigan responded in the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal from Kenny Allen, but Utah regained the lead via a one-yard touchdown run from Devontae Booker and went into half-time leading 10–3. Utah extended its lead in the third quarter to 14 points via a 14-yard touchdown run from Travis Wilson, but Michigan responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jake Rudock to Jake Butt. Utah regained its 14-point advantage in the fourth quarter when Justin Thomas intercepted Rudock and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown, but Michigan once again reduced Utah's lead to seven points with a ten-yard touchdown pass from Rudock to Amara Darboh. Utah recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to complete its victory.

Jake Rudock completed 27 of his 43 pass attempts for 279 yards and two touchdowns and three interceptions. De'Veon Smith ran 17 times for 47 yards, while Jake Butt recorded eight receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Joe Bolden recorded his 200th career tackle during the game, and Michigan's defense as a whole recorded nine tackles for a loss. The announced attendance of 47,825 was the largest crowd in the history of Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Vs. Oregon State

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Following its game against Utah, Michigan hosted Oregon State for its home opener. This was the first meeting between the two schools since 1986, when Michigan defeated Oregon State 31–12 as Jim Harbaugh (then Michigan's quarterback) accounted for three touchdowns: two passing and one rushing.

After falling behind early in the first quarter, Michigan rallied to defeat Oregon State 35–7. Oregon State opened the scoring on its first drive of the game, moving the ball 79 yards in seven plays and scoring on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Seth Collins to Hunter Jarmon. Following Oregon State's touchdown, Michigan dominated the game on both offense and defense. After the teams traded fumbles in the first quarter, Michigan reduced Oregon State's lead to four points via a 40-yard field goal from Kenny Allen, and took the lead in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from De'Veon Smith. Michigan added to its lead shortly before halftime with another one-yard touchdown run from Smith, giving it a 17–7 at half-time. Michigan added a 29-yard field goal in the third quarter, before finishing the scoring in the fourth quarter with an eight-yard touchdown run from Smith—and a two-point conversion pass from Rudock to Smith—and a two-yard touchdown run from Derrick Green.

Michigan dominated Oregon State in all statistical categories, out-gaining the Beavers 405–138 in yardage. Michigan rushed for 225 yards on 48 attempts, while Oregon State only managed 59 yards on 33 attempts. Oregon State only converted one first down out of 13 attempts on either third or fourth down. Oregon State gained 136 of its 138 yards of offense in the first quarter, before being shut down by the Wolverines defense and only gaining two total yards in the final three quarters. Inc contrast, Michigan gained 357 yards during the final three quarters. Smith rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs. The win was Jim Harbaugh's first win as coach at Michigan, while Michigan improved its record in home openers to 113–18–2.

Vs. UNLV

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Following the game against Oregon State, Michigan hosted the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels. This was the first ever meeting between the two programs.

Michigan defeated UNLV, 28–7. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter with a five-yard touchdown pass from Jake Rudock to De'Veon Smith and added to its lead in the second quarter with a 36-yard touchdown run from Jehu Chesson and a 76-yard touchdown run from Ty Isaac. After neither team scored in the third quarter, Michigan added to its lead with a one-yard touchdown run from Sione Houma. UNLV responded with a six-yard touchdown pass from Blake Decker to Devonte Boyd, which ended the scoring.

Isaac's 76-yard touchdown run was Michigan's longest since Denard Robinson went for 79 yards against Air Force in 2012 and the longest by a Wolverine running back since Carlos Brown went 90 yards against Eastern Michigan in 2009. The run was also his career long. Houma and Chesson both recorded the first rushing touchdowns of their respective careers. The attendance of over 100,000 was Michigan's 260th consecutive game of over 100,000 in attendance. Michigan's defense held UNLV to only 92 yards of rushing offense.

Vs. BYU

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Following its game against UNLV, Michigan faced the Brigham Young (BYU) Cougars. This was the first meeting between the schools since the 1984 Holiday Bowl, which saw BYU defeat Michigan to clinch that season's national championship.

Michigan defeated BYU, 31–0. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown run from Jake Rudock and then scored 24 points in the second quarter. Rudock completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Amara Darboh, followed by a 60-yard touchdown run from De'Veon Smith. Rudock added his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 17-yard run, and Kenny Allen added the final points of the game on a 40-yard field goal near the end of the first half. Neither team added any points in the second half.

The win over BYU marked Michigan's first win over a ranked opponent since defeating Notre Dame 41–30 on September 7, 2013, and it was its first shutout against a ranked opponent since defeating Notre Dame 38–0 on September 13, 2003. It was Michigan's first shutout since Illinois in 2012, and the first time BYU had been shut out since a game against Utah in 2003. Michigan's defense held BYU's offense to only 105 yards of total offense. The 55 yards of rushing offense was BYU's lowest total since another Utah game (in 2011) when it only rushed for 11 yards.

At Maryland

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After its game against BYU, Michigan began the Big Ten portion of its schedule at Maryland. Maryland won the previous meeting 23–16. The game's original kickoff time of 8:00 p.m. was moved forward by eight hours to noon in order to avoid the potential impact of Hurricane Joaquin.

Michigan defeated Maryland, 28–0. After neither team scored in the first quarter, Michigan opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal by Kenny Allen. Michigan added to its lead with a 32-yard field goal from Allen near the end of the first half, giving Michigan a 6–0 lead at half-time. Michigan added to its lead in the third quarter with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Jake Rudock to Drake Johnson, and then added a two-point conversion via a Rudock pass to Khalid Hill. Michigan added to its lead with a 66-yard touchdown run from Jehu Chesson before Johnson added the final points of the game in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run, his second of the game.

The win marked Michigan's first consecutive shutouts since 2000, when Michigan shut out Indiana after shutting out Michigan State the previous week. Michigan's defense forced 12 three-and-outs, and had, as of the end of the game, shut out opponents in 14 of the last 16 quarters it had played. Blake O'Neill placed a punt within the opponent's five yard line for the fourth time in five games. Jourdan Lewis and Desmond Morgan recorded their first interceptions of the season, while Jeremy Clark recorded his third of the year.

Vs. Northwestern

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Following its game against Maryland, Michigan hosted the Northwestern Wildcats for its homecoming game. Michigan won the previous meeting 10–9 in a turnover filled game by stopping Northwestern's attempted go-ahead two-point conversion with three seconds remaining in the game.