Michigan football adjusts dates for several games to start 2027

Michigan's athletic department has announced several date changes for the 2027 football season, after the NCAA recently decided to start next season a week earlier.

Michigan has moved its 2027 season opener at home against Buffalo to Aug. 28, its second game at Texas to Sept. 4 and its third game at home against Eastern Michigan to Sept. 11.

The games had been originally scheduled for a week later, Sept. 4, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18, 2027, respectively.

Michigan made the announcement Thursday, Sept. 3.

The NCAA made recommendations for the calendar change last week, and the changes are expected to go into effect for the 2027 season when the Division I Cabinet meets to approve them during its meeting next month.

The change to the calendar will allow each football team a second bye week.

The state's other Football Bowl Subdivision schools, including Michigan State, are expected to announce date changes for 2027 in the coming days and weeks, as well.

The 2026 college football season largely kicks off this week, though there were several games last week, in what has been referred to as "Week Zero," including Eastern Michigan's 28-17 victory over Sacramento State.