The 2026 UMTailgate Themes
/Year two in the Tailgate House. Year one of Whit. LFG.
9/5 – Western Michigan – 7:30 PM – The Natty
Nothing like a nighttime kickoff to kick off four straight home games in September.
We'll start by celebrating the other Michigan team that has won a national championship: Michigan Basketball. Did you know that Michigan has won a national championship in both football and basketball more recently than Michigan State has made a bowl game in football? Funny because it's true.
We'll celebrate the road to the Final Four with signature dishes from Chicago, Buffalo, and Indianapolis before 7:30 p.m. rolls around and we forget basketball exists until after the New Year.
9/12 – Oklahoma – Noon – Frank's Diner
The game that will mean too much either way comes early this year. A win, and we're on the path to greatness. A loss, and Whit doesn't understand Michigan culture, and the Ann Arbor torch-and-pitchfork crowd will begin the RichRod-like proceedings.
WHY IS THIS GAME AT NOON?!?!
Forced into breakfast mode, the theme will be an homage to my favorite little downtown Ann Arbor diner, aptly named Frank's.
9/19 – UTEP – 3:30 PM – The Old El Paso
I wish they were all 3:30 kicks.
We're bringing your '80s mom's hard-shell taco vibes with an all-day run of Mexican food... minus the Taylor Farms lettuce.
9/26 – Iowa – TBD – The Oktoberfest
Ferentz and the corn people come to town with their historically embarrassing offense, pretending we have a rivalry while offering up the last of the corn harvest.
Think waving at the hospital is heartwarming? Just wait until the third quarter in the Big House, when they cut the music during the critical part of our anthem about a cuck watching his girl with another dude. Won't be a dry eye in the place.
EYEROLL.
Timing-wise, the end of September is Oktoberfest season, so we'll dust off the boots, eat some brats, and make Godfather wear lederhosen.
10/3 – at Minnesota – TBD
10/10 – BYE
10/17 – Penn State – TBD – The Bear
We did this one four years ago to great success, and now we've got four more TV seasons of food to pull from.
Kickoff-time permitting, we'll have Chicago Italian beef, Syd's short ribs, and Family Meal spaghetti before taking the field against the other new coach who is seemingly under no pressure whatsoever compared to ours.
10/24 – Indiana – TBD – The Rome
The reigning national champs come to town with their Italian (is he?) coach, so we're going Italian for the day and reminding this mid-tier program who they are.
10/31 – at Rutgers – TBD
11/7 – Michigan State – TBD – The White Trash
We want them to feel welcome, right?
The theme fits the opponent.
Smirnoff Ices, Rochester Garbage Plates, and a Pat Fitzgerald Car Wash to walk through.
11/14 – at Oregon – TBD
11/21 – UCLA – TBD – The Coté
Home finale.
Our traditional steak-and-lobster tailgate with a touch of Korean BBQ.
