The 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Michigan played its home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and competed in the Big Ten Conference. The season was the first since the renovation of Michigan Stadium, begun in 2007, was completed. The Wolverines were led by third-year head coach Rich Rodriguez. After its week 10 win against Illinois, Michigan became bowl eligible for the first time since 2007, and later accepted a bid to play in the Gator Bowl against Mississippi State on January 1, 2011, losing 52–14. The Wolverines finished the season sixth out of 120 Division I FBS teams in total offense, 110th in total defense and 112th in passing defense. Michigan finished with an overall record of 7–6, 3–5 in Big Ten play. After the season, head coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff were dismissed on January 5, 2011.
Several individual players had standout performances. Quarterback Denard Robinson set several school records, became the first quarterback in college football history to rush and pass for 1,500 yards, and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. He surpassed Drew Brees' single-season Big Ten Conference total offense record and the FBS single-season quarterback rushing record. He also won the 2010 Big Ten rushing title, the Chicago Tribune Silver Football for being the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player, and was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year.
Jonas Mouton was the Big Ten's statistical champion in tackles, while Jordan Kovacs finished second. In conference games alone, Roy Roundtree led the conference in receiving yards per game, in part on the strength of a school single-game record 246-yard outing against Illinois. Reserve quarterback Tate Forcier also set a school single-game completion percentage record with a 12-for-12 performance against Bowling Green. The defense also set several records, including most points allowed and yards allowed.
Preseason
In 2009, the Wolverines started out 4–0, but finished the season 5–7 and missed a bowl game for the second year in a row. Michigan finished the season seventh in the Big Ten in total offense and ninth in total defense.
The team entered the season surrounded by questions of how they would overcome the late season collapse from last year and what it would take for Rich Rodriguez to return for a fourth year. On January 5, Michigan hired Dave Brandon to replace Bill Martin as its athletic director. Martin had previously announced his retirement during the 2009 season. Reaction to the hire was positive, but the hire also brought increased scrutiny upon Rich Rodriguez, as Brandon made it clear that he would do whatever was necessary to turn the program around from its recent slump.
The team also faced uncertainty relating to who would be the starting quarterback. While it was expected that Tate Forcier would retain his starting job, the build-up to the season led to a quarterback controversy that turned into a three-way battle between Forcier, Denard Robinson, and highly touted recruit Devin Gardner. On defense, Michigan installed a new 3–3–5 formation that the coaches hoped would better suit the players currently on the team. Michigan lost several key players from the previous season, including DE Brandon Graham, the 2009 Big Ten defensive Most Valuable Player, RB's Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown, LB Stevie Brown, and CB Donovan Warren. Michigan suffered a severe blow to its defensive secondary during fall practice, as starting CB Troy Woolfolk suffered a dislocated ankle that ended his season before it began.
Recruiting
Position key
Recruits
Preseason award watch lists
Michigan began the season with five players listed on prominent watch lists. Junior Kevin Koger was listed on the John Mackey Award list for tight ends. Redshirt sophomore Roy Roundtree was listed on the Fred Biletnikoff Award list for wide receivers. Fifth-year senior Stephen Schilling was listed on the Outland Trophy list for lineman. Redshirt junior David Molk was named to the Rimington Trophy list for centers. Fifth-year senior Jonas Mouton was listed on the Butkus Award watch list for linebackers.
Rankings
*Source: ESPN.com: 2010 NCAA Football Rankings
Schedule
The schedule is as follows: