How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Oregon

Game 10: Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Michigan at Oregon | Autzen Stadium | 3:30 p.m. ET

The Wolverines are heading west, and this week's matchup comes with a little unfinished business.

Michigan visits No. 18 Oregon on Saturday for just its second trip to Autzen Stadium. After a rivalry-week loss to Michigan State, the Wolverines will look to rebound against a Ducks program that has won the teams' last three meetings.

Beyond football, Ann Arbor and Eugene share some unexpected business connections, from the brands on the players' uniforms to products in your kitchen and tools inside research labs. Here is how the two communities connect and compare.

Ann Arbor & Eugene Connections

• A Swoosh, a Jumpman, and an Oregon Origin Story: Nike's roots run through Eugene, where Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and runner Phil Knight built the partnership behind the sportswear giant. Michigan added its own chapter in 2016, becoming the first college or professional football team to wear Nike's Jordan Brand. Different logos, connected history.
• Familiar Brands, Local Roots: Your kitchen might already have a connection to both regions. Eugene produces Yogi teas, while Chelsea, in Washtenaw County, is home to Chelsea Milling Company, maker of "JIFFY" Mix. Both familiar brands connect grocery shelves across the country to local manufacturing.
• The Businesses Behind Scientific Breakthroughs: Both communities help supply the tools behind scientific discovery. Eugene's Molecular Probes, now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, developed fluorescent technologies that help researchers study cells and molecules. Ann Arbor's Essen BioScience became part of Sartorius in 2017, paving the way for its $100 million bioanalytics center in Ann Arbor. Both show how locally developed expertise can grow into a global business presence.
  

On the Field

The all-time series is tied 3-3, but the wins have arrived in two very different chapters. Michigan won the first three meetings in 1948, 1960, and 1973. Oregon answered with victories in 2003, 2007, and 2024, most recently beating the Wolverines 38-17 in Ann Arbor.

Saturday is only their second meeting as Big Ten opponents. Michigan brings a defense ranked fourth nationally in both total defense and passing yards allowed, giving the Wolverines a strength to lean on as they pursue their first win in Eugene.

Off the Field

Eugene has about 179,000 residents compared with Ann Arbor's 122,000. Nearly 78% of Ann Arbor adults age 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 45% in Eugene.

Ann Arbor's overall cost of living is about 14% lower than Eugene's, while its median household income is higher: approximately $82,200 compared with $66,600.

The universities show a different relationship in size than their host cities. U-M enrolled approximately 52,900 students in fall 2024, more than twice Oregon's roughly 24,400. Michigan ranks No. 3 among public universities in the 2027 U.S. News rankings, compared with Oregon at No. 55. U-M also ranks No. 6 in undergraduate engineering and No. 4 in undergraduate business, while Oregon's business program ranks No. 50.

Research investment further illustrates Michigan's scale. In fiscal year 2025, U-M reported $2.16 billion in research expenditures, while Oregon reported $125 million in sponsored research expenditures. The universities use different reporting measures, with Michigan's total also including university-funded research. In Ann Arbor, that investment helps support new technologies, business formation, and industry partnerships.

The Bigger Picture

Eugene has more residents, but Ann Arbor pairs a larger university with a greater concentration of college graduates, substantially more research investment, and a lower overall cost of living. Together, those advantages make a strong case for businesses evaluating talent and growth opportunities in the Ann Arbor region.

On Saturday, the comparison comes down to one number: which team gets win No. 4 in the series?

Go Blue!

Considering a location or expansion in the Ann Arbor region? Our business development team can connect you with the data, resources, and local insights you need to evaluate Washtenaw County.