UCF to visit Michigan in 2016

UCF will travel to the "Big House" to play Michigan on Sept. 10, 2016, the school announced Wednesday.

News of the game initially leaked last week when the Big Ten inadvertently released future conference schedules that included unannounced non-conference games.

Michigan Stadium is the largest venue in the United States with an official listed capacity of 109,901, though more than 115,000 squeezed in earlier this year for their game against Notre Dame. They've drawn more than 100,000 fans for every home game since Nov. 1975, a streak of more than 200 games.

It will be a one-time game in Ann Arbor without a return trip to Orlando.

The arrangement will be mutually beneficial, according to an athletic department source. Michigan is looking to beef up its strength of schedule for the upcoming College Football Playoff (they also have added future games with Cincinnati and SMU) and UCF needs additional revenue due to the American Athletic Conference television contract shortfall.

The schools have not released financial terms, but UCF will likely receive in excess of $1 million dollars for their appearance. Michigan routinely pays in the $1M range for guarantee games, including a $1.2M fee they'll pay to Miami-Ohio in 2014 according to a report last month in the Toledo Blade.

The Knights and Wolverines have never met, though Big Ten opponents have been making regular appearances on UCF's schedule. Last year, UCF lost a 31-16 road decision to Ohio State, a team that would end finish the season with an undefeated record. The Knights upended Penn State 34-31 in Happy Valley on Sept. 14 of this year and the two schools will meet again in Dublin, Ireland for the 2014 season opener.

UCF is 5-1 this season with a No. 21 ranking in the AP Top 25, No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 23 in the BCS rankings. Michigan (6-1) is currently ranked No. 24 in the AP, No. 23 in the Coaches and No. 22 in the BCS.

UCF's future non-conference games

2014

Aug. 30: Penn State (at Dublin, Ireland)

Sept. 6: FIU

Sept. 13: at Missouri

Oct. 11: BYU

2015

Sept. 26: at South Carolina

TBA: at FIU

2016

Sept. 10: at Michigan

Sept. 17: FIU

2017

Sept. 9: at Texas

2018, 2019

TBA

2020

Sept. 19: Maryland

2021

Sept. 18: at Maryland