The 1961 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In its third year under head coach Bump Elliott, Michigan compiled a 6–3 record (3–3 against conference opponents), finished in sixth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a combined total of 212 to 163. After opening the season with convincing wins over No. 9 UCLA (29–6) and Army (38–8), Michigan was ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll. The team fell from the rankings after being shut out by Michigan State (0–28) the following week.