On Friday, the Air Force Falcons and Michigan Wolverines agreed to play Sept. 8, 2012 in Ann Arbor, Mich. with the Wolverines shelling out $1.1 million to bring in the Falcons. The deal took some time since Air Force was uncertain if they would be playing eight or nine conference games since the Mountain West is going to have 10 teams starting in 2012.
Michigan's Athletic Director David Brandon was very persistent in trying to get Air Force to play Michigan and once the Mountain West announced that in 2012 and 2013 they would be playing eight conference games the negotiations moved forward with Air Force's Athletic Director Hans Mueh agreeing to play at Michigan:
"They kept pushing and calling and asking," Mueh said. "I got the sense they really wanted us and were going to make it a special event. We're excited. It's a great opportunity to play in the Big House. "We were honored to do that. Dave Brandon was up front about it and said, "We respect Air Force and want you to come play here.' It [sic] was very honored for them to pursue us the way they did."
This finalizes the Falcons non-conference schedule with their usual games against Army and Navy with the final game being against Idaho State the week prior to playing Michigan.