Kyle Whittingham still doesn't get "The Game." After having previously said that he doesn't hate Ohio State or Ryan Day, Whittingham was on the defensive again on Monday as fall camp rolled on in Ann Arbor.
Whittingham doubled down on the idea that he doesn't have to "hate" the Buckeyes to lead the Wolverines to a win this November at the "Shoe."
“Do we have a better chance of winning if I hated them? I don’t understand. Whatever gives us the best chance to win, I’m all for it. I want to beat them worse than anybody," Whittingham said to reporters.
No, you do not understand, Coach Whittingham. The more TTUN's new voice continues to obfuscate the rivalry mindset toward OSU, the likelier it is that there won't be the same edge from the Maize and Blue this fall.
Is Kyle Whittingham cut out for this?
Whittingham is almost there. You do need that extra edge in a rivalry game as fierce as "The Game." Whittingham is used to snowy weather where fans are hostile, but it's different when a CFP spot is on the line. BYU-Utah wasn't that kind of rivalry.
On the recruiting trail, "The Game" rivalry is a battle for all the top recruits in the region. Utah is a talent-rich state, but the Buckeye State and Wolverine State often offer elite prospects. Navigating the specifics of this rivalry is a must.
These recruits should expect rival hate on the trail. Underselling it doesn't project to be an effective long-term strategy, especially if the other side is still moving forward as if it's the biggest rivalry in the sport.
Kyle Whittingham can look like a boss by classily beating Buckeyes
On the flip side, Whittingham could look like a boss with a first-year win in "The Game" from inside enemy territory with this attitude. Downplaying hating Ohio State and then beating them with a smile on his face could make Whittingham look like a demon, quite frankly.
Whittingham's comments about the Buckeyes and Day were always rooted in respect. There's some sick reverse psychology at play if he can tell the opponent how much he admires them and then hand them a loss.
Is it possible? Faintly. TTUN is a two-score underdog in that game, and based on how difficult the schedule is for Ohio State, perhaps that game will be a must-win for the Buckeyes. Then again, Ohio State is welcoming a second coordinator who was a long-time NFL coach, as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith joins defensive coordinator Matt Patricia on the most stacked coaching staff in college football. The overall talent level is higher in Columbus, and there's much more certainty under center with Julian Sayin than with Bryce Underwood.
We'll see how this one unfolds. Whittingham hasn't taken any official losses yet, but narratively, he took a big one at the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days. It's why he's still asked about his comments, and why he still gets so defensive about them.
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