The two teams, both having varying degrees of disappointing results thus far in 2026, face off on Saturday in Eugene, and despite the lack of history between the two programs, there's some bad blood rapidly brewing.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.It started thanks to already-embattled Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham.His first season in Ann Arbor has been, to put it mildly, well below expectations.
While at Utah, the 66-year-old was known for being a calm, steady voice of leadership who seemed to always win the games he needed to win.The Utes punched well above their historical weight, and his penchant for stability.
Whittingham was in Salt Lake City for 32 years, looked like a perfect fit for a Michigan program coming off years of turmoil.MICHIGAN'S NEW HEAD COACH POURS COLD WATER ON OHIO STATE RIVALRY: 'HATE IS A STRONG WORD'Head coach Kyle Whittingham of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)But the Wolverines' struggles started almost immediately.
Whittingham dismissed the importance of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry game, which put him on the wrong foot with most fans.Then the Wolverines required some questionable clock management from the replay review crew to pull out a miraculous 13-12 comeback win over Western Michigan.
They rebounded to beat Oklahoma the following week, but lost to Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana from late September to late October.Their offense has been dismal all season, culminating in an awful 15-6 loss to Michigan State last on November 7.Instead of progressing in his second year as a starter, Bryce Underwood has ranged from disappointing to unacceptably bad.
To the point where Whi...