In their last four meetings against Western Michigan dating back to 2009, the Michigan Wolverines have won all of their games by an average of nearly 32 points. But in Kyle Whittingham’s debut as head coach, the team is struggling to even stay out in front.
Everything was going great for Michigan on their opening drive to start the season. QB Bryce Underwood looked exactly like the top prospect he was billed as, leading the Wolverines on an 11-play, 75-yard drive to score a touchdown. They gave up a field goal to the Broncos on the ensuing drive but got the ball back expecting to score and take a double-digit lead.
Instead, they punted after gaining just 17 yards. On their first drive of the second quarter, they went three-and-out. Then they did it again. And again.
Over those three drives, the Wolverines had the ball for 12 plays and picked up nine yards.
By the middle of the quarter, Whittingham appeared to be at his wit’s end and was seen grabbing his face in a facepalm that has gone viral:
College football fans are already making fun of Whittingham over how poor the team looks right now:
“12.5 million for 4 years… Not impressed,” one user remarked on X.
“FIRE KYLE WHITTINGHAM,” another declared.
“Kyle Whittingham rethinking EVERYTHING,” a third joked.
“Whittingham better have a helluva a half time speech cooking.”
“It’s going to be a long season in Ann Arbor. Whittingham might retire early.”
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Trouble in Ann Arbor?
Michigan still hold a 7-6 halftime lead and should have the talent to overcome Western Michigan in the second half. But there are certainly concerns that an upset is in the works.
The Wolverines haven’t lost to a home game to a non-power conference team since Toledo stunned them 13-10 all the way back in 2008. Whittingham doesn’t intend to suffer that same fate in his first game at the helm.
But with a game against Oklahoma – a team many consider a national title dark horse – looming next week, there’s certainly going to be a lot of nervousness unless the Wolverines can put the Broncos through a woodchipper in the second half.
