Michigan's disastrous performance against Michigan State raises serious questions about Kyle Whittingham's future

Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Michigan's disastrous performance against Michigan State raises serious questions about Kyle Whittingham's future

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 7, 2026 11:50 PM ET

Sometimes in the world of college football, a program gets its head-coaching search wrong.

It appears that may be the case in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the Michigan Wolverines are putting together one of their worst offensive seasons in recent memory, begging the question of how long Kyle Whittingham will last as head coach.

Michigan was embarrassed on its home field

The horrific offensive season continued Saturday night with a 15-6 loss at home to in-state rival Michigan State, who entered Saturday with a 2-6 record.

It was the first time since 2013 that Michigan State knocked off Michigan without an offensive touchdown and the first time since 1965 the Spartans won without a touchdown at all.

The Michigan offense managed just 192 total yards while turning the ball over four times and missing a field goal. The lone six points came on a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining when the game was already out of reach.

The disastrous performance completely summed up what the offense has looked like throughout the entirety of the season.

PAUL IS COMING HOME pic.twitter.com/ckCRvtWRQl
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) November 8, 2026

Michigan is 2nd Big Ten team since 2020 to have 0 points and less than 115 yards of offense thru 3 quarters in a home conference game. Wisconsin did it in 34-0 loss to Ohio State last year
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 8, 2026

Michigan has allowed 0 TDs in regulation in its last 2 home games. Wolverines lost both games (13-6 in OT to Indiana, 15-6 to Michigan State).
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 8, 2026

Where does Michigan go from here?

It's clear that even despite a switch at quarterback from Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr, Michigan's offense isn't improving in the slightest.

Whether that falls on coaching or player performance, it is not a standard that fans and donors are going to tolerate. In the world of NIL money being needed, the leash for coaches is much shorter and changes happen much faster than in the past.

With three games remaining against ranked opponents, the Wolverines will have a tall task in becoming bowl eligible. Missing a bowl game for the first time since the 2014 may be what it takes for Michigan to move off Whittingham after just one disastrous season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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