Michigan coach says playoff hopes are gone as Wolverines face rival Spartans
Kyle Whittingham admits the team is out of the conference race after eight games, but points to a top-five defense while preparing for a difficult stretch.
By Bianca Herrera ·
The University of Michigan football team is no longer in contention for a College Football Playoff spot or a Big Ten conference title. Head coach Kyle Whittingham told reporters on Monday that the team is out of the race, ending any realistic hopes for a postseason appearance this season.
The Wolverines entered the season ranked fifth in the conference by preseason voters, trailing Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and USC. That early position was built on the assumption that the team would be competitive by November. Whittingham acknowledged on Monday that the current situation is not as meaningful as the coaching staff would prefer. He noted that only unusual circumstances would allow Michigan to rejoin the conference race.
Michigan holds a 5-3 record overall and a 2-3 mark in Big Ten play. The team dropped its last three games by combined scores of 20-19 against Iowa, 20-14 at Minnesota, and 13-6 in overtime to Indiana. The offense ranks 127th nationally through eight games, a struggle that has been complicated by the use of a freshman quarterback.
Despite the offensive difficulties, the defensive unit has performed at an elite level. Michigan ranks third in the nation in yards allowed per game at 250 and sixth in yards per play at 4.3. The team has allowed more than 20 points in just one game this season, a 28-21 win over Rutgers last Saturday. Whittingham credited the defense with keeping the team within striking distance in every contest.
The coaching staff is now focusing on securing a bowl game berth as the primary goal. Whittingham described the team's motivation as rooted in the competitive nature of the sport and the desire to win. He stated that the offense showed signs of improvement in the recent loss to Indiana, which he identified as the team's best offensive performance of the year.
The Wolverines play in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Peacock. The Spartans feature the 134th-ranked offense in the country and are missing several starters on their 64th-ranked defense. Whittingham expressed hope that the team can use this matchup to build momentum before facing a tougher schedule.
Following the game against Michigan State, the team travels to Oregon. They will then host undefeated No. 8 UCLA before concluding the regular season at Ohio State. Whittingham said the team understands they are behind schedule in development but remains focused on providing a quality product for fans despite the early-season struggles.
