Whittingham embraces Michigan challenge, names favorite Ann Arbor restaurant

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Kyle Whittingham has spent his first eight months getting to know Michigan, from its alumni base to its restaurant scene, and he's ready for the Wolverines' season opener Saturday against Western Michigan at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

The former Utah head coach, who spent 32 years with the Utes program, compared the first game of his Michigan tenure to unwrapping a present. He also addressed injuries, team goals, analytics, and the daunting schedule ahead.

How is Whittingham adjusting to life in Ann Arbor?

Whittingham arrived in Ann Arbor in late December after more than three decades in Utah. Since then, he's made it a mission to connect with the Michigan community.

He told reporters Monday he's sampled nearly every restaurant in town.

I won't give any comments, although Sava's is really good,

Whittingham said, naming his favorite spot so far.

Beyond dining, the coach has participated in charity events, golf tournaments, and a coast-to-coast alumni tour.

Pretty much everything I was asked to do, I did this year,

he said.

It's amazing how many Michigan people are out there. Everywhere I go, out of the state, it's, 'Go Blue!'

Michigan consistently ranks among the top three universities in the country for living alumni, a point Whittingham noted.

It's been a really busy summer,

he said.

But I've spent it mostly trying to get to know people and let people know who I am.

How much will Whittingham rely on analytics?

When asked about his offensive aggressiveness and use of analytics, Whittingham said he leans on data but isn't bound by it.

We lean on analytics quite a bit — or I do. I have in the past,

Whittingham said.

And it's not absolute. If I get a gut feeling one way or the other, I don't follow by the book and that's it. There's times where we deviate from that.

At Utah last season, the Utes went for it on fourth down 25 times, tied for 62nd nationally out of 136 FBS teams, according to cfbstats.com. They converted 13 times, a rate tied for 23rd best in the country.

Whittingham faced criticism after Utah's 24-21 loss to BYU last season, when the Utes went 0 for 3 on fourth down. His response at the time was blunt.

First of all, if you think you're smarter than analytics, you're not,

he told reporters.

Anybody out there, if you think you've got a better grasp of the game and strategy than the analytics do, you don't.

Now at Michigan, Whittingham expects the Wolverines to land in the middle of the pack nationally in fourth-down aggressiveness, possibly leaning slightly toward the more aggressive end.

What does Michigan's 2026 schedule look like?

Michigan's schedule is among the toughest in the nation. Phil Steele ranks it second hardest, while CBS Sports places it fourth.

Based on the preseason AP poll, the Wolverines host No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 22 Iowa, No. 18 Penn State, and No. 6 Indiana. They travel to face No. 2 Oregon and No. 1 Ohio State.

Big Ten analyst Jake Butt recently noted on the Wolverine Confidential podcast that Michigan could improve this season yet still finish with the same 9-3 regular-season record as last year.

Whittingham didn't wait for the full question about the schedule before responding.

Bring it on,

he said.

Yeah, no complaints, no whining. We'll be there every single week. It's the Big Ten. I don't think there's ever going to be a year where the schedule's a piece of cake. I just don't foresee that.

The Wolverines open the season Saturday night against Western Michigan, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.