Kyle Whittingham says college football rivalries can be intense without being fueled by hatred—but BYU fans are not buying the message.
Now leading Michigan into the Ohio State rivalry, Whittingham argued that coaches and teams do not need to hate each other for a rivalry to matter. That immediately raised eyebrows among BYU fans who remember how he handled the Holy War during his time at Utah.
Whittingham routinely avoided saying BYU’s name publicly, referred to the Cougars as “the team down south” and declined to discuss BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier during rivalry week after speaking about other opposing quarterbacks.
We break down whether Whittingham’s comments are hypocritical, why BYU fans reacted so strongly and how his history with Utah and BYU adds another layer to the debate.
We also discuss the personal connections behind the rivalry, including Whittingham’s playing career at BYU, his family’s deep ties to the school and the theories surrounding why his relationship with BYU may have become so contentious.
Does rivalry hatred make college football better—or is Kyle Whittingham right that the sport can keep the intensity without making it personal?
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