Kyle Whittingham doesn’t need much convincing when the subject turns to Brent Venables.
The first-year Michigan coach knows exactly why people reach for the phrase “defensive genius” when they talk about Oklahoma’s head man, and he has seen enough up close to buy in. That connection will matter Saturday, when Whittingham and Venables square off as Michigan hosts Oklahoma in an 11 a.m. CT kickoff at Michigan Stadium.
Whittingham spent the previous 21 seasons at Utah, where he reshaped the program into a defense-first contender in the Big 12 Conference. A former Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year at BYU, he built Utah on defensive fundamentals and special teams, with the offense often there to support the rest. That background makes his appreciation for Venables easy to understand.
The two coaches also have a recent point of contact. In 2023, after Venables’ first season in Norman ended with a 6-7 record, he came through Salt Lake City with some assistants and spent hours with Whittingham and his staff talking defense and exchanging ideas.
“We shared ideas with him for several hours,” Whittington said. “I got a lot of respect for him.
Extremely intelligent. Personable.
Charismatic. I was very impressed with him.
“It surprises me not at all that he's in the program and just done this (trending up) since he’s got there. It was a rough start, but he’s now got it kind of humming along.”
Oklahoma’s rise showed up immediately in Week 1. The No.
10 Sooners rolled past UTEP 51-0 on Friday in Norman, while No. 16 Michigan had to survive a far messier opener against Western Michigan.
The Wolverines were staring at a loss when the Broncos knocked down a Hail Mary in the back of the end zone as time expired. Big Ten officials then put one second back on the clock, giving quarterback Bryce Underwood one more chance.
He delivered, finding Utah transfer J.J. Buchanan for a controversial 13-12 Michigan win.
The betting line has moved with those results. Oklahoma opened as a 2 1/2-point underdog, but FanDuel Sportsbook now lists the Sooners as a 5 1/2-point favorite.
In Other News...
Michigans Opener Already Sparked A Response Fans Will Notice Against Oklahoma
Rod Moore did not sugarcoat Michigans season-opening performance against Western Michigan, calling it below the programs standard after a sluggish start that left plenty to clean up. In the wake of that game, the Wolverines captains called an emergency player-only meeting, a sign that the locker room knew the performance needed a hard reset before the schedule got any tougher.
The response has shown up in practice, where the defense has turned up the physical intensity as it prepares for Oklahoma. Edge Dom Nichols has been singled out for both his work ethic and strong showing, and Michigan will be hoping that kind of internal push carries over when the bigger stage arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Win Is Now At Center Of A Stunning Official Fight
A one-point Michigan win over Western Michigan in 2026 has become about a lot more than a dramatic finish, with the final second added back after a reviewed Hail Mary leaving the result under an unusually bright spotlight. The Big Ten stood behind the ruling after video review, and the Wolverines were allowed to celebrate a 13-12 victory that came down to a game-winning catch in the closing chaos.
Western Michigans conference is not letting it go, though. The Mid-American Conference has formally appealed to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, asking the sports top decision-makers to recognize the Broncos as the winner and turning what looked like a wild September-like finish into a larger fight over officiating, replay, and who gets to own the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
J.J. McCarthy Just Hit A Brutal New Setback In Minnesota
J.J. McCarthys first season in Minnesota has already taken another turn, with Kevin OConnell saying the former Michigan star has been pushed to third on the Vikings quarterback chart ahead of Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy, who began 2025 as the starter, will now sit behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz as Minnesota reshapes the position after a stretch marked by injuries and a changing depth chart.
The Vikings are planning to evaluate the quarterback roles on a week-to-week basis, which keeps the door from fully closing on McCarthy but also underscores how far he has slid since arriving with so much promise. For Michigan fans following along, it is another reminder that the NFL can turn quickly, and McCarthys next chance to reset this conversation may not come as soon as he would like. [Read more 🡒]