Michigan coach Whittingham emphasizes importance of beating Ohio State

Kyle Whittingham, in his first season as Michigan head coach, stated that defeating Ohio State is a top priority. Speaking at Big Ten media days, he clarified that while he doesn't use the term 'hate', he wants to win against Ohio State as much as anyone in Ann Arbor. Whittingham highlighted the significance of the rivalry, referring to it as 'The Game' and acknowledged the preparations leading up to the contest against the Buckeyes in late November. His coaching experience at Utah helps him understand the emotional weight of such rivalries, and he pointed out ongoing reminders for the team regarding the stakes of the matchup.

• 2:28 AMYahoo Sports — Michigan coach Whittingham wants to beat Ohio State 'worse than anybody'