Dave Portnoy Demands Removal of Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck

Michigan State Stuns Wolverines in Rivalry Upset

Michigan State defeated Michigan 15-6 on November 8, 2026, to claim the Paul Bunyan Trophy for the first time since 2021.

The loss dropped the Wolverines to a 5-4 overall record and a 2-4 mark in conference play, according to reports from College Football Network and Newsbreak.

The Spartans entered the rivalry matchup without a single Big Ten victory, making the upset particularly important for the program's current trajectory. Michigan’s offense struggled to find any rhythm throughout the contest, failing to score a single touchdown.

Fire Kyle Whittingham. Fire Jason Beck. This is the lowest most embarrassing Michigan Football has been in my lifetime. What an absolute joke of a football team #Goblue pic.twitter.com/3GffHFVfA2

— Post by @stoolpresidente on X

Portnoy Demands Coaching Changes

Dave Portnoy, a Michigan alumnus and founder of Barstool Sports, reacted to the loss by calling for the immediate removal of head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Portnoy expressed intense frustration via X and in a video following the game, as reported by EssentiallySports.

“Fire Kyle Whittingham. Fire Jason Beck. This is the lowest, most embarrassing Michigan Football game I have had in my lifetime. What an absolute joke of a football team,”

Portnoy argued that the coaching staff, rather than the players, bore the responsibility for the performance. He specifically criticized the decision to continue starting quarterback Tommy Carr instead of providing Bryce Underwood an opportunity to play, Newsbreak reported.

Kyle Whittingham Press Conference After Michigan Football Loss To Michigan State

In his video remarks, Portnoy stated that he did not blame the players for the outcome but felt “disgusted” by the team’s lack of production. He characterized the offensive displays as “pathetic” and demanded that the current leadership be replaced.

Michigan State Outgained Michigan in Total and Rushing Yards

The disparity between the two teams was evident in nearly every major offensive category. While Michigan State managed nearly 300 total yards, the Wolverines were held to just 192 yards on 52 plays. The Spartans also controlled the ground game, outrushing Michigan 110-54, according to EssentiallySports.

MELTDOWN: Michigan State DOMINATES Michigan Wolverines—Kyle Whittingham, Jason Beck Under Fire

The following table compares the offensive output of the two programs during the matchup:

Metric	Michigan	Michigan State
Total Offense	192 yards	~300 yards
Passing Yards	138 yards	188 yards
Rushing Yards	54 yards	110 yards

Tommy Carr finished the game completing 14 of 26 passes for 138 yards, but his performance was marred by two interceptions and five sacks allowed, College Football Network reported. The Wolverines’ inability to convert on third downs was a decisive factor, as they succeeded on only two of 10 attempts.

Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham gives remarks following the spring game at Michigan Stadium — Photo: collegefootballnetwork.com

Whittingham Responds to Performance

Following the game, Kyle Whittingham offered a blunt assessment of the team’s offensive output during a press conference. He noted that the performance was not merely a setback but a major regression for the program.

“It was very disappointing after we’d played pretty effectively last week on offense. We had some production in a lot of areas last week and there’s nothing productive about this game. Zero. It’s not one step back, it’s three steps back,” Whittingham said, according to College Football Network.

Kyle Whittingham on what the offense needs, Jason Beck's future

Whittingham highlighted several failures, including the inability to run or throw effectively, four turnovers, and a lack of third-down conversions. When asked about potential changes to his coaching staff, Whittingham stated he would evaluate all aspects of the program after the season concluded.

The Wolverines now face a demanding schedule to determine their postseason eligibility. They must navigate upcoming matchups against No. 23 Oregon, No. 8 UCLA, and No. 12 Ohio State. Michigan requires at least one more victory to become bowl eligible, according to College Football Network.