Turnovers can make or break a game; just look at what happened when Michigan got the crucial interceptions against Oklahoma. That turnover made the difference for the Wolverines to pull off the upset over the once No. 11 Sooners. However, Michigan isn't winning the turnover battle against themselves this season, and it could come back to bite them.
Taking care of the football is always the No. 1 priority of any offense, but for Bryce Underwood and Co., it's been a struggle. On the bright side, Underwood has thrown just one interception in three games, making better decisions when it comes to throwing the ball. However, on the ground, the Wolverines have fumbled the ball six times, losing it four times.
That is not the kind of football that Kyle Whittingham-coached teams tend to play. Whittingham has always coached his teams to be disciplined and take care of the football. Back in 2024, Utah was 5-7 and had a turnover ratio of -3, one of the worst under Whittingham.
So, now at Michigan, the new head ball coach knows the importance of taking care of the football, and is making sure his guys know a -2 turnover ratio is unacceptable.
"It's addressed every practice," Whittingham said. "Like I said, Indiana turned the ball over once all year last season."
Kyle Whittingham isn’t happy with how much Michigan is struggling with turnovers.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 21, 2026
“It’s addressed every practice,” he said. “Like I said, Indiana turned the ball over once all year last season.” pic.twitter.com/1iMqVkKE60
Somehow, Indiana has become the standard Kyle Whittingham wants Michigan to be
It is still crazy to think teams are trying to emulate Indiana in college football. That once seemed like a crazy thought, but after winning the National Championship last season, they clearly have the right formula. That formula includes taking care of the football.
In their championship season, Indiana had just one lost fumble, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza threw only seven interceptions. These are incredibly small numbers that Michigan is already close to passing, hence the frustration from Whittingham.
Michigan lost the turnover battle against both Western Michigan and UTEP, but was still able to escape with wins. That may not be the case with tougher competition in the Big Ten, especially against some of these defenses. Michigan faces No. 17 Iowa, which has the best defense in the country, next, and the Hawkeyes know how to force turnovers.
Against UTEP, the Miners scored their only two touchdowns of the day off the fumbles by Bryce Underwood and Savion Hiter. Turnovers are a massive momentum shift and, with the right team, can be the reason they walk away with a win.
With the caliber of teams Michigan is about to face in Big Ten play, three of the next four being Top 25 teams, taking care of the football is going to be more crucial than ever. If Whittingham can't get these turnovers under control, they could come back to bite them in the end.
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