The Michigan Wolverines are 5-4 heading into Saturday, November 14's game against Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks with pride and a signature win on the line for both teams, amid a war of words between Lanning and Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham. The Wolverines scored a key in-state recruiting flip, giving Whittingham a little extra goodwill heading into Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Whittingham's off-field press conference exploits were the topic of host Colin Cowherd's chat with former Wolverines QB Devin Gardner, as Cowherd shared a stern take.

“Guys, it's year one, it's a big program,” Cowherd said, asking Gardner if there is a step Whittingham should take to move his program forward.

Gardner told Cowherd that he wasn't on board with the hire from the beginning, and lamented Whittingham's choppy press conference performances.

“He has to find a way to do a better job at least caring about winning the press conference,” Gardner said.

The Wolverines head coach recently asked media if Michigan had any trophy games left on its schedule, which includes the Ducks, No. 4 UCLA and No. 20 Ohio State. His lack of knowledge on Michigan's tradition has been jarring for Michigan fans who have compared him to former program disaster Rich Rodriguez among other coaches with a dearth of knowledge on the team's storied past.

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Program legends Jim Harbaugh and Tom Brady announced a team-up recently, giving fans a glimpse into the Wolverines' storied history.

Moving forward, Whittingham doesn't seem to be the guy who is most capable of bringing Michigan back to its glory days, but that could all change with wins in the team's final three games.