His recent comments regarding the Ohio State rivalry have me feeling slightly vindicated before the Wolverines ever kick off a single game. Let’s just say Michigan fans aren’t too thrilled about him doubling down. Michigan fans want a head coach who hates his rivals to their core the way that Jim Harbaugh or Lloyd Carr did. Smith coached in the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry as well as played in it, but there’s apparently not enough hatred in that in-state battle to build an understanding for the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry. Whittingham’s comments don’t look good right now, but he has time to prove that “hate” for Ohio State isn’t necessary.