Will Kyle Whittingham's Michigan finish above Lincoln Riley's USC?

August 10, 2026 - 00:52

Utah enters the year with a defense that has been the backbone of the program for over a decade. Whittingham has never relied on flashy offense to win games, and this season is no different. The Utes will lean on a physical front seven and a ground game that controls the clock. There are questions at quarterback, but Whittingham has a history of getting steady production from unproven signal callers. The schedule is tough, but the identity is clear.

USC, meanwhile, is still searching for an identity under Riley. The offense has talent, but the line play has been shaky, and the defense has been a liability since he arrived. Riley's teams have won games on pure skill, but that approach has not held up against physical opponents. The Trojans also face a brutal slate, including road games at Michigan and Penn State.

The edge goes to Utah. Whittingham's teams rarely beat themselves, and they win the games they are supposed to win. Riley has the higher ceiling on paper, but the floor is lower. When the dust settles, expect the Utes to finish with a better conference record and a more respected resume.