The Michigan Insider

Michigan looked like a different team when Tommy Carr took over at quarterback. What does the Wolverines’ dramatic change in energy, physicality, and emotion reveal about the locker room and its leadership? On this episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, presented by Golden Limousine International, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb is joined by former Michigan football captain Jarrett Irons and former Wolverines point guard Daniel Horton to examine the Tommy Carr effect, the pressure that comes with becoming Michigan’s starting quarterback, and why a fresh start elsewhere might be best for Bryce Underwood. The conversation shifts to the hardwood with an early look at Michigan basketball’s national championship defense and whether the Detroit Pistons can contend in a loaded Eastern Conference reshaped by blockbuster moves.

(00:00) – Jarrett Irons Returns After Michigan’s Season-Saving Win
(04:07) – Irons Says Michigan’s Players Clearly Responded to Tommy Carr
(07:40) – Carr’s Poise Under Pressure Impresses Sam and Irons
(09:30) – Irons Says Leadership Is Built Through Relationships
(13:36) – Sam and Irons Discuss Bryce’s Bye-Week Training Trip
(18:49) – Sam Says Bryce May Have Been Given Too Much Leadership Responsibility Too Soon
(22:07) – Sam Rejects the Idea That Michigan Deliberately Sabotaged Bryce
(25:12) – Bryce’s Inability to Recover From Adversity Becomes the Bigger Concern
(28:56) – Michigan Must Build on the Concepts That Have Actually Worked
(32:22) – Irons Says Great Coaches Fit the Scheme to Their Players
(35:21) – Irons Says Carr Has Clearly Earned Respect Inside the Locker Room
(37:07) – The Panel Discusses What Comes Next for Bryce Underwood
(43:03) – Horton Says Carr Has a Chance to Establish His Own Michigan Legacy
(44:59) – Horton Pushes Back Against Overhyping Carr’s Penn State Performance
(49:26) – Irons Says Carr Helped Save Michigan’s Season but Cannot Do It Alone
(51:07) – Carr’s Moxie and Sibling Rivalry Become Part of the Discussion
(55:47) – Irons and Horton Explain How Their Football Families Shaped Them
(58:33) – Irons Says Michigan Does Not Need Carr to Be a Savior Against Indiana
(1:02:44) – Sam and Horton Debate How Much Carr Actually Showed
(1:07:36) – Sam Lays Out the Offensive Blueprint He Wants Against Indiana
(1:11:55) – Horton Says Michigan’s Quarterback Problem Has Been Bigger Than One Player
(1:15:08) – Carr Has at Least Proven the Stage Is Not Too Big
(1:19:09) – Michigan Basketball Returns With a Different Championship Roster
(1:22:01) – Michigan’s Development Will Determine Its Championship Ceiling
(1:24:20) – Horton Says Elliot Cadeau Can Become a National Player of the Year Candidate
(1:25:33) – Horton Calls Michigan’s Backcourt One of the Best in the Country
(1:27:22) – Horton Expects Roddy Gayle to Play Like a Veteran
(1:28:30) – Michigan’s Biggest Basketball Question May Be Frontcourt Physicality
(1:29:58) – Sam and Horton Discuss the Pistons’ Place in the Eastern Conference
(1:32:58) – Horton Says Detroit’s Growth Has to Come From Within
(1:35:42) – Carr’s Familiarity With Michigan Reinforces Confidence in His Composure
(1:36:15) – Sam Says Player Movement and NIL Donor Changes Are Now Normal
(1:38:07) – Michigan Will Likely Explore the Quarterback Portal
(1:42:02) – Horton Likes Michigan’s Backup Point Guard Options
(1:42:43) – Horton Likes Yaxel Lendeborg Learning From Draymond Green
(1:44:53) – Detroit Still Needs Another Offensive Creator Beside Cade Cunningham
(1:46:48) – Michigan Women’s Basketball Preview Is Coming
(1:48:50) – End of Show

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team’s upcoming home matchup against No. 6 Indiana, and the keys for the Wolverines to pull off the upset in Ann Arbor. 

They open with a look at the keys for Michigan’s offense. They discuss the Wolverines switching to Tommy Carr as starting quarterback, the importance of avoiding turnovers, why getting the ball out quick might be an asset in this matchup and other opportunities for Michigan to have success moving the football.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the keys for the Wolverines’ defense, including the value of pressure and forcing Josh hoover into uncomfortable throws and situations, the threats that Charlies Becker and Nick Marsh present, the Hoosiers’ run game in recent weeks and more. 

They close with their final thoughts on the matchup, and score predictions for the game. 

Michigan football welcomes the defending national champions to the Big House as the Indiana Hoosiers make the trip to Ann Arbor. IU isn't the same team that dominated college football in 2025 -- they eked out wins over Northwestern and Nebraska, and their 22-game winning streak came to a close last week against Ohio State. But they're still one of the nation's best teams, boasting an elite rush defense and an offense full of weapons.

Matt Weaver of Peegs/247Sports joins Behind Enemy Lines to break down Indiana's strengths and weaknesses to help us prepare for Saturday's clash at Michigan Stadium.

On this week’s Michigan Football Breakdown, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb joins former Michigan coordinators Al Borges and Ron English for an in-depth look at Michigan’s 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State, the move from Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr, and preparing for defending national champion Indiana.

(00:00) Sam and Ron English Open the Michigan Football Breakdown
(01:27) Ron English Reacts to the Move From Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr
(05:39) Ron English Breaks Down Michigan’s Defensive Performance Against Penn State
(08:37) Ron English Names His Defensive Player of the Game
(09:54) Al Borges Joins the Show
(11:08) Ron Says Michigan’s Defense Got Better in Physicality and Tackling
(12:57) Al Borges Gives His Take on the Quarterback Switch
(18:52) Sam and Al Break Down the Rhino Numbers Against Penn State
(23:32) Al Notes Tommy Carr Threw Zero Drop-Back Passes
(28:01) Sam and Al Dissect Bryce Underwood’s First-Half Struggles and Interceptions
(30:58) Sam Asks Whether the Quarterback Change Was Justified
(32:37) Sam and Al Debate Using Bryce Underwood as a Runner
(34:02) Sam and Al Argue Over Rhino Efficiency
(36:47) Sam Revisits Bryce’s Composure After the Interception
(41:54) Sam Compares Michigan’s Heavy-Package Usage to Past Staffs
(45:05) Ron Explains How the Rhino Package Affects a Defense
(47:46) Michigan Starts Getting More Downhill
(50:45) Michigan’s Perimeter Offense and the Stretch Game Against Indiana
(54:28) Ron Breaks Down Penn State’s 16-Play Opening Drive
(56:32) Ron Reviews Penn State’s Two-Minute Drive and Michigan’s Defensive Call
(58:52) Al and Ron Question Michigan’s Four-Minute Offense
(1:02:27) Sam Clarifies the Rhino Comparison to the Harbaugh Era
(1:05:08) Sam Compares Heavy-Package Snap Percentages Across Seasons
(1:10:51) Ron’s Game Plan for Indiana’s Receivers
(1:18:00) Ron and Al Hand Out Their Grades
(1:18:57) Al Gives Tommy Carr His Grade
(1:21:26) Viewer Q&A Begins
(1:22:48) The Case for Starting Tommy Carr Against Indiana
(1:25:06) Al Explains How He Would Build the Game Plan Around Tommy
(1:29:19) Al on Using the Quick Game to Build Tommy’s Confidence
(1:36:31) Al Says Tommy Should Get the Same Leash Bryce Got
(1:38:27) Al Explains the Two-Quarterback “Deuce” Package From His Michigan Days
(1:39:41) Ron Explains the Challenge of Lining Up to Formations and Motions
(1:42:21) Ron on Defending Indiana’s Best Receiver at the Boundary
(1:46:05) Al Grades Gash’s First Start on the Offensive Line
(1:47:03) Final Thoughts: Who Comes Out on Top Against Indiana?
(1:51:24) How Michigan Creates Chunk Plays Against Indiana
(1:53:25) Why the Run Game Shows Up in the Second Half
(1:56:23) Al Borges Gives His Final Prediction
(1:57:56) End of Show

Michigan’s quarterback change sparked a dramatic 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State, but did the Wolverines find a lasting solution to their offensive struggles? On this week’s Monday Morning Quarterback, brought to you by Golden Limousine, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb and former Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson welcome special guest and former Wolverine lineman Jack Miller to break down Bryce Underwood’s benching, Tommy Carr’s impressive relief performance, and the team’s response to his emergence. The trio examines Underwood’s struggles, Carr’s poise, and the eye-opening numbers behind Michigan’s rushing success with and without the controversial Rhino package. They also discuss Jason Beck’s play-calling, debate the offensive adjustments needed moving forward, and assess what the quarterback change means for both players. Plus, with highly ranked Indiana bringing a formidable defense to Michigan Stadium Saturday, can Carr build on his breakthrough, and will Michigan’s offense be ready for its toughest test yet?

(00:00) Shea Patterson and Jack Miller Join Sam Webb for Monday Morning Quarterback
(02:19) Shea and Jack React to Michigan’s Dull First Half Against Penn State
(05:13) Jack Says Switching to Tommy Carr Was the Right Call
(06:24) Shea Praises Tommy Carr’s Poise as Michigan Brings Back the Quarterback Run
(07:32) Jack Explains Why the Team Rallied Around Tommy Carr
(09:55) Sam Breaks Down the Rhino Numbers: 48% of Snaps, Four Yards a Play
(11:27) Jack Explains Why Rhino Invites Extra Defenders Into the Box
(14:07) Jack Wants Michigan to Spread Out and Run Downhill
(16:54) Jack Previews Indiana’s Defensive Line and What Michigan Needs
(21:34) Shea Breaks Down Bryce’s Two First-Half Interceptions
(24:03) Sam and Shea Question Michigan’s First-Half Play Calling
(29:05) Shea on What Bryce Is Going Through After the Switch
(32:53) Sam Calls Rhino “a Piece, Not the Platter”
(37:16) Shea and Sam Praise Tommy’s Poise on the Corner Blitz Throw
(38:15) How Michigan Can Get Outside Against Indiana
(41:26) Shea Explains What Changes for Tommy When He Becomes the Starter
(47:45) Overtime Q&A Begins
(48:21) Shea on Whether Starting Against Indiana Could Rattle Tommy
(51:18) Shea and Sam Discuss Bryce’s Trip to an Outside Quarterback Trainer
(54:33) Why Michigan’s Second-Half Play Calling Worked Better
(55:46) Shea Says Bryce Should Stay Ready but Not Share the Field
(57:11) Shea and Sam on Quick Game Against Indiana’s Front
(1:01:18) Shea on the Pressure of Being Michigan’s Quarterback
(1:02:38) Will Jason Beck’s Play Calling Face More Scrutiny?
(1:08:55) Sam on Why Michigan Missed Its Chance to Hire a Veteran Quarterback Coach
(1:13:52) Sam on Downhill Running, Split Stretch and Less Rhino
(1:15:22) Why Opponents Keep Attacking Michigan’s Boundary Corners
(1:17:29) Shea Remembers Being Benched Against Wisconsin
(1:18:33) Shea on How Bryce Handled the Benching and Prepares This Week
(1:21:42) Shea Praises Tommy for the Throws He Didn’t Force
(1:23:10) Shea’s Score Prediction and Keys to Beating Indiana
(1:27:44) Shea’s Message to Tommy Carr Before Indiana
(1:29:10) Sam Makes His Closing Case Against Overusing Rhino
(1:31:42) Shea on How the Locker Room Will Handle the Unnamed Starter
(1:33:40) Sam Explains How Harbaugh’s Teams Used Heavy Personnel Differently
(1:35:29) Sam Wraps Up Monday Morning Quarterback

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team’s 21-18 win over Penn State, in which the Wolverines switched quarterbacks at halftime, forced three second-half turnovers and snapped a two-game losing skid with their first Big Ten win of the season. 

They open with a look at Michigan's offense, which was a tale of two halves with Bryce Underwood and then Tommy Carr playing as quarterback. They discuss why the run game looked better, what Carr did and did not do well, how they would handle Michigan's quarterback situation moving forward and more observations from the offensive side of the ball.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the Wolverines' defensive performance. They discuss Michigan's three takeaways, fourth-quarter struggles, dominant run defense, improved pass-rush and some issues in coverage.

They close with a discussion on how the win changes their view on Michigan's upcoming slate of games, including Indiana next week.

Tommy Carr provided the spark, Michigan's defense delivered the big plays, and the Wolverines finally found a running game. But did the 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State reveal the formula for saving Michigan's season? The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk break down Carr's electrifying second-half debut, the quarterback decision now facing Kyle Whittingham, and the offensive changes that helped turn a disastrous first half into a dramatic win. Sam digs into the reduced reliance on the Rhino package, the return of effective downhill rushing, and why those adjustments may have been just as important as the quarterback switch. The duo also examines Chris Bracy's breakout performance in a turnover-fueled defensive effort. Was this a genuine turning point or did Michigan simply escape a bad Penn State team? Sam and Josh explain what must improve immediately — from third-down execution to offensive line play and personnel usage — before a much tougher Indiana team comes to town.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's home matchup against Penn State, and the keys for the Wolverines to get back into the win column against a slumping Nittany Lions squad.

They open up with a look at the Wolverines' offense. They discuss what needs to change for Michigan's run game to find more success, and the impact that could have on the rest of the offense. They also discuss turnovers, Bryce Underwood's attempt to bounce back, and the holes in Penn State's defense.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the keys for Michigan's defense. They break down the Nittany Lions' offense, the importance for the Wolverines to reignite their pass-rush and clean up their tackling, Michigan's success stopping the run and the Wolverines' fourth-quarter dilemma so far.

They close the episode with other factors to watch, and their score predictions for the game.

Either Penn State or Michigan will earn its first Big Ten win of the season when the two programs meet at the Big House on Saturday afternoon.

The Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell and imported two-dozen of his former Iowa State players last offseason. They went 3-0 in non-conference play before falling to Wisconsin, Northwestern and USC. They bring an experienced quarterback, a running game that is still searching for its identity, and a defense that hasn't put together a complete game yet against Power Four competition.

Daniel Gallen of Lions247 joins the show to give us a detailed look at Penn State before the showdown at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan is reeling, Bryce Underwood is under fire, and the coaching staff is facing mounting scrutiny. What better time to bring back Steady Droppin’ Dimes! Sam Webb and former Michigan point guard Daniel Horton launch the new season with outspoken former Michigan defensive backs coach and former Louisville and Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, who’s filling in while the search for a permanent football voice continues.

Vance brings the same candor and intensity that defined his coaching career, offering an unfiltered perspective on Michigan’s struggles and the difficult decisions ahead.

Is Bryce Underwood REALLY Michigan’s biggest problem, or are the coaches setting him up to fail? Vance delivers a pointed critique of the offensive scheme, the overuse of Rhino personnel, the failure to establish a downhill running game, and the lack of adjustments against defenses teeing off on Michigan’s young quarterback. He also challenges Kyle Whittingham and his staff to adapt their system to the talent on hand.

But Underwood isn’t getting a free pass. Sam examines Bryce’s struggles under pressure, his breakdowns in composure, and whether he can correct those problems before Michigan is forced to consider a quarterback change. Daniel offers a former five-star athlete’s perspective, questioning whether the coaching staff is doing enough to develop its most important player.

And the concerns extend well beyond quarterback. The crew also tackles Zack Marshall’s leaked messages, growing questions about offensive coordinator Jason Beck, Whittingham’s public criticism of play-calling, and the danger of losing the locker room. Vance also lays out what needs to change during the bye week before Michigan faces Penn State.

(00:00) – Steady Droppin’ Dimes Returns With Vance Bedford
(05:56) – Vance Says Michigan Has to Build the Offense Around Its Actual Players
(08:00) – Vance Says Michigan’s Rhino and Wildcat Packages Make Life Easier for Defenses
(13:32) – Vance Says Michigan Failed to Adjust to Minnesota’s Pressure
(15:27) – Vance Says Michigan’s Defense Has Its Own Five-Minute Problem
(21:05) – Daniel Says Michigan Has to Rebuild Bryce’s Confidence
(24:57) – Daniel Pushes Back on Attacks on Bryce’s Intelligence and Work Ethic
(27:57) – Vance Explains Exactly How He Would Attack Michigan’s Rhino Package
(31:20) – Bryce’s Costly Final Throw and Michigan’s Unused Timeouts
(36:17) – Vance Says the Best Cure for Quarterback Pressure Starts With the Run Game
(38:12) – Vance Says Many Successful College QBs Aren’t Making Full-Field Reads
(41:07) – Vance Says Michigan’s Problems Belong to the Entire Program
(43:40) – Daniel Compares Bryce’s Situation to Vince Young’s Early Development
(45:45) – Vance Says Michigan’s Coaches Have to Adjust to the Big Ten
(48:17) – Bryce’s Composure, Footwork, and Job Security
(51:07) – Zack Marshall’s Leaked Messages Reveal a Larger Locker-Room Concern
(54:45) – Vance Gives Michigan His Immediate Offensive Prescription
(57:14) – Daniel Questions Whether Changing QBs Actually Solves the Development Problem
(1:01:49) – Can Bryce Handle Pressure and a Real Quarterback Competition?
(1:14:03) – Vance Lays Out His Complete Bye-Week Reset for Michigan
(1:23:29) – Q&A Turns to Tommy Carr and the Quarterback Decision
(1:28:19) – Vance Completely Rejects Michigan’s Wildcat Approach
(1:31:18) – Vance Explains How He Would Attack Michigan’s Defense
(1:32:08) – The Panel Discusses the Consequences if Bryce Transfers
(1:34:03) – Vance Says One Bye Week Is Enough to Change the Running Game
(1:38:13) – Vance Says Switching Quarterbacks Will Not Fix a Bad Offensive Fit
(1:44:30) – Vance and Daniel Give Their Advice to Bryce as Parents
(1:50:25) – Daniel Questions Whether Michigan’s Offensive System Fits Bryce
(1:55:08) – Horton and Bedford Call for a Complete Michigan Reset