The Michigan Insider

In our first recruiting podcast in some time, we break down Michigan's 2020 recruiting class on the even of National Signing Day.

We open with some broad thoughts on the class — currently ranked No. 11 in the 247Sports Composite — and how effective Michigan was. We debate the pros and cons of tidying up most of the class early on in the cycle, with only one commitment coming after July, and why recruiting and Signing Day might be perceived as more "boring" than a few years ago.

We then get a little more specific with the class. We look at which players might play the soonest, which players are the biggest sleepers in the class and which player was the biggest recruiting win. We also look at which position groups' needs were filled the most, which assistant coaches deserve the most credit for their efforts on the trail and where Michigan could have used another key piece or two.

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb interview Michigan assistant Phil Martelli about his biggest adjustment as an assistant after decades as a head coach, Juwan Howard's impact on the recruiting trail, and more. McCormick and Webb also break down Michigan's victory over Iowa, look ahead to Illinois, and finish with a full Big 10 preview.

Hosts: Tim McCormick and Sam Webb

Tim McCormick interviews Wolverine forward Isaiah Livers about the evolution of his game in Ann Arbor, how Juwan Howard has impacted his development, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb discuss Michigan's breakout performance in the Battle 4 Atlantis, why Louisville's pack line defense was so disruptive and the ways attack it, early returns on Franz Wagner, and a preview of Friday's Big Ten opener versus Iowa. 

Hosts: Tim McCormick and Sam Webb

In the wake of the Michigan football team's blowout loss to No. 1 Ohio State, we break down what the loss mean, key takeaways and how the gap between the two programs looks in the future.

We open by looking at how far back the talent and success differential between the two programs goes, exploring the decade before Jim Harbaugh was hired for both the Wolverines (who went 73-53) and the Buckeyes (who went 110-21), and what went wrong for Michigan. We also evaluate how Harbaugh has helped the Wolverines narrow the gap, and how they haven't in many ways.

We also look at the game specifically, and which mistakes were the most troubling moving forward for Michigan. We dissent on how the Wolverines should handle their defense heading into the offseason, and also look at where the biggest talent gaps in the next couple years will be.

In this episode, on the eve of "The Game," we break down over-unders and offer our predictions for the matchup.

First, we look at how Michigan's offense could fare against the Buckeyes' top-ranked defense. We discuss what a fair expectation is for Shea Patterson and the Wolverines' passing game against Ohio State's secondary and which players might emerge in that matchup. Then, we look at Michigan's potential in the run game, underclassmen getting touches and how Michigan goes about trying to stop Chase Young.

We then switch to the defensive side of the ball, looking at Michigan's ability to get sacks adn force turnovers, the Wolverines' ability to slow down JK Dobbins and Justin Fields, Ohio State's big-play potential and more.

Finally, we close with our overall prediction for the game.

Tim McCormick interviews Wolverine big man Jon Teske about the evolution of his game in Ann Arbor, how Juwan Howard is helping his development, growing up an Ohio State fan, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb discuss the differences between Juwan Howard and John Beilein in practice and in how they deal with players, how Franz Wagner's return will change the rotation, and preview the Battle for Atlantis.   

Rather than dissecting Michigan's 39-14 win over Indiana, we follow Aidan Hutchinson's advice and turn our attention to the Wolverines' upcoming matchup with No. 2 Ohio State. In the first of two preview episodes, we break down five early questions about the matchup.

To begin, we look at Shea Patterson's rapid ascent, and how much he has closed the gap on Justin Fields in recent weeks. We also look at what makes Fields elite, and discuss if there is a way to contain him.

We next look at if Michigan's defense is better-equipped to handle Ryan Day's offense this season than last, and how the Wolverines could contain the Buckeyes.

In the longest component of the show, we break down why Michigan does seem hungrier about this season's matchup, debate whether that matters, look at how Ohio State created such a big gap in the rivalry and how it can ever be closed again.

We close with each of our early keys to the game.

Looking at the No. 12 Michigan football team’s matchup at Indiana, we break down three key questions about the game before diving into our predictions.

First, we discuss what level of awareness eliminates a contest being a “trap game,” and what Indiana has done to potentially vault out of that category with its best season in 25 years. We explore why Michigan has struggled against the Hoosiers this season, as well as what the Wolverines had to say about Indiana this week in press conferences and what it means.

We also look at the game on both sides of the ball. When it comes to Michigan’s defense, we revisit last season’s struggles, and why the Wolverines’ woes against Indiana were and once again can be a precursor to their matchup against Ohio State. We break down our viewpoint of why the Hoosiers’ offense is better than past seasons, and look at why Michigan’s defense might be better equipped anyways.

On Michigan’s offensive side of the ball, we try to play coach and outline what our game plan against Indiana’s improved defense would be. Shaw explains why he isn’t sold on the Hoosiers’ defense, while the conversation shifts to what the best-case scenario is for the Wolverines.

We close with our weekly over-under predictions looking at ll components of Saturday’s game, along with a final score prediction for the matchup.

Tim McCormick interviews former Wolverine and 2017 Milwaukee Bucks 1st round draft pick DJ Wilson about his career in Ann Arbor, the growth of his game, and playing on a championship contender with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb reflect upon Michigan's victories over Creighton and Elon, highlighting the in-game adjustments made by Juwan Howard, the defensive philosophy he brought with him from the Miami Heat, the evolution of Jon Teske, and more. 

Following our typical 2-4-7 format, we break down two game balls, four key takeaways and answer seven questions stemming from the matchup.

Our game balls are rather obvious, and serve as the first time both game balls went to members of Michigan’s passing game. We discuss the two players’ career games, and what it means.

Our takeaways are more opponent-specific than usual, but we look at Michigan State’s meteoric decline from its peak in 2013-15, why maybe fans shouldn’t read too much into Michigan’s success Saturday and the recruiting impact a dominant win in the rivalry can have.

Our questions tackle both big picture and smaller topics surrounding the team. We debate Michigan’s win over Notre Dame vs. its win over Michigan State in terms of changing perception, look at the Spartans’ conservative game plan, ponder if Michigan has an issue throwing the ball too low, discuss if the Wolverines can still have a “successful” season, look at Michigan’s kicking improvements, the offense’s preparedness against Ohio State and which oft-criticized player made fans eat their words the most.