The Michigan Insider

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Podcast 10-30-18 (College Football Playoff, Michigan review and Penn State preview) Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

This week, the duo dissect what to make of the College Football Playoff picture ahead of Tuesday night’s rankings unveiling. Lorenz makes his stump speech for non-SEC teams, while Shaw disagrees, though both agree on which teams Michigan — should it continue its winning streak and capture the Big Ten — needs to root for henceforth. Then, they revisit the wild Big Ten West, making their latest predictions at who wins as well as a look at the conference overall. After that, Lorenz and Shaw refocus on Michigan, fielding questions from listeners. Included are topics on surprises this season for the Wolverines good and bad, position groups of concern for Michigan in the future, a look at the Wolverines’ offensive identity moving forward and more. Finally, they preview No. 5 Michigan’s matchup against No. 14 Penn State, discussing what the Nittany Lions bring to the table with so much attrition from last season, how Michigan can stop Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley and other thoughts on the game.

Podcast 10-23-18 (MSU, Michigan tops in Big Ten, James Hudson, Rashan Gary) Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

The show begins with plenty of discussion about the Michigan football team’s eventful trip to East Lansing and eventual 21-7 win over Michigan State. Included were Lorenz and Shaw’s thoughts on the pregame scuffle, how the rest of the game played out, what went well and what didn’t and a look at what the win means for the Wolverines. Then, the conversation shifts to the debate on if Michigan is indeed the best team in the Big Ten, how the Wolverines ascended to a top-five team for the first time in nearly two years, and what about this year’s team might keep Michigan in the Big Ten title and College Football Playoff picture into November. Following that, the duo discuss their thoughts on James Hudson’s transfer and the impact that it may cause with the team and in recruiting moving forward. They also dissect — to the best of their ability — Rashan Gary’s injury situation, how Michigan has played in his absence, and some thoughts on the Wolverines’ ability to develop players.

Podcast 10-18-18 (Recruiting, Wisconsin recap and MSU preview) Oct 18, 2018

Show notes

Since they put off recruiting last week, this week’s show opens with Lorenz and Shaw discussing a big recruiting visit weekend. At the top of the list is how things might stand slightly in Michigan’s favor with five-star 2019 Ohio defensive end Zach Harrison, and what things the Wolverines have done well to remain in the race. They also discuss others who visited this weekend, what Drew Singleton’s transfer means for recruiting and other miscellaneous notes. Then the duo go back and forth on how significant Michigan’s blowout win over Wisconsin was. While both agree that Michigan’s defense was stellar, they differ on how much can be read from the Wolverines’ offensive success, and discuss why the Badgers called plays the way that they did. Finally, the two preview Michigan’s trip to East Lansing to take on No. 24 Michigan State, analyzing how both teams have fared this season in a number of ways, what’s missing from Michigan State, what threat to the Wolverines that the Spartans pose, lightly discuss injuries, play over-under and offer their final predictions for the matchup.

Podcast 10-11-18 (Wisconsin game preview, injuries and more) Oct 11, 2018

Show notes

This week’s podcast was almost entirely centered around the No. 12 Michigan football team’s matchup with Wisconsin. We talk about how the Wolverines have improved over the last five weeks in a number of key areas, as well as how Wisconsin and Michigan State look more mortal than when the season began, and what the next three games can and will tell us about the Wolverines’ season. We also discuss how a night game can help the Wolverines, and poke some fun at people who don’t enjoy night games. Then, we dissect the situation and likely impact of several of Michigan and Wisconsin’s injured players, then pivot to preview what the Badgers bring to the table both with a talented, experienced offense and a defense that appears susceptible to Michigan’s offense. We close with our weekly over-under segment and predictions for the game.

Podcast 09-27-18 (Michigan dominating, five-star outlook, Northwestern preview) Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

With fewer questions from readers this week, Lorenz and Shaw recap what is going well for the No. 14 Michigan football team on offense, defense, special teams and more after the Wolverines dismantled Nebraska, 56-10 for their third consecutive blowout win. Discussions are centered around Michigan’s dynamic and unique offense, its conversion improvements on third downs and in the red zone, what the offense could look like moving forward, why the defense looks dominant yet again and who has stepped up, and some talk about special teams, how Michigan’s current team compares to 2016 and 2017 and more. Then, the two dissect Michigan’s standing with four remaining five-star recruits (Zach Harrison, George Karlaftis, Quavaris Crouch and Kyle Ford) that it has a shot at landing, eventually ranking which ones are the most and least likely to commit to the Wolverines. Finally, Lorenz and Shaw preview Michigan’s matchup at Northwestern, playing over-under, discussing what the Wildcats bring to the table and offering their thoughts on the game and final prediction for the game.

Podcast 09-20-2018 (Daxton Hill, non-conference review, Nebraska) Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

For the first time in a while, the show begins with a recruiting discussion, as Lorenz and Shaw break down Michigan’s pickup of five-star 2019 safety Daxton Hill and where it ranks among the Wolverines’ recent recruiting wins. The two also discuss Hill as a prospect, what to read into safety recruiting rankings, some history with Michigan’s five-star recruits and what the Wolverines did on the recruiting trail to beat Alabama, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for his services. They also briefly touch on the impact (or lack thereof) of Hill’s pledge on other top-flight recruits that Michigan is pursuing. After that, the two discuss their biggest takeaways from non-conference play for the Wolverines at several positions, opining on improved special teams, Shea Patterson and the passing game’s hot start, offensive line and run-game woes and what to make of Michigan’s defense. Then, they close the show discussing the Wolverines’ matchup against Nebraska Saturday, differing on how “back” the Cornhuskers are, what Adrian Martinez’s injury status is, how to evaluate Nebraska’s defense, playing over-under on a number of topics and ultimately making their final predictions for the game.

Podcast 09-13-18 (Western Michigan, SMU, offensive line and position battles) Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

This week’s show opens, per Lorenz’s request, with discussion over the Detroit Lions’ meltdown against the New York Jets, and if there has ever been a situation in college football or Michigan history where a coach was so obviously in over their head in week one. Following that, the two discuss the Wolverines’ newfound passing attack, which includes Shea Patterson’s early returns and apparent improvements from Michigan’s wide receivers. The discussion also turns into talk about what Patterson does well already, and what his next steps could look like. The two also break down other lasting impressions from the Wolverines’ 49-3 win over Then the two look at emerging and present position battles that could factor into Saturday’s game, exploring Carlo Kemp’s ascension, how Brad Hawkins and Brandon Watson fit in and other second-string players to keep an eye on. Afterward, the two discuss Michigan’s offensive line for the umpteenth time, breaking down what to make of Michigan’s apparent push to make where Jalen Mayfield and James Hudson stand more public. In doing so, they also discuss both players’ trajectories, and when might be the best time to make a switch if Michigan indeed likes their prospects better than its current starters. Before closing the show, Lorenz and Shaw also field additional questions surrounding Michigan football. Then, they play over-under with regards to Michigan’s matchup against SMU, providing their thoughts into what the matchup will be like and what the Wolverines can do to make it a successful weekend beyond the box score.

Podcast 09-06-18 (Notre Dame, offensive line and Western Michigan) Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

This week, Lorenz and Shaw break down the Michigan football team’s loss at Notre Dame and what went wrong for the Wolverines. Topping the list, unsurprisingly, were Michigan’s issues on the offensive line, what it means moving forward and how the Wolverines should handle the starting tackle positions. Also on the list were Michigan’s issues converting on offense and a lack of an identity, what panic level Wolverine fans should hold and other things that went wrong on Saturday. The conversation then shifts to where and how Michigan can improve in a favorable next few weeks of the schedule, how the season outlook compares this week to before the season began and some discussion over how warranted and reactionary Michigan fans are compared to other schools. The podcast closes with some other questions, including discussions about Shea Patterson, Brad Hawkins, Michigan’s defensive tendency to over pursue against mobile quarterbacks and what, outside of a win, could constitute as a success for Michigan this weekend against Western Michigan.

Podcast 08-30-18 (Notre Dame preview, football news and notes, recruiting) Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

This week, Lorenz and Shaw don’t field questions from listeners, and instead open the show discussing the Michigan football’s team’s slew of apparent injuries, the impact of Tarik Black’s absence from games and the state of Michigan’s receiving corps. Then, the duo discuss how much credence they’re giving the heavy fall camp chatter that Michigan’s offensive line is improved, and try to gauge just how much improvement from the line can be expected this season as well as this week. After that, the discussion turns to recruiting, as they break down the slew of Michigan targets that the Fighting Irish are also recruiting who will be on hand in South Bend this weekend. They also opine on whether or not that increases the importance of winning the game to impress recruits. Following that, the two go in-depth on what Notre Dame brings to Saturday’s matchup, and the things Michigan needs to be aware of in order to come out on top. After offering top players and game keys to watch, the two play their regular round of over/under for the game ahead, offer their score prediction and whether or not the Wolverines come out on top.

Podcast 08-24-18 (Urban Meyer, Michigan football questions and season prediction special) Aug 24, 2018

Show notes

This week’s podcast, nearly doubling the length of a normal podcast for our annual prediction special, opens with Lorenz and Shaw discussing Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s three-game suspension and the findings the Buckeyes published following their investigation. The two also lament on Ohio State’s pitfalls in handling the situation with the public, as well as what it means for Meyer and the Buckeyes in a recruiting sense moving forward. After that, the two handle a couple Michigan football questions, including talk about special packages for Joe Milton, the intensity of the Wolverines’ schedule and more. Then, it’s prediction time. Lorenz and Shaw go back and forth, debating who they think will lead the Wolverines in interceptions, tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, rushing, receiving and more. They also take a stab at what Shea Patterson will look like statistically this season, as well as their picks for offensive and defensive MVP, freshmen of the year, most improved players, top assistant coach and more. Finally, the two wrap things up with their predictions for Michigan’s season record, the Big Ten landscape, how other conference title games will play out, who makes the College Football Playoff and who wins the Heisman Trophy, with plenty of dissension along the way.

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