The Michigan Insider

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Michigan Recruiting Insider - Biggest needs in 2027 class; 2026 WR Brady Marchese joins the show! Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

On this week's edition of The Michigan Recruiting Insider, Sam Webb and Steve discuss the most significant needs for Michigan in the 2027 cycle and highlight some of the top targets that have already emerged. Then they are joined by 2026 Cartersville (Ga.) wide receiver Brady Marchese to recap his decision to flip his commitment from Georgia to Michigan on signing day.

Michigan Basketball Insider - Was Vegas a three-game blip, or is Michigan the best in the country? Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, Tim McCormick and Sam Webb weigh in on Michigan's historic run in the 2025 Players Era Festival and discus whether it marks the team's arrival as an unstoppable force. Tim remains skeptical about UM truly being as dominant as it looked in Vegas, but was impressed by the team's practices since returning home and competitive spirit. They highlight the team's defensive prowess, particularly with three bigs on the floor, and the potential of players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara. Concerns include handling success and turnovers, but the chemistry and camaraderie among players is identified as one of the hidden strengths. Tim also promotes his Go Blue Hoops podcast. Focus then turns to the start of Big Ten conference play versus Rutgers, and the next big test, versus Villanova.

Steady Droppin Dimes - NIL on National Signing Day: Is it all about the highest bidder now? Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

On the latest episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, the crew discusses the impact of NIL on National Signing Day. They also tackle the question of which of the new college football hires has the best odds of success, and which will crash and burn. Lastly, they revisit the question of which is the best team in college basketball.

Michigan Recruiting Insider - 2026 National Signing Day recap Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

On this week's edition of The Michigan Recruiting Insider, Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich recap Michigan's 2026 recruiting class. They discuss the delay in Savion Hiter's signing. The crew explains how contract revisions caused chaos on signing day and slowed the overall process of getting the class signed. Steve praises the offensive line class of Marky Walbridge, Malakai Lee, and Bear McWhorter. The entire crew discusses the talent and possible early impact of the class's top overall recruit, five-star edge Carter Meadows. Sam explains the staff's successful effort to protect wideout Travis Johnson's commitment. He highlights the complementary role that Brady Marchese will play in the receiver and special teams rooms. The episode concludes with a look ahead to portal priorities, potential coaching moves, next year's lineup projections, and more.

Michigan offensive breakdown with Al Borges (week 12) - Ohio State recap and the road ahead Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, Al Borges and Sam Webb discussed Michigan's offensive performance in its 27-9 loss to Ohio State. They highlighted the team's reliance on the run game early, which led to initial success with runs of 36, 21, and 22 yards. However, the offense struggled to maintain balance, with only one first-down pass in the first half. Borges noted the need for more quarterback-dependent plays and better third-down execution. He graded the offensive line, tight ends, running backs, quarterback, and wide receivers, assigning grades ranging from D to C+. He emphasized the importance of developing the quarterback and offensive line for future success. He also discussed a potential spring practice plan for Bryce Underwood, emphasizing the importance of fundamental drills and game-relevant scenarios. The conversation concluded with light-hearted banter about Borges' potential return to the coaching staff.

Michigan defensive breakdown with Vance Bedford (week 12) - Ohio State recap and the road ahead Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, Vance Bedford and Sam Webb discussed Michigan's defensive performance in its 27-9 loss to Ohio State. Bedford criticizes the defense for failing to stop vertical routes, poor alignment, and ineffective blitzing. He also criticizes the offense for putting excessive pressure on the defense, highlighting the importance of scoring touchdowns instead of field goals, noting that field goals gave Ohio State a chance to come back. Bedford then shifts focus back to the defense, emphasizing the need for better fundamentals, communication, and technique in the secondary and linebacker positions moving forward. He suggests that the defense needs to improve its pass rush, in both talent and technique, to compete at a championship level.

Michigan-Ohio State recap: What went wrong for the Wolverines in rivalry loss? Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga break down the Michigan football team's 27-9 loss to No. 1 Ohio State.

They open with a look at Michigan's offense, which mustered just 163 total yards and three field goals in the game. They look at the Wolverines' passing game, why they didn't throw the ball more and what needs to change for Michigan to trust is passing game to win marquee matchups. They also look at the Wolverines' ground game, struggles on the offensive line and some concerning trends about Michigan's offense in ranked matchups under Sherrone Moore.

In the second half of the episode, they look at Michigan's defense, which also underperformed. They discuss why the Wolverines' pass-rush was the biggest failure on either side of the ball in the game, and what to make of struggles in stopping the run. They close with a look at the state of the rivalry, the hollowness of Michigan's 9-3 season, what needs to change to correct course against the Buckeyes and more.

Michigan-Ohio State preview: Keys, predictions for the Wolverines against top-ranked Buckeyes Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga preview the No. 15 Michigan football team's home bout with No. 1 Ohio State, and the keys for the Wolverines in the contest.

They open with a look at Michigan offense, and what it must show against the Buckeyes to pull off the upset. They discuss the Wolverines' run game, components of that phase that must stand out against Ohio State, the value of a mobile quarterback and a strong second half, the strengths of Ohio State's run defense and more. They also look at Michigan's ascending passing offense, and what it can realistically do against a high-ranking Buckeyes pass defense. They also tackle some prop bets and discuss other factors for the Wolverines.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the biggest keys for Michigan's defense in the game, and the biggest challenges the Buckeyes' offense presents. They discuss Ohio State's prolific passing attack, Julian Sayin's first season as a starter, the value of a pass-rush and the concern of the Wolverines' coverage in College Park. They then take on more over-unders, and make their final score predictions for the game.

Steady Droppin Dimes - Michigan vs Ohio State preview with guests Gene Chizik & Al Borges Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb, Tyrone Wheatley, and Daniel Horton are joined by former Auburn national championship-winning coach Gene Chizik and former Michigan/Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges. They discuss what it will take for Michigan to win "The Game." Chizik and Borges both know Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey well and will offer insight into possible strategies. Another topic will be Chizik's thoughts on Bryce Underwood and how he compares to his former star signal caller, Cam Newton. The conversation then shifts to basketball. After two nationally televised thrashings of San Diego State and Auburn by Michigan's men's team, a nail-biting loss by the Michigan women's team to No. 1 Connecticut, and a record-setting win streak by the 15-2 Detroit Pistons, we ponder: Does the best basketball team in all three sports hail from the state of Michigan?

Michigan offensive breakdown with Al Borges (week 12) - Maryland recap; Ohio State preview Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, Al Borges and Sam Webb discussed Michigan's offensive performance in its 45-20 victory over Maryland, highlighting Bryce Underwood's best performance of the year. And previewing Michigan's annual battle with arch-rival, Ohio State. Will the Wolverines notch their fifth consecutive victory in "The Game." Borges dissects Matt Patricia's defense and gives his thoughts on UM's likely attack plan.

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