The Michigan Insider

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Michigan beat itself in stunning loss to Iowa - The Michigan Insider Postgame Recap Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

Michigan had been flirting with disaster for weeks. Against Iowa, it finally caught up with the Wolverines. In the latest Michigan Insider Postgame Recap, Sam Webb Josh Newkirk dissect a gut-wrenching 20-19 loss in which penalties, missed opportunities, and an inability to finish overwhelmed some of Michigan's most encouraging football of the season. Bryce Underwood delivered arguably his best performance yet; the offensive line moved Iowa's highly regarded defense for much of the game — but eight penalties, a costly special-teams breakdown, and squandered chances kept the Hawkeyes alive. Then Michigan failed to put the game away late and watched its defense surrender a stunning 91-yard game-winning drive. The TMI crew breaks down the mistakes that turned a winnable game into a crushing loss, the progress they can build on, and the discipline problems that will keep it from happening if they aren't corrected soon.

(00:00) Michigan Lets a Winnable Game Slip Away Against Iowa
(04:11) Penalties and Missed Opportunities Keep Iowa Alive
(07:09) Michigan Leaves Too Many Game-Changing Plays on the Field
(09:41) Michigan's Defense Fails Its Biggest Test but the Run Game Shows Progress
(12:30) Michigan's Defense Does Not Finish Like an Elite Unit
(13:55) Michigan's Leaders Publicly Demand More Accountability
(16:12) Bryce and Michigan's Offense Show Their Most Encouraging Signs Yet
(17:50) Michigan Cannot Let the Iowa Loss Snowball
(19:57) Every Phase of Michigan Contributed to the Loss
(21:18) Michigan's Next Goal Is Simply to Play a Clean Football Game
(23:00) Sam Says Penalties Were the Difference Against Iowa
(23:52) Michigan Has to Reset and Respond Against Minnesota
(25:38) End of Show

Michigan-Iowa preview: Keys for the Wolverines in Big Ten opener Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's upcoming matchup against Iowa, as both teams open Big Ten play, and discuss the keys for the Wolverines in the contest.

The begin with a look at Michigan's offense, and how the Wolverines can shake the Hawkeyes' defense loose and put players in conflict. They also look at Bryce Underwood's next step, offensive players who need to step up, what needs to work in the run game and more.

In the second half of the episode, they look at Michigan's defensive keys. They discuss the importance of the Wolverines providing pressure, the value of a four-quarter game plan, the physicality and discipline needed and other factors. They close with final thoughts on the matchup, and predictions for the game.

Behind Enemy Lines: Michigan football vs. Iowa preview Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Michigan football enjoyed a comfortable win over UTEP to close its non-conference slate with an unblemished record, but as Kyle Whittingham acknowledged, "the gauntlet starts this week."

The Wolverines host 17th-ranked Iowa on Saturday at the Big House on Saturday as Big Ten play begins. Kickoff is set for 3:36 p.m. ET, and the game will air nationally on CBS.

The Hawkeyes are making their first trip to the Big House since 2019 and just their third since 2012. They're seeking their first conference road victory over a ranked opponent since 2015. David Eickholt of The Hawkeye Insider on 247Sports joins the show to tell us what to expect from them in the Big Ten opener.

Michigan football breakdown with Borges & English - Week 3: Encouraging signs, bigger test ahead Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Michigan made progress against UTEP. Now the Wolverines have to prove it against Big Ten competition. On this week’s Michigan Football Breakdown, former Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges and former defensive coordinator Ron English join The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb to dissect the Wolverines’ 52-17 win and identify what improved — and what still must get better — before No. 17 Iowa comes to Michigan Stadium. Offensively, the coaches dive into Bryce Underwood’s growth, Michigan’s expanded RPO attack, improved pass protection and Andrew Marsh’s increased involvement. Borges explains why the offensive line performed better than people think, but also why better movement, tighter combination blocks, and more consistency reaching the second level will be critical moving forward. Defensively, English highlights a dominant front and faster linebacker play, while pinpointing tackling and eye discipline as areas that still need cleaning up. Then the focus shifts to Iowa, where turnovers, explosive plays, and winning in the trenches will likely determine whether Michigan’s progress carries into Big Ten play. What’s real, what still needs work, and what has to change before the competition gets tougher? Borges and English break it all down.

(00:00) Michigan Shows Progress Despite a Sloppy Start Against UTEP
(02:10) Borges Says Michigan Accomplished Important Offensive Objectives
(05:30) Michigan Still Has to Fix the Running Game and Create More Explosive Plays
(08:29) English Says Michigan's Defense Got Valuable Work Against UTEP
(10:15) English Wants Michigan's Defense to Tackle Better
(12:22) English Breaks Down UTEP's Touchdowns and Michigan's Eye Discipline
(16:24) Borges Says Michigan's Offensive Line Played Its Best Game Yet
(21:34) English Says Michigan's Young Defensive Talent Is Emerging
(24:07) Borges and English Talk Defensive Technique and Jay Hill's Scheme
(31:03) English Warns That Iowa's Offense May Be Better Than Expected
(32:01) Borges Calls Iowa One of the Soundest Defenses He Ever Faced
(35:35) Borges Says Michigan Needs to Attack Iowa's Safeties
(38:13) Borges and English Give Their Biggest Iowa Concerns
(41:21) Borges and English Grade Michigan's UTEP Performance
(51:44)

MMQB Shea Patterson - Week 3: Bryce Underwood takes another step, but Iowa looms Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

A new quarterback takes the MMQB chair as former Michigan signal-caller Shea Patterson joins The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb for his debut episode to break down Bryce Underwood's continued growth in Michigan's 52-17 win over UTEP. Patterson goes inside the details of Underwood's encouraging performance and then the focus shifts to No. 17 Iowa and the start of Big Ten play, as Patterson explains how Underwood can attack the Hawkeyes' disciplined defense, why stressing their safeties could unlock Michigan's play-action game, and where the Wolverines may find opportunities to finally make defenses pay for crowding the line of scrimmage. It's a quarterback-focused look at the latest sign of progress and the next step he'll need to take as Michigan enters conference play.

(00:00) Shea Patterson Takes Over Monday Morning Quarterback
(04:21) Shea on Five-Star Pressure and Coming to Michigan
(07:33) Shea Says Bryce Underwood Is Getting Better Every Week
(09:55) Michigan Puts More Back on Bryce's Plate Against UTEP
(12:54) Bryce's Reads and Arm Talent Show Real Progress
(20:18) Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan Can Make Life Easier for Bryce
(24:50) Shea Remembers the Pressure of Being Michigan's Quarterback
(28:42) Shea's Biggest Coaching Priority for Bryce Before Iowa
(31:31) Bryce Looks Much More Comfortable Diagnosing Defenses
(38:01) Shea Explains How He Would Attack Iowa's Defense
(40:35) Ball Security Becomes Critical Before Big Ten Play
(42:35) Shea Reflects on His Favorite Michigan Memories
(47:48) Overtime Q&A Begins
(50:20) Shea Believes Bryce Can Continue Expanding as a Passer
(51:36) Shea Names the Receivers Who Made His Job Easiest
(53:47) Shea Shares His Favorite Harbaugh Story and Toughest Road Environments
(57:08) Shea Explains Learning When to Climb the Pocket
(1:00:31)

Michigan-UTEP recap, takeaways from the Wolverines' 3-0 start ahead of Big Ten play Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's 52-17 win over UTEP, and take stock of the Wolverines and their College Football Playoff hopes after three non-conference games.

They open with a look at Michigan's offense. They discuss the passing game's success, the Wolverines' ability to get other wide receivers involved and the latest step forward for Bryce Underwood. They then look at areas the offense struggled, including two first-half fumbles, a lack of push between the tackles and what some of the biggest surprises on offense have been so far.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the defense's third straight strong performance. They discuss the depth the Wolverines showed, the pass-rush and run defense, particularly in the second half, and what else worked for Michigan.

They close with a look at the Wolverines after their three non-conference games, and what Michigan's College Football Playoff chances might look like ahead of Big Ten play.

Michigan rebounds from slow start to roll UTEP: The Michigan Insider Postgame Recap Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Michigan shook off a sloppy start and eventually delivered the domination expected in a 52-17 win over UTEP, but what did the performance reveal about the Wolverines heading into Big Ten play? The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk break down Bryce Underwood’s encouraging step forward as Michigan put more on his plate with RPOs and dropback passing, plus the emergence of Andrew Marsh and J.J. Buchanan as a dangerous receiving tandem. They also examine the continued ball-security concerns, a reshuffled offensive line, and a running game that finally found its footing after halftime. On the other side of the ball, Michigan’s defense overcame a few early breakdowns before overwhelming UTEP, with the Wolverines’ increasingly impressive front-seven depth taking center stage. And after young standouts like Tommy Carr got their chance to flash late, Webb and Newkirk assess where Michigan made real progress, what still needs cleaning up, and what it all means with a much bigger test against Iowa looming.

(01:17) – Bryce Underwood Shows More Passing Progress

(05:19) – Getting Andrew Marsh the Football Was Clearly a Priority

(13:07) – Michigan’s Defensive Line Hype Looks Real

(19:47) – Webb Believes Tommy Carr Is Going to Be a Player

(22:57) – Michigan Finishes Non-Conference Play 3-0

Michigan-UTEP preview: What the Wolverines need to show in final non-conference game Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's matchup with UTEP, and focus on what the Wolverines will want to show in their final non-conference tune-up before Big Ten play begins.

They open with a look at Michigan's offense, and weigh the importance of improving its run game or pass game in a matchup where both will likely find success. They then turn attention to which players should receive extended runway in this game, be it to find a rhythm, gain collegiate experience or iron out depth.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the defense. They discuss the need to generate and develop depth at multiple positions, and discuss which players they're most excited to see more of on Saturday. They close with their predictions and final thoughts for the game.

Behind Enemy Lines: Michigan vs. UTEP preview Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Michigan welcomes the UTEP Miners to the Big House for the first-ever meeting of the two programs. The Wolverines are Miners are on opposite sides of the FBS spectrum: One has more wins than any other program in college football, while the other has just two conference titles in more than 110 seasons of play.

Bret Bloomquist of the El Paso Times has covered the UTEP Miners for two decades. He joins the show to give us the inside scoop of what to expect from Scotty Walden's team at Michigan Stadium this weekend.

Michigan Recruiting Insider: Thoughts on Michigan's recruiting efforts for OU game Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Brice and Steve preview the visitors coming in for the Oklahoma game.

(1:10) – 5-Star OT Antoine Wilks & Michigan’s Chances
(4:29) – NIL’s Impact on the Antoine Wilks Recruitment
(7:03) – 5-Star CB Nasir Richardson Visits Michigan
(9:25) – Why the Oklahoma Game Matters for Michigan Recruiting
(12:03) – Should Michigan Host Top Recruits for a High-Stakes Game?
(16:12) – DeAndre Bidden: A Must-Land Michigan WR Target?
(23:06) – Is Bidden Michigan’s Most Important 2028 Recruit?
(25:37) – DT Aiden Havili & Michigan’s West Coast Recruiting Push
(29:50) – LaMarcus Army & Michigan’s Strong Position
(39:10) – More Top Michigan Recruiting Visitors
(48:12) – Closing

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