The Michigan Insider

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Michigan football 2026 position preview: Special teams Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz conclude their 10-part position group preview series, looking at what to expect from the Michigan football team's special teams unit in the 2026 season.

They open with a look at the strengths of the room, including on-paper consistency, an upgrade in coaching and punting and the value of transfer portal. They then turn to discuss the biggest question marks facing the room, particularly at the new coaching philosophy and decisions looming in the return game.

In the second half of the episode, they look at X-factors for the room, the floor and ceiling for Michigan's special teams this fall, and how success will be defined for the room in 2026.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Defensive Back Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their position group preview series by looking at what the Michigan football team's defensive backfield has in store for the 2026 season.

They open the episode with a look at the strengths of the room, including several seasoned veterans, experience at all positions and and athletic secondary across the board. They then turn to the biggest question marks facing the room, including Rod Moore's return to game action and the depth of the room.

In the second half of the episode, they break down their X-factor players of the room, the floor and ceiling for the room this fall, and how they will define success for the room in 2026.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Linebacker Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their position group preview series by looking at the Michigan football team's linebacker room.

They open with a look at the strengths and question marks of the room, as they try to make sense of a position group that lost its top four players from last season, and did not add a true sure-thing player though the transfer portal this offseason. Nonetheless, they examine the top four linebackers in the room, and what they can bring in 2026.

In the second half of the episode, they look at two x-factor players for the room, the floor and ceiling for the position group, and how they will measure success for the Wolverines' linebackers in 2026.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Edge Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series with a look at the Michigan football team’s edge room.

They open with a discussion of the room’s biggest strengths, including a potential All-American and one of the higher-ceiling rooms on the team. They then look at question marks for the group, including the battle for the No. 4 spot in the rotation and the Wolverines’ effort to turn developmental prospects into stars.

In the second half of the episode, they look at X-factors for the room, the group’s floor and ceiling for this fall, and how success should be measured for the edge room.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Defensive line Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their 10-part position preview podcast by looking at Michigan’s defensive tackle room ahead of the 2026 season.

They open with a look at the strengths of the room, including size, upside, experience and run-stopping ability. They then turn to the question marks of the room, including the battle for the second-string roles, pass-rushing production and more.

In the second half of the episode, they take a look at X-factors for the room, including a potential star and an under-the-radar transfer portal addition. They then discuss the floor and ceiling of the room this fall, and how they will measure success for the room.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Offensive Line Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz finish up the offensive half of their annual position group preview series, taking a look at what to expect from the Wolverines' offensive line in 2026.

They open with a look at the strengths of the room, discussing the depth, talent level and even experience of the line after keeping so many players from last season as well as the Jim Harding. They then turn to the questions marks of the room, discussing how they think the starting five will shake out, the room's need to improve its pass-protection and certain players to watch.

In the second half of the episode, they look at X-factor players they're watching, discuss the floor and ceiling of the room and break down how they'll define success for the room in 2026.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Tight end Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series with an in-depth look at Michigan's tight end room. The episode is the fourth installment of a series digging deeper into each of the Wolverines' position groups ahead of the 2026 season.

They open with a look at the strengths and question marks of the room. They talk about the room's experience, the breakout potential among the top-line players, the perceived lack of star power and uncertainty about the usage the room will have in Michigan's new offense.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the X-factors of the room, the floor and ceiling for Michigan's tight ends, and how they will define success for the room in 2026.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Wide receiver Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz continue their annual position group preview series with an in-depth look at the Wolverines' wide receiver room. The episode is the third of 11 in the series.

They open with a look at the strengths of the room, including revamped talent, improved hands and a room more prepared for the season ahead than the prior two seasons. They discuss Michigan's dynamic receiver duo at the top of Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan. They then dive into the question marks of the room, including the battle for the No. 3 wide receiver.

In the second half of the episode, they take a look at X-factor players for the room, the room's floor and ceiling for 2026, and how they will measure success for the group this fall.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Running back Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz preview what to expect in the 2026 season from Michigan's running back room. The episode is the second in 11 episodes looking at the Wolverines at each position group.

They open with a look at the room's strengths, as they examine what Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter and Bryson Kuzdzal do well as a running back trio. They then discuss the central question of the room, which for both of them centers around just how good Hiter can be as a true freshman.

In the second half of the episode, they discuss the room's biggest X-factor, the floor of the room, the ceiling of the room, and how they will define success for Michigan's running back room in 2026.

Michigan football 2026 position preview: Quarterback Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz preview the Michigan football team's quarterback room for the 2026 season. The episode is part of their 11-part position preview series, looking at the Wolverines' season ahead.

They open with a discussion about the strengths that Bryce Underwood and the rest of the room bring, as well as the biggest question marks the room faces this season. In the second half of the episode, they look at an X-factor player for the room, discuss the group's floor and ceiling and how they will measure success from the room in 2026.

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