The Michigan Insider

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2021 Michigan football season preview: Defensive line Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Continuing our podcast series previewing the Michigan football team at each position, this episode zeroes in on Michigan's defensive line. We look at the position battles, strengths, weaknesses, key questions and make bold predictions for how the group will fare in the 2021 season.

We begin by taking a look at our projected two-deep for the defensive line, as Michigan tries to find its best three between Christopher Hinton, Mazi Smith, Donovan Jeter, Jess Speight, Julius Welschof, Kris Jenkins and Jordan Whittley, and the position battles that will come from that.

Our attention then turns to the line's biggest strengths and weaknesses. We discuss the line's added weight, improved depth, athletic potential, lack of pass-rushing capabilities and lack of ceiling.

We then close with discussions about the biggest questions surrounding the group, and make our bold predictions for the room heading into the 2021 season.

2021 Michigan football season preview: Offensive line Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

Continuing our positional season preview series, we take a look at Michigan's offensive line, previewing the position battles, depth chart, strengths, weaknesses, questions and making a bold prediction on the Wolverines' front for the 2021 season.

We begin by taking a look at position battles, as Michigan returns seven players who started up front in 2021, leading to technically three position battles. We assess the competition level at each spot, how the Wolverines could move layers around to truly come up with a 'best five,' and why Michigan may wait longer than usual to decide its starting five up front.

We then turn to the group's strengths, looking at the line's depth, size and potential ability to move the line of scrimmage more this year than last season. We also look at weaknesses up front, including some pass protection concerns and a lack of experience and proven production. We then offer our biggest questions about the group, then make prediction for the line's outlook this fall.

2021 Michigan football season preview: Wide receiver/tight end Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Continuing our series previewing Michigan's 2021 season at each position group, we take a look at the depth chart, strengths, weaknesses, questions and bold predictions in the Wolverines' wide receiver and tight ends room.

We begin by taking a look at potential position battles in Michigan's receiving game. We forecast our projected starters, and dissect the battle to make the two-deep rotation — battles we argue are as equally important as the starting roles.

We then turn to the group's strengths. Shaw takes a look at the Wolverines' speed out of the slot, while Lorenz lauds Michigan's versatility at wide receiver. In terms of weaknesses, both of them had a very clear-cut one in mind.

Finally, they look at questions and predictions surrounding the group. They look at Michigan's tight end usage, Daylen Baldwin's impact and offer their thoughts on how the group could fare in 2021.

2021 Michigan football season preview: Running back Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Continuing our series previewing the Michigan football team's 2021 season at each position, we look at the depth chart, strengths, weaknesses, question marks and make bold predictions for the Wolverines' running back room.

In looking at the group's depth, we discuss the value of a three-back rotation, elaborate why all three backs could start in any given situation and assess the battle between Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards' similar roles. We then turn to the position group's strengths: Shaw takes a look at the physical strength of the room led by Hassan Haskins, while Lorenz outlines that Michigan should benefit from multiple years of landing its top recruiting targets.

We also look at the room's weaknesses, taking a peak at Michigan's lack of a home-run hitter at running back, improvements to be made in vision and maybe some concern over a diluted rotation and limited carries. We also ponder what Edwards could bring in year one.

We close with our predictions, looking at who might lead the Wolverines in rushing yards and how we think the position group will stack up compared to other position groups on the team and in recent Michigan running back history.

2021 Michigan football season preview: Quarterback Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

We kick off our season preview series, a collection of shorter episodes that look at each of Michigan's position groups ahead of the 2021 season. In our first episode, we look at the quarterback position, assessing the group's depth chart, position battles, biggest strength, biggest weakness, biggest question mark and make one bold prediction for the group in 2021.

At the quarterback position, we begin by looking at the position battle behind Cade McNamara, where JJ McCarthy and Alan Bowman will compete for second-string snaps. We go over what all three quarterbacks bring to the table, as well as what the Wolverines are looking for in a second-string quarterback.

We then look at the group's strengths and weaknesses. Shaw points to the group's productive high school careers, noting that Michigan is quietly more experienced at quarterback than usual, though he acknowledges that the position group might not be as physically gifted as it has been in year's past and questions Michigan's 2021 ceiling at quarterback. Lorenz lauds the group's throwing talent, while questioning the position's comfort in a high-caliber college game. Dan Villari's unique role is also discussed.

We close with our predictions, and assess what expectations around McNamara can be in 2021.

Fall camp preview: Storylines we're watching as Michigan begins fall camp Aug 07, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we break down some of the key storylines we’re watching heading into fall camp.

We begin by looking at Michigan’s redemption efforts on the defensive front. We assess the defensive line’s commitment to bulking up, players on the spot to help improve Michigan’s pass rush and key questions that remain in the Wolverines’ front seven. We then take a look at a pass secondary that is also looking for redemption, but could start by finding some stability and consistency.

Our attention then turns to one of Michigan’s bigger strengths, and how the Wolverines can solidify their ground game early on in fall camp as part of their team’s identity. We also look at Cade McNamara’s apparent takeover of the team, and preview what that could mean for Michigan in fall camp and beyond.

In the back half of the episode, we discuss players we think could have surprisingly strong fall camps, position battles we’re watching the most closely and summer-enrollee freshmen we think could immediately contend for spots in Michigan’s two-deep.

BBQ went well, but who is U-M going to get from it? - Michigan Recruiting Insider Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss the major takeaways from the Barbecue at the Big House. The crew focuses on Michigan's chances with Deone Walker, Isaiah Hastings, Kenneth Grant, and Josh Conerly Jr. Amorion Walker. Sam and Steve lay out the REAL story behind Jeremy Patton's flip to Baylor, the reset Michigan's linebacker board. The podcasts closes with an interview with Top247 cornerback target Ephesians Prysock and his dad.

Takeaways from Michigan's B1G Media Day appearance, plus conference realignment Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

We spend most of this episode offering our thoughts and takeaways from Michigan's Big Ten Media Days appearance. In the second half of the show, we also look at conference realignment, and how it pertains to Michigan and the Big Ten.

Reflecting on Jim Harbaugh, Josh Ross, Aidan Hutchinson and Hassan Haskins speaking with reporters in Indianapolis last week, we look at some of the key storylines. We discuss Michigan's renewed focus on Ohio State, Cade McNamara, the Wolverines' vows of redemption and reflections on the 2020 season, some light depth-chart talk and other key topics. We also discuss Harbaugh's demeanor, and some interesting comments about Michigan's new coaching staff.

Then, we switch to the ongoing discussion of conference realignment, assessing what the Big Ten could and should do next, and where that leaves Michigan.

Projecting basketball's 2021 rotation & freshman impact - Michigan Basketball Insider Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss the impact transfers will have on college basketball's power rankings. Next the duo share the latest chatter from NBA scouts on where Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers will slot in the draft. Cade Cunningham's pro outlook and fit with the Detroit Pistons are also assessed. From there the focus returns to Michigan and a projection of next year's rotation and freshman impact. The podcast closes with reactions to the first few weeks of NIL deals.

The five 'must get' recruits - Michigan Recruiting Insider Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss the major takeaways from the Keon Sabb recruitment. From there the trio resets Michigan's safety and linebacker boards, and share the latest on Dillon Tatum and Lander Barton. Next the crew points out five must get recruits for U-M (i.e. the five most attainable targets at the biggest positions of need). The podcasts closes with a discussion of more Barbecue at the Big House confirmations.

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