The Michigan Insider

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Michigan football 2020 season predictions Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we go over a series of predictions for the Michigan football team's 2020 season.

Fielding poll results and comments from fans, we break down a number of superlatives and awards. We debate Joe Milton, Zach Charbonnet and other candidates for Offensive MVP, look at Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson as the primary candidates for defensive MVP. We look at a number of break player candidates, revisit our ranking of Michigan's top freshmen and explore potential underrated, unsung heroes for the Wolverines' season.

Then, we look at some team predictions, breaking down what we think will be Michigan's biggest win, worst loss and, ultimately, the Wolverines' final record through eight regular season games and an additional Big Ten game.

Along the way, we hold discussions on the importance of Michigan's front seven, Penn State vs. Michigan at a few positions, other players who might surprise and other topics.

Hunter Dickinson's first Michigan Interview & a rule that will change college bball as we know it - Michigan Basketball Insider Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick chat with Michigan freshman Hunter Dickinson about his adjustment to Michigan, his game, Michigan's growth & development plan for him, and more. Sam and Tim also share thoughts on why new COVID restrictions on Michigan's campus don't impact student athletes, the new scholarship and transfer rules that will change college basketball as we know it, and Michigan pursuit of five-star wing Caleb Houstan.

Flipping Branden Jennings, Jaden McBurrows Shows Out, & U-M's Strong Standing with Top247 DE Justice Finkley - Michigan Recruiting Insider Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb interviews the coach new Top247 LB commit Branden Jennings about how he'll fit in Michigan and the coaches that were key to flipping him. Brice Marich joins the discussion to detail Jennings' potential impact on Florida State commitment Omarion Cooper. Then Sam details the thrilling battle between Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas and TRU Prep Academy and the epic battle between Michigan commit Ja'Den McBurrows and the top WR in 2023 Brandon Inniss. Brice closes things out highlighting is trip to Alabama to see Top247 DE Justice Finkley and U-M's surprisingly strong standing with him.

Michigan's comeback crew: 10 players who could bounce back in 2020 Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we highlight Michigan's comeback crew, looking at the Wolverines' 10 veteran players who may play a bigger role than many expected them to play a season ago.

Players on this list must meet the following two criteria:

1) Had not started before OR missed the majority of last season to injury or for another reason

2) Are expected to either start or play a significant role this season

We removed a few players who subjectively weren't counted out in our eyes, and settled on 10 players we think could bounce back in 2020.

Michigan's 2017 recruiting class, how no fans and weather will impact 2020 season and more Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

In a mailbag episode, we discuss some of the latest conversations going on about Michigan football.

Among the topics we broke down included:

-How colder weather will impact Michigan’s 2020 season with four games being played after Thanksgiving.

-How a lack of fans will affect the Wolverines’ 2020 season both at home and on the road.

-Who will lead Michigan in sacks in 2020

-How the Wolverines’ receivers and tight ends will rank in receiving yards this season

-Why Michigan has struggled to land a five-star cornerback, and how much that matters for the Wolverines

-Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class — which ranked among the top five yet has not produced even 10 starters yet vs. what changed in the Wolverines’ 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes

-Our strategies for rock-paper-scissors and coin flips

The Battle for Rayshaun Benny, U-M Stronger with FSU Commit, & Three 5-star basketball targets - Michigan Recruiting Insider Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb interviews Top247 Oak Park (Mich.) DL/OL Rayshaun Benny about his upcoming decision, the breaks down which contender poses the biggest threat to Michigan with Steve Lorenz and Brice Marich. Then Marich recaps last week's trip to Florida to get definitive word on where Michigan stands with FSU commit Omarion Cooper. He also gives an early look at rising 2022 Naples (Fla.) DB Devin Moore's interest in the Wolverines. Later Brian Snow joins the podcast to update Michigan's standing with Efton Reid. Josh Henschke helps finish out the podcast with a discussion of Michigan's chances with five-stars Charles Bediako and Caleb Houstan.

Michigan's 2020 impact freshmen Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we introduce and discuss the impact freshmen that Michigan fans need to know ahead of the 2020 season.

After a quick look at the class in general, we look at the offensive side of the ball, and identify four true freshmen that can make a year one impact. We discuss home-run skill players who offer a blend of speed and elusiveness, and how one true freshman is making a surprising indent on Michigan's offensive line.

Then, we turn it over to the defensive side of the ball. We look at two players who have received the most praise so far and that we believe are locked into the two-deep. Then, we identify a few other freshmen that we project to be utilized as backups and special teams players.

We close with a look at any names we forgot, then offer a quick update on Michigan's redshirt freshmen that should make an impact this season.

Top Jersey Targets, Will Johnson, Donovan Edwards, and 2022 defensive line recruiting - Michigan Recruiting Insider Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb is joined by The Michigan Insider's Josh Newkirk who recaps his trip to New Jersey to watch and interview top 2022 targets Keon Sabb and Jaeden Gould, Rising 2023 DL Sydir Mitchell, and DL commitment Dominick Giudice. Then Steve Lorenz and Brice Marich join the show to handicap the Sabb and Gould recruitments, then discuss trips to see top in-state targets Will Johnson and Donovan Edwards in action. The crew closes things out with an in-depth discussion of the top 2022 defensive line targets so far.

Defensive position battles, wide receiver height and more questions Oct 03, 2020

Show notes

In an around-the-horn horn episode, we tackle listener questions and other smaller topics. The episode can be heard in the embedded link below.

First, we discuss Ben Mason’s role in Michigan’s offense entering the 2020 season. We explain why it makes sense for Mason to warm up and practice with the Wolverines’ tight ends, how his fullback role changes in Josh Gattis’ offense, how Michigan can still maximize what Mason brings to the table and how he fits in as a senior leader.

Then, we discuss the Wolverines’ wide receiver room, and whether or not Michigan’s lack of height is a significant concern for this season. We look at the Wolverines’ speed at wide receiver, how height has become less of a factor in top receiving rooms around the country, Josh Gattis’ history with receivers of varying heights and which Michigan receivers can play outside this season. We also look at how height factors into the Wolverines’ 2021 wide receiver recruiting.

We close with a discussion on two position battles we’re keeping a close eye on in Michigan’s defense. Along the way, we discuss how high-profile recruits and multi-year reserve players both get unfair expectations laid upon them, the state of Michigan’s cornerback and safety rooms and how we expect the VIPER position shakes out.

Five things Michigan can feel good about for 2020, five it shouldn't Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

In a special, double-length episode, we break down five things Michigan and its fans should feel good about a month before the season, and five things they might lose sleep over still.

We open with a discussion of some of Michigan’s best traits. We discuss the Wolverines’ breadth of leadership across the team, just how fast Michigan’s receivers are, the strength of the running back room, a hungry defensive line and a pair of excellent coverage safeties.

Then, we turn the discussion to some of the biggest question marks surrounding the Wolverines. Included are discussions on Michigan’s cornerback inexperience, potential pass-protecting weaknesses in the interior of the Wolverines’ offensive line, Joe Milton’s history of inaccuracy, Michigan’s struggles with interior pass rush and a few position groups where depth is a concern.

Along the way, we discuss a number of Michigan’s other strength and weaknesses, including the Wolverines’ offensive tackles, their home-run threats running ball, potential position switches and trouble points and players who have made moves since fall camp began.

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