The Michigan Insider

in this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's 28-21 win at Rutgers, and what did and did not work for the Wolverines in their fifth win of the season.

They open with a look at the offense, and the success that Tommy Carr showed in his first road start. They discussed the value of Carr seeing the field well, working the ball to multiple pass-catchers and instincts when under pressure. They also look at an underwhelming rushing attack, and another bad game from the Wolverines' offensive line. They also spend time talking about Michigan's kicking battle, and what to make of Trey Butkowski's recent struggles. In the second half of the episode, they look at Michigan's defense, and balance the weight of bad big plays and penalties, but a good overall performance from the room.

Michigan escaped Piscataway with a 28-21 win over Rutgers, but what should have been a comfortable victory became another frustrating showcase of the Wolverines’ season-long shortcomings. Still, there were encouraging signs, starting with an impressive performance from freshman quarterback Tommy Carr. In this week’s TMI Postgame Recap, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk are joined by Alejandro Zúñiga from Rutgers to dissect the good, the bad, and the downright sloppy. Making just his second start while battling illness, Carr displayed remarkable poise, worked through his progressions, extended plays, converted critical third downs, and scored twice with his legs. The offense also showed welcome improvement with more play-action, greater downfield aggressiveness, better involvement from the tight ends, and a more consistent commitment to downhill running. JJ Buchanan delivered spectacular contested catches, while freshman Savion Hiter showed encouraging flashes in an expanded role. But how much of that progress was sustainable improvement, and how much was Carr and his teammates overcoming a scheme that still isn’t consistently putting them in position to succeed? The crew examines the continued inability to scheme receivers open, the ineffective Rhino package, and a running game still struggling to generate explosive plays. They also break down the defensive lapses that overshadowed an otherwise solid effort, costly penalties, missed field goals, and mounting offensive line injuries that kept an overmatched Rutgers team within striking distance. Alejandro adds Kyle Whittingham’s postgame perspective and key personnel updates before the discussion turns to Michigan State. The Wolverines got a much-needed win, their young playmakers took meaningful steps forward, and the offense showed signs of life. Now can the coaching staff build on those positives while correcting the persistent problems that continue to make every game a struggle?

(00:00) – Michigan Holds On for a 28–21 Win Over Rutgers
(00:22) – Sam Says Tommy Carr Was the Story of the Game
(02:15) – Michigan’s Biggest Offensive Plays Still Required Individual Players to Win
(03:48) – Carr’s Third-Down Playmaking Gives Michigan a Major Boost
(08:00) – Michigan Still Cannot Consistently Scheme Receivers Open
(11:00) – Buchanan Makes Big Plays but Most of Michigan’s Receiving Production Comes in Traffic
(13:35) – Michigan’s Deep Shots Were There but Carr Could Not Finish Them
(15:34) – Sam Says Carr’s Poise Is the Biggest Thing Michigan Can Carry Forward
(16:15) – Michigan’s Field-Goal Situation Has Become a Serious Problem
(18:13) – Rhino Remains Heavily Involved
(19:44) – Sam Says Michigan’s Tight Ends Give the Offense More Flexibility
(21:02) – Josh Says Carr Has Settled Down Since the Indiana Interception
(23:13) – Michigan’s Running Backs Still Struggle to Create Explosive Plays
(24:10) – Michigan’s Defense Gives Up Too Many Explosive Plays
(25:48) – Alejandro Zuniga Joins From Rutgers for the Postgame Press Conference Takeaways
(26:30) – Savion Hiter May Be Separating Himself in the Running Back Rotation
(27:49) – Whittingham Says Nothing Has Been Easy for Michigan
(31:23) – Offensive-Line Injuries Continue to Complicate Everything
(33:14) – Michigan Survives the Rutgers Fight and Turns Toward Michigan State
(34:37) – Sam Says Carr’s Moxie Can Carry Over to Michigan State
(35:44) – Savion Hiter Calls Michigan State a “Dirty Game”
(38:19) – Michigan Continues to Miss John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols
(39:10) – Jay Hill Becomes More Aggressive Without His Top Pass Rushers
(40:00) – Rutgers’ Explosive Plays Show Why Michigan Cannot Relax Defensively
(41:08) – Missed Field Goals Keep Rutgers Alive
(41:43) – Whittingham May Reopen the Kicking Competition
(43:14) – Michigan Moves Into Rivalry Week With Plenty Still to Fix

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz preview the Michigan football team’s road trip to take on Rutgers, and what the Wolverines need to show in what is expected to be a confidence-building game.

They open with a look at the keys for Michigan’s offense. They discuss the benefits of an establishing a rushing attack against a bottom-tier run defense, but also the potential value of getting Tommy Carr comfortable with tougher opponents waiting. They then discuss how long, if Michigan has success Saturday, it should keep the first-string offense out there and playing aggressively, as opposed to taking the win and limiting snaps for key players.

In the second half of the episode, they look at keys for the defense, and which players they want to see more of in the game. They close with final thoughts and score predictions for the matchup.

Michigan football returns to the birthplace of college football as it meets Rutgers at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Scarlet Knights have their own issues at quarterback and remain one of the nation's worst defenses, but they'll lean on a solid rushing attack and human highlight reel KJ Duff this weekend.

Bobby Deren of 247Sports' Scarlet Nation joins the show to give us an inside look at Greg Schiano's program and his prediction for Rutgers vs. Michigan.

Michigan's defense delivered a performance worthy of victory against Indiana. Its offense couldn't deliver a touchdown. On this edition of The Michigan Insider's Michigan Football Breakdown, former Michigan coordinators Al Borges and Ron English join Sam Webb to dissect the Wolverines' frustrating 13-6 overtime loss, the questionable offensive strategy that squandered a stellar defensive effort, and the changes needed to get Michigan back on track. Borges takes a hard look at the play-calling, including the disastrous 3rd & 1 call from the goal line that may have cost Michigan the game—and explains why the decision looks even worse upon closer film review. The trio also examines the continued reliance on the Rhino package, the lack of offensive diversity, and Tommy Carr's first start, separating the freshman's execution from the schematic and personnel issues limiting the offense. English breaks down Michigan's outstanding defensive performance, highlighting the physicality, discipline, and adjustments that kept Indiana's dangerous offense in check. Finally, the coaches explore how Michigan can better utilize its talented running backs, create more explosive plays, improve offensive line execution, and establish a more effective, balanced attack. With the Wolverines' offensive struggles persisting despite a quarterback change, the central question is unavoidable: What must Kyle Whittingham and his staff change to stop wasting championship-caliber defensive performances?

(00:00) Sam Opens: Michigan at a Crossroads After the Indiana Loss
(01:11) Al Borges Joins the Show
(01:51) Sam, Al and Ron Open With Lions Talk and a Fourth-Down Decision
(05:13) Ron English Breaks Down Michigan’s Defensive Performance Against Indiana
(07:19) Ron Praises Jay Hill’s Blitz Timing and the Corner Blitz
(09:14) Ron on Field Position and Holding an Elite Defense to a Standard
(11:28) Ron Warns Against Complacency With Five Games Left
(12:04) Sam Says Accountability Is Not Evenly Dispensed
(14:44) Michigan Has Scored Three Points on 27 Possessions Not Started by the Defense
(15:24) Al Says Throwing to the Rhino Is Only Part of the Problem
(17:59) Al Charts Tommy Carr’s First Start: 14 Plays With Every Receiver Covered
(18:40) Carr’s Fumble, His Mistakes and Playing the National Champions
(20:37) Al Says Scheming Receivers Open Is the Coordinator’s Job
(21:17) Michigan’s Eight Naked Passes and How the Run Game Was Used
(24:27) The High-Leverage Situations Michigan Had to Make Good On
(25:05) Why Michigan Keeps Using Rhino Without Scheming Anyone Open
(27:02) Breaking Down the Third-and-One Goal-Line Boot
(30:38) Al Explains How He Would Coach That Goal-Line Play
(36:10) Whittingham Calls the Play a Bad Call
(38:51) Al on Head Coach and Coordinator Communication
(50:30) Al’s Goal-Line Approach: Run, Wedge and Make Them Prove It
(56:49) Why Are We Still Talking About the Guy Being Open?
(58:07) How Do You Keep a Bad Call From Going In During High-Leverage Moments?
(1:05:43) Ron Grades the Defensive Front
(1:09:38) Sam and Al on the Coach and Media Relationship
(1:15:11) Viewer Q&A Begins
(1:17:44) Al on Collaborative Play Calling and Whittingham’s Role
(1:19:40) Coaches Calling Coaches During the Week
(1:23:57) Does Michigan Start Games Sharp and Then Become Predictable?
(1:25:12) Vance Says Coaches Must Adjust to the Big Ten
(1:29:13) Al on the Offensive Line Without Both Starting Tackles
(1:33:18) Moving the Pocket and Its Effect on Receivers
(1:35:12) Can Whittingham Take Over Offensive Play Calling?
(1:42:05) Al on a Head Coach Telling His Coordinator “Don’t Run That Play”
(1:43:57) Why Whittingham’s Public Bad-Call Comments Matter
(1:47:16) Does Michigan Have Four- or Five-Receiver Sets It Believes In?
(1:48:51) Has Michigan Had to Adjust to Coaching Better Talent?
(1:49:22) Michigan’s Tight Ends Versus the Rhino
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Michigan’s defense played well enough to beat Indiana. Its offense barely gave it a chance. The result was a maddening 13-6 overtime loss at Michigan Stadium that raised even more questions about the Wolverines’ offensive direction. On this edition of The Michigan Insider’s Monday Morning Quarterback, presented by Golden Limousine International, Sam Webb is joined by former Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson and special guest, former Wolverine defensive lineman Will Heininger, for a revealing breakdown of what went wrong and what must change. Patterson dissects Tommy Carr’s uneven first start, including his two costly turnovers, missed opportunities, and the lack of offensive support that made life even tougher against Indiana’s formidable defense. Heininger offers a pointed assessment of Michigan’s struggles in the trenches, the continued reliance on the ineffective Rhino package, and the disastrous 3rd & 1 bootleg that wasted the Wolverines’ best scoring opportunity. The conversation also puts Kyle Whittingham’s game management under the microscope, questioning whether he needs to take greater control of critical offensive decisions. With Rutgers up next, the trio explores practical solutions, from more creative passing concepts and increased tight end involvement to a collaborative approach to offensive game-planning. They also tackle the growing quarterback controversy, explaining why another quick change could compound Michigan’s problems rather than solve them. With a defense capable of keeping the Wolverines competitive against anyone, can Whittingham and his staff finally find an offensive formula that gives Michigan a chance to win?

(00:00) – Shea Patterson and Will Heininger Break Down Michigan’s Loss to Indiana
(02:45) – Shea Says Carr Made Freshman Mistakes but Did Not Receive Enough Help
(04:59) – Michigan’s Goal-Line Boot Becomes the Defining Offensive Mistake
(08:51) – Heininger Calls the Goal-Line Decision “Malpractice”
(12:40) – Michigan’s Passing Game Continues to Leave Carr Without Answers
(14:45) – Sam Says Michigan Is Not Taking Advantage of Its Receiving Talent
(16:17) – Heininger Says Tight Ends Would Give Michigan More Flexibility Than Rhino
(18:37) – Rhino Is Not Producing the Physical Advantage It Is Supposed to Provide
(21:21) – Heininger Says Michigan Looked Unprepared for Indiana’s D-Line Movement
(28:10) – Heininger Says Whittingham Must Take Control in High-Leverage Situations
(33:49) – Shea Says Michigan Has to Identify What It Actually Does Well
(38:12) – Shea Calls for More Rub Routes, Mesh and Receiver Stacks
(39:16) – Shea Explains How Michigan Can Attack Quarters Coverage
(41:05) – Heininger Wants Michigan to Make Defenses Cover the Entire Width of the Field
(45:09) – Shea Confirms Michigan Should Have Identified Indiana’s Boot Responsibility
(48:19) – Shea Says Michigan Should Not Immediately Go Back to Bryce
(49:19) – Sam Says Changing Quarterbacks Again Would Ignore the Real Problems
(51:28) – Shea Says Eventually a Quarterback Has to Claim the Job
(53:21) – Michigan Finally Begins Using the Tight Ends More
(54:28) – Sam Says Indiana May Have Provided the Clearest Argument Yet for Less Rhino
(56:07) – Michigan May Need to Give Andrew Babalola an Opportunity
(58:29) – Michigan’s Second-Half Play Action Shows an Answer Worth Building On
(59:44) – Sam Pushes Back on the Quarterback Job Being Publicly “TBD”
(1:03:44) – Sam Says Michigan Has Not Shown Enough to Judge Carr’s Deep Passing
(1:05:11) – Sam Says the Quarterback Change Was Justified but Did Not Fix the Offense
(1:07:59) – Michigan May Need a More Collaborative Offensive Approach
(1:10:28) – Sam: Michigan Should Consider Calling Trusted Coaches Outside the Building
(1:14:00) – Portal Concerns Become Another Reason Michigan Needs Offensive Progress
(1:16:39) – Sam Says Carr Should Get the Rutgers Start

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's 13-6 overtime loss to No. 6 Indiana, and the big-picture impact the defeat has on the Wolverines' season.

They open with a look at Michigan's offense in the game, in the latest rough showing for offensive coordinator Jason Beck and his players. They discuss what went wrong for the Wolverines in the loss to Indiana, particularly with the run game, play-calling and failing to finish drives. They discuss how to assess Beck's performance so far, and how to factor in Michigan's youth, turnover luck and the financial cost in deciding the fate of Beck's job.

In the second half of the episode, they discuss what went well for Michigan's defense in the game, including standout performances that kept the game close. They also discuss the squandered opportunity the Wolverines had this season given their championship-caliber defense, which of Michigan's three losses should Wolverine fans be most angry about, and how much Michigan players are on "quit watch" after a third loss.

Michigan's defense did everything necessary to beat Indiana. Its offense did almost nothing to reward that effort, turning a potential signature victory into a bitter 13-6 overtime loss at Michigan Stadium. In The Michigan Insider's postgame recap, Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk break down how Michigan wasted a brilliant defensive performance orchestrated by Jay Hill, whose aggressive play-calling and standout efforts from Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, and the rest of the unit repeatedly gave the Wolverines opportunities to seize control. The conversation turns to the offense's continued dysfunction, with sharp criticism of coordinator Jason Beck's play-calling, the persistent reliance on the Rhino package, costly red-zone failures, and an alarming inability to scheme receivers open. Webb and Newkirk also examine freshman quarterback Tommy Carr's rocky first half and late-game resilience, explaining why his struggles further exposed the deeper offensive problems that existed long before the quarterback change from Bryce Underwood. They also question the disconnect between head coach Kyle Whittingham and his offensive staff on critical play calls, and whether Michigan needs to seek outside input to fix an attack that continues to undermine an otherwise outstanding defense. With another winnable game slipping away, the discussion delivers a pointed assessment of where the responsibility lies, why the quarterback change alone was never going to solve Michigan's problems, and what must change before the Wolverines face Rutgers.

(00:00) Michigan Loses 13-6 to Indiana in Overtime
(00:36) Michigan’s Defense Squanders a Brilliant Effort Against Indiana’s Receivers
(01:59) Sam Says the Offense’s Problems Go Well Beyond the Quarterback
(03:06) The Third-and-Goal Rhino Call Whittingham Called a Bad Call
(04:44) Sam on How Heavy Personnel Limits Michigan’s Passing Game
(06:02) Tommy Carr Improves From Week One, but the Loss Isn’t on Him
(07:26) Michigan Can’t Scheme Receivers Open, Even Without Rhino
(08:21) The Halftime Play-Action Adjustment and the Need for More Shot Plays
(10:37) Why Does Michigan Keep Using Rhino: Stubbornness or Inability?
(11:06) Red-Zone Failures and a Lack of Ways to Get Guys Open
(13:12) The Lack of Tight End Involvement
(14:00) Michigan’s Passing Game Has to Help Its Run Game
(15:33) Should Michigan Seek Outside Help on Offense?
(16:23) The Frustration of Letting a Winnable Game Slip Away
(16:47) Musts Coming Out of the Game: No More Calls Whittingham Doesn’t Like
(17:57) The Quarterback Change Exposes the Passing Game’s Problems
(18:19) Tommy Carr’s Rough Start and His Recovery
(19:08) This Game Isn’t About Tommy vs. Bryce
(21:00) How Other Teams Scheme Receivers Open With Motion and Stacks
(23:13) Coaches Calling Coaches: The Ryan Day and Urban Meyer Example
(24:22) Jay Hill’s Game Plan and the Corner Blitz
(25:28) Who Whittingham Should Call for Offensive Help
(27:34) Is Rhino Stubbornness or Desperation?
(28:06) Missing Both Starting Tackles Doesn’t Explain the Ineptitude
(28:47) The Third-and-One Call That Could Have Won the Game
(29:39) Defensive Shoutouts: Suge, Zeke Barry, Snowden, Bracy and Jay Hill
(30:34) Tommy Carr’s Recovery and the Plays Where Nobody Was Open
(31:35) Sam Closes by Looking Ahead to Rutgers

Michigan looked like a different team when Tommy Carr took over at quarterback. What does the Wolverines’ dramatic change in energy, physicality, and emotion reveal about the locker room and its leadership? On this episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, presented by Golden Limousine International, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb is joined by former Michigan football captain Jarrett Irons and former Wolverines point guard Daniel Horton to examine the Tommy Carr effect, the pressure that comes with becoming Michigan’s starting quarterback, and why a fresh start elsewhere might be best for Bryce Underwood. The conversation shifts to the hardwood with an early look at Michigan basketball’s national championship defense and whether the Detroit Pistons can contend in a loaded Eastern Conference reshaped by blockbuster moves.

(00:00) – Jarrett Irons Returns After Michigan’s Season-Saving Win
(04:07) – Irons Says Michigan’s Players Clearly Responded to Tommy Carr
(07:40) – Carr’s Poise Under Pressure Impresses Sam and Irons
(09:30) – Irons Says Leadership Is Built Through Relationships
(13:36) – Sam and Irons Discuss Bryce’s Bye-Week Training Trip
(18:49) – Sam Says Bryce May Have Been Given Too Much Leadership Responsibility Too Soon
(22:07) – Sam Rejects the Idea That Michigan Deliberately Sabotaged Bryce
(25:12) – Bryce’s Inability to Recover From Adversity Becomes the Bigger Concern
(28:56) – Michigan Must Build on the Concepts That Have Actually Worked
(32:22) – Irons Says Great Coaches Fit the Scheme to Their Players
(35:21) – Irons Says Carr Has Clearly Earned Respect Inside the Locker Room
(37:07) – The Panel Discusses What Comes Next for Bryce Underwood
(43:03) – Horton Says Carr Has a Chance to Establish His Own Michigan Legacy
(44:59) – Horton Pushes Back Against Overhyping Carr’s Penn State Performance
(49:26) – Irons Says Carr Helped Save Michigan’s Season but Cannot Do It Alone
(51:07) – Carr’s Moxie and Sibling Rivalry Become Part of the Discussion
(55:47) – Irons and Horton Explain How Their Football Families Shaped Them
(58:33) – Irons Says Michigan Does Not Need Carr to Be a Savior Against Indiana
(1:02:44) – Sam and Horton Debate How Much Carr Actually Showed
(1:07:36) – Sam Lays Out the Offensive Blueprint He Wants Against Indiana
(1:11:55) – Horton Says Michigan’s Quarterback Problem Has Been Bigger Than One Player
(1:15:08) – Carr Has at Least Proven the Stage Is Not Too Big
(1:19:09) – Michigan Basketball Returns With a Different Championship Roster
(1:22:01) – Michigan’s Development Will Determine Its Championship Ceiling
(1:24:20) – Horton Says Elliot Cadeau Can Become a National Player of the Year Candidate
(1:25:33) – Horton Calls Michigan’s Backcourt One of the Best in the Country
(1:27:22) – Horton Expects Roddy Gayle to Play Like a Veteran
(1:28:30) – Michigan’s Biggest Basketball Question May Be Frontcourt Physicality
(1:29:58) – Sam and Horton Discuss the Pistons’ Place in the Eastern Conference
(1:32:58) – Horton Says Detroit’s Growth Has to Come From Within
(1:35:42) – Carr’s Familiarity With Michigan Reinforces Confidence in His Composure
(1:36:15) – Sam Says Player Movement and NIL Donor Changes Are Now Normal
(1:38:07) – Michigan Will Likely Explore the Quarterback Portal
(1:42:02) – Horton Likes Michigan’s Backup Point Guard Options
(1:42:43) – Horton Likes Yaxel Lendeborg Learning From Draymond Green
(1:44:53) – Detroit Still Needs Another Offensive Creator Beside Cade Cunningham
(1:46:48) – Michigan Women’s Basketball Preview Is Coming
(1:48:50) – End of Show

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team’s upcoming home matchup against No. 6 Indiana, and the keys for the Wolverines to pull off the upset in Ann Arbor.

They open with a look at the keys for Michigan’s offense. They discuss the Wolverines switching to Tommy Carr as starting quarterback, the importance of avoiding turnovers, why getting the ball out quick might be an asset in this matchup and other opportunities for Michigan to have success moving the football.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the keys for the Wolverines’ defense, including the value of pressure and forcing Josh hoover into uncomfortable throws and situations, the threats that Charlies Becker and Nick Marsh present, the Hoosiers’ run game in recent weeks and more.

They close with their final thoughts on the matchup, and score predictions for the game.

Michigan football welcomes the defending national champions to the Big House as the Indiana Hoosiers make the trip to Ann Arbor. IU isn't the same team that dominated college football in 2025 -- they eked out wins over Northwestern and Nebraska, and their 22-game winning streak came to a close last week against Ohio State. But they're still one of the nation's best teams, boasting an elite rush defense and an offense full of weapons.

Matt Weaver of Peegs/247Sports joins Behind Enemy Lines to break down Indiana's strengths and weaknesses to help us prepare for Saturday's clash at Michigan Stadium.

On this week’s Michigan Football Breakdown, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb joins former Michigan coordinators Al Borges and Ron English for an in-depth look at Michigan’s 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State, the move from Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr, and preparing for defending national champion Indiana.

(00:00) Sam and Ron English Open the Michigan Football Breakdown
(01:27) Ron English Reacts to the Move From Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr
(05:39) Ron English Breaks Down Michigan’s Defensive Performance Against Penn State
(08:37) Ron English Names His Defensive Player of the Game
(09:54) Al Borges Joins the Show
(11:08) Ron Says Michigan’s Defense Got Better in Physicality and Tackling
(12:57) Al Borges Gives His Take on the Quarterback Switch
(18:52) Sam and Al Break Down the Rhino Numbers Against Penn State
(23:32) Al Notes Tommy Carr Threw Zero Drop-Back Passes
(28:01) Sam and Al Dissect Bryce Underwood’s First-Half Struggles and Interceptions
(30:58) Sam Asks Whether the Quarterback Change Was Justified
(32:37) Sam and Al Debate Using Bryce Underwood as a Runner
(34:02) Sam and Al Argue Over Rhino Efficiency
(36:47) Sam Revisits Bryce’s Composure After the Interception
(41:54) Sam Compares Michigan’s Heavy-Package Usage to Past Staffs
(45:05) Ron Explains How the Rhino Package Affects a Defense
(47:46) Michigan Starts Getting More Downhill
(50:45) Michigan’s Perimeter Offense and the Stretch Game Against Indiana
(54:28) Ron Breaks Down Penn State’s 16-Play Opening Drive
(56:32) Ron Reviews Penn State’s Two-Minute Drive and Michigan’s Defensive Call
(58:52) Al and Ron Question Michigan’s Four-Minute Offense
(1:02:27) Sam Clarifies the Rhino Comparison to the Harbaugh Era
(1:05:08) Sam Compares Heavy-Package Snap Percentages Across Seasons
(1:10:51) Ron’s Game Plan for Indiana’s Receivers
(1:18:00) Ron and Al Hand Out Their Grades
(1:18:57) Al Gives Tommy Carr His Grade
(1:21:26) Viewer Q&A Begins
(1:22:48) The Case for Starting Tommy Carr Against Indiana
(1:25:06) Al Explains How He Would Build the Game Plan Around Tommy
(1:29:19) Al on Using the Quick Game to Build Tommy’s Confidence
(1:36:31) Al Says Tommy Should Get the Same Leash Bryce Got
(1:38:27) Al Explains the Two-Quarterback “Deuce” Package From His Michigan Days
(1:39:41) Ron Explains the Challenge of Lining Up to Formations and Motions
(1:42:21) Ron on Defending Indiana’s Best Receiver at the Boundary
(1:46:05) Al Grades Gash’s First Start on the Offensive Line
(1:47:03) Final Thoughts: Who Comes Out on Top Against Indiana?
(1:51:24) How Michigan Creates Chunk Plays Against Indiana
(1:53:25) Why the Run Game Shows Up in the Second Half
(1:56:23) Al Borges Gives His Final Prediction
(1:57:56) End of Show

Michigan’s quarterback change sparked a dramatic 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State, but did the Wolverines find a lasting solution to their offensive struggles? On this week’s Monday Morning Quarterback, brought to you by Golden Limousine, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb and former Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson welcome special guest and former Wolverine lineman Jack Miller to break down Bryce Underwood’s benching, Tommy Carr’s impressive relief performance, and the team’s response to his emergence. The trio examines Underwood’s struggles, Carr’s poise, and the eye-opening numbers behind Michigan’s rushing success with and without the controversial Rhino package. They also discuss Jason Beck’s play-calling, debate the offensive adjustments needed moving forward, and assess what the quarterback change means for both players. Plus, with highly ranked Indiana bringing a formidable defense to Michigan Stadium Saturday, can Carr build on his breakthrough, and will Michigan’s offense be ready for its toughest test yet?

(00:00) Shea Patterson and Jack Miller Join Sam Webb for Monday Morning Quarterback
(02:19) Shea and Jack React to Michigan’s Dull First Half Against Penn State
(05:13) Jack Says Switching to Tommy Carr Was the Right Call
(06:24) Shea Praises Tommy Carr’s Poise as Michigan Brings Back the Quarterback Run
(07:32) Jack Explains Why the Team Rallied Around Tommy Carr
(09:55) Sam Breaks Down the Rhino Numbers: 48% of Snaps, Four Yards a Play
(11:27) Jack Explains Why Rhino Invites Extra Defenders Into the Box
(14:07) Jack Wants Michigan to Spread Out and Run Downhill
(16:54) Jack Previews Indiana’s Defensive Line and What Michigan Needs
(21:34) Shea Breaks Down Bryce’s Two First-Half Interceptions
(24:03) Sam and Shea Question Michigan’s First-Half Play Calling
(29:05) Shea on What Bryce Is Going Through After the Switch
(32:53) Sam Calls Rhino “a Piece, Not the Platter”
(37:16) Shea and Sam Praise Tommy’s Poise on the Corner Blitz Throw
(38:15) How Michigan Can Get Outside Against Indiana
(41:26) Shea Explains What Changes for Tommy When He Becomes the Starter
(47:45) Overtime Q&A Begins
(48:21) Shea on Whether Starting Against Indiana Could Rattle Tommy
(51:18) Shea and Sam Discuss Bryce’s Trip to an Outside Quarterback Trainer
(54:33) Why Michigan’s Second-Half Play Calling Worked Better
(55:46) Shea Says Bryce Should Stay Ready but Not Share the Field
(57:11) Shea and Sam on Quick Game Against Indiana’s Front
(1:01:18) Shea on the Pressure of Being Michigan’s Quarterback
(1:02:38) Will Jason Beck’s Play Calling Face More Scrutiny?
(1:08:55) Sam on Why Michigan Missed Its Chance to Hire a Veteran Quarterback Coach
(1:13:52) Sam on Downhill Running, Split Stretch and Less Rhino
(1:15:22) Why Opponents Keep Attacking Michigan’s Boundary Corners
(1:17:29) Shea Remembers Being Benched Against Wisconsin
(1:18:33) Shea on How Bryce Handled the Benching and Prepares This Week
(1:21:42) Shea Praises Tommy for the Throws He Didn’t Force
(1:23:10) Shea’s Score Prediction and Keys to Beating Indiana
(1:27:44) Shea’s Message to Tommy Carr Before Indiana
(1:29:10) Sam Makes His Closing Case Against Overusing Rhino
(1:31:42) Shea on How the Locker Room Will Handle the Unnamed Starter
(1:33:40) Sam Explains How Harbaugh’s Teams Used Heavy Personnel Differently
(1:35:29) Sam Wraps Up Monday Morning Quarterback

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team’s 21-18 win over Penn State, in which the Wolverines switched quarterbacks at halftime, forced three second-half turnovers and snapped a two-game losing skid with their first Big Ten win of the season.

They open with a look at Michigan's offense, which was a tale of two halves with Bryce Underwood and then Tommy Carr playing as quarterback. They discuss why the run game looked better, what Carr did and did not do well, how they would handle Michigan's quarterback situation moving forward and more observations from the offensive side of the ball.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the Wolverines' defensive performance. They discuss Michigan's three takeaways, fourth-quarter struggles, dominant run defense, improved pass-rush and some issues in coverage.

They close with a discussion on how the win changes their view on Michigan's upcoming slate of games, including Indiana next week.

Tommy Carr provided the spark, Michigan's defense delivered the big plays, and the Wolverines finally found a running game. But did the 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State reveal the formula for saving Michigan's season? The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk break down Carr's electrifying second-half debut, the quarterback decision now facing Kyle Whittingham, and the offensive changes that helped turn a disastrous first half into a dramatic win. Sam digs into the reduced reliance on the Rhino package, the return of effective downhill rushing, and why those adjustments may have been just as important as the quarterback switch. The duo also examines Chris Bracy's breakout performance in a turnover-fueled defensive effort. Was this a genuine turning point or did Michigan simply escape a bad Penn State team? Sam and Josh explain what must improve immediately — from third-down execution to offensive line play and personnel usage — before a much tougher Indiana team comes to town.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the Michigan football team's home matchup against Penn State, and the keys for the Wolverines to get back into the win column against a slumping Nittany Lions squad.

They open up with a look at the Wolverines' offense. They discuss what needs to change for Michigan's run game to find more success, and the impact that could have on the rest of the offense. They also discuss turnovers, Bryce Underwood's attempt to bounce back, and the holes in Penn State's defense.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the keys for Michigan's defense. They break down the Nittany Lions' offense, the importance for the Wolverines to reignite their pass-rush and clean up their tackling, Michigan's success stopping the run and the Wolverines' fourth-quarter dilemma so far.

They close the episode with other factors to watch, and their score predictions for the game.

Either Penn State or Michigan will earn its first Big Ten win of the season when the two programs meet at the Big House on Saturday afternoon.

The Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell and imported two-dozen of his former Iowa State players last offseason. They went 3-0 in non-conference play before falling to Wisconsin, Northwestern and USC. They bring an experienced quarterback, a running game that is still searching for its identity, and a defense that hasn't put together a complete game yet against Power Four competition.

Daniel Gallen of Lions247 joins the show to give us a detailed look at Penn State before the showdown at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan is reeling, Bryce Underwood is under fire, and the coaching staff is facing mounting scrutiny. What better time to bring back Steady Droppin’ Dimes! Sam Webb and former Michigan point guard Daniel Horton launch the new season with outspoken former Michigan defensive backs coach and former Louisville and Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, who’s filling in while the search for a permanent football voice continues.

Vance brings the same candor and intensity that defined his coaching career, offering an unfiltered perspective on Michigan’s struggles and the difficult decisions ahead.

Is Bryce Underwood REALLY Michigan’s biggest problem, or are the coaches setting him up to fail? Vance delivers a pointed critique of the offensive scheme, the overuse of Rhino personnel, the failure to establish a downhill running game, and the lack of adjustments against defenses teeing off on Michigan’s young quarterback. He also challenges Kyle Whittingham and his staff to adapt their system to the talent on hand.

But Underwood isn’t getting a free pass. Sam examines Bryce’s struggles under pressure, his breakdowns in composure, and whether he can correct those problems before Michigan is forced to consider a quarterback change. Daniel offers a former five-star athlete’s perspective, questioning whether the coaching staff is doing enough to develop its most important player.

And the concerns extend well beyond quarterback. The crew also tackles Zack Marshall’s leaked messages, growing questions about offensive coordinator Jason Beck, Whittingham’s public criticism of play-calling, and the danger of losing the locker room. Vance also lays out what needs to change during the bye week before Michigan faces Penn State.

(00:00) – Steady Droppin’ Dimes Returns With Vance Bedford
(05:56) – Vance Says Michigan Has to Build the Offense Around Its Actual Players
(08:00) – Vance Says Michigan’s Rhino and Wildcat Packages Make Life Easier for Defenses
(13:32) – Vance Says Michigan Failed to Adjust to Minnesota’s Pressure
(15:27) – Vance Says Michigan’s Defense Has Its Own Five-Minute Problem
(21:05) – Daniel Says Michigan Has to Rebuild Bryce’s Confidence
(24:57) – Daniel Pushes Back on Attacks on Bryce’s Intelligence and Work Ethic
(27:57) – Vance Explains Exactly How He Would Attack Michigan’s Rhino Package
(31:20) – Bryce’s Costly Final Throw and Michigan’s Unused Timeouts
(36:17) – Vance Says the Best Cure for Quarterback Pressure Starts With the Run Game
(38:12) – Vance Says Many Successful College QBs Aren’t Making Full-Field Reads
(41:07) – Vance Says Michigan’s Problems Belong to the Entire Program
(43:40) – Daniel Compares Bryce’s Situation to Vince Young’s Early Development
(45:45) – Vance Says Michigan’s Coaches Have to Adjust to the Big Ten
(48:17) – Bryce’s Composure, Footwork, and Job Security
(51:07) – Zack Marshall’s Leaked Messages Reveal a Larger Locker-Room Concern
(54:45) – Vance Gives Michigan His Immediate Offensive Prescription
(57:14) – Daniel Questions Whether Changing QBs Actually Solves the Development Problem
(1:01:49) – Can Bryce Handle Pressure and a Real Quarterback Competition?
(1:14:03) – Vance Lays Out His Complete Bye-Week Reset for Michigan
(1:23:29) – Q&A Turns to Tommy Carr and the Quarterback Decision
(1:28:19) – Vance Completely Rejects Michigan’s Wildcat Approach
(1:31:18) – Vance Explains How He Would Attack Michigan’s Defense
(1:32:08) – The Panel Discusses the Consequences if Bryce Transfers
(1:34:03) – Vance Says One Bye Week Is Enough to Change the Running Game
(1:38:13) – Vance Says Switching Quarterbacks Will Not Fix a Bad Offensive Fit
(1:44:30) – Vance and Daniel Give Their Advice to Bryce as Parents
(1:50:25) – Daniel Questions Whether Michigan’s Offensive System Fits Bryce
(1:55:08) – Horton and Bedford Call for a Complete Michigan Reset

Michigan's offense is in crisis — and the clock is ticking on Bryce Underwood and the coaches to find answers. In this week's Michigan Football Breakdown, The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb joins former Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges and former defensive coordinator Ron English to dissect the Wolverines' disappointing 20-14 loss at Minnesota and the issues behind another second-half collapse. The scrutiny starts with Underwood's troubling response to pressure: deteriorating footwork, dropping his eyes toward the rush, moving into pressure, missing opportunities and losing his composure when defenses turn up the heat. But the problems extend well beyond the quarterback. The trio examines an ineffective running game, Michigan's heavy reliance on Rhino personnel, predictable tendencies and the failure to punish aggressive defenses with downfield shots. Most importantly, they lay out what must change during the bye — from rebuilding Underwood's fundamentals and moving the pocket to adjusting personnel and scheme — and why, if Underwood can't respond, Michigan may soon have no choice but to make a change at quarterback.

(00:00) Michigan's Second Straight Collapse Raises Bigger Questions
(02:12) Ron Says Michigan's Defense Played Well but Still Has Another Level
(06:33) Borges Gives His Broad Diagnosis of Michigan's Offensive Failure
(12:58) Borges Corrects the Narrative About Michigan's Downhill Running
(16:21) Borges and English Explain the Problem With Michigan's Rhino Package
(24:38) Borges Says Michigan Must Punish Safeties With Shot Plays
(28:44) Bryce's Composure Is a Major Problem, but Not Michigan's Only One
(33:29) Borges Says Michigan Needs More Pocket Movement and Better Footwork
(38:27) Borges Says Bryce's First Interception Was Primarily a Footwork Mistake
(45:04) Borges Says Bryce Was Not Responsible for the Second Interception
(49:35) Bryce's Mistakes Are Real — and His Job Is Not Guaranteed
(53:04) English and Borges Lay Out Their Bye-Week Priorities
(58:09) Borges Gives His Tactical Prescription for Michigan's Offense
(1:02:58) The Coaches Say Michigan's Problems Go Far Beyond One Player
(1:10:15)

Shea Patterson joins The Michigan Insider to analyze the football team's performance following recent losses. The discussion focuses on offensive struggles, the importance of pocket presence under pressure, and potential tactical adjustments during the bye week to improve situational play.

(0:00) Shea Patterson joins after Michigan's second straight loss
(2:41) Bryce's struggles under pressure and the first interception
(8:05) The final play and the protection breakdown on the second interception
(14:19) Rhino personnel and safeties crowding the box
(24:37) How Michigan can get its quarterback comfortable again
(31:42) Shea's own benching at Wisconsin and the bye-week outlook