MGoBlog: The MGoPodcast

The Sponsors
We want to thank Underground Printing for starting this and making it possible—stop by and pick up some gear, check them out at ugpmichiganapparel.com, or check out our selection of shirts on the MGoBlogStore.com. And let’s not forget our associate sponsors: Peak Wealth Management, Matt Demorest - Realtor and Lender, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, Human Element, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, Winewood Organics, Community Pest Solutions, Radecki Oral Surgery, Long Road Distillers, Applied Fitness Solutions, and The History of Michigan Football, an online course by Greg Dooley, and SignalWire, where we are recording this.

Featured Musician: Ettison Clio

THE VIDEO:

[After THE JUMP: The show notes.] 

---------------------

1. MSU Preview: Offense
starts at the top

If we're awake, they die. But are we awake? State's roster has been ravaged by injury. Best receiver is Fredrick Moore, other two guys are slot-sized oldsters; the TE was okay but he's hurt as well. If Alessio Milivojevic is still injured they're in trouble because their backup is already out and the two other guys who played against UCLA averaged under 3 YPA. They're also down to their #4 RB. Not hurt: an offensive line that is...judges?...BETTER THAN OREGON'S! Center Trent Fraley is an NDSU transfer and we think he's a dude. LT Ben Murawski was a big pickup from UConn. OC Nick Sheridan runs some Rich Rod stuff out of a pro-style look.

2. MSU Preview: Defense
starts at 16:10

They're so very injured now that even decent performances for a quarter against Notre Dame etc. don't really translate. Best DL is out. Best LB is out. Best DB is out. Guys replacing them are not great, usually have one thing they do well and two they don't. If you can't run against Rutgers though... Maybe they can be burned down the middle like CJ Carr did. I'm sure the brothers have discussed this.

3. Basketball!
starts at 32:41

Women defeat UConn before an amazing crowd: biggest win in program history, and an amazing game, where UConn gave the full UConn punch and Michigan just kept punching back. Huge game from Delfosse, who's rising to be a star, and fantastic finish from Olson who is that star. Are they now one of the elites? Gonna have to get through a brutal Big Ten season first.

MBB takes on UConn in their championship rematch; Brian isn't feeling it yet but Seth thinks they're in the same boat we are: return three guys from their backcourt and replaced the frontcourt with a shot-blocker and a talented but sorta pushable PF, though theirs is a stretchy Duke. They're great defensively; Michigan might be able to generate enough offense. Can't really take much away from the Oakland game, which was a foul fest with Thiam out with illness.

4. After Further Review: Rutgers
starts at 54:39

Saw like 20 inside zones or spit zones and it didn't work because Rutgers was pinching, and bounces not working. Dismayed by the approach. Obviously they've simplified and they can't do it well. Tommy was a HS quarterback against a HS defense. The defense had some kid mistakes.

Featured Musician: Ettison Clio

I saved EC for this week because they were really more of an East Lansing band, which peaked in the early 2000s. A punky rock outfit that would swerve into rock, they were probably the hottest band on MSU's campus when my brother was there, and played his ("the Brown...") house's most legendary party. Lead singer Stephanie Gunther (now with a NYC gloom punk band) had a major on-stage presence and a great voice, and drummer John Ostler was one of the better bangers around Michigan punk at the time they formed. Those two joined guitarists Brian Roop and J.P. Niemiec and bassist Jared Nisch, who originally formed the band in high school, at MSU, and for awhile everyone thought they were going to be a big thing.

I believe the band name in fact refers to the two mid-Michigan towns that the guitarists are from, which I still think about whenever we drive through Clio. Incredibly, their website is still hosted, though its last update was for a Tsunami Relief Compilation in 2005.

Songs:

"Infectious"

"L'ange Bleu"

"Ash in the Empire"

Also because Across 110th Street will get our Youtubes taken down, the opener and outro:

“The Employee is Not Afraid”—Bear vs. Shark

“Ruska Vodka”—Motorboat

Things Discussed:

Tommy Carr looked like a good high school quarterback against a high school defense.

Run game still doesn't make sense, e.g. WR does split action and doesn't block back side of stretch.

Rushing for basically no yards against Rutgers while running offense that doesn't have any purpose.

Defense: Jay Hill was gambling too much. Yes Snowden shouldn't fall down, but also there's no safety on that play, and they already showed it.

There are a number of throws in this game from Carr that won't work against not-Rutgers.

Tommy Talk: We're finding out what he can and can't do. A little worried about his arm strength. Poise is tremendous. Also like that he'll be here.

Think programs are going to avoid the uber 5-stars unless they're ready to sit for a few years, because you just end up preparing them to start somewhere else. Bryce will transfer and be successful somewhere (Missouri with Chip?).

MSU? We could lose to this team like 2017 or 2020 but they're not good. The best of Fred Moore isn't Ricky White. Just don't play with your food. #1 way to lose this game is if Jason Beck continues to call offense like he's a plant for the other team.

Hoops: The story of the Oakland game is they need Thiam. That Grizzly center was bullying Estrella. Seeing Oscar Goodman start it's like Why don't we have a 6'9" lottery pick?

Costello is going to be a very valuable piece. Mike Boynton should just coach him to be a switchable defender and not work on offense. Can he be Braylon Mullens? Don't know if he'll hit a crazy shot to beat Duke.

Estrella needs to get hard; he was taking fouls from bad footwork. We saw this last year in the Elite 8 game, when Michigan pushed him away from the basket. Maybe more of Reed?

1 Hour and 8 Minutes

With David Nasternak and Alex Drain

This Podcast Has a Sponsor: Michigan Law Grad Jonathan Paul is the guy with the C you want skating next to the ref and pleading your case. He's also a good guy to sit next to at the hockey games.

Segment 1

Michigan hockey talk starts at 11:50.

Michigan’s lackluster Saturday showing at Ohio State. The team never played very well and didn't show any signs of life until late in the second period. They got closer in the game but were never able to dig out of the hole. Odd man rushes and turnovers were a problem.

Segment 2

The Sunday game was better, but still not great. Very eventful on special teams and an all-time Michael Hage performance. Should we be mad about these two games? Then a review of the scores around the conference, including more dirty play by Notre Dame. Michigan is on bye next week and then will resume against PSU
 

MUSIC

NHL on ESPN Theme

"Last Dance"--Donna Summer

Ice Hockey (NES) Theme

2 hours and 11 minutes

The Sponsors

Thank you to Underground Printing for making this all possible. Rishi and Ryan have been our biggest supporters from the beginning. Check out their wide selection of officially licensed Michigan fan gear at their 3 store locations in Ann Arbor or learn about their custom apparel business at undergroundshirts.com.

Our associate sponsors are: Peak Wealth Management, Matt Demorest - Realtor and Lender, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, Human Element, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, The Sklars Brothers, Champions Circle, Winewood Organics, Community Pest Solutions, Radecki Oral Surgery, Long Road Distillers, Applied Fitness Solutions, The History of Michigan Football, an online course by Greg Dooley, and Venue by 4M where recorded this.

1. Offense vs Rutgers
Starts at 0:54

Football was played in a football stadium with not many people in it. Pat McAfee is a little baby man who can't take a little ribbing. It was hard to summon emotions for this game. It's weird seeing Rutgers when you see them every three years instead of every year, why are they in this conference?? It used to be the nice, easy game in an otherwise difficult schedule. Did it look like Jason Beck made any adjustments against a terrible defense? Michigan could throw to wide open receivers, but couldn't run against a team that has been giving up 6 YPC to everyone else. The rhino is here to stay, it was deployed on a 3rd and 15. Tommy Carr got to observe erosion from the pocket. He didn't get pressured and if everyone was covered he could just run it, it was like the Spring Game. You just wanted to see them consistently push guys around for 5 and 6 yard rushes and they couldn't do that. If Rutgers knew Michigan was going to run the ball on every play you should still be able to rush for 5 yards. They're still trying to find anything that works. Jordan Marshall has to be broken, right? Tommy Carr long-term things - arm strength is an issue right now. You can't run power with Tommy Carr, you can run it with Bryce. The offense sucks so the best thing you can do is just toss it up to JJ if he's in one-on-one and see what happens. Jake Guarnera might still be hurt. There is a disturbing trend of not knowing what the snap count is. 

2. Defense vs Rutgers
Starts at 42:05

It was like two big plays that were very annoying and then not really anything else. For the longest time the score bug annoyingly said 3/8 for 135 yards. Don't fall over! But also there was no deep safety on that play. Mason Curtis had a pretty bad game with missed tackles and not being put in positions to succeed. The Rutgers offense is better than their defense but they're still bad. Benny Patterson really explodes off the ball. There's still a decent rotation of guys that you're hopeful for that aren't checked out. Chris Bracy had another good performance despite bouncing off a guy. He'll be in the NFL next year. Their gameplan against Duff was the same gameplan against Becker (Indiana). Zeke Berry had a nice game and looks better at corner than nickel. Chase Taylor looked pretty good pending charting, he has all the skills you need in a linebacker. Troy Bowles looks like a senior now. 

3. Hot Takes, Special Teams, and Game Theory
Starts at 1:05:29

Takes hotter than JJ Buchanan on contested catches. The special teams should make field goals. Some of these field goals are a bit out of range, the 35 yarder is a thumbs down. Punting was... fine. No kick returns, woo. What was the actual plan at the end of the first half? If you can't figure out that situation you're not figuring out anything. Are they just trying to get stats? Would you rather have a 40+ yard field goal or go for it on 4th and 6? Roughing the passer on the first play, the QB got hit in the thigh not below the knee. Some other weird holding calls. The kick catch interference call was valid. 

4. Around the Big Ten with Jamie Mac
Starts at 1:32:53

USC 30, Ohio State 18
Ohio State outgains USC 464 to 338 but have to settle on field goals and don't get a touchdown until the last two minutes. USC hurdled a fool. Fahey would be under pressure and then chuck it hoping Jeremiah Smith was out there somewhere. USC's run game is what Michigan's should be (without the rhino). There are injured QBs everywhere, everything the rest of the season is on the table. 

Indiana 23, Minnesota 16 (OT)
This game goes into OT after teams exchange 60 yard field goals in the last minute. This is like chaos team Indiana except chaos team Indiana always lost this game. Indiana outgained Minnesota 419 to 215 and keeps escaping these close games. In the last three games, Indiana has only scored one touchdown where the ball started in their own territory. Josh Hoover is out either due to injury or performance, hard to say. Cignetti let way too much time come off the clock before the last Minnesota field goal. 

Oregon 34, Northwestern 26
Yards are Northwestern 456 to 441, this was a fun game all around. Northwestern scores on the L-formation! 

Washington 17, Nebraska 10
Demond Williams (Washington QB) is benched for Elijah Brown. Nebraska was winning 7-3 with 1:31 remaining. They were down 17-7 with 1:15 remaining. Nebraska fans are the most stoic fanbase in America. Matt Rhule is 2-12 when Nebraska is sitting on 5 wins. 

Illinois 20, Maryand 17
Maryland gets their dead cat bounce. Illinois is one win away from bowl eligibility! They play a Nebraska team sitting on 5 wins next week. 

Iowa 30, Wisconsin 0
Just a slow motion Iowa strangulation. The second straight year that Wisconsin has been shut out by Iowa. Fickell was just off the hot season, is he back on it? Iowa is 6-2, is there a playoff path?

Penn State 31, Purdue 17
Yards were Penn State 457 to 175, it should have been a lot worse than a two touchdown game.

UCLA 27, Nevada 0
This was a show up and win game but that's a new concept for UCLA. 
 

MUSIC:

"Just Another Moment"—Michael Kiwanuka

"Far Rider"—Still Corners

"Side By Side"—The Meltdown

“Across 110th Street”—JJ Johnson and his Orchestra

The Sponsors
We want to thank Underground Printing for starting this and making it possible—stop by and pick up some gear, check them out at ugpmichiganapparel.com, or check out our selection of shirts on the MGoBlogStore.com. And let’s not forget our associate sponsors: Peak Wealth Management, Matt Demorest - Realtor and Lender, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, Human Element, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, Winewood Organics, Community Pest Solutions, Radecki Oral Surgery, Long Road Distillers, Applied Fitness Solutions, and The History of Michigan Football, an online course by Greg Dooley, and SignalWire, where we are recording this.

Featured Musician: Great Lakes Myth Society

THE VIDEO:

[After THE JUMP: The show notes.] 

---------------------

1. Rutgers Preview: Offense
starts at the top

This is the better side of the team, mostly because they managed to hold onto 1st round WR KJ Duff, who may not play—he's listed as Doubtful. Starting QB Dylan Lonergan, the BC transfer, had one too many concussions and is sitting out, but AJ Surace is playing instead. He's a popgun arm but it's enough to loft it to Duff. Their OL is actually pretty decent; Kwabena Asamoah started against Michigan in 2023, and Tyler Needham (listed as Doubtful) moved in from left tackle; he wasn't the worst. Alex likes their RB room: Antwan Raymond was on the questionable list last week but played; LaTech transfer Clay Thevenin is another little rascal.

2. Rutgers Preview: Defense
starts at 17:59

Alex gave zero dangerman stars. The punter is the dangerman. Secondary is a mess; Sage Clawges is a linebacker trying to play quarters field safety, Chris Joines is a Mercer transfer, JJ Conyers and Devonte Anderson are true freshmen rotating on the left side, Kevyn Humes lost his nickel job to another safety. DL is okay, but Keshon Griffin is questionable for this game. Get-right game and easy afternoon for Tommy, we hope.

3. Gimmicky Top Five: People Doing Better than Jason Beck
starts at 32:53

Reid McCarthy from Ann Arbor Elder Law joins us for five people not doing a great job right now, but doing a better job than poor Jason. Mine were Dylan Larkin, the owners of Plex who fired the entire staff that runs the thing they do over Slack, our felonious donation pickup driver, Wayne the root programmer, and Warde during his convalescence.

4. After Further Review: Indiana
starts at 52:31

Offense: Even worse than we thought. The Rhino is your worst player; there's no reason to be playing him. Tommy had some good things but not seeing anything from him that's better than sticking with Bryce except Carr will throw to other receivers. OL had big problems ID'ing their blocks, as did Eli Owens. When it's holistic it's on the coordinator. They didn't practice for the thing Indiana does.

Defense was spectacular, which only makes us madder at Jason Beck. Hate doing the "I told you so" thing with Jay Hill because I get why they went the other way around, but Zeke Berry is a corner and Smith Snowden is a nickel. Jyaire Hill wasn't perfect (zone issues) but I saw the CBs change their approach to contested balls, watching the receiver instead of the ball, which you don't usually see but prevented them from getting pushed around. Benny Patterson's first start went well, still some things to clean up. Saw Palepale go upfield on Stretch. Other backup DL got pushed around; why are we still putting Cam Brandt out there?

Featured Musician: Great Lakes Myth Society
The band I meant to introduce you to was The Original Brothers and Sisters of Love, until I learned they broke up right after I got their 2003 album, then reformed as The Great Lakes Myth Society minus one member. One or the other this band that used to tour with Saturday Looks Good to Me is as Pure Michigan as a fish fly wearing a LIONS GRIT t-shirt under a Mike Hart jersey while reading a book about the Edmund Fitzgerald and floating on a can of Vernors over a pothole watching Escanaba in da Moonlight. They're indie, folkie, and very Ann Arbor, even if they formed originally in Brighton. Like, their Wikipedia page has a photo of them playing at the Half-Ass.

Songs:

"Across the Bridge"

"She's Come Home to Steal Her Rainbows"

"The Salt Trucks"

Also because Across 110th Street will get our Youtubes taken down, the opener and outro:

“The Employee is Not Afraid”—Bear vs. Shark

“Ruska Vodka”—Motorboat