Things Discussed:
- Tony Petitti is an idiot.
- A little basketball.
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MGoBlog’s channel featuring the very professional, very visual, podcast with Brian Cook, Seth Fisher, David Nasternak, and Alex Drain, plus The Teams history podcast with Seth and Dr. Sap, The Michigan Hockeycast, the MGoBlog Roundtable on WTKA.
Episodes
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
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, Human Element, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Venue by 4M, Winewood Organics, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, SignalWire where we recorded this, and introducing to the podcast, Autograph: Rewarding Fans, who just launched an app where you earn rewards for things like reading MGoBlog and listening to our podcast.
Featured Musician: Chirp
The Video:
[After THE JUMP: The things said.]
---------------------
1. Sign-Gate and Penn State Preview: Defense
starts at the top
No news unless the Big Ten hands down a suspension to a coach who's already in Happy Valley, which would on its owns be grounds for a judge to issue an immediate injunction. We infer from Michigan's letter that the B10's case right now is as substantial as your average Ohio State twitterer, and that putting this in the realm of courts where facts matter more than what amoral hypocrites want to believe dramatically alters the parameters. Local sports radio probably isn't where you should be going for investigative news—the thing about Michigan having other schools for Stalions operations feels bogus on the surface.
The Penn State defense is very good. The engine is the ends—even if Chop Robinson isn't full-go they have three more very good ones. DTs aren't bad; there's one whom Alex likes but Seth thinks he's exploitable. They blitz a lot, play a lot of man, got beat by Ohio State because Kalen King really isn't the star he's made out to be. Manny Diaz effect. The way Michigan loses this game is turnover.
2. Penn State Preview: Offense
starts at 26:39
They torch bad defenses who can't pressure Drew Allar, who's 39% accurate when off-platform and 78% accurate when his feet are set. We saw the same thing last year. Only have one receiver. RBs are having Donovan Edwards-like years—Allen can do RB things but Singleton is kind of a gadget guy. OL cannot run block; they can pass protect okay. Theo Johnson is having to be their 2nd receiver. Why pick Michigan over the spread on this one: PSU is bult to blow up a UMass but fall off a cliff when you can match up to them athletically. Stunts are a big problem for them. Wild that they can't develop OL; Seth notes he talked to recruit's dad who said his kid's already more developed than Fashanu.
3. Basketball
starts at 45:27
They're scoring! Dug is seeing the court well, though he won't be shooting 60 percent with a 40 percent assist rate. Nkamhua has been a revelation—immediately a captain, exactly what we want for a one-and-done. Imagine Tray Jackson instead of Caleb Houstan or Jett Howard. Quantum leap defensively. Having athletic defenders out there means you can use a T-Will or a Tschetter because they're not so athletically exposed. Need a backup PG—gonna be a nervous few months waiting until Llewellen gets healthy.
4. Purdue After Review
starts at 57:36
Our Michigan homerism apparently extends to defending JJ McCarthy's performance as REALLY GOOD YOU GUYS, except this is a defensible position (and PFF agreed). His marginal throws are still very catchable, and when they're caught nobody notices. YMMV on 4 or 5 of them but even if then it was a excellent day from him. Not a good day from the OL; Seth thinks these guys are all guards recruited for a run-first offense and this is kind of what happens against an opponent who makes you pass-first and has two great edge rushers. Defensively it's really hard to beat Michigan because they can put five guys against your five guys and someone will win a block to get your back. It was the Will Johnson Show otherwise—he was doing things away from the ball as well as coming to it.
About the Featured Musician: CHIRP
This year we are partnering with The Blind Pig for bumper music, since that's where I've seen most of the bands I've been pushing anyways.
This is the week we're featuring the four-piece Ann Arbor band Chirp, which has a funky rock/jazz fusion thing going on. Their live shows are the main thing; they have a dedicated fanbase who remind me of Deadheads of a generation earlier even if the musical style isn't any more jam band than anything else. The music is bright and catchy and keeps you on your toes; they're at their best when just getting lost in the music because there's some real musicians with proggy ideas under all the good times. They've been touring since 2015 and return to the Pig next week.
Song choices:
Also because Across 110th Street will get our Youtubes taken now now, the opener and outro:
- “The Employee is Not Afraid”—Bear vs. Shark
- “Ruska Vodka”—Motorboat
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
1 hour and 23 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: 5-4, Wisconsin
- A roller coaster first period
- Taking control of the game
- Giving it all away
- Is collapsing a thing?
Segment 2: 2-1, Wisconsin and Other Games
- We talk about the game we did not see...again
- Old Friends and Non-Conference
- Big Ten Teams
- A Mediocre Minnesota Matchup?
MUSIC
- NHL on ESPN Theme
- "Old Wisconsin Jubilee" -- Charlie Berens
- Ice Hockey (NES) theme
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
2 hour 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, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Winewood Organics, Human Element, Venue by 4M where we recorded this, The Nose Bleeds, which is the Sklars Bros’ reboot of Cheap Seats on UFC Fight Pass, and INTRODUCING TO THE PODCAST: Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning.
1. Offense vs Purdue
Starts at 1:00
EDITOR NOTE: I am also spending a lot of time compressing Brian's voice. The worst night game to have is the crappy night game, especially when USC Washington and Alabama LSU are on! It says something that JJ hit 60% of his passes and threw for over 300 yards and everyone's like "what's wrong with JJ?" When do you want to save a play and when do you want to put it on tape? Donovan Edwards has not been utilized properly, are they saving a package for him against Penn State? Starting tackles gave up some sacks but otherwise played pretty well (Purdue has a pair of NFL defensive ends). Is the way to beat JJ by playing a lot of zone defense?
2. Defense vs Purdue
Starts at 43:20
Michigan wasn't getting sacks against Hudson Card but they were pressuring him on every play. It'll be curious to see who actually rotates against Penn State. Starting to feel like we're getting the 2021 version of Rod Moore, which is encouraging. Junior Colson took a step in the right direction, Josh Wallace also played well. All of the ends are a higher level than we predicted at the beginning of the year.
3. Hot Takes, Game Theory, and Special Teams
Starts at 1:02:36
Takes hotter than Santa Ono's letter to Tony Petitti. Why is Purdue football every five years just two NFL defensive ends and nothing else? The 4th and one felt like a good decision, the formation wasn't. Michigan hasn't kicked a field goal in forever so it was good to see it still works. Starters played well into the 4th quarter.
4. Around the Big Ten with Jamie Mac
Starts at 1:25:22
Penn State - 51
Maryland - 15
Maryland turns the ball over four times and rushes for -49 yards. Yup, we're at November Maryland, they are no longer a trap game. When Drew Allar can set his feet and have time to throw he looks like the five star he's supposed to be, but when you pressure him he's shaky. They probably won't be able to run against Michigan but they still have one of the best defenses in college football.
Ohio State - 35
Rutgers - 16
Rutgers is leading 9-7 at halftime but throws a pick-six while driving in the 3rd quarter. Rutgers outgains Ohio State 361-328. We experienced for a moment what it was like being a Rutgers fan and it wasn't fun.
Iowa - 10
Northwestern - 7
Neither team gets more than 200 yards and Iowa is alone in first place in the West. He can't keep getting away with it.
Indiana - 20
Wisconsin - 14
How did Indiana win this? Uhh, one good pass play? Wisconsin outgain Indiana 344-261. Indiana took the lead and just waited for the time to run out before Wisconsin came back.
Michigan State - 20
Nebraska - 17
Nebraska gets back to their old self, turning the ball over three times.
Illinois - 27
Minnesota - 26
Illinois wins on an improbable last minute drive with their backup QB. A disappointing game for anyone who didn't want to see Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game.
MUSIC:
- “Make Me Thomas”— supercooper! ft. Jawn Legend
- “The Stones I Throw”— Levon and the Hawks
- “Are You Gonna Run”— Low Cut Connie
- “Across 110th Street”
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
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, Human Element, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Venue by 4M, Winewood Organics, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, SignalWire where we recorded this, and introducing to the podcast, Autograph: Rewarding Fans, who just launched an app where you earn rewards for things like reading MGoBlog and listening to our podcast.
Featured Musician: Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers
The Video:
[After THE JUMP: The things said.]
---------------------
1. Sign Stealing Scandal-Like Substance
starts at the top
The more facts begin to overtake wishcasting the better off Michigan looks. No news but the bullshit level has gone up considerably as Big Ten coaches take the opportunity afforded by media sensationalism to get the Big Ten to punish Harbaugh before there's an investigation. Why? Probably because Michigan's own investigation determined they're in the clear to give Harbaugh a major contract. So either they're such idiots they actually believe Connor Stalions is the reason Michigan won so many games in 2021-'23, or they're smart enough to realize the results of an investigation won't match their preferred outcome. MSU's AD is one of two people willing to put their names to the pearl-clutching, and he's saying he's worried about the health and safety of his players, which shows you exactly how unserious the people trying to make this serious are.
2. Purdue Preview: Defense
starts at 16:43
Ryan Walters brings his 5-1 "no-name" defense. They have two good pass rushers who are too big to drop into coverage, which they do on 40% of passing snaps. They bring five a lot, vary things by looping and bringing cornerbacks. Main structure is man everything: 5 DL for 5 OL, LBs or safeties for everyone in the backfield, and Cover 1 behind it. Giving up lots of yards because they tried to play this with Ohio State. Two best players in the secondary are true freshmen because it's a Year Zero situation.
3. Purdue Preview: Offense
starts at 31:45
Fourth straight quarterback that Alex cyan'd, but this is on the better end of the cyan quarterbacks and maybe not fair because you took Card out of an offense where he got to pass to the most talented receiver in America to not that. Still have Devin Mockobee who will hurdle fools but also fumble, so they're using Tyrone Tracy, the former Iowa WR, as their guy. Tackles went from bad to worse over injuries, which limits their ability to run the ball unless you let them double your DTs with stretch zone using three good interior OL.
4. MSU After Review
starts at 42:47
New level of Seeing It from JJ McCarthy, still not seeing it from the running backs. Good game for Drake Nugent—haven't had a chance to chart him much before now but he did a great job handling MSU's twist blitzes. Defensively Michigan used MSU's unpreparedness against them, getting them to fall into easy traps. Often it was players causing these by seeing something and making calls or shifting where they stand. MSU was having someone run in plays for a bit then gave it up because it was stupid.
About the Featured Musician: JOE HERTLER & THE RAINBOW SEEKERS
This year we are partnering with The Blind Pig for bumper music, since that's where I've seen most of the bands I've been pushing anyways.
This is the week we're featuring the grooves of Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, who will be playing two back to back shows at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on November 10th & 11th. I just love the energy of this band—wife and I have been shaking our shoulders from our opposite desks all day as I've had these guys on mix. They've played Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and Summer Camp, but eluded me until I saw them on the Pig's schedule. Since then I leared Hertler and guitarist Ryan Hoger had a Motown-influenced thing going until they lucked into musical prodigy/plays everything Micah Bracken to find their sound, adding a saxophonist and drummer to complete the set. I haven't seen them live but they're supposedly one of the most entertaining groups that play around here so that'll have to change soon.
Song choices:
Also because Across 110th Street will get our Youtubes taken now now, the opener and outro:
- “The Employee is Not Afraid”—Bear vs. Shark
- “Ruska Vodka”—Motorboat
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Things Discussed:
- Rundown of the ton of false reporting. NCAA is in town: False. WSJ says offer rescinded: False. Thamel says all the B10 coaches are repeating Ryan Day's talking points: False. It's one thing to sensationalize—ESPN sensationalizes all the time—but they're getting provable facts wrong.
- Getting it right means calling someone who could tell you your reporting is wrong. Craig Ross: Shares the time Sam had it from someone that Carr was against the Harbaugh hire and he checked on it with Carr who said he loves Jack Harbaugh and he'd be the biggest fan of the hiring of Jim Harbaugh.
- How much does it matter? Run-pass is the best you can tell; it matters, not as much as how the right tackle's foot is aligned, because the RT's half step is more important than hiding your intentions from the defense.
- James Franklin: Nobody needed your signs to know you were running a zone read on 4th & 2 vs OSU in 2018. Nobody said we need to start a federal investigation against Northwestern when they had Michigan's signs that day.
- Schiano's the biggest sign-stealer in the league, because nobody changes their signs. Sam: they're mad about Stalions though. That wasn't Schiano's halftime comment.
- Want to shut them up? Everyone turn in your sign-stealers and go to wristbands and microphones.
- Stalions on CMU's sideline? Possible that McElwain didn't know who Stalions was.
- Seth: Is it possible that CMU borrowed Michigan's sign-stealer to try to beat MSU? Would explain how he got a placard, how he knew how the coaches were dressing, etc. It wouldn't implicate Michigan, because they get no benefit from that, but would fit Stalions's profile.
- Brian: If Michigan's moving ahead with their contract for Harbaugh their internal investigation found no evidence that
- Balance of news is positive; now we're just down to coaches complaining. Do you think these guys are interested parties?
- The check? Ryan Day doesn't care about the check; the commissioner of the league is a TV guy, and a TV guy is not going to devalue the TV conference's most valuable property because they will get sued by Fox and NBC, and guarantee that Michigan will leave this conference for the SEC.
- Guy who said it's a three-touchdown advantage $1 it's Franklin. And you still lose. Ryan Day you still lose too.
- Why aren't OSU/PSU clamoring to play Michigan without their sign-stealer? Brian: "If you actually believe what you're saying you would be, but you don't because it's crazy."
- Maybe you guys need to get good; we're a TV product and you guys are unwatchable. This conference is Michigan and Ohio State and the four teams we're importing because the rest of you are unwatchable.
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
1 hour and 40 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, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Winewood Organics, Human Element, Venue by 4M where we recorded this, The Nose Bleeds, which is the Sklars Bros’ reboot of Cheap Seats on UFC Fight Pass, and INTRODUCING TO THE PODCAST: Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning.
1. The Latest on Signgate
Starts at 1:00
The developments that have developed are basically nothing. Feels like we know pretty much what there is to know, it's just a matter of what happens next from the NCAA. Michigan could be the first program hit with the NCAA's new rule of "if a staffer gets in trouble, the head coach also gets in trouble". There's some failure on the part of Warde Manuel. What is the actual competitive advantage of stolen signals? College football coaches are the most paranoid people in America. Based on how the NCAA has handled these issues, it seems extremely unlikely that anything will happen to Michigan this season. Worst case scenario would be Jim Harbaugh gets a show-cause a year or two down the road.
[The rest of the writeup and the player after THE JUMP]
2. Michigan Men's Basketball Backcourt
Starts at 22:37
Dug McDaniel is the most established guard. Freshmen point guards can be shaky, McDaniel's trajectory for his sophomore year is encouraging. Jaelin Llewellyn is your next most established guard. We didn't see a lot of him last year since he tore his ACL but he should be full go by now. Hard to know how much we're getting back from him after his injury. Nimari Burnett transfers as a rotation player from an Alabama team that was the 3rd best defense in college basketball last year. His offensive upside is unknown, Charles Matthews is a good comparison. George Washington III was described by Dug McDaniels as a good shooter but probably won't see more than 10 minutes per game. Jace Howard is listed as a guard but it's unlikely that he'll be a lot more than he was last year.
3. Michigan Men's Basketball Frontcourt
Starts at 45:38
Takes hotter than Edward Norton Jr. after seeing Connor Stalions on the sidelines at CMU and he's like "I GOT THIS ROLE. THIS IS ALL ME, BABY". Tarris Reed is your starter, who is also Not Hunter Dickinson. He was slightly better defensively than Hunter Dickinson but the offensive drop-off was much bigger. Also needs to be better than 40% at free throws! Olivier Nkamhoua was a big contributor for the #1 defense in the country last year. That is already a huge upgrade defensively at the 4. He won't solve all your problems but is a very good, veteran basketball player. Seth thinks the final starting spot is Terrance Williams II, Brian thinks it's Tray Jackson. Will Tschetter: exists. Youssef Khayat could be a guy.
4. 2023-2024 Men's Basketball Overview
Starts at 1:21:19
Making the tournament is a reasonable goal for this team. Where is Michigan going to get their points from? This gets made up by the massive defensive improvements. Michigan loses Jett Howard to the NBA but Michigan was a better team without Jett Howard. Juwan Howard is still recovering from heart surgery and has not been available in the pre-season coaching. There are going to be some hiccups with this team but all the transfers coming in are very experienced players from good teams. The vibes were awful last year but should be much better this year.
MUSIC:
- “U-Love”— J Dilla
- “Crosshairs”— Dangerdoom, MFDoom
- “Smooth Aisles”— Michael Nau
- “Across 110th Street”
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
1 hour and 3 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: 9-1, Michigan; 10-1, Michigan
- Frozen Frenzy recap?
- Blowout #1
- Blowout #2
- Any takeaways?
Segment 2: What Else Happened/Weekend in Madison
- Old Friends and Non-Conference
- Big Ten Teams
- Uhhhh...First Place Battle with Badgers Ken
MUSIC
- NHL on ESPN Theme
- "Daylight" -- Matt and Kim
- Ice Hockey (NES) theme
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Things Discussed:
- MSU: Credit to the team.
- Signgate: SI article is interesting because it's the only one not part of Ohio State's orchestrated PR campaign.
- How much does it matter? Coaches say very little: give me run or pass.
- How much was Stalions working on his own? Probably all of it. Brian: Not hard to figure out where the money's coming from: Mom & Dad. He's the kind of guy who'd write a manifesto about how he's going to take over the Michigan.
- Problem is because the NCAA holds coaches accountable even if they didn't know. Hopefully Michigan has processes in place that show they were actively discouraging this behavior.
- Real scrutiny: their vetting process for low-level staffers needs to improve.
- Ryan Day: Only way I can get beat is if someone cheats, because I'm that brilliant.
- OSU-PSU: Drew Allar isn't that good and you can't put the game on him.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
1 hour and 3 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: 7-1, Michigan
- Frozen Frenzy!!
- Even Period
- Shooters gonna shoot...and finish
- Piling on
Segment 2: Game 2, Other Scores, Lions Preview
- Another Blown Lead
- Shootouts Should Be Coin Flips
- A Look Around the Country
- Alex Talks Lions
MUSIC
- NHL on ESPN Theme
- "Grace Kelly" -- MIKA
- Ice Hockey (NES) theme