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Michigan at The Voice of College Football

Michigan at The Voice of College Football

By: The Voice of College Football Network
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 Welcome to Michigan at The Voice of College Football Network, your home for In-depth discussion, debate, & analysis on all things Michigan. We have you covered from offseason all the way to game day. Join us as we embark on another season as Leaders & Best!Go Blue!For business inquiries please contact: Markrogerstv@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.The Voice of College Football Network Football (American) Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Time to PANIC? Michigan Spring Game Thoughts / Michigan Wolverines LIVE 248

    Time to PANIC? Michigan Spring Game Thoughts / Michigan Wolverines LIVE 248
    Apr 22 2026
    Opening & Format Discussion (0:00–~12:00) Hosts greet viewers across platforms (YouTube, Twitch, X, podcasts) and promote likes, subs, bells, shares, and Super Chats.TJ (live from Ann Arbor) recaps a fun fan meetup post-game despite suboptimal weather; solid turnout and positive vibes noted.Sponsors: FanDuel and Freedom Services EPC.Early odds talk: Michigan at +1300 to win the Big Ten and +3500 for the national title. Hosts critique preseason hype for Ohio State, Texas, and Notre Dame (calling Notre Dame "garbage" with no title since 1988). They favor Oregon and note Indiana's recent success. Michigan's unknowns stem from limited visibility, but the schedule is tough.Spring game format critique: Hosts dislike the "thud" (non-contact) period for starters (including Bryce Underwood) versus full tackling for backups. They argue it killed energy, created confusion ("is this practice?"), and sent the wrong message about Michigan football's physicality. TJ suggests alternatives: full live tackling with 1s vs. 1s in the first half and 2s/3s in the second; make it a ticketed night game event with proceeds/NIL round-ups to concessions for better fan experience and recruiting showcase. They view it as a missed opportunity and "bad precedent" (can't call rivals soft if Michigan avoids hitting). Quarterback Breakdown: "Is It Time to Panic?" on Bryce Underwood (~12:00–~35:00) Bryce Underwood (3/9, limited yards in thud period): Mixed-to-disappointing showing with familiar issues—poor reads on limited coverages (mostly Cover 2), footwork problems, forcing/bullet throws, lack of touch, and discomfort in the pocket. Hosts note he looked better early last season than late, and those habits carried over. Not full panic mode (he's still 18 until August; Year 1 development under prior staff was "botched"), but "hype is done—show me results now." No more blind preseason hype; focus on observation and four months of work ahead.Tommy Carr (21/30, 143 pass yards; strong rushing): True freshman standout and clear backup winner in the game. Poise, pocket feel, decision-making, first/second-level throws, and improv stood out (even vs. 2s/3s). Fits the offense well and adds competition. Hosts stress Bryce starts Week 1, but Tommy gives a "good problem" with real QB depth (Fowler-Nicolosi incoming; Chase Herbstreit not a factor).Context: Split squads, missing starters/weapons for both, no-contact for QBs in parts. Whittingham reaffirmed Underwood as QB1 post-game, but the performance sparked debate. Hosts emphasize patience—ease in young QBs like a hockey goalie (mental/confidence component)—while noting the offensive line looked poor in protection, contributing to issues. Offensive Skill Positions & Overall Impressions Running backs: Strong debut vibes. Savion Hiter (5-star freshman) flashed patience, finesse, physicality (44 yards on 10 carries); hosts see him as a potential RB1 contender or high-usage player right away ("NFL-ready" physically per buzz). Jordan Marshall expected to start early; committee approach likely.Wide receivers/tight ends: Encouraging depth. Salesi Moa and Jaime Ffrench stood out (Moa's one-handed catch highlighted); clean routes from Jalen Pyle; Travis Johnson, Andrew Marsh, JJ Buchanan solid in limited looks. Tight ends (Hogan Hansen, Eli Owens) showed promise in hybrid roles. Room described as one of Michigan's deepest/talented in years (potentially 5–6 viable options).Overall offense: Vanilla scheme (expected in spring); line mixed (Evan Link not a tackle; projected starters: Blake Frazier LT, Evan Link LG, Jake Garnar C, Andrew Sprague RG, Andrew Babalola RT). Potential for improvement under new OL coach Jim Harding. Offense ceiling tied to QB play. Defensive & Trench Play Defensive line: Biggest positive—hosts "encouraged" and call them "monsters." Nate Marshall, Dom Nichols, Lugard Edokpayi, Trey Pierce, Deyvid Palepale, Benny Patterson, Bobby Kanka, and others looked huge, physical, and disruptive (strength & conditioning praised as "elite again"). John Henry Daly's recovery (jogging, full by June) adds excitement.Linebackers: Neutral/mixed. Markel Dabney flashed (big stop); Chase Taylor, Troy Bowles, etc., hard to fully evaluate in limited scheme (only 2–3 coverages shown).Secondary: Big question mark due to limited starter snaps (e.g., Smith-Snowden in t-shirt). Kanoa Winston impressed (tackles, PBU). Potential strength if Rod Moore healthy + Smith-Snowden, Zeke Berry, Jair Hill, etc. Overall defense: Top-30 potential (or better with health); D-line could be a team strength. Broader 2026 Outlook & Closing Floor/ceiling: 9–3 floor / 10–2 ceiling common theme; playoff hopes hinge on QB development, health, and results in the "big four" (Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State). Go 2–2 or better in those for strong season.Kicking game: Minor concern (inconsistent in game; need to monitor).Recruiting/event vibes: Positive energy around program; recruits on hand; calls for more...
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • Michigan Spring Game Postgame LIVE

    Michigan Spring Game Postgame LIVE
    Apr 19 2026
    Overall Game Impression Low-intensity, vanilla spring game (as expected). Not much "flavor" or scheme shown — mostly basic Cover 2 on defense and simple plays on offense. Very bland overall.Score was close and low-scoring (Maize edged Blue 7-6 in the actual game).Hosts rated it a 4–5/10 — underwhelming, with limited takeaways due to the exhibition format and mix-and-match lines. "We didn't learn a ton."Positive notes: Coaching presence felt strong; defense flew around; few penalties and good discipline. Quarterback Breakdown Bryce Underwood (sophomore starter): Struggled noticeably: Looked jittery, uncomfortable, rushed, and indecisive. Completed 3/9 for 22 yards in limited reps (mostly first quarter on both sides).Issues highlighted: Happy feet, sped-up internal clock (lingering from last year's poor O-line and QB coaching), forcing/greedy throws instead of easy/positive plays, processing too much, and not trusting natural ability.Blocking in front of him was poor early (pass rush arrived instantly); he looked rattled when things weren't perfect. Hosts noted he performed better early last season but faded — a concerning pattern.Consensus: Wait-and-see mode. Hype has cooled; he needs to lock in, relearn mechanics/muscle memory with new QB coach Coy Dettmer, and show poise. "Underwood hype is done until he proves it." Not ready to crown him yet; trust isn't there. Tommy Carr (true freshman, grandson of Lloyd Carr): Stood out as the biggest positive. Looked poised, decisive, comfortable, and like "the game wasn't moving too fast."Strong pocket presence, good decisions, mobility (stepped up/escaped when needed), and made plays even when protection wasn't great. Compared favorably to Bryce and even drew "looks like JJ" comments from viewers.Hosts: "Hype is real" on Carr. No QB controversy talk now (Underwood is still QB1), but Carr earned awareness as a potential future option or strong backup. He played more snaps and flashed arm/legs. Other notes: Chase Herbstreit saw late reps; offense as a whole was limited (lots of screens, broken plays). Offensive Line & Run Game Pass protection was a clear concern — QBs (especially Underwood early) were under quick pressure. Lines were jumbled/mixed, so not definitive.Specifics: Evan Link got beat and projects inside as a guard. Blake Frazier looked solid at left tackle. Andrew Sprague at right tackle (may shift to guard when Babalola returns).Run blocking showed promise later; defense won many battles in camp reports.RBs looked alpha-like and physical. Savion Hyder (5-star true freshman) impressed with vision, hard running, and breaking first tackles — "he's going to be a problem" if holes open. Hosts wanted more explosion from him given the camp hype but liked the physicality. Jordan Marshall also noted positively in broader coverage. Wide Receivers & Skill Positions Limited deep shots or big plays shown. Jamar Browder had a would-be TD drop on a deep ball (frustrating for evaluation and for him personally).Standouts: Salesi Moa (Celeste Simoa/Moa — true freshman) looked solid with a nice one-handed catch. Jaime Ffrench (Jamie French) played well and showed some chemistry with Carr. Andrew Marsh took a hit on a slant but had drops. Buchanan and others had limited opportunities.Overall: WRs "won" some reps in warmups/opportunities, but not much separation or big-play action. Defense Flew around aggressively; looked physical and disciplined. Only basic schemes shown (mostly Cover 2), so limited read on new DC Jay Hill.Front seven/ DL stood out — winning battles, creating pressure. Goal-line stand with big hits (e.g., Bobby Kanka/Markel Dabney) was a highlight.Secondary: Not tested much downfield, but tackling and run support looked solid. No major concerns noted.Linebackers and depth will be key questions moving forward. Other Takeaways & Context Weather: Chilly and windy (Johnny from Tampa felt it).Event vibe: Fun to attend in person for the atmosphere, but hosts wished Michigan made the spring game more of an "event."Broader outlook: Long offseason ahead (May–August). Team has talent, but cohesion, execution, O-line pass pro, and Bryce's growth are TBD. Defense has potential to be strong; offense rides on QB and line.Big test coming early: Week 2 vs. Oklahoma (physical, revenge factor from prior loss). "We'll find out real fast."Fan sentiment in the room/chat: Cautious optimism. Pump the brakes on big expectations for now; focus on stacking days and development. Shoutouts to viewers, new members, and in-person fans met over the weekend. Hosts' Final Takes TJ & Johnny: Boys gotta lock in. Cautious approach post-spring game. Defense can be really good; offense depends on pass pro + Bryce being poised/decisive. "Wait and see" on Underwood specifically.Maniac & Seth: Started positive with true freshmen (Carr, Hyder, Moa) showing bright futures. Bryce is 50/50 — talent is undeniable, but small things (mechanics, mentality, hunger) need fixing. ...
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    41 mins
  • Michigan Spring Game PREVIEW - Three Keys

    Michigan Spring Game PREVIEW - Three Keys
    Apr 18 2026
    Video Basics Host: John D'Adamo (speaking from a hotel in Louisville; he won't attend live).Context: Less than 24 hours until the Michigan Wolverines spring game (Maize vs. Blue).Game Details: Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.Broadcast: Big Ten Network (also free to attend at The Big House with tailgates). Postgame: TJ Ronin and the Avengers will host a live Michigan postgame show from Ann Arbor (studio setup on site); possible special guests.Call to Action: Like, subscribe, hit the bell for weekly content ("all gas, no breaks"). Three Keys / Things to Watch John outlines three main things to focus on during the spring game, which will be very basic/no-contact (like a Thursday practice — base defense, limited exotic looks, no blitzing). First Look at Jason Beck's Offense New offensive coordinator Jason Beck (came from Utah, where he built a top-5/6 offense nationally).Bryce Underwood (and most starters) expected to play only in the first quarter, no-contact.What to look for: RPOs (run-pass options) — watch Bryce's decision-making and choices post-snap.Improved footwork and fundamentals from Bryce Underwood.Overall offensive flow vs. the previous "Frankenstein's monster" of conflicting influences (e.g., Sherrone Moore + Chip Lindsay era). Scheme notes: Primarily 11 personnel (3–5 wide receivers), but will mix in some 12 personnel, eye formation, two-tight-end sets, and two-RB sets. Expect some physicality/run game elements to fit current personnel (many players from 2023–2025 teams are used to a physical style).Beck is the sole play-caller — first time in a while Michigan has had one clear voice (possibly since Rich Rodriguez or Al Borges eras; Harbaugh and Moore years had multiple inputs). Quarterback rotation: Bryce in Q1; Tommy Carr in Q2 and one half; Chase Herbstreit (likely a walk-on or developmental QB) in the other half of the second half — good battle to watch.Other notes: Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan likely limited after Q1. Offensive line will be without some players due to injury (e.g., Evan Link, Andrew Babalola). Showcase for Savon (Savion) Hiter Highly touted 2026 recruit (5-star, nation's top RB prospect) — exceptionally fast per high school film (possibly one of the fastest Michigan has seen).This will be his first game action at The Big House.Questions: How does his speed translate to college level? Can the offensive line (depleted by injuries/sit-outs like Evan Link and Babalola) create enough separation?Expect heavy showcasing, especially if Jordan Marshall (potential starter) sits — look for carries for Hiter, Bryson (likely Kudstall or similar), and other young RBs.Overall: First chance to see if he can "break out" in a Michigan uniform. Defense (Ahead of Offense, as Expected) + Jay Hill's Scheme Reports throughout spring: Defense has been ahead of the offense (standard and not concerning; opposite would be more worrisome).Kyle Whittingham noted the defensive line is currently ahead of the offensive line (partly due to injuries).Jay Hill (new DC, possible future head coach candidate) installing his system — likely a 4-2-5 base (Ravens-influenced elements?). Differences from prior Michigan 4-2-5 or 4-3 defenses: Watch for nuances in this "brand new" look.Game plan: Very base, hang-back, no blitzes or exotic looks (protecting the new offense from over-exposing schemes in front of fans/TV). Key questions: With stars like Will Johnson/Smith Snowden and others likely limited, who steps up? Potential standouts: Zeke Barry, Shamari Earles, or other young/backup defenders. Goal: See how the unit performs in a controlled setting while implementing new concepts. Additional Context from John The spring game is a low-stakes first public look — not full contact or game-speed, but still valuable for evaluating scheme fit, QB decision-making, young talent (especially skill players), and depth.Personnel adaptation: Beck knows he can't just install a Utah-style offense wholesale; he must adapt to Michigan's current roster strengths (physical run game roots).Excitement level: First real Michigan football action since the previous season — even if it's Michigan vs. Michigan. Promotion in the Video New article on Voice of College Football (vocfb.com) with a more fleshed-out version of these points.Regular shows: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.Go Blue! These notes capture the full ~10-minute video cleanly. The spring game itself is today (April 18, 2026) — enjoy the broadcast on BTN and the postgame coverage from the VOCFB crew! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    11 mins
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