Michigan Podcast

Steve Deace breaks down Michigan basketball's dominant run to the Final Four, steamrolling Tennessee by 33 points and reminding everyone why this Wolverines squad could be the greatest in program history, and one of the best college teams ever by KenPom metrics and strength of schedule. Joined by former Michigan QB David Cone, they preview the massive Final Four showdown vs. Arizona, discuss team poise, key players like Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Roddy Gayle, plus why this team has "the eye of the tiger" again after resets. They also dive into spring football updates with new head coach Kyle Whittingham and more.

Steve argues why the Wolverines—boasting the nation's #1 defense and a historic Big Ten run—are primed to win it all, with the recent Purdue loss serving as the perfect reset to reignite their edge in a favorable Midwest Regional path.He delivers proven bracket tips that crushed last year, from KenPom trends (like fading conference tourney first-round losers) to historical upset patterns and efficiency rankings that point to strong title contenders.

Michigan Podcast dives into the Wolverines' pivotal 2026 spring football preview under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. Steve Deace breaks down the five biggest questions facing the team, including Bryce Underwood's development, the revamped receiving corps, defensive line emergence, and special teams rebound. Mark Rogers joins in to talk about about coaching culture, spring practice relevance, and realistic expectations for a tougher schedule.

Steve Deace dives into Michigan's finalized 2026 football schedule: a tough but strategically paced slate featuring Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Oklahoma, with six near-locks and a rhythm that gives the Wolverines their best shot at surviving the gauntlet. With Kyle Whittingham now in charge, Steve breaks down why this draw (including home games against the toughest foes) sets up a real chance to stay in the playoff conversation, plus early portal momentum and why the team could be much better positioned than last year. Mark Rogers joins to compare Michigan's path to Ohio State's even harder draw and discuss what Whittingham's proven track record could mean in year one.

Steve Deace celebrates Michigan landing Hall of Fame-bound Kyle Whittingham as the 22nd head coach, calling it a cosmic upgrade over the previous staff and a perfect fit for Michigan's culture. Mark Rogers joins to discuss Whittingham's Urban Meyer connection, the immediate recruiting momentum, and why this hire erases the drama of the past two years.

Steve Deace wraps 2025 with a blunt look at where Michigan stands after a weird 9-3 season: Sherrone Moore's seat is officially warm, 2026 is playoff-or-bust and why the Citrus Bowl vs. Texas isn't about winning a meaningless game. Former Michigan QB David Cone joins to break down exactly what Bryce must show in those 15 bowl practices to prove he can be elite in Year 2.

Steve Deace gives no excuses after Michigan's soul-crushing 27-9 loss to a far superior Ohio State team: the Wolverines were outclassed in every phase, Bryce Underwood clearly regressed despite a full year of reps, and Sherrone Moore now faces a prove-it-or-bust 2025 with the playoff as the bare minimum or he's gone. Mark Rogers joins to break down the talent gap, the failed freshman QB experiment, and why better coaching would have made a dramatic difference this season.

IT'S HERE. The 121st edition of The Game. Michigan vs. Ohio State — with snow in the forecast, a 4-peat on the line, and BOTH teams starting the #1 overall recruit from the last two classes (Julian Sayin vs. Bryce Underwood). Mark Rogers and Steve Deace break it ALL down. 

Michigan just pulled off something historic at Wrigley Field: first time EVER the Wolverines win a game while committing FIVE turnovers (and going minus-5 in turnover margin). Steve Deace breaks down the wild 40-31 escape over Northwestern that felt like 2017 all over again. Mark Rogers from The Voice of College Football joins the show with his take.

Can Bryce Underwood be fixed before The Game? Steve Deace dives deep on this week's Michigan Podcast! After back-to-back duds vs. Michigan State and Purdue, the true freshman QB is regressing. Steve lays out the data: Michigan's offense has systemically improved, but Bryce's stats are nearly identical to last year's QBs. Joined by Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, they debate QB development, Ohio State's elite defense, and why weather could be Michigan's X-factor.

The panic button is ENGAGED after Michigan's ugly win over Purdue. What was supposed to be a laugher turned into a nail-biter, exposing cracks in the Wolverines' armor. Bryce Underwood is regressing, the passing game is nonexistent, and injuries have decimated the roster. Steve calls this a poor man's 2021 team, with elite run game, elite defense, but no stabilizing QB and no margin for error. With Ohio State looming, he warns: this just might not be Michigan's year. Joined by Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, they debate the passing scheme's complexity, the talent gap, and why the playoff might actually hurt more than help.

Steve Deace injects some (what he says is) MUCH-NEEDED optimism on this week's Michigan Podcast! After a gritty 31-20 win over Michigan State, Steve pushes back on the fanbase's meltdown. Context matters: Michigan is 6-2 with a true freshman QB, three redshirt freshmen on the O-line, and no playable tackles left. They just beat Sparty on the road with 80 points in two straight trips to East Lansing, the most since the early 80s. Joined by Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, they break down Bryce Underwood's growth, the flattened parity of CFB, and why this team is exactly where it should be.

Michigan saves its season with a statement win over Washington, and Steve is fired up. The Wolverines answered the call after a humiliating USC loss, turning the tide with a second-half rout sparked by Cole Sullivan’s game-changing interception. Steve breaks down how Michigan’s 38-22 time-of-possession dominance and defensive adjustments shut down Washington’s high-flying offense, holding them to under 250 yards. Joined by Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, they discuss Bryce Underwood’s jaw-dropping throws, the youngest roster in the Big Ten, and the evolving chaos of college football’s NFL-like randomness.

The Wolverines were exposed in a prime-time beatdown, raising existential questions about Sherrone Moore’s leadership. Steve breaks down three glaring problems. As Washington comes to Ann Arbor, Steve calls this the most critical game of Moore’s tenure. Joined by Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, they debate the stakes, Michigan’s identity, and the “quit factor” looming against Michigan State.

It’s the quarter pole, and Aaron McIntire and Noah Deace are breaking it all down on this week’s Michigan Podcast. With Steve out, Aaron (an Iowa fan) and Noah dive into a bye-week reflection, playing “Buy, Sell, or Hold” on Michigan’s playoff and Big Ten title chances. Are the Wolverines true contenders? Noah buys both, citing a favorable schedule and Justice Haynes’ explosive play. They also tackle player props: Will Haynes break Michigan’s rushing record? Can Bryce Underwood double his TD passes? Will Rod Moore lead in interceptions? Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football joins for an extended round, debating Michigan’s identity and Ohio State’s road test at Washington. Plus, poll results on Haynes’ record chase and fan feedback on the stretch-run offense.

Michigan went OLD SCHOOL to dominate Nebraska on the road, and Steve points out how Michigan leaned on a punishing 300-yard rushing attack, led by Justice Haynes, while the defense racked up 30 pressures and seven sacks on Dylan Raiola. Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, joins the program to discuss the ceiling for this team, the receiver struggles, and what’s next with a bye week looming. Plus, poll results from a wild halftime poll and fan feedback on Haynes’ national recognition.

With Steve out, Aaron McIntire and Noah Deace take the wheel on this week’s Michigan Podcast. Coming off a 63-3 rout of Central Michigan, the focus is once again on Bryce Underwood. Aaron, an Iowa fan, brings an outsider’s perspective, questioning if Sherrone Moore will fully unleash Underwood’s explosive talent in Big Ten play or rein him in against top foes like Nebraska or Ohio State. Noah breaks down the offensive line’s critical role in Michigan’s ceiling, while Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football joins for the 10-Minute War, debating Michigan’s identity and Underwood’s potential. Plus, poll results on Underwood’s aggression at Nebraska and fan feedback on Moore’s approach.

Michigan got manhandled by Oklahoma, and Steve is not holding back on this week’s Michigan Podcast. The Wolverines were physically dominated in a stunning Week 2 loss, exposing cracks in the offensive line and a lack of identity on offense. Steve dives into the coaching missteps, Sherrone Moore’s conservative approach, and why Michigan must make Bryce Underwood the focal point to salvage the season. Joined by Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, the two dissect the bullying in Norman, the injury toll, and what’s next against Central Michigan. Plus, poll results on the fan mood and Steve’s raw response to whether his “instant nihilism” is an act (spoiler: it’s not!).

Bryce Underwood stole the show in his Michigan debut, and Steve is ALL IN on this week’s Michigan Podcast! The true freshman lit up New Mexico with poise, precision, and 250+ passing yards—prompting Steve to wonder if he could indeed be the next generational talent, and say Saturday’s road test will reveal if Underwood is “HIM.” The Voice of College Football, Mark Rogers, breaks down Underwood’s sensational performance, Michigan’s balanced attack, and what to expect against Oklahoma’s defense. Plus, the dup recaps Ohio State’s upset over #1 Texas.

Game week is HERE, and Steve Deace is fired up on this week’s Michigan Podcast: Is Bryce Underwood the ONLY key to Michigan’s 2025 season? Steve says yes—but not in the way you think. Joined by Brett Ciancia of Pick Six Previews and Mark Rogers of The Voice of College Football, MP dives into why Underwood needs to be a “JAG” (just a guy) rather than a superhero to unlock Michigan’s potential. Also discussed is the Wolverines’ elite defense to the critical early road games, and a preview of the massive Ohio State vs. Texas opener and poll results on whether to play Underwood longer in a blowout.