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Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — Season Preview

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Get ready for an in-depth preview of Michigan’s 2024 football season with hosts @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer as they break down the team’s transition into the new Big 10 format, navigating the shift from the 12-team college football playoff. From a predicted victory against Fresno State to the high-stakes clash with Ohio State, they delve into key matchups, including a close battle with Washington and a showdown with Texas. With a strong focus on Michigan’s defense and its potential to surpass last year’s performance, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what could be a defining season for the Wolverines.

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Podcast Summary

Themes

  • Continue building the defensive culture of being “positionless” and unpredictable.
  • Maintain the culture of hard practices where “games are easier than practice.”
  • Ensure everything remains “aligned and in the right place” for player success and development.

Outline

Season Preview and New Era

  • Phil Callihan introduces the podcast and the season preview, highlighting the new teams and challenges.
  • Clint Derringer discusses the end of an era and the start of a new era, transitioning from the 4-team playoff era to the 12-team format.
  • Phil reflects on the last time Michigan won the national championship in 1998 and the changes in the schedule, including the addition of Rutgers and Maryland.

First Game: Fresno State

  • Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer discuss the first game against Fresno State, a night game at the Big House.
  • Clint predicts a celebratory atmosphere and a manageable game for Michigan, despite Fresno State being a formidable Group of Five team.
  • Clint mentions the potential distractions from the celebration and the team’s hunger to prove they are not a step back from the 2023 national championship team.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the defense’s readiness and the importance of starting the season strong.

Texas Game and Defense

  • Clint Derringer predicts a close game against Texas, citing Texas’s experienced quarterback and strong offensive line.
  • Phil emphasizes the importance of the defense scoring points to keep the game close.
  • TJ Guy from the defense expresses confidence in the team’s readiness and the potential for individual players to shine.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the challenges of the Texas game and the importance of the defense’s performance.

Arkansas State and USC

  • Clint Derringer predicts a bounce-back game for Michigan against Arkansas State, despite the team’s recent home loss to Texas.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the Arkansas State game as a tune-up for the USC game.
  • Clint predicts a win for Michigan against USC, citing the home-field advantage and USC’s defensive struggles.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the potential for Michigan to score points against USC and the importance of the game in the Big 10 title race.

Minnesota and Washington Games

  • Clint Derringer predicts a win for Michigan against Minnesota, citing the team’s strength against the run and the home-field advantage.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the challenges of the Washington game, including the travel and the quality of the opponent.
  • Clint predicts a close game against Washington, with Michigan winning due to a few critical plays.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the bye week and the upcoming Illinois game as a potential trap game.

Illinois and Michigan State

  • Clint Derringer predicts a win for Michigan against Illinois, citing the team’s strength against the run and the home-field advantage.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the potential for Michigan to dominate the Illinois game after the bye week.
  • Clint predicts a win for Michigan against Michigan State, citing the team’s run game and the home-field advantage.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the Michigan State game as a rivalry game and a potential tune-up for the Oregon game.

Oregon and Indiana

  • Clint Derringer predicts a win for Michigan against Oregon, citing the home-field advantage and the potential for the defense to outperform Oregon’s defense.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the Oregon game as a pivot point in the season and a potential national title contender game.
  • Clint predicts a win for Michigan against Indiana, citing the talent and depth discrepancy between the teams.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the potential for Indiana to be a trap game and the importance of the Indiana game as a final home game of the season.

Northwestern and Ohio State

  • Clint Derringer predicts a win for Michigan against Northwestern, citing the team’s focus on senior day and the home-field advantage.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the potential for Michigan to dominate the Northwestern game after the bye week.
  • Clint predicts a loss for Michigan against Ohio State, citing the experience at quarterback and the potential for Ohio State to outperform Michigan’s offensive line.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the Ohio State game as a rivalry game and the potential for Michigan to dominate the game if they perform well.

Big 10 Title and Playoff Implications

  • Clint Derringer discusses the potential for Michigan, Ohio State, and Oregon to be the top four teams in the Big 10 and the implications for the Big 10 title game and the playoff.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the Big 10 title game and the potential for Michigan to make it to the playoff.
  • Clint emphasizes the importance of the offensive line’s performance and the potential for Michigan to reach the benchmarks for success.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the potential for Michigan to dominate the Ohio State game and the importance of the game in the national title race.

Final Thoughts and Season Outlook

  • Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer discuss the importance of the offensive line’s performance and the potential for Michigan to reach the benchmarks for success.
  • Phil emphasizes the importance of the defense’s performance and the potential for Michigan to dominate the Ohio State game.
  • Clint predicts a win for Michigan against Ohio State, citing the experience at quarterback and the potential for Ohio State to outperform Michigan’s offensive line.
  • Phil and Clint discuss the importance of the Ohio State game as a rivalry game and the potential for Michigan to dominate the game if they perform well.

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