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Michigan Football Podcast — It Felt Damn Good – Game 8 Michigan 49 michigan state 0

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Phil @pcallihan and Clint @Clint_Derringer discuss Michigan’s 49-0 victory over michigan state. With QB J.J. McCarthy, OL Zak Zinter, LB Junior Colson, TE A.J. Barner, and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. Also, exclusive expose on NCAA investigation into Jim Harbaugh leaving the cap off of the toothpaste.

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Podcast Archive

Podcast Summary

  • Michigan Wolverines’ victory and new app for fans.0:00
    • Tom Brady co-founds app to recognize biggest Michigan fans.
  • Michigan Wolverines’ dominant victory and team improvement.1:22
    • Michigan football continues to improve, with increasing margins of victory and a vision for future success.
    • Phil Callihan: Michigan’s dominance over Michigan State was cathartic after past losses.
    • Clint Derringer: Michigan State’s superiority in the trenches made games against Michigan unenjoyable in the early 2010s.
  • Michigan Wolverines’ victory and program’s baggage with coach Jim Harbaugh.6:16
    • Clint Derringer and Phil Callihan discuss the Michigan State football team’s loss to Michigan, with Derringer expressing little sympathy for the team and Callihan acknowledging the poor coaching hire that led to the loss.
    • Callihan criticizes Michigan State’s administration for not resolving the Mel Tucker contract situation before the season, leaving the players in a difficult position.
    • Phil Callihan and Jim Harbaugh discuss the Michigan Wolverines’ execution and focus during their game, despite criticism and distractions.
    • The team shrugs off negative comments and keeps working, with players like Zak Zinter and Clint Drew saying they’re focused on their own performance.
  • Michigan Wolverines’ mental toughness and leadership.12:27
    • Clint Derringer praises Michigan football’s mental and psychological fortitude in shutting out Michigan State despite distractions and noise.
    • Derringer highlights the leadership of players like JJ McCarthy and assistant coaches in compartmentalizing distractions and executing cleanly in a rivalry game on the road.
  • Michigan Wolverines’ dominant win and backup players’ performance.15:36
    • Phil Callihan: Michigan players showed no signs of complacency despite being up 42 points, giving maximum effort and staying locked in throughout the game.
    • Clint Derringer: Michigan’s final touchdown drive was notable for the team’s decision to take the kneel down with eight seconds remaining, rather than trying to score again and potentially risking a turnover.
    • Clint Derringer analyzes Michigan’s depth chart decisions in blowout win over Michigan State, praising the fourth and fifth stringers for their hard play.
    • Derringer notes that the backups’ opportunity to play in a rivalry game is not a sign of disrespect, but rather a sign of the depth and talent of the Michigan team.
  • Michigan Wolverines’ dominating win over Michigan State Spartans.21:41
    • Michigan fans filled the stadium and drowned out Spartan chants with “Let’s Go Blue” chants, while the Spartans slow-updated the digital scoreboards during the final touchdown.
    • Michigan dominates Michigan State in all facets of the game.
    • Clint Derringer analyzes Michigan QB JJ McCarthy’s performance, noting he’s done well despite limited garbage time plays.
  • Michigan football’s recent win and national championship prospects.28:32
    • Clint Derringer: JJ McCarthy playing better than any QB in the country, Michigan’s offense difficult to shut down.
    • Phil Callihan: Michigan’s schedule not the toughest, bye week crucial for players to rest and heal, looking forward to Penn State vs. Ohio State game.
    • Phil Callihan and Junior Colson discuss Michigan football’s dominant performance in a game, with Callihan highlighting the team’s strong rushing game and Colson sharing an amusing anecdote about a touchdown return.
    • Phil Callihan shares his enthusiasm for Michigan’s dominance over Michigan State, highlighting the team’s impressive performance and the joy of watching them play.
    • Callihan addresses the sign stealing controversy, dismissing claims of shenanigans and emphasizing that Michigan’s success is due to the players’ talent and hard work.
  • Jim Harbaugh’s NCAA investigation and its impact on Michigan football.36:08
    • Clint Derringer: Separating team’s performance from investigation is key.
    • Jim Harbaugh’s feud with the NCAA continues, with personal attacks and suspensions.
  • Michigan Wolverines football game and team performance.40:40
    • Phil Callihan questions the NCAA’s motives in investigating Jim Harbaugh’s alleged infraction, citing inconsistent treatment and the organization’s history of being on the “wrong side of history.”
    • Phil Callihan and AJ Barner discuss Michigan’s offensive talent and mindset, with Callihan highlighting the team’s improvement and Barner praising their overall skill.
    • Clint Derringer highlights Junior Coulson’s performance in the game, noting his ability to make tackles and play in the backfield.
    • Jim Harbaugh emphasizes the team’s focus on preparation and execution, citing their success in playing their best Football.

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Michigan 49 Michigan State 0 – Game 8 Recap

GAME 8 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 49-0, Michigan by 49 over Michigan State
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 19.5 (+29.5)
CD Projection: Michigan by 27 (+22)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 8 RECAP vs. Michigan State

Another team decided to create a game plan to stop the Michigan run game. While Michigan managed to hit the magic number 50% success rate on the ground, the Spartans held the Wolverines to 2.8 yards per run play (stats removed once the score was out of hand). Fortunately for Michigan, JJ McCarthy may be the best QB in the country. McCarthy had no problem throwing the team on his back and slaughtering the Spartan defense, finishing 21-27 for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2+ quarters of action. Colston Loveland caught 2 of those touchdowns on twin 22-yard receptions, while AJ Barner and Roman Wilson also found the end zone. JJ and the starters were so efficient that Michigan’s depth players were able to play almost the entire second half.

On the other side of the ball, Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale finally put the finishing touches on a shutout for the Michigan defense. For the second time in B1G Ten play, the defensive unit outscored the opponent’s offensive unit thanks to another Pick-Six by captain Mike Sainristil in the 3rd quarter. Linebacker Junior Colson had a great bounce back game, leading the team in tackles with 11. Edge player Braiden McGregor led in the tackles-for-loss (TFL) column with 1.5. Eight different players made a play in the Spartan backfield as the Wolverines accumulated 8 TFLs total on the night.

All of the special teams units combined to execute cleanly with no major mistakes, which was the primary objective against an overmatched rival. The main item of note was that Tyler Morris seems to have seized control of the punt return role. He also made a good decision to field a bouncing punt, and did so cleanly and avoided taking a major hit in the process. I look forward to future explosive plays from Morris as a returner.

A road game against a bitter rival amidst major off-field distractions posed a major threat to derail Michigan’s special season to this point. Instead, the Wolverines seemed even more locked in and focused on the task at hand. It was another dominant performance in a season full of similar games against overwhelmed foes. This one was the most complete decimation to date, and I am glad they saved such a beat down for Sparty. Next is a bye week to rest and heal for the pivotal November stretch of B1G Ten games. Onward!

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Michigan vs Michigan State Football — Looking Back – 2022

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The final installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us back just one year, to the 2022 matchup.

By 2022, Michigan’s status as one of the elite powers in college football had been firmly reestablished. By contrast, Michigan State was struggling. Just a year earlier, Spartan fans and alumni puffed out their chests and shouted, “Tuck comin!” By 2022, Michigan State seemed to have lost its way.

For its part, Michigan had undergone some changes in 2022. Do-everything superstar Aidan Hutchinson had graduated and joined the neighboring Detroit Lions in the NFL. JJ McCarthy had won the quarterback competition against Cade McNamara and he and running back Blake Corum were now the clear leaders of the team.

Truth be told, the game itself was pretty boring. Michigan exhibited a methodical dominance that seemed to lull Michigan State to sleep. On the field, at least.

The Wolverines relied on five field goals by Jake Moody to top the Spartans, 29-7. The onslaught of field goals produced the numbing effect of Novocain.

Oddly enough, the real drama began after the game ended. The viral power of social media produced sketchy reports of a fracas in the tunnel following the game. Rumors on social media platforms quickly gave way to credible news reports detailing a violent confrontation. Even the most cynical football fans were stunned.

The confrontation in the tunnel raised tensions between the two institutions to an unprecedented level. The months following the game produced an animosity that represented more than mere bragging rights.

Fans, alumni, and even casual observers anticipate the 2023 game with an awkward fascination. The 2022 game? Strangely enough, it will be remembered for decades.

Thanks to ESPN, YouTube, and YouTube poster ZTL for the following broadcast of the 2022 game. As always, I own nothing and I do not profit in any way from this blog post.


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Michigan Football Podcast — State Championship – Game 8 MSU Preview

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Phil @pcallihan and Clint @Clint_Derringer preview the game vs MSU – SP+ analysis, commentary, look back at notable games in the rivalry’s history, and prediction.

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Podcast Archive

Podcast Summary

  • Michigan vs Michigan State game analysis.0:00
    • Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer preview Michigan’s game versus Michigan State, discussing the teams’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as the rivalry between the two teams.
    • Clint Derringer analyzes the SP plus rankings for the teams, finding them closely grouped from 52nd to 56th, with Michigan State ranked 55th and Minnesota ranked one spot behind them at 56th.
    • Clint Derringer discusses Michigan State’s inconsistency under interim coach, citing coaching change and off-field issues as factors.
  • Michigan-Michigan State rivalry and off-field drama.5:05
    • Michigan State fans use Michigan’s off-field drama to fuel trash talk.
    • Michigan football team’s culture of resilience and teamwork is tested on the road against Michigan State.
    • Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer discuss the intensity of the Michigan State-Michigan rivalry, with Phil noting that it has the most outliers and craziness compared to other rivalries.
    • Players seem to be taking the rivalry more seriously this week, with Blake Corum specifically mentioning that it’s a big game and means a lot to them.
  • Michigan football, past games and rivalries.12:25
    • Blake Corum mentions the rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State, expressing uncertainty which team means more to him.
    • Phil Callihan highlights the impact of the COVID season on the team’s performance, with players reflecting on the loss to Michigan State as a turning point.
    • Phil Callihan recounts a memorable moment from the 1990 Michigan Wolverines football game against Michigan State, where a touchdown catch by Desmond Howard was initially called incomplete due to a lack of visibility in the stands.
    • Callihan reflects on the strange nature of the game, including Demetrius Brown’s multiple interceptions and Michigan’s near victory despite these mistakes.
  • Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry.18:47
    • Clint Derringer highlights Kenneth Walker’s iconic performance in 2021, with a possible upset on the Michigan State side.
    • Clint Derringer predicts Michigan will win 34-7 against Michigan State, with a close halftime score of 14-7.
    • Phil Callihan recounts the history of Michigan State’s dominance over Michigan, including the 1987 game where Michigan lost 17-11 despite throwing only 7 interceptions.
  • Michigan football, past and present.23:47
    • Phil Callihan recounts a memorable game against Michigan State, including a late-game comeback and a painful loss.
    • Clint Derringer agrees, highlighting four rivalry games from his college years with distinct personalities and memorable moments.
    • Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer reminisce about a legendary performance by Braylon Edwards in a Michigan football game, sharing memories and insights from their perspective as fans.
    • The speakers discuss the impact of JJ McCarthy’s legs on the Michigan offense, with Callihan expressing concern about how much is too much in terms of running.
    • Clint Derringer and Phil Callihan discuss the physicality of the Michigan State vs. Michigan football game, with Derringer noting that Michigan State will try to physically shake or punish Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy.
    • Callihan brings up the example of Braylon Edwards’ game against Michigan State, where he was mugged and the referees were cowardly in not calling a penalty.
  • Michigan football game strategy and player performance.31:16
    • Clint Derringer hopes to see Michigan’s defense dominate and limit first downs against Michigan State, as the Wolverines have been giving up easy scores early in games.
    • Phil Callihan recalls a memorable play at Michigan Stadium, where a punt block led to a Michigan State touchdown, highlighting the importance of special teams in the rivalry game.
    • Clint Derringer wants to see a dominant performance from Michigan’s secondary, with no coverage busts or missed tackles.
    • Phil Callihan and Blake Corum discuss JJ McCarthy’s risk-taking behavior as a physical Quarterback, acknowledging McCarthy’s hard-headedness and love for the game.
    • Phil Callihan wants to see JJ McCarthy reined in and not get hurt in the game against Michigan State, while also wanting to see the Michigan defense take over and silence the opposing fans in their home stadium.
  • Michigan football’s chances against Michigan State.39:58
    • Clint Derringer predicts Michigan will win by 27 points, citing a dominant defense and quick trigger from the Spartan fan base.
    • Jim Harbaugh emphasizes the importance of November games and the upcoming rivalry matchup against Michigan State.