10/22/2026 5:00:00 PM | MGoBlue Podcasts
[music builds]
Radio Network Scene Setter • 00:01
You learn to love winning that much more when you have to go through a couple of losses. Kuzdzal has got some room across the forty. Makes a man miss at the thirty five, twenty outside at the fifteen. Down the sideline, inside the ten to the blue. Gonna come back to his left. And it's picked off. Going to the ground immediately is Chris Bracy. Hands it off to Jordan Marshall into the end zone. Takes the snap back to pass. And coming from behind is Chris Bracy, who sacks back. The ball comes out and Enow Etta picks it up. Carr turns up field, inside the five. Tommy Carr to the go. Goal line. Touchdown Wolverines. Just proud of this team. The way we bounced back, we knew we could do it. We just had to get it back together. We're not going to come in and just say, oh, thank goodness, we got to win. Hey, that's great. But that's also an expectation for us to come in and win these games. We know it has to be done week in and week out. We got to go one and zero, Big Ten play. We need the win. Believe in each other. We're all trying to fight for the same thing, stay on the same track and keep grinding and get that same result this weekend. Just continue to support each other and try to get more Michigan wins. That's all we're trying to do here.
[music builds]
Jeff Laurence • 01:00
We're closing in on another Michigan game day. Now let's get you set for Saturday's matchup with our keys to the game edition of in the Trenches, presented by Meijer, presenting sponsor of the twenty twenty six Michigan football season and proud supporter of hundreds of local sports teams across the Midwest. Now here's Jon Jansen.
Jon Jansen • 01:20
A tall task is on the horizon for the Michigan Wolverines and head coach Kyle Whittingham. The defending national champs, the Indiana Hoosiers, come to town at noon in the Big House this Saturday. Keys to the game coming up in just a minute, but before we get there, are you or someone you know, interested in algebra, biology or chemistry? The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy is a number three nationally ranked program and has been graduating pharmacists and pharmacy researchers for over one hundred fifty years. Check out their six degree programs and see why pharmacy excellence starts at the University of Michigan. Go to pharmacy Umich Edu today to learn more.
Jeff Laurence • 02:02
Offense.
Jon Jansen • 02:04
The number one key is to capitalize on the confidence you built running the football against Penn State. Now, we all know, hey, it was Penn State, not a great Penn State team.
Jon Jansen • 02:13
But you've got to build on what was working up Front, those downhill runs, getting some of those combo blocks, getting that defensive line moved, pushing them into the linebackers, making them bounce over the top or make a decision to try and come underneath. Offensive lineman did a nice job keeping shoulders square so they could actually come off on those backs and that's where you start to get big runs. And I'll use the example again of Channing Goodwin on that, that, that run by Bryson Kuzdzal, that was an unbelievable effort to be able to get downfield as a wide receiver to get that final block that allowed for a touchdown. That's what you need. It's the effort on the edge, it's certainly the effort up front. And the running back started to find a little bit of rhythm behind this off. If you're going to have a chance to win against a very good Indiana team, you're going to have to be able to run the football, slow the game down, take a little time off the clock, keep their offense off the field.
Jon Jansen • 03:12
And here's a nice little stat for you. Indiana has only allowed a hundred yard rushing performance once this season. That was at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The only time. They've been a very good rushing defense for a number of years now, but certainly this year they're big up front. They do a nice job of hiding some run blitzes. So you're going to have to keep your head up. No run throughs, but got to get movement and a body on a body up front. Number two, protect the quarterback. Right now, Indiana is fourth in the country in sacks with twenty four through seven games. They do a nice job of winning one on one matchups, but also creating pressure from corner blitzes. Linebackers, they've, they've schemed a lot of those sacks to be a possibility. So you're going to have to just like the run game, keep your eyes up, make sure you identify where the blitzers are and take any key that you possibly can in regards to.
Jon Jansen • 04:11
Hey, maybe that something looks a little funny out here with the corner. He's backed up by his safety. Hey, make sure that, that the quarterback knows exactly who's coming off the edge and everything up front. Just be sound in your technique. Nobody asks you to be perfect, but sometimes it just comes down to technique and effort. Number three, protect the football quarterback. You got to make good decisions. Running backs, wide receivers. When you have the ball in your possession, you must end every play with it still in your possession. And to start the game off, no matter who's that quarterback, high percentage quick throws, especially if It's Tommy and I anticipate that it will be. You've got to be able to get the ball in and out of his hands quickly, get some of those high confidence throws. But eventually you're going to have to be able to get downfield pressure this defense down the field.
Jon Jansen • 04:58
They've done a nice job of creating interceptions, creating turnovers. So it's all about protecting the football and making good decision. Indiana has tied or won the turnover battle for thirty one straight games. So a an absolute win would be zero zero. And don't give them any extra extra possessions, don't give them field position. All of those things are going to matter in this game. Momentum will clearly matter in this game. So you've got to be able to capitalize on the confidence you built in the run game. Protect the quarterback and protect the football.
Jeff Laurence • 05:32
Defense.
Jon Jansen • 05:34
Number one and this has been something that's been a huge asset for Michigan and that is defending the run. Indiana comes in here leading the Big Ten in rushing with just over two hundred yards per game. Their offensive line is big, experienced and they don't make a lot of mistakes.
Jon Jansen • 05:49
But they haven't faced a front like this. Michigan front for no at the Trey Pierce, you what you have been doing this year is going to be vital that you have a repeat performance against Indiana. You must create penetration, you must create indecision. Eat up a couple of blockers so that Troy Bowles and and that whole linebacking crew can roam around and make plays because this is an effective and efficient running game. Number two, you've got to find a way to pressure Josh Hoover. And again this is something that Michigan has done extremely well. Whether it's John Henry Daley or Dom Nichols coming off the edge winning one on one battles. We've seen it in the middle as well. But you've got to be able to win some of those matchups. It's also going to be what can Jay Hill dial up. We saw against Minnesota with Troy Bowles coming around on a blitz. Those are all things that you're going to have to use to pressure Josh Hoover because he's only been sacked nine times through seven games and he has thrown eighteen touchdowns and zero.
Jon Jansen • 06:52
Yes, that's right, zero interceptions to this point. So you've got to find a way to pressure him. Make him make that first bad decision that causes a turnover in this game against Michigan. Number three, communicate and be disciplined in the secondary. Already talked about the fact that Josh Hoover has not turned the ball over this year. You the last three games Indiana has had a one hundred plus yard receiver two weeks ago, Nick Marsh. Weeks five and six. That is Charlie Becker last week against Ohio State. Charlie Becker is wide receiver one. Those two guys are an unbelievable one two punch for this Indiana offense. So in the secondary, and this includes linebackers, you've got to make sure that you communicate. Can't have any free runners in the secondary. They've done a really nice job of locking down number one receivers. This is the first time this secondary has faced a one two punch.
Jon Jansen • 07:48
They don't use their tight end a lot, but they sure do go to Marsh and they go to Becker quite a bit. So you're going to have to communicate, you're going to have to identify where they are, what the motions are, what they mean, and talking to Chris Bracy. It really comes down to film study. You've got to anticipate what is coming against a team that doesn't turn the ball over. And they have wide receivers along with the running game that can be a one, two punch that is very, very difficult to defend. Got to be disciplined.
Jeff Laurence • 08:19
Special teams.
Jon Jansen • 08:21
Field position will be imperative. This is an offense that can move up and down the field, make them go the length of the field every single time. That and that, that comes with Cam Brown. You're going to have to have a better performance than you had against Penn State. That was good enough to be Penn State. It won't be good enough to beat Indiana.
Jon Jansen • 08:41
You're going to have to win the field position battle. It does. It's not just about the punter, it's about punt protection. It's also about the punt and kick coverage. You're going to have to win. Zeke Barry. Hey, you caused a block in the black back last week. That's great. More of those efforts. We saw what you could do earlier in the season. Coach Whittingham praised you as maybe one of the best gunners he's ever seen. That's the type of performance from a veteran player that we're going to need in special teams. And for the field goal pat and field goal, every single point is going to matter. You can't have any, any lapses in awareness, lapses in judgment in regards to. You can never let your, your, your guard down. This is a team that wants to try and be creative in how they rush the kicker, how they rush the punter. You've got to be locked in every single second and in the return game, so.
Jon Jansen • 09:34
I know. Salesi Moa, you got your first game reps as a punt returner last week. Now, let's see what you can do. Make something happen. It comes down to good decisions. When to catch it, when to let the ball hit and when to fair catch it. If you get the opportunity to catch it and run with it, hey, blockers, set up the wall. Selessi, get behind it and make something happen in the return game. And for the punt return, it's simple. Get one first down, get pick up ten yards more is always better. But pick up at least one first down. It takes a little more pressure off of of the offense and it gives them hopefully again, we're talking about field position. You got to give the offense the best field position possible against this defense.
Jeff Laurence • 10:20
Now it's time for Jon's locker room speech.
Jon Jansen • 10:24
Hey, there's no secret this season has not gone to this point how anybody wanted it to go. Players, fans, alumni, coaches. It just hasn't been that type of season. You've got two losses. But if you want to get the train back on the tracks, the defending national champs are coming to town. We'd much rather be in their shoes. And we've been in their shoes. I've been in their shoes. And hey, that bullseye just continues to grow now. They got knocked down a little bit last week against Ohio State. First loss that they've had in a while. I guarantee you they're going to come out breathing fire. When they do, they come into the big house, you hit them in the mouth just like you have every single time the Hoosiers come to town. Yes, I know that we've lost down there. It's not been an easy road against the Hoosiers. It's not been usual. But let's get back to Michigan, Indiana, football.
Jon Jansen • 11:15
Let's get back to what Michigan does, and that's dominating Indiana in the big house. And it's a mindset. It's the opportunity to go out there and make a statement that, hey, the start of the second half of the season, this is who we are offensively, this is who we are defensively. And I'll reiterate something I said in last week's pregame speech. It's about playing with violence. Offensive line, you played with violence in the second half and look what happens. You protected the quarterback and you ran the damn ball. Defense, this is one where you're going to have to stand tall, you're going to have to get some stops, you're going to have to force some turnovers against a team that doesn't turn the ball over. But it's about playing with violence. Chris Bracy, you've shown that you can do that. Play in, play out, game in, game out, and we need your best efforts.
Jon Jansen • 12:01
Smith Snowden. It goes right down the list. You're going to have to play this game with violence. It doesn't matter what position. That's the mindset. You have to go into this game, and if you do, you're going to give yourself the best chance to come out victorious. Go Blue.
[music builds]
Jeff Laurence • 12:15
Thanks for listening to this edition of in the Trenches with Jon Jansen, presented by Meijer, presenting sponsor of the twenty twenty six Michigan Football season and proud supporter of hundreds of local sports teams across the Midwest, in the Trenches is part of our Michigan Athletics Podcast network, MGO Blue Podcast. The preceding is a Learfield presentation of the Michigan Sports Network.
