Ep. 434 - OU-Michigan Preview: Is Michigan Really That Bad?
West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast
Ep. 434 - OU-Michigan Preview: Is Michigan Really That Bad?
The show opens with leftover thoughts from OU’s win over UTEP, followed by the latest injury news involving key offensive linemen.
Later, the guys begin their OU-Michigan preview by talking about how the Wolverines should be 0-1. Grant compares Michigan’s offense to Oklahoma’s 2024 offense, while Lee explains why Michigan’s heavy sixth-offensive-lineman “Rhino” package may play right into the strength of Oklahoma’s defense.
The guys discuss Bryce Underwood, Michigan’s struggling run game, Kyle Whittingham’s rocky start, and why OU’s defense should be eager for this matchup.
On the other side, Lee and Grant discuss what Oklahoma’s offense must show against Michigan’s defense.
The episode closes with Week 2 picks against the spread: Missouri at Kansas, Alabama at Kentucky, Mississippi State at Minnesota, Iowa State at Iowa, and Ohio State at Texas.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening take: OU’s a 12 personnel team
04:13 — Leftover thoughts from the UTEP win
05:30 — OU used 12 personnel on 82.7 percent of snaps
09:30 — Danny Saili’s size and role on the defensive line
09:59 — Grant still thinks Saili looks undersized
13:02 — Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje trending toward a return
13:29 — Michael Fasusi availability becomes the major concern
14:00 — What does OU’s offensive line look like without Fasusi?
24:23 — Michigan should be 0-1 after Western Michigan
24:41 — Kyle Whittingham’s rough start at Michigan
25:22 — Bryce Underwood remains Michigan’s starter “right now”
26:01 — Underwood’s awkward response to Whittingham’s comments
26:25 — Michigan’s offense, Jason Beck and the Wolverines’ main weapons
27:01 — Western Michigan ending controversy
28:01 — Grant: Michigan’s offense looked like 2024 Oklahoma
31:16 — Why Western Michigan may have a real gripe
36:50 — Back to Michigan being a dumpster fire
37:09 — What Oklahoma’s defense needs to do against Bryce Underwood
38:31 — Michigan’s “Rhino” package plays into OU’s hands
40:04 — Why using a sixth offensive lineman only works if those linemen can block
42:40 — Stop the run and put Michigan in obvious passing situations
43:24 — JJ Buchanan may be Michigan’s only scary skill player
45:35 — Lee wants three takeaways from Oklahoma’s defense
47:57 — Grant: Michigan may improve, but the offense is not good
52:18 — Michigan’s yards per play and time-of-possession context
53:39 — What Oklahoma’s offense needs to show against Michigan
56:26 — Grant’s No. 1 offensive key: play a clean game
57:17 — Michigan’s penalty issues against Western Michigan
59:54 — John Mateer needs to keep building off Week 1
01:03:31 — Get the ball to Sategna, Trell Harris and Rocky Beers
01:05:56 — Lloyd Avant can keep Oklahoma on schedule
01:06:20 — Grant’s prediction
01:08:48 — Lee’s prediction
01:15:13 — OU needs to punch Michigan in the mouth early
01:16:15 — Programming note: Lee on 107.7 The Franchise postgame show
01:18:42 — Around college football and Week 2 setup
01:20:02 — Tennessee-Georgia Tech, Auburn and Gavin Freeman thoughts
01:22:12 — Ole Miss-Louisville and LSU-Clemson thoughts
01:25:24 — Oregon-Boise State and Boise as a G6 contender
01:26:21 — Week 2 picks begin
01:26:54 — Missouri at Kansas
01:29:26 — Alabama at Kentucky
01:31:25 — Mississippi State at Minnesota
01:35:38 — Iowa State at Iowa
01:36:51 — Ohio State at Texas
01:38:50 — Final thoughts before OU-Michigan weekend
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