Michigan sideline reporter Doug Karsch checks in for a lively podcast session, covering a number of topics.
Karsch talks about the Wolverines' growth process, quarterback situation, getting younger players repetitions, and who he'd like to see come on more over the final five games of the regular season.
Here's the podcast…
Here are some podcast highlights, including Karsch on…
• Some perspective with five regular-season games remaining: "In talking to the players this week, they seem feeling good about moving beyond it, and they really feel like there's a lot to still play for this year.
"I know there's a lot of people that don't believe in that. I've lived through an era where Michigan won 16 Big Ten championships. There were a lot of years where they didn't win the Big Ten championship, but when the year was done, they beat Ohio State at the end. It really does make a difference in how it sends you into the offseason.
"You look at this five-game stretch, and the opponent gets better every week … it's a bit of a ramp-up to the end. You can see little things getting better each week, from receivers getting more separation in the secondary, which can lead to more of a downfield passing attack.
"You hope the offensive line, which has shown some improvement in terms of the ability to run the football, will start to show the same improvement in pass protection. If it does, the offense will start to click a little bit more.
"These are baby steps, and people want them to take big, giant leaps."
• Jim Harbaugh: "Look, I know there's a lot of bold statements being made about the head coach. Let's let him get his first full recruiting class through to its senior year before we get too carried away with drawing conclusions.
"There are reasons to be concerned, but I don't think those concerns come as any big surprise, if you took a realistic look at the roster going into the year."
• The next game, and beyond: "I spoke to people in the building this week who are very confident about putting up a big offensive total against Rutgers. There's a reason why they took the redshirt off of [freshman receiver] Nico Collins. There's a reason why they [freshman wideout] Donovan Peoples-Jones has made a few more plays downfield.
"There's a growing buzz about [redshirt freshman tailback] Kareem Walker, and that's all part of it. It's kind of ironic when you think about it. Who is Michigan's best deep threat? Well, it's probably [freshman wideout] Tarik Black.
"Outside of that, who leads Michigan in yards-per-catch? I'm pretty sure it's [sophomore tight end] Nick Eubanks. Those guys haven't been available, and it is a backup quarterback.
"If you look at this on the surface, it's certainly understandable, but people don't want to hear that, because the head coach took his team to Rome and everybody paid attention. They have to be great, right?"
• Whether redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight returns this season: "It's just connecting dots. It's what you hear and what you believe.
"Yeah, I don't think Wilton Speight is done. Seeing him at home games and seeing his demeanor on the sidelines, I don't think Wilton Speight is done. Wilton Speight looks to me like a quarterback who is hurt, and is trying to get better.
"If I was a betting man, I'd bet that Wilton Speight plays again this year. That would be a good thing. He won the job for a reason."
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