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Former Wolverine and current Big Ten Network analyst Marcus Ray talks Cincinnati, Michigan's defense, and a smoother road at quarterback.

In this podcast, Ray breaks down what defensive coordinator Don Brown's unit was doing against Florida, and how it will look moving forward. He also looks at length at Michigan's wide receivers, extolling one rookie as performing beyond his years.

Here's the podcast…

Here are some podcast highlights, including Ray on…

• Michigan's altered defense against Florida: "It was quite clear that Don Brown wanted to get more guys standing up in that 3-3 look, because he wanted to mix up his blitz combinations and try to confuse Florida's offensive line in their pass protections. I also think he was expecting to see [Florida quarterback] Malik Zaire in there first.

"He wanted to get a different look than what he showed on film, in which Ohio State and Florida State really schemed Don Brown. So he came out with something different. He had eight months to prepare. It looked like he watched Florida's spring game, so he was able to pick up on some of those tendencies and really go after some of those interior offensive linemen.

"He knew he had the speed to do it at linebacker, with [sophomore Devin] Bush and Khaleke [Hudson] at the viper. What he looked like he was trying to do, to me, was line up in the three-man front, get some guys standing in the gap to cause confusion, and then run his same blitz packages from a different look."

• Michigan's defense going forward: "Don is going to run some of the same stuff he ran last year. But when he faces Michigan State, a team who can line up and pound them physically, and they have the backs to do it, and the blocking scheme, I think Don this year will go more three traditional linebacker and get [redshirt junior Noah] Furbush in at the Sam, instead of having Khaleke Hudson in the game.

"Jabrill Peppers didn't come off the field, because he was that good, but it worked against Michigan at times, like in Iowa and Michigan State. This year, to counter that, Don is going to go with the three linebackers and possibly put Khaleke at safety, because you don't want him to come off the field.

"That's why he has [sophomore Josh] Metellus and Khaleke rotating at safety and viper, so he can have something in place — an insurance policy, a different package— when he lines up against a team that's going to smashmouth him."

• Michigan versus Cincinnati: "I think you're going to see a much improved Michigan offense in the first half, behind [redshirt junior quarterback] Wilton Speight. I think Michigan should be able to run the ball effectively. This will be a week where the offensive line can figure out who they are and create an identity for themselves.

"I thought [fifth-year senior center] Pat Kugler and those guys did a nice job, and obviously the play-calling helped, especially with [fifth-year senior tailback] Ty Isaac on those third downs, being able to pick up some crucial first downs.

"You'll see an emphasis on ball security. Special teams will be much better, including [redshirt freshman placekicker Quinn] Nordin making the shorter field goals, and Michigan not giving up a punt block.

"I think we'll see a much-improved, well-oiled machine on Saturday, due to the coaching and the improvement that will be made, but also due to the opponent that you play. I don't think Cincinnati has the horses to run this race."

• Freshman wideout Tarik Black: "Tarik Black is a special kind of guy. I think he's the best receiver on this team … I highlighted Tarik as a breakout player on my Rays Of Light segment on Big Ten Network last night.

"I said he's a breakout star, he's a freak, he gives Michigan a red zone threat. He's a legitimate jump-ball guy, he can go in traffic. He can run routes in space, like we saw on that shake route."

• Michigan's defensive front: "This is one of the best fronts in the nation, athletically. [Fifth-year senior] Maurice Hurst is the best defensive tackle in the conference, if not in all of the country. [Sophomore defensive end] Rashan Gary has got a ways to go. I don't know if the buck has met the bang yet, but it will, so I don't over-hype him. I don't put any pressure on him, but he is athletically gifted.

"He plays in a system where the linebackers get all of the sacks, because Don slants the D-line and he brings pressure off the edge and up the middle. That's why you saw guys like [fifth-year senior linebacker] Mike McCray and Devin Bush in the backfield a lot, because of the scheme.

"As far as the personnel, I like [redshirt junior defensive end] Chase Winovich. I think he's athletic. [Redshirt junior defensive lineman] Lawrence Marshall is finally getting a chance to get in there and mix it up. He put on some weight and switched from D-end to D-tackle, and he's running around.

"They've got the dudes. They've got some guys, and the two linebackers are pretty good."

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