Big Ten Network analyst Marcus Ray joins senior editor John Borton to talk Michigan football.
There's plenty to talk about, with redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters moving behind center against Rutgers on Saturday. Ray discusses Peters' ascension and potential impact, along with delivering a number of other observations.
Here's the podcast…
Here are some podcast highlights, including Ray on…
• Peters and his first prime-time appearance: "At certain times, you see where guys provide a different energy, a different level of decision making, leadership and performance. I think making the change yesterday worked out for Michigan…
"It has a lot to do with where Michigan is in their season. There's a strong possibility they won't win the Big Ten East Division. A month ago, there was a quarterback change, and [fifth-year senior] John O'Korn looked like the hottest thing on the street.
"We saw the same thing yesterday. I've always been a guy to look at, judge and measure a guy over a string of performances, and then I look at how they perform in certain games before I fly off the handle and think all is well.
"When you look at where Michigan is in their season, I don't think it could hurt to have Brandon Peters gets some reps."
• Peters' ability to throw the ball: "Brandon Peters is a really good football player. He was coming out of high school. It's not always wise to throw those young guys in the fire right away.
"I called the spring game and watched him play. I thought he did pretty decent. I don't think anybody that has played quarterback at Michigan can't throw the ball. It's a matter of who they're playing, how the offensive line is doing, and the situation the quarterback is in.
"In John O'Korn's first start, he was asked to beat Michigan State, at home, at night. Brandon Peters was asked to come in, in his relief duties, and provide a spark and beat Rutgers. As far as him being an individual player, he's pretty good. I think he'll play at the next level…
"It showed on Saturday, and moving forward, we will know more about him, depending on the situations he's presented with."
• The forcefulness Jim Harbaugh seeks from his QBs: "Jim Harbaugh wants a quarterback that reflects his own personality. It doesn't mean a guy can't play, if he's not in there because he's not getting after guys and taking command of the huddle. Head coaches want what they want. It doesn't necessarily mean a guy can't get it done.
"[Redshirt junior quarterback] Wilton Speight was a guy that was very quiet at first. Shane Morris was never a guy who took command of the huddle. John O'Korn seems like he has a lot more personality, and looks like he doesn't mind taking command of the huddle.
"The best thing that looks like it's going to work out for Michigan is a guy who can give Jim Harbaugh what he wants from a command and leadership standpoint, as well as a guy who can throw it. When you're a younger player, sometimes it takes awhile to earn those stripes to be able to speak up."
• Michigan rushing for 300-plus yards being a function of playing Rutgers: "I think so, yeah. I mean, we're eight games in. There's a certain assessment of hey, this team looks one way versus a certain opponent and another way versus better competition.
"There's no way around that. Those are the facts. Michigan did this against Indiana. They ran the ball well, the defense gave up 17 in the second half. The bottom line in Ann Arbor is, it has to get done when it matters the most. That's what's missing.
"I don't think we need to rain on Brandon Peters parade, but I also don't think we need to put him on our shoulders and ride off into the sunset.
"A month from now, when we have this conversation, I'm sure it's going to have a different narrative. People can make it out to be what they want, but Michigan is supposed to beat Rutgers 35-14."
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