What makes this year’s Michigan team different than the last two? (podcast)

On the latest College Football Survivor Show, hosts Shehan Jeyarajah (CBS Sports) and Bobak Ha’Eri (r/cfb) are joined by Michigan beat reporter Aaron McMann (MLive). They discuss the Wolverines’ College Football Playoff matchup in the Rose Bowl against Alabama and everything leading up to Jan. 1.

McMann was asked about the makeup and approach to this year’s Michigan team compared to the last two years, in which the Wolverines were also in the CFP. Here’s what he had to say:

an team different than the last two? (podcast)

You can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Michigan’s CFP approach compared to the last couple years:

McMann: “They’ve kind of changed up the routine. They started practice about a week and a half ago now. It sounds like there’s less hitting to begin things. I don’t know exactly what it looks like because obviously we’re not privy to practice when we’re allowed in the doors. But based on what they’ve told us, yes, it’s kind of been a slower build. This time last year, Michigan was an incredibly banged up unit. Blake Corum was injured and out, the guys along the offensive line were banged up. I think they’ve learned from the last couple of years that maybe a slower build is better than maybe go all out practice. If you go back two years ago and players on the team now admit it, they’ll tell it to us. At that point, I think they were just happy to get to the playoff. They’d never been before. They’d just won their first Big Ten championship under Jim Harbaugh. In a way, it was kind of a vacation. The game was in South Florida, so I think they were kind of eating it up. They were enjoying the warm weather and everything else and they didn’t really know what to expect.”McMann: “I think this might be cohesively as a unit the best that they’ve had in the last couple of years. And that’s saying something because you can remember they had Aidan Hutchinson a couple years ago, he was a top draft pick. Another first ground pick and David Ojabo. I think as a unit, they’re more well-oiled. I think they got some exceptional playmakers on the back end. I think this defense is better than it’s ever been.”