The Bucket Problem: Recent Episodes
The Bucket Problem
Covering Michigan football, men's basketball, and women's basketball. Low-Key Nice With It Since 2021. Hosted by Ace Anbender and featuring rotating co-hosts Alex Cook, Dan "Thicc Stauskas", and Connor Southard, plus regular guest appearances.
FORTY-FIVE TO TWENTY-THREE. WE WILL NEVER DIE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Use promo code THEGAME this week to get 25% off your subscription forever at Meet At Midfield. You won't find a better home for incisive analysis from both sides of the best rivalry in sports. Now, here's two fans yelling at each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michigan. Ohio State. Both 11-0 for The Game. Nothing else matters. Ace, Connor, Dan and Taylor go position-by-position through Saturday's matchup and give their predictions. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BLACKFRIDAY for 200% THE WHOLE SITE this week at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Use promo code THE GAME this week to get 25% off your subscription forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace and Connor co-host this week’s episode, which covers a very straightforward Nebraska win and a much less straightforward Big Ten West title race, for the most part. Topics:
Let’s bring this MSU tunnel incident reporting energy to U-M’s issues, maybe?
Dominant teams win boring games.
Maybe Ronnie Bell was just trying to spice things up?
Michigan has some special true freshmen.
Illinois looks a lot less worrisome than a few weeks ago.
The dream Big Ten postseason scenario.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Connor and Taylor fire off some big moods, discuss the Rutgers win, and pick their Big Ten teams of the week (or two, in Connor’s case). Topics:
You might want to mute “Harbaugh Colts” right now to get ahead of things.
Michigan had a very “we’re playing Rutgers” offensive game plan.
The lack of an elite WR is a bigger issue than J.J. McCarthy.
Blake Corum ran well, vomited. Donovan Edwards ran well, received well.
Trench dominance on both sides of the ball when accounting for the absences on the O-line.
Fades work sometimes, it’s fine.
We shall never speak of this special teams performance again.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Connor and Taylor go over an eventful Saturday night Michigan State game and its violent aftermath, live-react to the college football playoff rankings release and more. Topics:
Michigan State is up to eight suspended players.
Any MSU media member is allowed to call Michigan soft only after taking one (1) clean shot to the face from a helmet swung by a U-M football player of their choice.
BREAKING COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS TOTALLY DERAIL OUR BIG MOODS.
Dan isn’t even on the podcast this week and still has the most even-keeled take on the playoff. We’re all terrified.
The offense: didn’t need to throw downfield, dominated on the ground, didn’t finish enough drives.
The defense: absolutely stifling beyond a few jump balls to Keon Coleman.
Jake Moody for Heisman.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Connor and Taylor go over an eventful Saturday night Michigan State game and its violent aftermath, live-react to the college football playoff rankings release and more. Topics:
Michigan State is up to eight suspended players.
Any MSU media member is allowed to call Michigan soft only after taking one (1) clean shot to the face from a helmet swung by a U-M football player of their choice.
BREAKING COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS TOTALLY DERAIL OUR BIG MOODS.
Dan isn’t even on the podcast this week and still has the most even-keeled take on the playoff. We’re all terrified.
The offense: didn’t need to throw downfield, dominated on the ground, didn’t finish enough drives.
The defense: absolutely stifling beyond a few jump balls to Keon Coleman.
Jake Moody for Heisman.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Connor, Dan and Taylor get you ready for Saturday night’s rivalry tilt with Michigan State. Topics:
Dan is mostly made of cheese.
Maggie Haberman has interviewed most of this podcast.
Michigan State week means it’s Dan’s time to shine.
Averaging negative yards before contact is bad, in our opinion.
The receivers are the clear strength of MSU’s offense.
Unfortunately for MSU, that plays into the strength of U-M’s defense.
Mel Tucker did not unearth another Kenneth Walker III.
The defense discussion goes quicker because they’re “pretty comprehensively bad.”
The predictions run a wide range, as long as that range includes Michigan winning.
Dan will not be facing consequences for any of this.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Connor, Dan and Taylor get you ready for Saturday night’s rivalry tilt with Michigan State. Topics:
Dan is mostly made of cheese.
Maggie Haberman has interviewed most of this podcast.
Michigan State week means it’s Dan’s time to shine.
Averaging negative yards before contact is bad, in our opinion.
The receivers are the clear strength of MSU’s offense.
Unfortunately for MSU, that plays into the strength of U-M’s defense.
Mel Tucker did not unearth another Kenneth Walker III.
The defense discussion goes quicker because they’re “pretty comprehensively bad.”
The predictions run a wide range, as long as that range includes Michigan winning.
Dan will not be facing consequences for any of this.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Connor and Taylor take you through Michigan’s glorious 41-17 beatdown of Penn State. Topics:
Connor’s loose familiarity with the Taco Bell menu.
A promising job opportunity in sports media for our Bangalore-based listeners.
Even good modern defenses aren’t really built to defend Michigan’s style of play.
Red zone playcalling: could use improvement!
Michigan kept J.J. McCarthy parked in the garage.
Run game vs. PSU: a woodshedding.
The defense: getting tempo’d that one time was bad. Otherwise, pretty good!
Respect to Sean Clifford, who has the heart of a li[MIC CUT]
The linebackers were impressively not very noticeable.
Is Gemon Green better than D.J. Turner? It’s worth a discussion.
Oh my god, MSU/Wisconsin.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace and Taylor break down an eventful 21-point win over Indiana and run the full gamut of big moods in this week’s episode. Also, our Big Ten Teams of the Week. Topics:
Mike Hart is recovering in Ann Arbor, thank goodness.
Taylor declares co-host supremacy, makes convincing case.
The damn Pinkertons!
For understandable reasons, the offense had a tale-of-two-halves performance.
J.J. McCarthy can inspire remarkably divergent takes depending upon the perspective.
Blake Corum, RB1.
The defensive line and the secondary were great. The linebackers? Sorry, didn’t hear you.
Hot damn, Eyabi Okie.
Important context: IU fired their O-line coach pretty much as soon as this game ended.
Nunzio!
A selection of statistics from the Illinois-Iowa advanced box score.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Subscriptions are 5% off with promo code EXTRA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Meet at Midfield subscriber-only podcast isn’t subscriber-only because it’s FREE WEEK. This week’s second pod is a solo mailbag endeavor. Topics:
A personal announcement.
The issues at linebacker and which non-OSU opponent could give them the most trouble.
Getting the WRs more involved.
The wrongest I’ve ever been about a non-Michigan coaching hire.
My dream neutral-site-only schedule.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for Meet at Midfield for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Subscriptions are 5% off with promo code EXTRA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
I have no idea what’s in this one! Iowa stuff, probably? — Ace. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After Dan graces us with a voicemail intro, Connor and Taylor join Ace to break down Michigan’s closer-than-anticipated win over Maryland, discuss how it impacted our outlook on the Wolverines, name our Big Ten teams of the week and more. Topics:
Dan leaves a voicemail. Actually, two voicemails.
The respect bit is over.
Warm and fuzzy homecoming feelings.
An extended discussion of playcalling, game management, the nature of watching games in particular settings and the challenge of separating that initial experience from our postgame analysis.
We very much agree that the sequence to being the second half was bad.
Please don’t stand in the pocket forever, J.J. McCarthy.
Blake Corum: great! The backups with Donovan Edwards out: a problem!
Ace is fed up with Iowa and respecting their chances of winning and we kinda lose the plot for a bit.
Max Bredeson: legit.
Was the pass rush worrisome or was Taulua Tagovailoa just really dang slippery?
Mike Barrett >>> Kalel Mullings right now. Get well soon, Nikhai Hill-Green.
The cornerbacks in particular and the secondary in general were excellent, especially against Maryland’s talented receiving corps.
Gemon Green has been just as good as D.J. Turner this year.
The defense needs to do better getting lined up before the snap.
Connor called shotgun, which means he led the Michigan State discussion.
The Big Ten West is very bad and it should feel bad. Except for Minnesota. Maybe.
Northwestern is go 1-11 with a win over Nebraska.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this week’s podcast, Ace, Connor and Taylor discuss the UConn game, each pick a Big Ten team to highlight for the week and much more. Topics:
We question the timing of a major sporting event.
Josh Allen is worked into the podcast in a relevant way.
Talking Taylor out of the desire to see Lance Leipold at Wisconsin because that’d be terrifying.
A brief history of recent Kansas coaches.
The FOX pregame show’s extreme divorced energy.
Eastern ended Herm! We report on Ypsilanti’s reaction.
Fine, the UConn game. We love how the team looks and try to take away what we can from a non-conference schedule of three teams ranked 120th or worse in SP+.
Losing Cade: not fun. A.J. Henning: fun.
A minor recruiting conspiracy theory.
Speaking of conspiracies, U-M’s PFF grades make zero sense again.
The defense gave up 2.1 yards per play. Not bad.
The phenomenon of overanalyzing and underrating young returning starters, inspired by Junior Colson.
We collectively love Mike Sainristil.
Thoughts on Maryland-SMU, Nebraska-Oklahoma and the market on NFTucks.
RGIII is taking horny too far.
HODL.
Is Bob Stoops a big Degrassi guy?
Urban to Nebraska? Sure! What could go wrong?
The REAL long-term ramifications of the 1997 national championship votes.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for Meet at Midfield for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Alex and Taylor eventually get around to breaking down Michigan’s call-their-shot blowout of Hawaii. Before that, though, did you hear about Scott Frost? Topics:
The 2017 UCF team that built Scott Frost’s reputation was really talented!
This non-conference schedule: significantly less talented.
Taylor might go to church next week. Thank you, Marshall.
Scott Frost got so fired Nebraska paid an extra $7.5M to do it now.
We debate whether Nebraska is a better job than Kansas.
You know what’s definitely a better job than Nebraska? Wisconsin.
Okay, fine, we’ll talk about the Hawaii game.
It’s J.J. McCarthy and it’s not a conspiracy.
We spend a lot more time on the offense than the defense because Hawaii is very not good.
Jake Butt really knew the roster. Nice BTN debut.
Jim Harbaugh hates providing early-season clarity about the receivers.
Did we learn anything? It's debatable.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Connor and Taylor review Michigan’s 51-7 win over Colorado State. There were a lot of reasons be to be encouraged on only a couple minor missteps in an easy win over, admittedly, a bad team. Topics:
The cold open worked this time!
Connor passes up the tempting OSU-related big mood for a good Michigan vibes big mood.
The QB battle now includes possible Instagram drama. Also, like everyone else, we were more impressed with J.J. McCarthy and it’s okay for this to be playing out this way.
OSU/ND was… underwhelming. We’re cool with that.
The offense didn’t need to show much or use the receivers. The running backs and O-line were good. This was a very TE-centric game plan.
RGIII got horny on main.
Maybe we see a deep ball before Maryland, maybe we don’t.
Sure, caveats apply to the defense, but we could hardly have asked for more out of the post-Hutchinson/Ojabo pass rush.
Jesse Minter’s passing down blitz packages were downright mean.
The only real hiccup was Will Johnson giving up a deep ball and he almost recovered to make the play anyway. We’re not worried unless it happens repeatedly.
Competing Brad Robbins mustache jokes.
Taylor tries to make Bowl Team Colorado State a thing. We’re skeptical.
Big Ten programs as bad Disney World rides.
We're so sorry, Dan.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Alex, Connor and Taylor run through Michigan’s 2022 football schedule, answer the most pressing questions about the program this year and make our season predictions. Topics:
We cut most of the cold open! It was awkward. You’re welcome.
Let’s force Nebraska to open every season in a foreign country.
Northwestern is bad and cowardly and could win nine games.
Chase Brown may elevate Illinois from the bottom tier of the conference.
We break the news to Connor that Lovie Smith is an NFL head coach. In 2022.
Maryland’s passing game is worrisome, Mike Locksley is not.
We all greatly respect Michigan State and their remarkable football program. TuckCoin is the future.
The numbers don’t account for Ohio State’s lack of Dog.
We’re split on who we believe will win the QB battle.
Can the all-around progression of the defense make up for the losses of two first-round EDGEs?
Rose Bowl soon come?
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Dan, Connor and Taylor go position-by-position through Michigan’s defense. But first, another lengthy big moods session. Topics:
Connor only watches movies with subtitles
The most down bad date of all time
The “Faceoff on the Lake” is sadly semi-false advertising
Meltdown August
Remembering Some Punt Returners
We hit the under on our “Caden Kolesar mention” prop bet
Dispelling the myth of Night Kinnick
Connor’s big mood is an accidental self-critique
The defensive line: large, good, might even have instant impact freshmen
Edge: big shoes to fill, lots of players to try
Inside linebacker: solid potential among the starters, not a lot of depth
Cornerback: the strength of the defense, arguably
Nickel: will be a downgrade from Dax Hill but a lot of ways to fill this spot
Safety: should have at least three playable guys, we all love Rod Moore
Special teams: good kicking, please don’t use indispensable players as returners
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ace, Connor, and Taylor go position-by-position through Michigan’s offense. But first, a lengthy big moods session. Topics:
The cold open doesn’t go as planned
Approaching the season with uncharacteristic optimism
Did anyone who voted in the AP Poll watch Clemson last year? Anyone at all?
The Katzenmoyer Law is still being enforced in Columbus
We needed to get some Notre Dame hate out of our system
Connor reveals another dark family secret
The world’s worst “House Divided” flag
Picturing a brighter future for Nebraska (the Armed Forces Bowl)
We get the same QB controversy quote every year
Please tweet to @HomefieldApparl and ask them why they canceled the final week of Big New Saturdaya
Michigan’s schedule sets up well for an ongoing QB battle
Can Corum/Edwards be an even better duo than Haskins/Corum?
Searching for a No. 1 receiver
The tight ends are really good
How the hell do the coaches utilize all these skill players
Last year’s Joe Moore Award-winning O-line has a very good chance of being better this year
Which units are we most and least confident in? Ace cheats.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for www.meetatmidfield.com for much more Michigan content plus Ohio State, Big Ten, and national coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Special guest Ben Mathis-Lilley (@BenMathisLilley), Slate senior writer, joins the show to talk about his upcoming book THE HOT SEAT, which focuses on Michigan football during the 2021 season. This should be of great interest to you. Preorder the book here. Topics:
That Phil Steele August feeling
Ben’s formative experiences as a fan
How DJing works
The nature of fandom, Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, and other topics you can read about in THE HOT SEAT
Much more
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meet at Midfield’s Taylor Fulton (@seltzermom) and Kevin Harrish (@Kevinish) join the podcast to discuss the Michigan hockey mess and our lists of the best players in the Big Ten East. Topics:
Ace and Kevin work together and we did not predict this.
A discussion of credentials and the freedom of not relying on them, inspired by Kevin’s post on Thursday morning.
Michigan hockey won’t even let us have more than a few minutes of laughter from “NFTuck.”
Taylor leads a lengthy discussion of Mel Pearson, another WilmerHale report, Warde Manuel attempting to dig in against university leadership, and everything else regarding the hockey investigation. (The latest: Manuel has suddenly fallen in line with leadership — who would've thought! — and a decision on Pearson's future should come Friday, per John U. Bacon.)
One of our worst transitions into a Homefield ad read yet!
We accidentally come up with Reverse NIL.
On an individual player basis, it’s hard to compete with OSU’s dominance.
We envy Kevin for being able to enjoy the above.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code MEETATMIDFIELD for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meet at Midfield’s Taylor Fulton (The Bucket Problem, @seltzermom) and Ryan Donnelly (Flipping the Field, @B1G_Ryan) join the podcast to discuss our new project and discuss our choices for the top five football players in the Big Ten West. There are only two players on both Ace’s and Taylor’s lists. Ryan critiques the TBP crew’s choices and adds several players to watch of his own. Topics:
Ace gets the episode number wrong, fails to notice.
Meet at Midfield! What is it, other than a non-government entity promoting Big Ten supremacy?
Read Taylor’s post!
Is Jim Harbaugh behind the new avian flu?
What on earth is happening with the M hockey program?
Please sponsor us, WilmerHale. We know you have the money.
Warde Manuel is not controlling the narrative.
We mention Chez Mellusi, as is contractually required. Is he real, though?
Champaign-Urbana: The reviews are in, and they’re terrible.
PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the NEW SITE at meetatmidfield.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Bucket Problem has a new co-host! We welcome Taylor Fulton (@seltzermom) for her first of many appearances on the show. Once she’s introduced, we cover everything from fall camp position battles to Jaden Ivey to the Michigan players who were formative for us to (sigh) Jim Harbaugh’s anti-abortion comments and how they run counter to the University’s stated values. We kept that last discussion quick, I promise. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Would you like to listen to a podcast that talks about football but does NOT mention NIL? This is that podcast. This week we discuss the Big Ten adding USC and UCLA before turning to Dan's overall rankings of Big Ten offenses. After listening to the second segment, you may want the conference to hasten the transition to the new alignment discussed in the first. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The week we rank the Big Ten’s wide receiver rooms. While there are no arguments about #1, the 2-5 spots aren’t separated by much. Other topics: Youssef Khayat commits to MBB, we don’t want to talk about football recruiting, and Jim Harbaugh rap-reciting Eminem lyrics. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The week, the whole crew is on the pod to discuss the Joey Baker transfer and men’s basketball roster outlook before delving into our Big Ten football coach hot seat rankings. Other topics include: breakfast encounters with James Franklin, college basketball becoming more center-dominated because of the value NBA places on big men, conference schedule draws for men’s and women’s hoops, and holy hell have coach contract extensions gotten out of control. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The week, Dan and Connor join the podcast to discuss Erik Bakich’s departure for Clemson, football recruiting, Dan’s Big Ten tight end rankings, and the Michigan games the proved formative to us. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The pod returns from a summer break with a solo mailbag edition. Ace answers your questions on Warde Manuel’s comments regarding Bo Schembechler (TW: the Robert Anderson case is discussed), the athletic department’s most successful year on the field in recent history, baseball being on the wrong end of a terrible (and possibly biased) blown call to end their season, how MBB recovers from Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan going pro, whether either hoops program has enough shooting, WBB’s outlook post-Naz, and if the softball program needs to alter their course. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week’s episode features the full crew for the first time in a while. We run through our big moods, latest changes to the men’s basketball roster, a five-star addition to the women’s team, and Michigan players who were taken in the NFL Draft before diving into Dan’s Big Ten running back rankings, which are subject to intense (but friendly!) debate. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we run through the latest men’s hoops news and Dan’s tiered rankings of Big Ten offensive lines. Topics include: the NFL Draft is too damn long, the role of NIL rights in Hunter Dickinson’s return, how admissions deals with transfers, Iowa’s OL being downright bad, Michigan’s OL being very good, and much more. Are there more than two good offensive lines in the conference this year? Not sure! Is there a Rutgers lineman named Terrence Salami? Yes! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we run through Dan’s tiered rankings of Big Ten quarterback rooms from bottom to top with detailed discussions on each projected starter. How high does JJ McCarthy raise Michigan’s potential ceiling? Is Taulia Tagovailoa guilty of being a system quarterback? Does Purdue really have the #2 QB in the league? We discuss all that and more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, Dan and I finally get around to reviewing the All-Spring Game team and lessons learned from that endeavor. It’s more valuable than we thought and also features some excellent Remember Some Guys content. We also spend a segment examining ESPN’s FEI projections for the Big Ten and Michigan’s non-conference opponents and take a guess at which teams will over- and under-perform. Other topics include a Texas lineman’s rant about their program culture and NIL, the WNBA’s ideally paced but poorly produced draft, ESPN finding unusual ways to present data, Wisconsin OL pack watch, and more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, Dan and a triumphantly returning Connor join your host to wrap up spring football. Topics include: Michigan’s glut of skill position talent, coaches calling penalties, walk-ons getting toasted, Davis Warren, linebackers turning into promising running backs, number one receivers, whether the defense has an impact pass-rusher, feeling good about DT depth(!) and the number of talented cornerbacks(!!), and much more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We switched it up a bit this week. The notorious Dan aka Thicc Stauskas is your host while Ace Anbender rides shotgun. We talk about both basketball programs bowing out of their respective NCAA Tournaments, each program’s early outlook for next year, hockey’s run to the Frozen Four, and this weekend’s spring football game. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week we cover one of the better weekends in Michigan basketball and athletics history, focusing on the basketball. First, we go over the men’s run to the Sweet Sixteen, how they best Colorado State and Tennessee, and how they match up with Villanova. After a little Big Ten in the tournament talk, we flip over to women’s side to review their opening weekend victories over American and Villanova, then examine their chances at fending off upset-minded South Dakota and how the bracket could shake out from there. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week we discuss Michigan’s flop against Indiana, their draw in the NCAA Tournament, Colorado State, and the Big Ten’s outlook in the tourney. We went over an hour on these, so the women’s basketball content promised at the top of the show will be saved for a subscriber podcast later this week — there’s time since they open the tourney on Saturday afternoon. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week we discuss Michigan’s big win over MSU, the current state of affairs for both MBB and WBB, and spring football. Topics include: Hunter Dickinson, Tom Izzo’s very Tom Izzo press conference, ball screen coverage, the real Big Ten women’s basketball title, Cade vs. JJ, #1 receivers, what we want to hear out of spring ball, and much more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Spoiler: The suspension news broke during the ad read. We’re incredibly good at this. Topics: that whole incident and the fallout, the Iowa and Wisconsin games, Michigan’s tourney outlook, and a huge final week of the regular season for the women’s team. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Alex takes over the pod by force to talk Michigan men’s hoops. Despite two ugly outings in three games, the Purdue win greatly improved M’s tournament chances, while their defensive adjustment against Penn State may have turned around the season. We look back at those games, look ahead to critical road games at Iowa and Wisconsin, and go around the Big Ten to take stock of the conference’s tourney contenders. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s the niche college football podcast crossover episode of the decade. Joining Ace and Dan this week are mortal enemies Patrick Mayhorn and Ryan Donnelly of Flipping The Field. Do we eventually get on topic? Yes. Does it take a while? Also yes. Topics include: creepy trainers, proper squat form, Jim Harbaugh, [redacted] involvement in recruiting, coordinator hires, unserious offensive schemes, and much more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We began recording this podcast shortly after 6 pm ET on Wednesday evening. A certain bit of coaching news broke at 7:24 PM. We kept it all in. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week’s podcast features our latest big moods, a look back at our preseason football roster draft and what we learned from it, and a preview of Wednesday’s MBB game against Northwestern with special guest Ben Goren. Topics include: rumors of Caleb Williams transferring to Wisconsin, the eye test vs analytics in basketball, which player will go first in next year’s football roster draft, Northwestern’s odd roster construction, Tom Izzo’s outspoken love of bad coaches, actual turnovers vs functional turnovers, Chase Audige’s will to win, NW’s aversion to guarding the three-point line, can Ryan Young draw enough fouls on Hunter Dickinson to swing the game, and more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
CONTENT WARNING: DURING OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP, WE MENTION SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND ASSAULT SCANDALS, INCLUDING THE ROBERT ANDERSON CASE. This week’s podcast touches on a number of topics: the status of Jim Harbaugh, the hire of Mike Elston, reviewing the latest games for both MBB and WBB, the firing of Mark Schlissel, the Robert Anderson settlement, life on the MBB bubble, where WBB stands among Big Ten and national contenders, and more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We review Michigan’s 2021 season and take a look at the future of the program, although we derail our own conversation several times throughout. Topics include: OSU superfans, feeling tranquil about the Jim Harbaugh situation, favorite Michigan football seasons, favorite plays from this season, Connor’s foreboding pregame hype music, Aidan Hutchinson, can Michigan take the Clemson or Georgia paths to a national title, reasonable expectations for the rest of the 2020s, a very quick hoops and hockey discussion, a look back at our season and bowl picks (pretty good!), and more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we focus on Michigan-Georgia, taking an extensive look at the matchups on both sides of the ball and using game props to help us settle on our final predictions. First, though, we do our big moods of the week and spend some time examining how Ohio State and their fans have handled losing The Game for the first time in a decade (hint: not great!). Topics include: the people on the TV are saying nice things about Michigan, the saddest Heisman Moment, Urban Meyer: not a Mormon, COVID uncertainty surrounding the Orange Bowl, how can Michigan move the ball on Georgia, will Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo force Stetson Bennett IV into mistakes, has UGA played anybody other than Alabama?, can the Dawgs handle having all the pressure on them, and much more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week’s show catches up on some bad (the men’s basketball season thus far) and some good (football recruiting). Topics include: Iowa man commits to farming, a one-night trip turns into a bad metaphor, basketball’s early-season struggles and our recalibrated expectations, running down the current 2022 commits and some potential additions, our favorite highlight videos and other recruiting class superlatives, Big Ten bowl picks, and more. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
THIS IS A FREE, EXTENDED TEASER OF THIS WEEK'S SUBSCRIBER-ONLY PODCAST. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR RYAN AND SPENCER'S HATERS' GUIDE TO GEORGIA AND THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE SEMIFINAL, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE BUCKET PROBLEM. YOU'LL ALSO GET EVERY NEWSLETTER, WHICH SEEMS LIKE A GOOD DEAL. This week’s guests need little introduction: Ryan Nanni (Secret Base) and Spencer Hall (Channel 6, Thinking Out Loud on the SEC Network) of the Shutdown Fullcast join the pod. We talk everything from Spencer’s experience attending The Game in person to Iowa drinking all the vodka on the desert island to the REAL reason Ohio State lost to Michigan to an examination of Michigan-UGA before concluding with these two distinguished Florida Men giving us a guide to hating on Georgia. PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our bowl picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michigan thrashes Iowa, 42-3, to win the Big Ten title and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. We talk the title game, take a moment to appreciate what Michigan has accomplished this season, and look ahead to Big Ten bowl games and the playoff. The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michigan dominated Ohio State. In football. We spend two hours talking about/reveling in The Game, looking ahead to the Big Ten title game against Iowa, and making our championship weekend picks. Gonna be honest, it’s mostly about The Game. Topics include: The Game, Dan rediscovers posting, The Game, stinky Iowa split stats, The Game, the future of the program, The Game, being happy for everyone, The Game, marveling at the coaching turnaround and player leadership, The Game, and much more. The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for PointsBet to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The podcast, which is now a proud member of the Blue Wire Network, gets ready for The Game. (And, yes, we also touch on hoops and the Maryland win. Briefly.) Topics include: enjoying a 10-1 season, is Tarleton State an insurance scam, the early-season struggles of the men’s hoops squad, the keys to an upset over the Buckeyes, and our weekly picks. The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Get 20.11% off until the end of November! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The podcast, which is now a proud member of the Blue Wire Network, features the full crew and covers the Penn State victory, last week’s men’s hoops action, and the upcoming weekend’s slate of games, including Michigan-Maryland. Topics include: Erick All, the secondary, Josh Gattis’ playcalling, Mike Macdonald defeats mesh, the rampant edge rushers, Connor’s crusade against the Fake News Media’s portrayal of Penn State football, Hassan Haskins, whether Cade McNamara is Harbaugh’s best QB at Michigan, the power of the checkdown, the solution to Jim Harbaugh’s burned pants, Dan being a massive hater, Maryland exploding in any direction but mostly the bad one, Hunter Dickinson hits a three, Terrance Williams, the five-star freshmen, looking ahead to Tuesday’s Seton Hall game, and more. The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB. Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Sign up for the newsletter and the bonus podcast at www.thebucketproblem.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Yes, it’s a second free pod this week. After yesterday’s men’s basketball preview megapod with Alex, we move to the gridiron for a look back at Indiana and a preview of Saturday’s Penn State game with Connor and Dan. Topics include a certain apology (warning: salty language), maddening commercial breaks, Hassan Haskins’ vertical, the development of several key players, the last time PSU had a decent offensive line, and our week 11 picks.
The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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Ace Anbender and Alex Cook go through the roster position by position, project the rotation, rank and talk through the Big Ten bottom-to-top, and make our season predictions. Spoiler: Michigan is good.
The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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We have not one, but TWO guests to break down the Michigan State loss, preview Indiana, and take stock of the football program as a whole. First, Richard Johnson of Split Zone Duo and Thinking Out Loud discusses Michigan finding a new way to lose, the good things he saw from the team on Saturday, and the outlook of the program moving forward. Then, Homefield Apparel’s own Connor Hitchcock hops on the podcast to help us look ahead to Indiana and provide an outside perspective on our football sorrows. He peaks out his mic yelling about Purdue’s 1968 Rose Bowl appearance.
The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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The whole crew is here to quickly recap the rote blowout of Northwestern and take a deep dive into the most important Michigan-MSU game in… ever? Possibly ever, definitely in a long time. Michigan’s path to victory involves getting heat on Payton Thorne, limiting big plays by Kenneth Walker III and the receivers to a reasonable number, and finishing drives. We like Michigan’s chances, though our track record on this is… spotty.
The podcast has a new sponsor! PointsBet is my go-to sportsbook. You too can use (or fade) our Big Ten picks and take advantage of features like booster odds, same-game parlays, and name a bet. Use promo code BUCKETPROB when signing up for the PointsBet app to get your first deposit MATCHED for up to $1,000 in free bets. Double your betting potential with promo code BUCKETPROB.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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Noted Northwestern internetsman Ben Goren joins Ace, Connor, and Dan to discuss the Big Ten, the Michigan-Northwestern game, and much more.
Topics include: Ben Simmons, the George Jewett Trophy, the chad Adam Schefter and the virgin Darren Rovell, Dan’s mea culpa to Mel Tucker, whether a Michigan State head coach would ever leave for LSU, what is Nebraska’s deal, Iowa finally getting exposed, Spencer Petras is from California(?!?), whether Kirk Ferentz has ever seen an ocean, whether Northwestern will score multiple points this weekend, the two (two!) fast players to watch, will Michigan need to attempt a pass, what would need to happen for the Wildcats to win, running power with the punter, and this week’s picks.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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Better late than never, your host breaks down the Nebraska game with Dan “Thicc Stauskas” and Connor Southard. Topics include: an in-person report from absent co-host Alex Cook (who also submitted the sickest pick of the week), the development of the running game, Jake Moody’s smelling salts, the two quarterbacks, big plays by the safeties, the surprisingly strong play of the defensive line, and more.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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Michigan demolishes Wisconsin. Big moods include “confidence” and “2006 Penn State” and going for it on fourth down. The whole crew discuss the game, the modernized coaching getting the most out of some excellent (and a couple truly special) players, quarterback usage and what it may presage, learning to bend but not break as a fan, and more.
OH RIGHT: URBAN MEYER. WE TALK ABOUT THAT. A FAIR AMOUNT. GIVEN WHAT WE COULD’VE DONE, WE HONESTLY SHOWED A SHOCKING AMOUNT OF RESTRAINT. FOR US, AT LEAST.
There are also some week six picks.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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Alex Cook and Dan “Thicc Stauskas” join your host to deconstruct a too-close-for-comfort win over Rutgers. One of us picks “dread” as their Big Mood of the week after a victory, which means Michigan is back, baby. How much does one ugly game (one ugly half, really) take away from the performances from the first three games? What the heck was that offense? We discuss our answers to those questions, sample size issues in college sports, the running game, the scant evidence we have to judge Cade McNamara, our week five picks (Boiler Up!), and more.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.
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Alex Cook and Connor Southard join your host to look back at Michigan’s win over NIU, give our big moods of the week, pick this week’s slate of games, and go over the wild Buckeye Scoop story-turned-lawsuit.
Topics include: SP+ rankings, getting the ball to the good players, MSU’s September Heisman campaign, if Cade McNamara is the ideal Jim Harbaugh quarterback, the passing offense and the Big Ten’s lack of good passing offenses, Donovan Edwards emerging, whether Michigan has the best backfield in the Big Ten, Rocky Lombardi’s unshakeable confidence, the defense being too solid so far to accumulate big individual numbers, and why in the world a silver spoon baby would (allegedly!) turn into a fraudulent college football insider.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“This sounds alarmingly like Michigan’s 2020 situation.” “I don’t think you’d be wrong in saying that.”
The solo show is now the bonus feed, though still without its own feed for one last free show, because we are bringing on guests. Patrick Mayhorn (@patrick_mayhorn) of Buckeye Sports Bulletin, The Outside Zone, and Flipping the Field joins the pod to talk Ohio State’s loss to Oregon, what Ryan Day might do about defensive coordinator (at the moment) Kerry Coombs, whether the defense can keep it together enough for OSU to remain the Big Ten favorite, surprising teams both good and bad in the conference, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, the whole crew is together again to discuss our big moods after a thumping of Washington, discuss the game’s big takeaways, and maybe possibly perhaps touch on Ohio State losing to Oregon before refusing to give a vote of confidence to their defensive coordinator. We also make our weekly picks, including a horrifying Duke-Northwestern matchup that nobody stopped from being scheduled.
Topics include: Big House after dark, which Hutchinson is Aidan’s father, the “Mr. Brightside” discourse, the phenomenal run game, the offensive playcalling, Hutchinson’s edge dominance, proper angles to take against Blake Corum, Mike Macdonald’s varied looks, the fake punt, and more.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Content warning: the Robert Anderson case is discussed from the 2:30 mark to the 15:15 mark. Contains references to sexual assault.
Introducing The Bucket Problem's Solo Show! This will be a weekly mailbag, guest interview, postgame reaction, or something else along those lines from host Ace Anbender. It's free this week; it'll be part of TBP's subscription package with its own RSS feed going forward. More details on that soon.
This week's episode covers your football questions after the WMU game, regarding recalibrated expectations, who'll take over as the leading receiver, head coaching intrigue, and Michigan's NFL draft steals.
First, unfortunately, there's another story about Michigan mishandling the Robert Anderson case to discuss. It's time for Mark Schlissel to go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
At last, we have a football game—in the Big House with fans and the banner and everything—to discuss. Alex Cook, Connor Southard, and Dan “Thicc Stauskas” join me to provide each of our Big Moods following the 47-14 victory over Western Michigan. Ronnie Bell news aside, it’s hard not to feel good after that game.
We then dig into some nitty-gritty talking points: the excellence of Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins, which players will step up to replace Bell’s production, whether the offense was the right level of vanilla for week one, if the defensive line did its job, what a great defense looks like in 2021, and more. Finally, we finish the pod with our week two picks—we regret to inform you that you maybe should listen to Dan—and a little tease at some upcoming site news.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our three-part football preview concludes with a (very) brief look at the special teams, a game-by-game run through the schedule, season predictions from the entire crew, and week one picks. Can we talk ourselves into 2021 Michigan Football as we become progressively less sober? Do we think Jim Harbaugh will be back in 2022? Would we consider that a good thing? Tune in!
Highlights include Dan calling a potential starting quarterback a coward for ducking his high school, Dan calling another starting quarterback a “big red fraud,” Dan calling Bill Connelly a “hack,” Dan giving a touching pep talk, and Dan accusing Connor of trying to prevent you from winning money on a truly horrifying football game.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our three-part football preview deep dive continues with a position-by-position look at the offense. Once again, we need a few minutes to cover a topic before getting to the meat of the pod; this time, it’s a discussion of the “alliance” between the Big Ten, ACC, and Pac-12, featuring some hilariously painful press release jargon.
Once again, Connor makes the bullish case for each position group, Dan makes the bearish case, and your host decides which is most likely to occur. Then we do the same for the offense as a whole. The individual talent is apparent. Can it come together?
Before we head out, we make our picks for Nebraska-Illinois (lol) and read a few listener reviews.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our three-part football preview deep dive begins with a position-by-position look at the defense. Before your host, Connor, and Dan get to that, however, the group brings their perspective on how to decipher reports coming out of fall camp. What can you trust? (Almost nothing.) Who can you trust? (No one who’s willing to talk.)
The conceit that we definitely didn’t come up with minutes before recording: Connor makes the bullish case for each position group, Dan makes the bearish case, and your host decides which is most likely to occur. Then we do the same for the defense as a whole. There’s some optimism! Guarded optimism, sure, but that’s still optimism!
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Homefield Connor, if you’re reading this, the ad read went great, no need to listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Your host goes solo this week to handle listener mailbag questions as football season approaches. Topics include reasons for optimism, what it’ll take to have a cohesive offensive game plan, how the Washington outcome will impact the team’s outlook, the record it’ll take to be comfortable with Jim Harbaugh returning in 2022, and more.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“I don’t actually care one way or the other about Michigan football.”
In a special bonus episode, we welcome on Steven Godfrey of Split Zone Duo and Secret Base. Yes, that Steven Godfrey. Yes, on a Michigan podcast.
We begin with the origins of Godfrey “hating” our team, which delves into message board culture and the “diverse ecosystem of fans,” as he puts it. Laquon Treadwell’s recruitment is mentioned (by your host, sorry). The discussion moves into recruiting philosophy and why recruits choose certain programs over others (money is far from the only draw) before we get into the ramifications of realignment, including how it may impact the Big Ten and Michigan.
Godfrey talks about why he’s pulling for Iowa State to win the national title (same, brother), why the rules from the last round of realignment don’t apply, the history that provides context for these moves, why it’s fine for the Big Ten to take its time responding to the SEC’s expansion, and why Michigan shouldn’t be too concerned with this particular problem.
Then we get into Michigan football’s problems and how the program/athletic department can address them, what other Big Ten coaches say about the program, the difference between M and OSU, the blueprint Willie Taggert laid down for a Josh Gattis offense, who might be the next man up if Jim Harbaugh doesn’t pan out (Soup Gang, assemble!). You may be surprised by our guest’s outlook.
“Michigan’s problems are fixable by Michigan.”
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NOTE: We recorded this episode before Moe Wagner signed a two-year deal with Orlando. We’ve put away the pitchforks.
The gang’s all here to talk NBA Draft, free agency, and football fall camp. The draft talk takes an early detour into discussion Michigan’s basketball history; your host feels old, though we get to decide which current Big Ten coach is most likely to pull a Bill Frieder. We eventually get into how Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers each have an opportunity to make an early impact with Orlando and Detroit, respectively, and why Duncan Robinson and Tim Hardaway Jr. each re-signed on sizable free agent deals. Alex calls Luka Garza a “Wario Boban” except smaller, obviously.
After a brief recruiting discussion—turns out it’s hard to land top talent when your coach’s contract has such an obvious out for the program—we move on to Fall Camp Bingo, inspired by Dan’s belief in the early camp hype surrounding Mazi Smith. Dan’s name for the fan club may lose us our only sponsor. We also do our vibes of the week, featuring football dreams that won’t even let a Michigan fan get past halftime with a lead in The Game.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
While we don’t normally cover hockey, we make an exception when Michigan players comprise four of the top five NHL Draft selections. Bailey Johnson (Columbus Dispatch, formerly of the Michigan Daily) joins the show to discuss the remarkable draft night, whether to expect all the draftees back in Ann Arbor, the team’s (ridiculous) upside, and much more. Follow Bailey on Twitter (@BaileyAJohnson_) and check out her recent article on what Kent Johnson will provide down the road for the Blue Jackets at dispatch.com/sports.
After the break, Alex Cook and Dan make their regular appearances to talk about Big Ten football media days: how much to read into what was (and wasn’t) said, our disappointment that Jim Harbaugh’s previous comments on Bo Schembechler went unaddressed, our reaction to Harbaugh saying Cade McNamara is the clear leader of the quarterback competition, and more. We end the show, as usual, with our vibes of the week.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this week’s episode, we focus on how we’re approaching the 2021 football season as fans. After reading the rather alarming results of a twitter poll on Michigan fans’ preseason excitement, we delve into the ways we’re looking to get enjoyment out of a hobby that—lest we forget—is supposed to be enjoyable. We are, collectively, more optimistic than the fanbase at large. (Yes, this may surprise some of you.)
Some of our reasons don’t relate specifically to the football team: a return to something hopefully approaching normalcy on football Saturdays is a significant driver of our anticipation. We name a number of on-field reasons, too! We also discuss why the athletes deserve our support even when the program and university do not. Finally, we each name the top three reasons we’re excited for the season—which Alex does in the midst of making plans to attend a game—then finish off with a clean sweep of good vibes.
Also: a long tangent on the former Ravens staffers now coaching at U-M. There’s even consensus praise for how Jim Harbaugh has committed to changing and improving the program since signing his extension. (There’s no praise for his comments on Bo Schembechler, however.)
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Bucket Problem welcomes its very first guest this week. The first half of this week’s episode is an interview with Alex Kirshner (of Split Zone Duo, Moon Crew, The Sinful Seven, and more) about the recent developments in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights. Alex covers what the new rules entail, which schools and athletes could benefit the most, what enforcement now looks like, where the NCAA goes from here, how these changes impact Michigan’s outlook, and much more. This is uncharted territory and it’s fascinating to speculate where it will go.
Co-hosts Alex Cook and Connor Southard then join the show to help answer listener mailbag questions on the keys to the football team starting the season well, the importance of recruiting the state of Ohio, and whether back-to-back grad transfers is reason for concern about Juwan Howard’s point guard development. We also discuss whether we believe U-M will take good advantage of the new NIL rules.
In our vibes of the week, hear what prompted this: “Donate $50 by the end of the day or else Jim will lose to Ohio State again!”
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the second episode of The Bucket Problem, we discuss the news that Hunter Dickinson and De’Vante Jones have withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will suit up for Michigan. Is Juwan Howard’s squad the Big Ten favorite a national title contender? In short, yes.
After hoops talk, Dan and Connor draft 22-man teams using Michigan football’s roster. This exercise is meant to help preview the team—specifically, to get a handle on which position groups have depth. Here are some pull quotes:
“This really is getting bleak.” “One of the tenets of this podcast is that we would love to be owned by Michigan football.” “I can’t even try to sell that.” “Oh gosh.” “[deep exhale]” “I just feel so inspired saying all of this.” “For the 19th pick … yikes.” “Oof.” “There’s a lot going on here.” “No, you can’t do that.” “I was hoping you guys were counting.” “I think I already lost this.” “Gosh.” “I mean it doesn’t really matter.” “I feel like the best linebacker of your quarterback group is Cade.” “Extant is a start.” “It’s a problem and not in a good way.” “I would say my secondary is a bucket in that it produces reliable scoring.” “There are reasons for optimism amongst all this.”
Please keep listening, we really do find reasons for optimism.
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to the very first episode of The Bucket Problem, presented to you by Homefield Apparel. Your host, Ace Anbender, introduces thebucketproblem.com and his co-hosts: Alex Cook, Connor Southard, and Dan [REDACTED TO PROTECT FROM RCMB OPERATIVES]. We discuss the ethos of the site, outline what “bucket/problem theory” entails, encourage listeners to harass our only sponsor, and choose our vibes of the week. Topics/tangents include: out collective Michigan-ness, the football program’s recent dearth of buckets, Ben Simmons, a top-tier genre of highlight tape, and existential dread. Is the entire show derailed within two seconds? Tune in!
Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices