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    The Big House Bleachers Podcast

    Michael Smeltzer from "Wolverine Chronicle" and Matt Hartwell from "Maize Crusader" combine forces to create the ultimate University of Michigan sports podcast. Are you a die-hard Michigan fan?... Well, then this show is for you! Tune in for hot takes, analysis, predictions, and an all-around good time.

    en-usMichael Smeltzer, Matt Hartwell51 Episodes

    Episodes (51)

    Defensive Depth Chart Prediction, Hunter Dickinson Goes to Kansas, and Channing Goodwin Commits to Michigan

    Defensive Depth Chart Prediction, Hunter Dickinson Goes to Kansas, and Channing Goodwin Commits to Michigan

    This week on the Big House Bleachers Podcast, Mike and Matt tackle the depth chart on the defensive side of the ball for the upcoming football season. Michigan added an important piece to the puzzle of their 2024 recruiting class with the commitment of wide receiver Channing Goodwin. Goodwin's commitment is an indication that fellow Providence Day wideout, Jordan Shipp, may be soon to follow. And Hunter Dickinson announced in a cringy video that he will be taking his talents to the University of Kansas.

    https://linktr.ee/wolverinechron

    Draft Special: Mazi Goes in the First Round, and the Cowboys, Seahawks, 49ers, and Bengals Each Pick 2 Wolverines!

    Draft Special: Mazi Goes in the First Round, and the Cowboys, Seahawks, 49ers, and Bengals Each Pick 2 Wolverines!

    The Dallas Cowboys reached up sightly in the 1st round to take Mazi Smith, and then again surprised us by reaching in the second round to pick up Luke Schoonmaker. Mazi and Schoon weren't the only pair of Wolverines to join a Michigan teammate at their NFL destination. DJ Turner and Brad Robbins went to Cincinnati, Jake Moody and Ronnie Bell got scooped up by San Francisco, and Olu Oluwatimi and Mike Morris got picked up by Seattle within minutes of each other. The only player that did not get the double trouble treatment was Ryan Hayes, who got picked up in the 7th round by the Miami Dolphins.

    With Jake Moody and Brad Robbins both getting drafted, Michigan became just the second team in 40 years to have their kicker and punter picked up in the same draft. With 9 draft picks, Michigan led the Big 10 and came up just short of Georgia and Alabama to lead the nation.

    https://linktr.ee/wolverinechron

    2023 Michigan Football Offensive Depth Chart Predictions, The Death of ESPN, and Would You Rather?

    2023 Michigan Football Offensive Depth Chart Predictions, The Death of ESPN, and Would You Rather?

    Mike and Matt mourn the loss of ESPN as the worldwide leader in sports after their preposterous preseason college football FPI rankings were released. Then the guys take a deep dive into the offensive depth chart of the 2023 Michigan Wolverines, including a thorough breakdown of possibilities along the offensive line. They wrap up the show by tossing each other a few hypothetical "Would you Rather?" questions. Casuals beware...This episode is for die-hard Michigan fans only!

    Blake Frazier Commits to Michigan, Blake Corum Signs an NIL Deal with Derek Jeter, and Bryan from "BB's Big House" Stops by the Pod

    Blake Frazier Commits to Michigan, Blake Corum Signs an NIL Deal with Derek Jeter, and Bryan from "BB's Big House" Stops by the Pod

    Brian from "BB's Big House" stops by the pod to talk Michigan recruiting with Mike and Matt. The guys take a look at some hot names on the recruiting board like Taylor Tatum, Aaron Chiles, and Brady Prieskorn. On the heels of the Blake Frazier commitment, they each make a prediction of who might be next to commit to the Maize and Blue. From Wolverines in the NBA Playoffs to Blake Corum and Derek Jeter, this episode has a little bit of everything for any die-hard Michigan fan.

    Spring Game Initial Reactions, Jadyn Davis Commits to Michigan, and the Basketball Team Loses Their Top 3 Scorers From Last Year

    Spring Game Initial Reactions, Jadyn Davis Commits to Michigan, and the Basketball Team Loses Their Top 3 Scorers From Last Year

    The Michigan spring football game was cold, wet, and windy. But that didn't stop players, coaches, fans, and recruits from heading out to the Big House for a good old-fashioned gridiron battle. In this episode of the Big House Bleachers Podcast, Michael Smeltzer and Matt Hartwell unpack their initial reactions to the spring game and hand out some superlatives.

    The week's biggest news for Michigan football came a day before the spring game when high-profile recruit Jadyn Davis chose Michigan over Ohio State and other top programs. An emotional Davis carried himself with class and composure beyond his years when he made the momentous announcement on Sportscenter.

    The Michigan basketball team appears to be unraveling, losing their top 3 scorers from a season ago. Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard are on their way to the NBA, but more surprisingly, Hunter Dickinson announced that he is entering the transfer portal.

    Check out all that and more by listening to this week's episode of everyone's favorite Michigan podcast!

    https://linktr.ee/wolverinechron

    Michigan Football Spring Draft Special: Matt and Mike Draft Their Spring All-Star Teams

    Michigan Football Spring Draft Special: Matt and Mike Draft Their Spring All-Star Teams

    Spring is for speculation, and the guys do a whole lot of speculating about Michigan football in this episode. With the Michigan Football Spring Game around the corner, Michael Smeltzer and Matt Hartwell take turns drafting their own 2023 Michigan football super-teams. In addition to talking about spring football, Matt and Mike also take a moment to bask in the glory of Michigan football's recruiting success in the state of Ohio. This week, Michigan landed running back Jordan Marshall and offensive tackle Ben Roebuck, both of whom hail from the buckeye state.

    Michigan Basketball Player Grades, Josh Augdahl and JD Stop By, and a Big Recruiting Weekend in Ann Arbor

    Michigan Basketball Player Grades, Josh Augdahl and JD Stop By, and a Big Recruiting Weekend in Ann Arbor

    Josh Augdahl and JD from the "On Stadium Blvd" podcast combined forces with Michael Smeltzer and Matt Hartwell this week to recap the disappointing NIT loss for Michigan basketball and hand out some end-of-season player grades. The guys also weighed in on the massive football recruiting weekend in Ann Arbor, then wrapped up by sharing their top-5 Michigan basketball players that they've watched in their lifetimes.

    Kellen Voss Joins the Pod to Discuss Michigan Basketball, Who's Staying, Who's Transferring, and Who's Getting Drafted

    Kellen Voss Joins the Pod to Discuss Michigan Basketball, Who's Staying, Who's Transferring, and Who's Getting Drafted

    Kellen Voss, basketball analyst for Maize N Brew, stops by to assess the state of Michigan Basketball. The guys take a deep dive into who might be looking to transfer and which star players may enter their name in the draft. There's also a discussion of what type of player Juwan Howard and the Michigan Wolverines might look to add to the roster next season, along with the incoming recruits. March Madness isn't the same without Michigan, but nevertheless the guys wrap up the show with some Final Four predictions.

    Michigan Basketball Drops Another Close One, Clayton Sayfie Interview, and Michigan Shows Out at the Combine

    Michigan Basketball Drops Another Close One, Clayton Sayfie Interview, and Michigan Shows Out at the Combine

    Juwan the and Michigan basketball squad dropped another heartbreaker in overtime. Now Michigan's March Madness chances hinge on a Big 10 Tournament run. Michigan Smeltzer interviews Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine, and the two discuss what it's like to cover Michigan as a sports journalist. And the Michigan Wolverines open some eyes with impressive stats and the NFL Draft Combine.

    Hunter Dickinson Hits The Shot of the Season, Amorion Walker Flips to Defense, and Jesse Minter Interviews with the Eagles

    Hunter Dickinson Hits The Shot of the Season, Amorion Walker Flips to Defense, and Jesse Minter Interviews with the Eagles

    Michigan's tournament chances went from an outside shot to a realistic possibility when Hunter Dickinson drained a 3 to send the Michigan vs Wisconsin game into OT, ultimately resulting in a win for Michigan. Spring practice has begun for the Michigan Wolverine football team, and Jim Harbaugh raves about Amarion Walker's first 2 practices on the defensive side of the ball. Also, is it time to worry about Jesse Minter interviewing with the Philadelphia Eagles?

    Jared Stormer Joins the Pod, David Cone Interview, and Michigan Basketball Pulls One Out Against MSU

    Jared Stormer Joins the Pod, David Cone Interview, and Michigan Basketball Pulls One Out Against MSU

    Jared Stormer of Maize N Brew rolls through and chops it up with Michael Smeltzer. The two talk about football recruiting and examine the implications of recent coaching changes, including the hiring of Chris Partridge. Also on this pod is a Wolverine Chronicle exclusive interview with former Michigan QB David Cone. Cone shares stories from his playing days and takes a strong stance on trans athletes competing in women's sports. Then J Storm and Mike wrap up the pod celebrating Michigan basketball's big win and go on to rank the top Michigan wide receivers of all time. This episode has a little bit of everything for any die-hard Wolverine.

    Michigan Basketball Unravels Against Indiana, Top 10 Most Memorable Michigan Moments, and a Nice 2025 Football Commitment

    Michigan Basketball Unravels Against Indiana, Top 10 Most Memorable Michigan Moments, and a Nice 2025 Football Commitment

    After a 3-game winning streak, the Michigan basketball team fell flat against the Hoosiers, failing to score a single point in the final 5 minutes of the game. Matt and Michael examine the basketball woes and dive into the 10 most memorable moments in each of their lifetimes. They wrap up the show with a spotlight on Michigan football recruiting.

    Is Tom Brady The Greatest Athlete of All Time?, Michigan Basketball Improves, and Which Wolverine Will Get Drafted First?

    Is Tom Brady The Greatest Athlete of All Time?, Michigan Basketball Improves, and Which Wolverine Will Get Drafted First?

    On the heels of Tom Brady retiring, Mike and Matt go on a deep dive into the greatest athletes of all time and disagree on a few of them. Michigan basketball is beginning to look better as they string together two impressive victories. And which Michigan football player will get drafted first in the NFL draft? Get answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of the Big House Bleachers Pod!

    Juwan Howard's Seat Gets Hotter, Blake Corum's Camo Camaro Is Stolen, and a 4 Star Defensive Lineman Commits

    Juwan Howard's Seat Gets Hotter, Blake Corum's Camo Camaro Is Stolen, and a 4 Star Defensive Lineman Commits

    Michigan Basketball put up another embarrassing performance against Penn St, and questions about Juwan and his staff are beginning to get louder. Michael Smeltzer breaks down why Michigan basketball is struggling this season and covers some recent off-season football happenings. Michigan's football recruiting is gaining momentum in the state of Ohio, and the Wolverines have found their QB coach.

    Stu Douglas Interview: John Belein's Leadership, A Zack Novak Story, and The Current State of Michigan Basketball

    Stu Douglas Interview: John Belein's Leadership, A Zack Novak Story, and The Current State of Michigan Basketball

    On this special edition of the Big House Bleachers Pod, Michael Smeltzer catches up with former Michigan great Stuart Douglas for a Wolverine Chronicle exclusive interview. Stu doesn't disappoint as he takes a deep dive into what made John Belien (and his staff) so effective. He gets personal with a story about a brotherly conflict with his former teammate, Zack Novack, which may have been driven by a little alcohol. And he gives an honest assessment of Juwan Howard and the current Michigan basketball squad. You can catch Stu Douglas regularly on his two podcasts, "Go Blue With Stu" and "Men of Ann Arbor," which he recently started with cohost Nik Stauskas.

    Blake Corum Announces His Return, Harbaugh and Warde Manuel Have Friction, and 2023 Stat Leader Predictions

    Blake Corum Announces His Return, Harbaugh and Warde Manuel Have Friction, and 2023 Stat Leader Predictions

    Matt Hartwell returns to the pod and hits the ground running with Michael Smeltzer. The two dissect player eligibility and draft status heading into the offseason and passionately discuss the Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors. Looking ahead to the 2023 football season the guys offer up predictions on who will lead the Wolverines in each major statistical category. When they wrap up talking basketball, you won't want to miss the prediction Smeltzer makes.

    Jim Harbaugh Investigation and NFL Interviews, Michigan Basketball Midseason Breakdown, and Portal Standout Ernest Hausmann

    Jim Harbaugh Investigation and NFL Interviews, Michigan Basketball Midseason Breakdown, and Portal Standout Ernest Hausmann

    Michael Smeltzer of Wolverine Chronicle sets fire to the pod with an agenda full of Michigan football and basketball news. Jim Harbaugh flirts with the NFL, all while the NCAA investigates him for minor infractions. Michigan basketball continues to struggle, but Mike explains why they're close and takes an in-depth look at each player's performance thus far. To wrap up the pod, we take a look at the exciting Nebraska linebacker, Ernest Hausmann, who made headlines when he transferred to Michigan.

    Episode 14: Lexi Wester Joins The Pod, Michigan's Football Season Comes To An End, and the Basketball Team Hopes To Rebound

    Episode 14: Lexi Wester Joins The Pod, Michigan's Football Season Comes To An End, and the Basketball Team Hopes To Rebound

    Michigan superfan and cohost of the "On Stadium Blvd" pod, Lexi Wester, joins Michael Smeltzer for this week's episode. Lexi and Mike break down the disappointing CFP loss to TCU and recap some of the most memorable moments from this year's football season. They also look ahead to which players they are most excited about heading into the 2023 season.

    Episode 13: The Origin Story of Wolverine Chronicle, and 5 Keys For a Michigan Win Over TCU

    Episode 13: The Origin Story of Wolverine Chronicle, and 5 Keys For a Michigan Win Over TCU

    Michael Smeltzer is flying solo in this special edition of the Big House Bleachers Podcast. Mike shares a personal story about the origin of his brand, Wolverine Chronicle. His connection with football and family is surely relatable to fans across the country. In preparation for Michigan's playoff matchup against TCU, Mike provides his 5 key takeaways for the game.

    Episode 12: Andrew Bailey of Maize N Brew Joins the Pod, Michigan's Recent Transfer Portal Success, and How Good Is Michigan Basketball?

    Episode 12: Andrew Bailey of Maize N Brew Joins the Pod, Michigan's Recent Transfer Portal Success, and How Good Is Michigan Basketball?

    When Andrew Bailey of Maize N Brew swung by the pod, the earth stopped rotating for a moment and Ryan Day's heart skipped a beat. Mike, Matt, and Andy asked "Where does Blake Corum rank all-time among Michigan running backs," and took a look at Michigan's momentum in the transfer portal. The guys also took turns breaking down Michigan basketball's up-and-down start to the 2022 season. This is a can't-miss episode for any die-hard Wolverine.