OT: Do You Guys Recommend 247Sports The Michigan Insider?
I just cancelled my subscription to On3. I got tired of flip flop Balas and the overall quality of posters over there. How is it at The Michigan Insider?
December 26th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
247 is the best recruiting site, but even they get things wrong in terms of evaluating players. Sam Webb is the best in the business in terms of Michigan coverage.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^
Thanks. Anything’s better than Balas, he said 5 days ago JJ was likely staying, 2 days later he said he’s most likely going pro. He just flip flops so he can never be wrong.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:31 PM ^
Maybe he hears different things at different times from people? I mean I don't know how after signgate you still believe that any of these guys actually know anything or have any "inside information."
December 26th, 2023 at 5:42 PM ^
Nah, Balas has a reputation for throwing shit at the wall and hoping it sticks, then he runs around bragging about being right if it comes to fruition. He’ll also play both sides (like he did with JJ going pro) so he’s never “wrong” unless someone remembers he played both sides.
Also, if you’re hearing different things from different people, you’re not going to sit there and tell your readers both things are happening. You’re not going to say both outcomes are likely. No reputable reporter is going to report information they’re not confident in. Even if you’re relaying rumors, it’s simply not good journalism to relay conflicting rumors and present them as solid sourced information.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:31 PM ^
Balas is a hack and always has been. Never give money to anything he is associated with. The guy throws shit against a wall and once in a blue moon he is right and then he plays it off like he knows what he’s talking about
December 26th, 2023 at 5:52 PM ^
Not sure that's any worse than getting the most pro Michigan take possible with 247. They will tell you this kid is coming to Michigan, until they don't and it was a last second change in decision 🙄🙄. Imo none of those sites are worth the money. Might be worth it for the message boards strictly for entertainment, but not information
December 26th, 2023 at 8:50 PM ^
They will tell you this kid is coming to Michigan, until they don't and it was a last second change in decision
I don’t feel like they do that very often. For the most part they’re extremely cautious about saying a kid is coming to Michigan. Sam Webb for example doesn’t hand out his “gut feeling” unless he has extremely good intel on a kid committing.
You’re probably taking a feeling of optimism that these guys are getting from their coaching contacts and relaying to the readers and taking it as a “Michigan is getting this kid.” But it’s difficult for me to recall many, if any, instances where we were hearing someone was committing to Michigan and then they didn’t. Outside of a few instances that were literally last second changes of heart.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
They will tell you this kid is coming to Michigan, until they don't and it was a last second change in decision 🙄🙄.
Let me help you out.
- Is the recruit ranked inside the Top 50? Then he's not coming to MIchigan
- Is the recruit ranked inside the Top 150 and Michigan is in his final 3? 10% chance he comes to Michigan.
December 27th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
I thought JJ, & Will Johnson were top 50? Edwards too?
But they probably need more if they ever want to beat OSU, win the B1G championship, head to the playoff as the #1 team in college football.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:28 PM ^
The one thing I don't like about Balas is that he leaks Michigan injury info, which gives valuable intelligence to our opponents.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:44 PM ^
So, whose vast network does Balas belong to?
December 26th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
If you find it entertaining to read rumors and such, go for it. But you're paying to hear actual news like 2 hours early and fake news the rest of the time.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:29 PM ^
Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:29 PM ^
Double post
December 26th, 2023 at 6:16 PM ^
At one point I was sipping their Kool-Aid so much and thought UM had some master plan to fight the NCAA with secret files
December 27th, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
I followed those threads as well and to be honest the mods and staff frequently cautioned readers to take any of that information with a grain of salt as it had not been vetted by the staff. They never once said that the info was in fact true.
I pay the annual fee over there but honestly I don't take anything to seriously. Included with the subscription is a subscription to Paramount +. Honestly I treat the information/commentary the same way I treat anything I watch on Paramount (or any other TV for that matter) - as entertainment. I find if I don't live and die on every bit of information then I enjoy it so much more. I do find Sam to wear Michigan coloured glasses, however I want to here favourable things about Michigan and that is why I subscribe.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:32 PM ^
I used to be a member of a pay site until the year Michigan started off against Alabama at Jerry World.
The insider information from Tom Beaver was “I spoke with some of the Old Guard and they think if Michigan beats Bama, they could run the table.”
If then top-10 Michigan beats the defending national champ at a neutral venue, they could run the table. . .
I mean, I paid for that information. Instantly cancelled my membership, this site is superior in every single way except I guess getting recruit commitment info like 90 seconds later🤷♂️
December 26th, 2023 at 5:30 PM ^
I signed up for on3 for spygate and holy fuck is Balas annoying with his “everything is great!” To “the world is ending” every 8 hours
December 26th, 2023 at 6:03 PM ^
Is it weird that I read that in Shoresy’s voice?
December 26th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^
+1 for happiness when my $1 30-day trial expired.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
Capt. Herbert Sobel:
Malarkey. Malarkey's slang for "bullshit," isn't it?
Donald Malarkey:
Yes, sir.
Capt. Herbert Sobel:
[Sobel examines Malarkey's rifle, then tosses it back at him] Rust on the buttplate hinge spring, Private Bullshit. Revoked.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
I wanted to punch Sobel in the mouth right away. Great acting job by Schwimmer.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:34 PM ^
Keep your money, all the info from those sites come out an hour later if it’s true.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
The litmus test for me was the Spygate stuff back in the fall. The “insiders” were woefully off-base the whole way.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
I'd recommend just donating money to this site as most of the info will be available here. Brian and Seth's writing is superior to others IMO. Magnus does a good job on evals at Touch the Banner as well.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:48 PM ^
^^^^^^^^^^
This exactly. Paying for inside info is a waste of money.....
December 26th, 2023 at 5:49 PM ^
Thanks. Will do.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:05 AM ^
Agree. I have been a 95% MGoLurker / 5% MGoPoster on this site for many years. After all that time, if you really need more info than what you can find on the MGoBoard, you likely have an unhealthy obsession with Michigan football anyway and should seek help. 😂 If it’s real / important, it will be posted here within hours.
Also, don’t forget that recruiting news is only about half as important as it used to be before the advent of the transfer portal. We get some good ones that leave and lose out on some good ones that eventually come. Signing day used to be quite a production and now it’s a passing glance. For me, Zach Charbonnet was the straw that broke the camels back.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:51 PM ^
Quitter.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:54 PM ^
Haha I tried to hang in there man. I’ve had enough of that guy.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:00 PM ^
Save up for more hookers and blow.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:28 PM ^
finally a lone voice for true fiscal responsibility
December 26th, 2023 at 6:02 PM ^
A buddy of mine signed up for On3 last spring and was deeply disappointed. He was expecting it to be like 247, but said it was a lot of fluff.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
I really like the staff at TMI. Plus you get Paramount+ for free.
December 27th, 2023 at 12:57 AM ^
And even after you cancel you get Paramount+ free for years after the fact... or maybe that's just me? I dunno why I still have it but I do.
December 27th, 2023 at 1:28 AM ^
I don't think anyone actually pays for Paramount+
December 26th, 2023 at 6:39 PM ^
Anything worth anything is well known and free imo. Usually hits Twitter than here within minutes. You’re not gaining anything substantial from 247 or any other recruiting site. I used to pay for it a while ago, just no substance to me.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^
I go to rcmb or 11worriers for anything Michigan related . They're more obsessed than we are.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:48 PM ^
The Victors message board reports insider stuff within minutes. Really no need to spend the $10 a month.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:19 PM ^
That forum is so full of cringey posting. The $10 may be worth it.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:15 PM ^
This site is all you need.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:09 PM ^
I'd just save your money and listen to Sam's podcast and have the info come here for free. The intel is never worth it early
December 26th, 2023 at 8:27 PM ^
The problem with the "insiders" is they rarely offer any insider info that is both valuable and accurate.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
Have had it for over 2 years. My favorite place to go for coverage. Plus you get Paramount+ Sub included.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:43 PM ^
Sam is great but his priority seems to be more the WTKA podcast and not his 247 site.
December 26th, 2023 at 9:43 PM ^
"....and now on in the Michigan blogosphere, a choice of viewing. On Michigan Insider, a discussion on censorship between Derek Hart, the Bishop Of Woolwich, and a nude man, and on MGoBlog, me telling you this."
December 26th, 2023 at 10:28 PM ^
On3 has a guy (totchman) who actually knows harbaugh and the team and coaches. He shares good information. Ej holland is ok but the fort message board is pretty good but trolls are everywhere there. The sites can only post 5 minutes max of the player and coach video interviews which is weak.
December 27th, 2023 at 1:00 AM ^
I think you should refer to him by his proper name... Uncle T.
December 26th, 2023 at 10:43 PM ^
It's fairly simple imo: If you enjoy reading in-depth recruiting content, and the general vibe of message boards that are more obsessive and informed than what you get on MGoBoard (tho not necessarily better; just more fixated), then TMI is where you want to be. It seems to be pretty clearly the best of the paid sites. I find it worthwhile because several hours a week of idly scrolling Michigan football discourse is something I happen to enjoy. So if you're looking for an upgrade on On3 and you're willing to pay the money, I say go for it