There was never any doubt. I know you all got nervous there for a second, when it looked like the season was quickly approaching and your preview wasn't going to make it in time. I won't lie, there was a lot of ground to make up. But we're racing to get there—we're going to get there—and it's going to be as spectacular as…as…

…as this magazine and shirt THAT YOU CAN PRE-ORDER TOGETHER RIGHT NOW. Click the link. Or this link. Not this link. THIS link.

PRE-ORDER: COMES WITH A SHIRT

Shirt detail

Since it worked for us last year, we're going to avoid Kickstarter again and fund this through a pre-sale, which comes with a guaranteed print copy, a digital version of the same as soon as the print version goes to the printer, and this year's t-shirt, which is full of helpful driving tips if you ever needed to drive across Ohio (details below).

• The Digital Magazine will be emailed to you within 48 hrs after the book is approved for printing. It is a PDF with no DRM on it so you can share it across your devices.
• The Limited Edition T-shirt will come with your hardy copy of the magazine as soon as they're in.
• The Limited Edition Physical Magazine will come with your shirt.

We expect to have the books in hand by mid-July, and in yours by August.

[After THE JUMP: FAQ.]

CAN I GET JUST A BOOK?

Last year I printed just enough that everyone who wanted to order a book after the pre-sale got one. The surest way to get a book is to do the pre-sale, because I base the print number we print off of how many we need, and pre-sale orders get taken care of first. We will have the digital edition for sale separately on our store, at the end of June if not before.

WHAT'S IN THE BOOK?

128 pages, none of them ads, none of it republished. Brian, Seth, and Alex provide the annual and comprehensive preview of Michigan Football and it's opponents, except Rutgers because only Bryan MacKenzie is depraved enough to dive into that thing. Then it's on to features. Topics (titles may change):

TWISTED BLUE STEEL

• Destinies of the Loaded, by John Kryk, reviews the history of Michigan teams that began their seasons within range of a championship, and what that tells us about expectations for 2023.
• How NIL Works, by Professor Greg Dooley, who shares his insights on how Name, Image, & Likeness rights are currently playing out at Michigan and across the college athletics landscape, from the new class he's begun on the subject.
• The Future of Expansion, by Michael Elkon of Braves & Birds reviews the factors that led to recent Big Ten and SEC expansion, its fallout among the other conferences, and what the future may hold.

TECHNICAL DOSSIER

• RB Duos, by Scott Bell takes us through the history of other pairings like Corum and Edwards, and how their offenses got the most out of them.
• Match Coverages, by Xs & O's writer Cody Alexander digs into how Michigan adopted Ravens-style switch coverages both disguise their intentions and allow them to adapt on the fly to whatever they offense is running.
• An Offense for JJ, by Ian Boyd, X's and O's author, editor of America's War Game and writer at Inside Texas, digs into the concepts that Michigan's quarterback is most comfortable with, and how Michigan can tailor their passing game to his strengths.

TALES OF OLD BLUE

• Those Women From Michigan, by John Behee tells the story of how Michigan's women's teams got started through the eyes of the "Godmother of Women's Sports" Sheryl Szady.
• The Players Got Paid, by Michigan historian (and professor) Greg Dooley walks us through the history of player compensation before NIL, which history goes back almost as long as varsity athletics itself.
• The Gallon Game by Adam Schnepp is an oral history of Jeremy Gallon's record-breaking game performance against Indiana in 2013 from those who were part of it.
• Three Ohios by Craig Ross continues the story of early Michigan football into the season Michigan turned its attention towards the power programs in that state down south, and also played their first game against a meatball upstart called Ohio State.

Plus our annual roundtable, and all of the quality writing, irreverence, and charts you've come to expect from the true obsessives' Michigan preview.

 

LET ME SEE THAT SHIRT?

Just a safe driving shirt. Not that you need any reminders, but it's always nice to refresh the important lessons like:

1. Avoid this intersection.

Avoiding accidents is the most important thing. Going the long way around is sometimes better than taking your chances with getting hit.

2. Always look both ways.

The other drivers might not be watching.

3. Check for alternate routes.

Why get stuck in traffic when you can avoid it altogether?

4. Stay in your lane.

Collisions may still be unavoidable, but at least you can tell your insurance it wasn't your fault.

5. Hit the gas.

It may seem counterintuitive but sometimes the safest way forward is to get past the danger.

6. It's okay to run a red.

If you're turning right and traffic is clear, make your stop, and when a gap opens just go.

WILL BOOKS BE SIGNED?

Not as a feature. We are talking about a couple of events this year, a Football Eve party and a tailgate with the Sklars. Details will emerge when they emerge. I'm also possibly coming to your local alumni club.