There is a specific kind of magic that happens on a Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor when the air turns crisp and the leaves start to pile up on State Street. You know the feeling. It’s that nervous energy right before kickoff. Now, you could watch the game on a massive 4K TV with a dozen different camera angles, but for a huge chunk of the Wolverine faithful, nothing beats the Michigan football radio broadcast.
Why? Honestly, it’s about the voice. It's about that connection to the program that a national TV announcer—who probably just flew in from Bristol or Los Angeles—simply can't replicate. When you're listening to the hometown call, you aren't just getting the score. You're getting the pulse of the Big House.
The Voices in the Booth: Karsch and Jansen
For years, we grew up with the legendary Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf. Those were big shoes to fill. Massive, really. But the current duo of Doug Karsch and Jon Jansen has truly come into their own, especially as we navigate the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Karsch brings that polished, high-energy play-by-play style that keeps your heart racing even if you're just stuck in traffic on I-94. Then you’ve got Jon Jansen. If you want to know what’s actually happening in the trenches, he’s your guy. As a former captain and Joe Moore Award winner, he sees things the rest of us miss. He’ll explain exactly why a stunt by the defensive line worked or why a missed block on the perimeter killed a screen pass.
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They aren't just "announcers." They are part of the fabric of the team. Joining them on the sidelines is often Jason Avant, who provides that receiver-eye view of the game. It’s a trio that understands the weight of the winged helmet.
Finding the Michigan Football Radio Broadcast: Where to Tune In
If you’re trying to find the game, things have changed a bit recently with flagship stations. It used to be all about the big AM signals, but the Michigan Sports Network from Learfield has expanded quite a bit to make sure you can hear the "Go Blue!" from anywhere.
Flagship Stations and Local Affiliates
In Detroit, the move to 94.7 WCSX-FM as the primary flagship for football has been a big deal. It provides a much cleaner signal for fans in the metro area. However, the network is massive, consisting of about 35+ affiliates across the state.
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- Ann Arbor: WTKA 1050 AM remains the local home for sports talk and game coverage.
- Grand Rapids: Usually found on WOOD 1300 AM or 106.9 FM.
- Lansing: WQTX 92.1 FM or sometimes WITL 103.9 FM depending on the season.
- The North: Stations like WKAD 93.7 FM in Cadillac and WHAK 99.9 FM in Alpena keep the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan connected.
Streaming and Digital Options
Let’s be real: most of us aren't carrying around a transistor radio with a silver antenna anymore. We’re using our phones. Basically, you have three solid options if you’re out of range of a physical tower:
- The Varsity Network App: This is the official Learfield app. It’s free, and the audio quality is usually top-notch.
- MGoBlue.com: The official site always carries the live stream.
- SiriusXM: If you’re traveling cross-country, Michigan is almost always on the Big Ten channel (usually 383) or one of the dedicated play-by-play channels.
Why Radio Outperforms TV (Most of the Time)
It sounds like a hot take, but it’s true. TV broadcasts have to be "neutral." They have to cater to the casual viewer who might not even know who the starting right guard is. The Michigan football radio broadcast doesn't have that problem.
They know you’re a die-hard. They know you care about the third-string linebacker who’s finally getting a snap on special teams. There’s a level of nuance and "homer-ism" (the good kind) that makes the experience feel like you’re sitting in the stands with your smartest friend.
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Also, have you noticed the delay on streaming TV? Sometimes you’ll hear your neighbor cheer for a touchdown 30 seconds before you see it on your screen. Radio—especially terrestrial radio—is often much closer to real-time. Pro tip: if you can find a way to sync the radio audio with your TV (there are apps for that), it’s the ultimate way to watch a game.
The Inside Michigan Football Experience
The broadcast doesn't just stop when the clock hits zero. The "Inside Michigan Football" radio show, usually hosted by Jansen on Monday nights, is where you get the actual post-game breakdown from Head Coach Sherrone Moore.
This is where the real talk happens. You get to hear about the injuries that weren't disclosed, the reasoning behind a gutsy fourth-down call, and which young players are standing out in practice. It’s the "connective tissue" that keeps the fan base informed during the long week between games.
Actionable Steps for the Next Game Day
Don't wait until five minutes before kickoff to figure out how you're listening. Here is what you should do to ensure you don't miss a single snap:
- Download The Varsity Network app now. Don't rely on a sketchy browser stream that might crash when everyone logs on at once.
- Check the affiliate list. If you’re heading up north to the cabin, look up the local FM frequency for cities like Grayling or Traverse City before you lose cell service.
- Sync your audio. If you’re watching on a delay, use a radio delay app (like Global Tuner) to pause the radio feed for a few seconds so it matches the TV. It makes the viewing experience 10x better.
- Follow the Podcasts. Catch "In the Trenches" with Jon Jansen during the week. It’s produced by the same network and gives you the context you need to actually understand what Karsch is screaming about on Saturday.
The tradition of Michigan football is built on more than just wins and losses; it’s built on the stories told over the airwaves. Whether you're in a car, in the kitchen, or tailgating outside the stadium, that radio call is the heartbeat of the season.