Couch and The Rube

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State's new athletic director, J Batt, what we think of the hire, the challenges ahead at MSU, on MSU football and hoops, on the Tigers and Lions, people that annoy us and more.

We answered your questions on Michigan State football and whether fans should have faith in Jonathan Smith and for how long, on MSU basketball and whether Jase Richardson or another headliner could have been brought in through the transfer portal, on MSU's NIL situation, on U-M hoops and being a "Michigan Man", on how our show began and what we think of each other, on the Tigers and trades that make sense and more.

We dug into our takes and yours on Michigan State football and Jonathan Smith, on MSU basketball and Jase Richardson, NIL and the state of college sports, on the Tigers and Tarik Skubal and his future with the team, along with some deep thoughts on life and sport.

We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball concerns and MSU football angst, questions about the state of the Spartans' football program and how fans feel about Jonathan Smith,  and on the Tigers, freakin' Totten Hotspurs, awkward moments in life and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling.

We opened with a conversation with Detroit News columnist John Niyo on the Detroit Tigers' start to the season, the story lines and what's real about this team and what might not be, and on the Lions' schedule, advantages and disadvantages and the window ahead (6:00). Then our discussion on MSU football fan angst stemming from a local recruit's decision (38:00). 

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, the Spartans' new point guard, next year's roster and Tom Izzo's approach to the transfer portal, on MSU football and donor support for Jonathan Smith, on what the Tigers still need, the Lions schedule, bad golf bets, life's predicaments and more.

We answered your questions on Michigan State football and basketball, on the state of both programs, Tom Izzo and Jonathan Smith, on MSU's athletic director situation, sports that could be cut, on punishment for Michigan football, on the Tigers, on The Rube in Prison, and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling.

We opened with a discussion on Michigan State athletics and the challenges ahead for the next AD. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen on the Tigers' season, roster and future (13:00). Plus, our best bets on NBA, NHL, golf and soccer with Harry Gagnon, who also just killed a rattlesnake with his bare hands (39:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State's athletic director, on Alan Haller and MSU's donors, on the football program and Jonathan Smith, on U-M's self-imposed suspension of Sherrone Moore, on the Tigers, the Pistons and more.

We answered your questions on the firing of Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller and the reasons for it, whether it was justified, what MSU needs in its next AD for its football program and athletic department, on MSU's basketball roster, the Tigers, Pistons and more.

We dug into our takes and yours — on the state of MSU football and basketball, and MSU sports in general, on fan concerns and negativity around the Spartan football program and whether it's overdone, on the Pistons and accountability for refs, on trusting Brad Holmes, on Shedeur Sanders, the Tigers, why anyone would ever attend an NFL draft, disappointing our parents and more.

We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball and football and the state of play with each — MSU basketball recruiting and portal targets, the lack of juice around the MSU football program and more. Plus, the Lions' NFL draft, Shedeur Sanders, the Pistons, the best Tigers' storylines, and a couple stories worth telling.

We were joined by The Athletic's James Edwards for a conversation on the Pistons-Knicks playoff series, the future of the Pistons, and the state of MSU basketball (5:00). Then a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on the Lions' NFL draft priorities, the Lions roster, his favorite players atop the draft, and the state of MSU football (31:30).

We dug into our takes and yours — on the likelihood Michigan State basketball will add a heralded freshman (say Darius Adams) or transfer, on MSU football losing Dillon Tatum to the transfer portal, on how fans, writers, administrators and coaches all stink right now at handling the offseason in college sports and why that is, and on the Pistons' playoff chances, the Lions' draft, Tigers vibes and bets, and more.

We answered your questions – on Michigan State basketball, the addition of transfer Tre Fort, what else the Spartans need or might do in the portal, the rotation next season, Michigan and Purdue making portal moves, what to think of MSU football this spring, the Tigers, the Pistons, life advice and more.

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball entering a pivotal time with the transfer portal, on MSU's roster needs, on Tre Holloman and Kalen Glenn, on MSU football, on Rory and the Masters, the Tigers, Pistons, adults wearing jerseys, our goof-ups and more.

We opened talking about Jase Richardson's departure from MSU and the fan base's lack of trust in Tom Izzo when it comes to the transfer portal. Then a good conversation with The Athletic's Brendan Quinn, from Augusta, on covering the Masters, this year's storylines, the NCAA tournament and how MSU stacked up with the teams in the Final Four (8:00). Plus, Harry Gagnon joined us for a whirlwind of Masters best bets (39:00). And, lastly, why the Tigers are winning (1:02:00).

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, MSU's roster, the transfer portal, NIL, Michigan's program, the Tigers, Pistons and more. Plus a couple stories worth telling, including The Rube getting into an altercation in the parking garage before the show.

A good conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor on Michigan State's basketball program, the transfer of Tre Holloman, next season's roster, and what'll take for MSU to compete for a national championship (7:00). Then our Final Four best bets, plus baseball, golf and soccer bets with Harry Gagnon (39:00). Finally, we dug into the remaining listener takes from Tuesday's show – on MSU basketball and more (58:00).

We dug into to the news that Michigan State's Tre Holloman has entered the transfer portal — why it happened, what it means for Holloman and MSU. Plus our takes on Xavier Booker and Gehrig Normand leaving, on MSU's Elite Eight loss to Auburn and the season the Spartans had, on MSU hockey and the absurdity of a one-and-done NCAA tournament in that sport, and more.

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball's NCAA tournament win over New Mexico and the performances by MSU's players, the Spartans' matchup with Ole Miss in the Sweet 16, the possibility of facing Michigan again in the Elite Eight and the angst surrounding it, the end of Cinderellas and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling. 

We're joined by the Providence Journal's Bill Koch for a good conversation on Michigan State's men's and women's opponents in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Bryant and Harvard – what makes those teams tick and what are their chances against the Spartans (12:00). Then the great Harry Gagnon joined us for our NCAA tournament picks and best bets (34:30). Finally, a story worth telling from The Rube on his epic fail when trying to talk to golfer John Daly (1:01:00).

We opened with a conversation with Jeff Kohler (father of MSU's Jaxon Kohler) on this MSU team, why they've been so good, on Jaxon's journey with the Spartans, his interactions with fans, what it's like being a parent of a player in this day and age, and his thoughts on the skirmish at the end of the MSU-Michigan game Sunday. Then we answered your questions on MSU hoops, Dusty May, the blue wall, the All-Big Ten teams, the Big Ten tournament and more (32:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball, the win over Michigan, the Wolverines' standing at center court as MSU tried to honor its seniors, Dusty May's response, the Spartans' chance of moving up to a No. 1 seed, the value of the Big Ten tournament and more.

We opened discussing MSU football's season finale being moved to Ford Field, the reasons it makes sense and why folks shouldn't be concerned with what's right for other schools. Then a good conversation with Ant Wright on MSU, Michigan and Big Ten basketball (19:00). Plus, a conversation on the most enjoyable MSU basketball season's under Tom Izzo and where this one ranks (40:00).

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, whether the time is now to go after a national championship, on Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, Jaden Akins and Jeremy Fears, on Jase Richardson's future and NCAA tournament seeding, on Michigan basketball, the Big Ten tournament, on MSU hockey and more.

We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball – on MSU's rising ceiling, whether the Spartans could be a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, Jase Richardson's future, the Spartans upcoming games against Wisconsin and Michigan, life, diet and career advice, and more.

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball's win over Michigan and whether MSU is becoming a contender nationally, on whether Jase Richardson should be the Big Ten's freshman of the year, on Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman and Xavier Booker, the week ahead against Maryland and Wisconsin, on Michigan and their center proposing to his girlfriend after a rivalry loss, on Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford, the Tigers and more.

We went inside the Michigan State-Michigan basketball matchup and talk Big Ten hoops with Greg Waddell from the Sleepers Podcast (8:00) and then answered your questions on MSU basketball, from lineups to certain players and the matchup with the Wolverines. That and how to deal with unseemly nose hairs and more (35:00).

We answered your questions – a ton of them on Michigan State basketball – on fixing MSU's shooting woes, where this team is going, playing time decisions, the roster moving forward and more, and on Michigan hoops, what the Lions should trade for Myles Garrett and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling.

In our 1,000th-ish show, we dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, concerns about MSU after the loss to USC and the significance of Tuesday's game at UCLA, on the biggest NBA trade ever, on the Tigers, a Lions trade possibility and why this forsaken show still exists after all this time.

We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball – what it'll take to win the Big Ten, when MSU might lose its first game, Tom Izzo's coaching this season, and trolling opposing fan bases, on Michigan's response to the NCAA on the Connor Stalions' charges, on the Lions new coordinators, the origin of our show, holding babies, kidnapping cats and more.

We opened talking Michigan State basketball after MSU's win over Minnesota, the promising signs, one concern and the absurdity of the doubters. Then a conversation on the Pistons with the Detroit Free Press' Omari Sankofa – on Cade Cunningham, the trade deadline, looming decisions with other players and where this season might end up (21:45). Plus, Connor Stalions and Kofi Cockburn news (44:00), and our early Super Bowl prop bets (53:00).

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State's basketball team and whether the Spartans actually might be the most talented team in the Big Ten and whether a championship should be expected, on the AFC and NFC championship games, regrets from Lions fans and conspiracies about the Chiefs, on the great weekend it was for MSU sports, and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling.

We answered your questions – on Michigan State basketball and whether we've overhyped MSU's return to glory, on best lineups, Frankie Fidler, Jeremy Fears Jr., and facing Illinois, on Michigan basketball and Big Ten hoops, MSU football, the Lions' preferred opponent, cottage cheese tubs and more. Plus, we picked the divisional round NFL playoff games and the College Football Playoff championship game with Harry (1:10.00), and then when back to more listener questions, some really good stuff at the end (1:28:00).

We dug into our takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, on Jeremy Fears Jr. and what he could be for MSU's program, on the reasons the Spartans are winning as they are and our revamped expectations for them, on the NFL playoffs and the Lions' matchup with the Commanders, on MSU football recruiting, the College Football Playoff and more, including, of course, David Muir.

We answered your questions – on Michigan State basketball, how this team compares to other enjoyable MSU teams, the Spartans' outside shooting and ceiling and place in the Big Ten, on MSU football's recruiting class and near-term future, on the Lions and what statues would be built if they won a Super Bowl, on the College Football Playoff and more.

A conversation on Michigan State basketball and what to make of this MSU team with Eric Larson from the podcast "The Final Four is not on the schedule" (17:00). Plus, our College Football Playoff semifinal and NFL Playoff wildcard picks with Harry (40:00).

We dug into our takes and yours – on the Lions' win over the Vikings for the No. 1 seed, on Aaron Glenn and Alex Anzalone, on Michigan State basketball, the win over Ohio State, MSU's big men and realistic chances of making a run this year, and whether this is actually a "two-year group" (not my words this time, and on MSU hockey at Wrigley Field, Cade Cunningham, the College Football Playoff and more.

We answered your questions – on Michigan State basketball heading into Big Ten play, what this MSU team might still be missing, which players are the keys to contending, etc. (starting that conversation at 40:00). Before and after that, we answered questions about the Lions' game against the Vikings, what a loss would mean and how Jason would handle it, on the College Football Playoff, whether Arizona State got hosed, and whether these non-competitive games mean the format should be changed. Plus, a couple stories definitely worth telling. Happy New Year.