Couch and The Rube

Ep. 874: Hot Take Tuesday - on living with Michigan football as champs, MSU basketball and the Lions

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan football winning the national championship, how MSU fans feel and how to deal with the Wolverine fan in your life; on Michigan State basketball and whether the loss at Northwestern was really damning; on the Lions' heading into the playoffs and more.

Ep. 873: Why MSU basketball is playing so well and Twitter questions

We opened digging into Michigan State basketball's win over Penn State and why the Spartans are playing so well. Then we picked the College Football Playoff national championship game and this week's key NFL games with Harry Gagnon (13:00). Plus we answered your Twitter questions (38:00) – on MSU hoops and football, the Lions and life, which led to a couple stories worth telling.

Ep. 872: Hot Take Tuesday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the Lions getting hosed, their playoff chances, whether Jared Goff and Dan Campbell can be a Super Bowl pairing, on what Michigan and Washington in the College Football Playoff told us about where MSU's program is and why the Huskies' and Wolverines' performances are actually encouraging for the Spartans, on MSU basketball entering Big Ten play and more.

Ep. 871: Twitter Question Friday (including questions for The Rube)

In our final show of 2023, we answered your Twitter questions – on MSU basketball and football, the Lions and Pistons, Christmas pet peeves and more (25:00). Then, we flip it around, asking The Rube questions, including prison advice and a retelling of the classic tale, Santa Rube (77:00). Plus, our NFL and College Football Playoff picks with Harry Gagnon (6:00). Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

Ep. 870: Hot Take Tuesday - on MSU basketball, football recruiting and the Lions

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball's sudden surge in play, on Tre Holloman and Mady Sissoko, Jeremy Fears, Xavier Booker and A.J. Hoggard and Tom Izzo, and on MSU football as Jonathan Smith signs his first class, on the Lions chasing the No. 2 seed in the NFC, on the Pistons, random thoughts around Christmas and more.

Ep. 869: Aidan Chiles commits, Xavier Booker talks and Twitter questions

We opened by digging into quarterback Aidan Chiles' decision to follow Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to MSU and the controversy over a question posed to Xavier Booker about whether he's considered transferring. Then Harry Gagnon joined us to pick this week's NFL games – along with some Premier League best bets (21:00). Then we answered your Twitter questions on MSU basketball, football, the Lions, best and worst gifts and more (42:30).

Ep. 868: Hot Take Wednesday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU's basketball team, Tom Izzo, his recruitment and development of players, not adding a center in the transfer portal, the possibility of not making the NCAA tournament, on MSU football, the Lions and whether to pay Jared Goff (or trade for Matthew Stafford), on the Pistons, defending Lansing, our bad behavior as teenagers and more.

Ep. 867: Twitter Question Thursday

Off the top: We dug into what ails Michigan State's basketball team and how it can possibly be fixed. Then we answered your Twitter questions, mostly on MSU hoops – the roster, decisions, Tom Izzo, etc. – and Spartan football, including QB Aidan Chiles and coaching hires.

Ep. 866: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State football's situation in the transfer portal, at quarterback and elsewhere, on the College Football Playoff injustices and Michigan's matchup with Nick Saban and Alabama, on the Lions chances the rest of this season, on MSU basketball heading into a big game against Wisconsin, and more.

Ep. 865: Impressions of MSU football coach Jonathan Smith, Twitter Questions and picking the games

We opened with our impressions of the Jonathan Smith hire as Michigan State's footbal coach and the challenges ahead for him in building MSU's roster. Then we picked this week's college football championship games and NFL games with Harry (17:00). Before answering your Twitter questions – largely on MSU football and basketball (41:00).

Ep. 864: Hot Take Sunday - MSU football hires Jonathan Smith

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State hiring Jonathan Smith as its football coach, on the hopes and concerns for the Smith era, on the state of MSU basketball after its Thanksgiving loss to Arizona, on Michigan football beating Ohio State, on Ryan Day, the damn Lions and more.

Ep. 863: Thanksgiving week Hot Takes and picking the games

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's basketball team and point guard position, on MSU football's quarterback and coaching search, on Spartan hockey, on Michigan football's spiraling saga and matchup with Ohio State, on the Lions and Jared Goff and more. Plus our football picks with Harry (at the 27:45 mark). Happy Thanksgiving.

Ep. 862: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State basketball, on the lineup decisions at point guard and center, MSU's early flaws and where this season might be headed, and on Michigan football's cheating saga, as new information comes to light, on MSU football's coaching hire, on the Lions, the Pistons and more.

Ep. 861: Hot Take Monday - Michigan football's dramatic behavior and a telling game for MSU basketball

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on an important early moment for Michigan State's basketball team and several of its players, on Michigan football's Shakespearean tragedy, on the essential end of MSU's football season and hindsight with Sam Leavitt, on MSU's coaching hire, on the Lions, Dan Campbell and more.

Ep. 860: Twitter Question Friday: What to make of MSU basketball's first two games

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State's basketball team, what to make of its first two games, the struggles of several of its veteran players, whether this team has the right mix of players or enough shooting on the roster.

Ep. 859: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's win over Nebraska, on QBs Sam Leavitt and Katin Houser, on some other names in MSU football's coaching search, on U-M sign-stealing scandal and what punishment might be coming, on MSU hoops and more.

Ep. 858: Twitter Question Wednesday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Connor Stallions, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan and what punishment could come for their apparent brazen stealing of signs, on MSU football's coaching search and Urban Meyer, on MSU's quarterback situation, and on plenty on MSU basketball, too, from the freshmen to likely leading scorers and areas of concern.

Ep. 857: MSU football QB situation; MSU basketball Tennessee scrimmage; the Lions' opportunity; and picking the games

We opened talking about the bizarre story of Michigan football staffer Connor Stallions possibly being on Michigan State's sideline, then dug into MSU's QB situation and whether Sam Leavitt is the clear choice to start against Nebraska. Then, on more positive note, what we learned about MSU basketball and MSU's freshmen against Tennessee. Plus, the massive opportunity in front of the Lions and our NFL and college football picks with Harry Gagnon.

Ep. 856: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball and what we learned from the first exhibition game, on the growing allegations of cheating against Michigan's football program and the coverage of the U-M saga, on MSU's football program and its coaching search and more.

Ep. 855: Tuesday Live

Ep. 855: U-M football's cheating allegations; MSU football's woes; MSU hoops begins; and our picks

Off the top, we dug into the sign-stealing allegations against Michigan football and what that could mean for the Wolverines. Plus the likelihood MSU football will lose many of its top young players. Then a good conversation with the Detroit Free Press' Shawn Windsor on MSU and U-M football, the Lions and MSU basketball (14:00). Plus, our football picks with Harry (38:30).

Ep. 854: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's football team, its 49-0 loss to Michigan, MSU's quarterback situation, the coaching search, Hitler on the video board at Spartan Stadium, MSU's basketball roster, the Lions' loss, concerns about Jared Goff and more.

Ep. 853: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State's chances against Michigan, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines' latest cheating allegations, MSU's next coach, Liz Frank and other MSU basketball foot injuries, the impact of MSU being without Jaxon Kohler, the Lions, Red Wings, bad advice we've been given and more.

Ep. 853: Twitter Question Tuesday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State's chances against Michigan, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines' latest cheating allegations, MSU's next coach, Liz Frank and other MSU basketball foot injuries, the impact of MSU being without Jaxon Kohler, the Lions, Red Wings, bad advice we've been given and more.

Ep. 852: Nick Baumgardner on the MSU-Michigan game and the Lions; and best bets with Harry

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner joined us for a good conversation on Michigan State and Michigan football and the matchup this Saturday, as well as the Lions, their ceiling this season and the future of Jared Goff. Plus, Harry Gagnon joined us to pick this week's college football and NFL games.

Ep. 851: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the state of Michigan State's football team, MSU's collapse at Rutgers, the matchup with Michigan, how bad this Saturday and season might get, on MSU basketball saving the vibe, on the Lions, the wonderful Detroit Lions, on how much Jared Goff deserves in a new contract, and more.

Ep. 850: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions — on Michigan State football, Mel Tucker to Urban Meyer, Katin Houser's ability to elevate the offense this season and on the future of the MSU's program, on what we would do as MSU's president, on MSU basketball, the Lions, journalism ethics, our flaws as human beings and more.

Ep. 849: Joe Rexrode on the MSU football coaching search and our picks with Harry

Former Michigan State beat writer Joe Rexrode, now a columnist with The Athletic, joined us for a conversation on MSU football and his column on the MSU coaching search — on Urban Meyer, Pat Narduzzi, etc. — and the direction the Spartans should go (18:00). Then Harry Gagnon joined us to pick this week's college football and NFL games, including MSU-Rutgers and the Lions-Bucs (44:00).

Ep. 848: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's football coaching search, aka strong feelings about Urban Meyer as a candidate and the responses to that possibility, on reasons to believe MSU's athletic director is the right person to make this decision, on the Lions' ceiling and Jared Goff's future, on MSU's surging hockey program, MSU's basketball team, Cider Mill hell, us as models for MuskOx flannels and more.

Ep. 847: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on the preferred profile for the next Michigan State football coach, why not Urban Meyer, the MSU basketball lineup, Coen Carr as a power forward, the buzz surrounding MSU hockey, whether the Lions are better than the 49ers, things our spouses hate about us and more.

Ep. 846: MSU football falls, basketball begins; Lions pound Packers; Tigers change voices

To open, Jason regaled us with tales from his trip to see the Lions pound the Packers in Green Bay. Then we dove into a conversation on Michigan State football (10:30) — the QB situation, an NIL collective ending contracts and the coaching search (Holy, Urban Meyer). Then a conversation on the Tigers (29:30) — Bally's Sports cutting ties with Matt Shepard and concerning words from GM Scott Harris — before a discussion on the latest with MSU basketball (34:00), which held its media day Tuesday...

Ep. 845: MSU basketball begins; MSU football faces decisions; Iowa's own misery; and our football picks

We opened digging into the latest with MSU's football program, including a week of decisions for a number of players on MSU's roster. Then, on a more fun note, we dove into the beginning of MSU basketball practice and the early storylines for this anticipated group. Then Harry Gagnon joined us for our college football and NFL football picks and can't-miss parlays (22:00). Followed by a good conversation with Des Moines Register Iowa Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow on Iowa's own misery on of...

Ep. 844: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours — on Michigan State's football team, its quarterback situation, its coaches, the important attributes for MSU's next coach and what the rest of the season might look like, and on the Lions and their win over the Falcons, and more.

Ep. 843: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions, largely on Michigan State football – on the state of things with this team, with the program, who the next head coach might be, why Urban Meyer isn't the right choice and why no one who's talking about MSU's next coach like they know anything knows anything. Plus, the feelings on the Lions, best bets this week, ways we've lost money and more.

Ep. 842: Hot Takes Monday – on MSU football post-Mel Tucker, the Lions' annoying defeat

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's lopsided loss to Washington as it begins the post-Mel Tucker era, what's in store for the rest of MSU's season, the program's future and more, along with reactions to the Lions' frustrating loss to the Seahawks and a few fun, off-topic takes.

Ep. 841: Mel Tucker saga, Matt Charboneau signs off, Harry's picks and Twitter Questions

We opened with a conversation about the Mel Tucker saga, how fans are feeling about Tucker's removal as head coach and this week's MSU game against Washington. Then Matt Charboneau joined us to discuss his exit from the Detroit News and memories from his time on the MSU beat (17:00). Followed by our college football and NFL picks with Harry Gagnon (36:00). Plus, more than an hour of your Twitter questions on MSU football, the future of the program and more (59:00).

Ep. 840: The End of the Mel Tucker Era

We dug into the situation surrounding Mel Tucker – the investigation, his behavior, MSU's decision to suspend him, what it means for MSU's program, the players and our initial thoughts on Harlon Barnett as the Spartans' acting head coach and more. Plus, your "thoughtful takes" on the Mel Tucker saga at MSU.

Ep. 839: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on the Lions' massive win at Kansas City, what it means and how we should feel, on Michigan State's football game against Richmond and what we can learn about the Spartans from it and what might show MSU is ready to compete with Washington, best bets this weekend, and more.

Ep. 838: MSU vs Richmond preview and college football and NFL picks

We opened with our hopes and concerns for the Detroit Lions and why Keon Coleman's performance at Florida State isn't an indictment on MSU. Then, the Richmond Times-Dispatch's John O'Connor joined us for a blunt assessment of the Spiders' chances against the Spartans on Saturday (11:00). Then the great Harry Gagnon joined us to pick the Week 2 college football slate and Week 1 NFL games (32:30).

Ep. 837: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State football's opening performance, the fourth-and-1 calls, on Noah Kim and Katin Houser, Maliq Carr and Dillon Tatum, Alante Brown's return to the field after what appeared to be a concussion, on MSU's likely number of wins considering what we learned about future opponents, on how TV breaks are ruining college football watching at home and in the stadium, and more.

Ep. 836: Previewing MSU-CMU, College Football Picks and Twitter Questions

We opened digging into criticism of Mel Tucker, including in a recent column. Then we previewed Michigan State football's opener against Central Michigan with a good conversation with the voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, on this CMU team and what problems CMU could cause MSU (13:45). Then Harry Gagnon joined us to picked this week's college football games against the spread (29:45). Plus, we answered your Twitter questions (64:00) on MSU football and more.

Ep. 835: Hot Take Sunday - MSU football should decide what it wants to be

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU football and what'll it take to compete at the highest level, what the program should aspire to, the importance of this MSU season, on new college football rules that stink, on the Tigers, meteorologists, how to make this show better and more.

Ep. 834: Twitter Question Wednesday - on MSU football and more

We answered your Twitter questions – on MSU football projections, what would make Mel Tucker's tenure successful, the "Blue Wall" of course, smart bets, tattoo bets, wedding tips and more.

Ep. 833: Hot Take Sunday - MSU football and "Blue Wall" fever

We dug into our hot takes and yours — on Michigan State football's season-determining games, on MSU's quarterback battle and whether Payton Thorne winning the starting job at Auburn says anything about how Mel Tucker handled the QB situation, on a Detroit Free Press column that tackled that dynamic and stirred up deep-seated feelings about the "Blue Wall," on another reason Dantonio might have left when he did, and on the the Lions' Jameson Williams, the Tigers' future and more.

Ep. 832: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on fears about Michigan State football recruiting, Mel Tucker's two coordinators, MSU's place in the new Big Ten, the Spartans' strengths this season, who we'd like to kick out of the Big Ten, what would be a successful season for the Lions, celebrity crushes and, to begin, what we're betting this weekend.

Ep. 831: MSU Football has a Defense? And the Latest on Big Ten Expansion

We opened talking about the improved depth and size on MSU's defensive front and how that gives the Spartans' defense a chance to be solid for the first time in the Mel Tucker era. Then good conversations with The Athletic's Scott Dochterman (18:00) on the future of the Big Ten and the Seattle Times' Mike Vorel (40:00) on Washington heading to the Big Ten and the Huskies football team this season.

Ep. 830: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on what Big Ten expansion means for schools like MSU, on how the league might eventually split into divisions, on MSU's quarterbacks and team, on AJ Hoggard's pro prospects, on the USWNT exiting the World Cup, on the Lions, Tigers and more.

Ep. 829: Twitter (X) Question Friday - What the hell is the Big Ten doing? And MSU football begins

We opened digging into the latest news on Big Ten expansion with the likely additions of Washington and Oregon, what it means for the league, for college sports and for schools like Michigan State. Then we answered your Twitter questions — on MSU football, U-M fans, the "Blue Wall", the Big Ten, the Tigers' flubbed trade deadline, the Lions and more.

Ep. 828: Big Ten considers expanding again and the Tigers flub the trade deadline

We dug into the latest news on the Big Ten considering expanding again, adding Washington, Oregon and perhaps Stanford and Cal (13:00). Then we dove into the Detroit Tigers' failure to move pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez at the trade deadline (26:00), including a good conversation with Detroit Free Press Tigers beat writer Evan Petzold (37:00). Plus, the great Harry Gagnon joined us as we shared some of our favorite college football, NFL and soccer bets (54:00).

Ep. 827: Hot Take Sunday: Is this really a big year for Mel Tucker?

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on to what degree this is a big year for Mel Tucker, MSU football season projections and new uniforms, on U-M and MSU fans coexisting at the same stadium, on the Tigers at the trade deadline, the Lions, and more. Plus, some weird stories.