Couch and The Rube

Ep. 826: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on most improved MSU basketball players, Moneyball MVPs, best- and worst-case scenarios for MSU football, some MSU sports hypotheticals, and life advice from the Rube.

Ep. 825: Hot Take Sunday

We returned from vacation and dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU basketball at Moneyball, including changed hopes and expectations for Jaxon Kohler, on Wimbledon, both the men's final and being there last week, on the Pistons' core and the Tigers' chances, on MSU football and Mel Tucker and more.

Ep. 824: Twitter Question Saturday

We answered your Twitter questions – on impressions of MSU's basketball team and freshmen at the Moneyball Pro-Am, how the minutes may be dispersed this season, fair expectations for MSU quarterbacks Noah Kim and Katin Houser, the Pistons' moves (or lack thereof), improving downtown Lansing, and some fun hypothetical questions about life.

Ep. 823: MSU basketball playing time projections and predicting every MSU football game

We begin with a minutes projection for each player on Michigan State's basketball team, before seeing the Spartans new freshmen at the Moneyball Pro-Am this week. Then we take a spin through MSU's football schedule predicting the outcome of each game and the odds of an MSU win. Followed by our early best bets for the football season — college and NFL season win totals, Big Ten championship odds, etc. Finally, we dig into some of the great what-ifs in MSU and Detroit sports history.

Ep. 822: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU football recruiting and this weekend's pledges, on why these latest recruits are more likely to actually sign with the Spartans, on MSU basketball and whether this roster has a weakness, on the ever-frustrating Tigers, the Pistons' draft and roster makeup, on downtown Lansing, Michigan vs. other states, pizza, fireworks and more.

Ep. 821: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on MSU players in next season's NBA draft, on the Pistons' picks, Juwan Howard's coaching, on Coen Carr, some over-unders for MSU hoops and football, solutions for downtown Lansing, trips in tiny submersibles and more.

Ep. 820: Hot Take Tuesday and Brendan Quinn on the U.S. Open

We opened with our three hot takes – on MSU football recruiting developments, Mat Ishbia and Isiah Thomas, Cassius Winston and more. Then a great conversation with The Athletic's Brendan Quinn, just back from the U.S. Open, on what transpired at the LA Country Club, on Rory, and on future of the PGA and LIV. Then, your hot takes – on MSU football, the Lions, Pistons, Tigers and more.

Ep. 819: Alcohol at Spartan Stadium; James Edwards on the Pistons; and Twitter questions

We opened talking about the possibility of alcohol being sold at Spartan Stadium and MSU sporting events after a bill moved through the state legislature allowing for it. Then The Athletic's James Edwards joined us for a good conversation on the Pistons – their upcoming draft, their roster and future, including their new coach (16:30). Then Harry Gagnon joined us with his top U.S. Open picks (37:30). Some great stuff. And last but not least, we answered your Twitter questions on MSU football,...

Ep. 818: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Big Ten football scheduling without divisions and the impact on Michigan State, on MSU's protected rivals or lack thereof, on Keon Coleman's "two-year sentence" comment about MSU, on what's a reasonable timeline for Mel Tucker, on the Tigers falling apart, the Saudis buying into the PGA Tour, and more.

Ep. 817: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's NIL situation, the MSU football over-under wins total, fair expectations for Mel Tucker, troughs in the bathrooms at Spartan Stadium, the Tigers' predicament, Lions projections, bad words we don't understand, and more.

Ep. 816: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State's basketball team next season, realistic expectations and the breakdown of playing time now that Jaden Akins and A.J. Hoggard have announced their return, on the future of watching MSU and Big Ten football with streaming, the Pistons under Monty Williams, the Tigers, Lions and more. Plus a couple stories worth telling.

Ep. 815: Hot Take Tuesday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU football and hoops, including Suzy Merchant's departure and how Mel Tucker should be judged, on the pitfalls and future of NIL, on the Tigers' chances of winning the division, the Lions' evaluation of Jared Goff and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling, including The Rube's harsh words for a judge that got him thrown in jail.

Ep. 814: Twitter Question Wednesday

In our return after a short hiatus, we answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State moving a home football game to Ford Field on Black Friday, on the momentum or lack thereof with Mel Tucker's program, on Jaden Akins and AJ Hoggard, on the Blue Wall, bachelor parties and more.

Ep. 813: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State football, the departures of Payton Thorne and Keon Coleman, the state of the program, the Lions' draft, the failing Tigers bet and more.

Ep. 812: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Payton Thorne and Keon Coleman entering the transfer portal, how much it changes next season, on the state of Michigan State football under Mel Tucker, on whether MSU has an NIL problem, on the Detroit Lions' draft and more.

Ep. 811: Nick Baumgardner on the Lions' NFL draft and MSU's Jayden Reed

Off the top: We discuss Jaren Jackson Jr., and Xavier Tillman starring for Memphis in the NBA Playoffs and the great what-if of their time at Michigan State. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on the NFL Draft – on the QBs, Will Anderson, the Lions' possible selections and MSU's Jayden Reed. Plus, our favorite NFL Draft prop bets.

Ep. 810: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the likelihood Jaden Akins returns to Michigan State and how ready he is for the NBA, on Jameson Williams' suspension and the Lions draft, on the MSU football season ahead, the woes with our Tigers bet, the joys of co-presenting and more.

Ep. 809: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on the state of Michigan State football coming out of the spring, the quarterback competition, the push for one particular QB, who has more pressure on next season, Mel Tucker or Tom Izzo, MSU basketball, Jett Howard, worst Tigers signings, the Lions' draft, "New Girl" and other great sitcoms, dealing with birds in the house and more.

Ep. 808: Talkin' Tigers with Chris Castellani

Chris Castellani, of Barstool and Tigers postgame video fame, joined us to talk about the state of the Detroit Tigers – this season and beyond, who on this roster might be around when the winning finally happens, his assessment of GM Scott Harris and owner Chris Ilitch, and more. Plus, we pick some NBA, NHL and soccer games with Harry Gagnon.

Ep. 807: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State football, what we saw Saturday, the quarterback competition between Payton Thorne, Noah Kim and Katin Houser, some of the fan hype surrounding Houser and Twitter interactions after the scrimmage, expectations for this MSU football season, and on MSU basketball, the Tigers, Couch beating Andre Agassi and more.

Ep. 806: Twitter Question Thursday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball's roster, the likelihood of late transfers, minutes next season, whether the Spartans will contend, on MSU football heading into the spring game, including the QB battle, on the Tigers and Javy Baez and whether A.J. Hinch will last the season and more.

Ep. 805: Tyson Walker and Malik Hall return to MSU; and Pistons talk with James Edwards

We open talking about the return of Tyson Walker and Malik Hall to Michigan State's basketball team next season and what that means for the Spartans. Then, a good conversation with The Athletic's James Edwards on the Pistons – where they are in the rebuild, who they'd like to draft. Plus, Harry Gagnon joins us for NBA, baseball and soccer best bets.

Ep. 804: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU football's QB decision and how it'll impact fans' mindset, on the Tigers and the massive betting opportunity, the state of the Pistons, the Masters and the state of Tiger Woods, Michigan basketball adding Caleb Love and other transfers and more.

Ep. 803: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on the state of Michigan State basketball and football, their rosters, recruiting, hopes for next season and more, including the Tigers, Pistons, U-M athletics, our history as street fighters, etc.

Ep. 802: MSU basketball roster talk and Masters best bets

We dug into Michigan State's basketball roster with friend of MSU's program and former Division I coach Rick Carter – how far is MSU from title contention, which players returning would really help the Spartans and more. Plus best Masters bets with former Tiger Woods writer Dan Kilbridge of Bookies.com.

Ep. 801: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State hoops and football, on Angel Reese, Catlin Clark and taunting, on Hunter Dickinson transferring and the state of the Wolverines, the Tigers finishing 0-162, April Fools' Day being ass and more.

Ep. 800: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 799: Hot Take Sunday

Ep. 799: Hot Take Sunday – talking Michigan State basketball

We dug into our hot takes and yours – largely on Michigan State's basketball team, its Sweet 16 loss to Kansas State, the opportunity lost, who should come back next season, the impact of roster decisions on other MSU players, the NCAA tournament as a whole, college refs, Spartan football and more.

Ep. 798: Hot Take Monday - on MSU basketball in the Sweet 16

We dug into our hot takes and yours – largely on Michigan State basketball's NCAA tournament win over Marquette and matchup with Kansas State in the Sweet 16 in New York, on Tyson Walker's legacy, what to make of Mady Sissoko, changed perceptions of Joey Hauser, and what this means for MSU's team, program and Tom Izzo.

Ep. 797: MSU advances in the NCAA tournament, Shawn Windsor and Twitter questions

We dug into Michigan State's win over USC, what's next for MSU against Marquette and what a win would mean for the Spartans. Then a conversation on MSU hoops with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor. Plus, we answer your Twitter questions.

Ep. 796: Hot Take Tuesday and picking the NCAA tournament games

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's NCAA tournament draw and chances and the pressure on the Spartans to make a run, on Suzy Merchant's departure, MSU's QB battle and more. Plus, our NCAA tournament picks and first-round best bets with Harry.

Ep. 795: Big Ten basketball tournament preview, MSU football recruiting and college hoops picks

We opened discussing MSU football losing a top-ranked football recruit, the Big Ten basketball postseason awards and ... Lamar Jackson to the Lions? Then, a conversation with The Athletic's Brendan Quinn previewing the Big Ten basketball tournament, Michigan State's chances and whether how MSU is playing offensively is sustainable. Plus, our college basketball conference tournament and Premier League picks with Harry.

Ep. 794: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's postseason chances, beginning as the 4 seed at the Big Ten tournament, on MSU's win over Ohio State, its hot shooting, the impact of certain seniors returning for an extra year, the Wolverines' predicament, Spartan hockey's landmark win, the effect of MSU football losing Brandon Jordan, bad weather predictions and more.

Ep. 793: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State basketball, whether this team's sudden offensive surge could change its postseason, which MSU seniors might return next season, Joey Hauser's redemption arc and more. Plus, your thoughts and tweets that didn't age well from halftime of MSU's game at Nebraska.

Ep. 792: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – largely on Michigan State's last-minute "collapse" at Iowa, the mistakes, the coaching, where this MSU team goes from here and whether there are actually more positives in how the Spartans are playing than it seems.

Ep. 791: Brendan Quinn on MSU hoops and Twitter Questions

We talked with The Athletic's Brendan Quinn about MSU basketball, the center position, its chances at a postseason run and the top of the Big Ten. Then we answered your Twitter questions on MSU hoops and everything else. Plus, a couple stories worth telling – including one about how Zach Randolph once fell on The Rube courtside, creating an awkward situation.

Ep. 790: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, the center position, portal regrets, where this team can go, whether the Wolverines' welcoming spirit was sincere and more.

Ep. 789: Talking MSU - Hoops, Life and Tragedy

In our first show back since Monday night's shooting at MSU - we dug into the week that was and is, life, tragedy, hoops, a rivalry and more through your takes and thoughts and questions.

Ep. 788: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State's basketball team, its future, including who stays and what next year's squad might look like, Izzo's substitution and late-game decisions, best Super Bowl prop bets, the Pistons' trade, Mat Ishbia and Kevin Durant, the next MSU football first-round NFL draft pick, bad club memberships, memorable Valentine's Days and more.

Ep. 787: MSU basketball thoughts and Super Bowl props

We dug into what we learned from MSU basketball's win over Maryland and where this team still has a chance to grow. Then Harry Gagnon joined us as we shared our favorite Super Bowl prop bets.

Ep. 787: Hump Day

Ep. 786: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the state of this Michigan State basketball team and program, on how to get the most out of this MSU season, on the recruits coming in next season, on the buzz surrounding MSU hockey, on bets gone (and going) wrong — man bras, tattoos, etc. — the possibility of the Lions drafting CJ Stroud and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling, including, late in the show, The Rube recounting his Vegas hooker encounter as a 19-year-old.

Ep. 785: Twitter Question Thursday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, its potential the rest of this season and next season, on Mel Tucker as a recruiter and his latest class, on the Lions, athletic primes of sports writers, man bras, blue walls and more.

Ep. 784: Hot Take Tuesday

We returned from a week away, digging into our hot takes and yours – on this Michigan State basketball team, what MSU should do to reach its ceiling, how good Purdue really is, Zach Edey and Joey Hauser as NBA players, MSU's quarterback situation, the NFL playoffs, refs being ass and more.

Ep. 783: Twitter Question Friday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, the future at center with Mady Sissoko, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, on Pierre Brooks, MSU's chances at an NCAA tournament run, on the Lions draft and Jared Goff, the Spartans' QB situation, how U-M is covered and more. Plus, we pick this week's NFL playoff games with Harry.

Ep. 782: Hot Take Tuesday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball's changed ceiling and ability to reach the NCAA tournament if Malik Hall is out for a considerable length of time, on MSU's loss to Purdue, including how the game was called by the refs and how the Spartans' defended Zach Edey on the final possession, on Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff, NFL bets, Spartan hockey and women's basketball, local media personalities and more.

Ep. 781: How good is this MSU basketball team; Twitter questions; and our NFL playoff picks

Off the top: What to make of MSU's basketball team after its win at Wisconsin, why the Spartans might be Big Ten contenders and what gives this team a chance. Then, our NFL playoff picks with Harry. Plus, answers to your Twitter questions – on MSU basketball, the future of the roster, how it compares to other recent MSU teams, the Spartan football program and coaching staff, and more.

Ep. 781: Hump Day

Ep. 780: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the Lions' plowing over the Packers and Aaron Rodgers, on the bittersweet feelings from Sunday night, the hopes for the Lions future, on Michigan State's win over Michigan, the state of the team, A.J. Hoggard's development and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling and another litteral mic drop.