Couch and The Rube

Ep. 731: Big Ten Rumblings, Harry's picks and Twitter Questions

A good conversation with The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach off the top on what's next in Big Ten expansion and more. Then Week 0 college football picks and NFC North over-unders with Harry, along with a can't-miss Premier League parlay. Plus, an hour of your Twitter questions on MSU football and more.

Ep. 730: Hot Take Sunday

Ep. 729: Twitter Question Saturday

Ep. 728: THE SHOW IS BACK! MSU hoops recruiting, Izzo's contract, MSU football storylines and more

In our return from vacation, we dug into the pressing storylines we missed – Tom Izzo's 2023 recruiting haul (including two more pledges) and new contract, MSU football storylines (Keon Coleman's swagger, etc.), the likable Lions and Al Avila's firing. Plus, a can't-miss Premier League parlay.

Ep. 727: Twitter Questions and bests bets with Harry

We dug into your Twitter questions - on Tom Izzo, MSU basketball recruiting (as another recruit committed), what makes a successful MSU football season, the changing dynamic of the MSU-Michigan football rivalry, the angst of being a Tigers fan in the Al Avila era and more. Plus, Premier League best bets from Harry and us.

Ep. 727: Twitter Questions and Best Bets with Harry

We dug into your Twitter questions - on Tom Izzo, MSU basketball recruiting (as another recruit committed), what makes a successful MSU football season, the changing dynamic of the MSU-Michigan football rivalry, the angst of being a Tigers fan in the Al Avila era and more. Plus, Premier League best bets from Harry and us.

Ep. 727: Twitter Questions and Harry with his picks

Ep. 726: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Xavier Booker choosing MSU and what that means for Tom Izzo and the Spartans, on MSU football expectations, on the anger toward Al Avila and apathy toward the Tigers, on teal Pistons jerseys, poorly told stories and more.

Ep. 725: Twitter Question Friday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on MSU football scenarios, MSU basketball recruiting, hopes for the Lions, betting against the Tigers, revoking media credentials, life advice and more. Plus, a couple thrilling stories.

Ep. 724: MSU Football Recruiting in an NIL World and Signs Xavier Booker Could Choose MSU Basketball

We opened with a discussion on MSU football recruiting in an NIL world and dug into the latest Big Ten expansion reports, and what it might look like if Big Ten athletes share TV revenue. Then, a good conversation with Lansing State Journal's Ryan Black - his MSU football observations from media day, and his reporting last weekend on Xavier Booker. Plus, NFL season wins over-unders with Harry Gagnon.

Ep. 724: MSU football recruiting in an NIL world and signs Xavier Booker could choose MSU basketball

We opened with a discussion on MSU football recruiting in an NIL world and dug into the latest Big Ten expansion reports, and what it might look like if Big Ten athletes share TV revenue. Then, a good conversation with Lansing State Journal's Ryan Black - his MSU football observations from media day, and his reporting last weekend on Xavier Booker. Plus, NFL season wins over-unders with Harry Gagnon.

Ep. 723: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the perils and challenges of MSU football recruiting in an NIL world, on MSU, U-M and Lions season wins over-unders, on Izzo's chase for Xavier Booker, making money betting against the Tigers, and more.

Ep. 722: Worst takes; Scott Dochterman on Big Ten expansion; college football win over-unders; and Twitter questions

A rich smorgasbord of a show - beginning with a conversation on my worst takes and the words from SEC football media day that MSU fans fear, before a great conversation with The Athletic's Scott Dochterman on Big Ten expansion, future schedules and realignment and this coming season. Then, college football season-win over-unders with Harry and 45 minutes of your Twitter questions.

Ep. 721: Back From Vacation Hot Take Sunday

In our return, we dug into our hot takes and yours – on Big Ten football realignment, what's real about what MSU's Pierre Brooks is doing at Moneyball, MSU and Michigan football recruiting, Jim Harbaugh's future, betting golf, Al Avila, Carmen Electra and more.

Ep. 720: Twitter Questions Saturday

In our final show until mid-July, we dug into your Twitter questions – on USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten, which schools might be next in the Big Ten's expansion, Chris Ilitch's tone-deaf assessment of the Tigers, Miles Bridges' domestic violence charges, Emoni Bates at Eastern Michigan and more, including The Rube's story about nearly burning down a house with fireworks.

Ep. 719: MSU basketball takeaways from Moneyball, and The Athletic's James Edwards on the Pistons

We opened with takeaways on MSU's basketball team from the Moneyball Pro-Am - on Mady Sissoko, Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, Pierre Brooks and AJ Hoggard especially. Plus we dig into MSU's basketball schedule and what a division-less Big Ten might look mean for MSU football. Then The Athletic's James Edwards joined us talking Pistons (as a trade was happening!), digging into expectations for draft picks Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren and what the Pistons might do in free agency. And, finally, the...

Ep. 718: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – projecting Michigan State football season wins and why, the Pistons' draft and future, Max Christie as an NBA player, AJ Hoggard next season, Al Avila's tenure and future and more.

Ep. 717: Twitter Question Saturday

We dug into your Twitter questions - on MSU freshmen big men on Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, the Pistons' draft and what it means for them in free agency, on Max Christie's fit with the Lakers, the Free Press suing for the details of Mel Tucker's contract and more.

Ep. 716: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours - on the Moneyball Pro-Am and what it could do for MSU basketball and MSU fans alike, on MSU football recruiting and what's fair to expect, on Al Avila and the Tigers, on who the Pistons should draft this week, and more.

Ep. 715: Twitter Question Saturday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on MSU football recruiting, how many years it would take for MSU to truly contend nationally, Draymond Green's place in MSU lore, who's MSU's best chance at having a Big Ten basketball player of the year candidate and more – including The Rube's lap-dance-for-Father's-Day story and live proof that Josh Groban isn't a very good singer.

Ep. 714: MSU football recruiting momentum and James Edwards projects the Pistons' NBA draft

We dug into Michigan State football's surge of recruiting momentum, what it means for MSU's program and where it's all headed. Then The Athletic's James Edwards joined us with insight on the Pistons' thinking heading into the NBA draft and what could happen with Jerami Grant. Plus, Harry Gagnon's U.S. Open and NBA Finals picks and our regrets over bets we didn't make.

Ep. 713: Back from Vacation Hot Takes

We returned from vacation Sunday night, digging into our hot takes and yours – on MSU football's immense recruiting momentum, Mel Tucker, the Thomas Kelley MSU basketball hire, the Tigers, Casey Mize, LIV, marriage and more.

Ep. 712: Twitter Questions (before The Rube's wedding)

In our final show before a break for The Rube's wedding, we dug into your Twitter questions on Michigan State basketball's roster, on Big Ten realignment, what would make for better divisions and whether it makes sense to get rid of divisions altogether, which appears to be happening. Also, Izzo's staff, MSU and U-M football season wins over-unders, The Rube's pending nuptials and more.

Ep. 711: Talkin' MSU's basketball roster with coach Rick Carter and marriage advice (and picks) from Harry

We dug into MSU's basketball roster with former Division I assistant coach and MSU graduate assistant Rick Carter - on why Izzo isn't adding a transfer, the potential of the current roster and where NIL and the transfer portal are taking the sport. Plus, NBA, NFL, golf and soccer bets with Harry Gagnon.

Ep. 710: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Tom Izzo's approach to Michigan State's basketball roster, what expectations should be for next year's MSU team, what American sports can learn from an epic Premier League final weekend, great bets, the Tigers, Tiger Woods and more, including appearances by Yoda voice and Coach K voice.

Ep. 709: Twitter Question Saturday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Tom Izzo's decision to stand pat with Michigan State's roster, the potential perils of doing so, MSU football, the early betting line for the Spartans and Wolverines, life, love and some fun comparisons.

Ep. 708: Why Izzo isn't adding a transfer and the Pistons' lottery options

We dug into my conversation with Tom Izzo and why MSU isn't adding a transfer big man, then dove into which players might be there for the Pistons to select with the fifth pick in the NBA draft. Plus, Harry Gagnon's PGA championship, NBA and NHL picks.

Ep. 707: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the perils of eliminating of divisions in Big Ten football and how to make it work, on the big-time recruits visiting Mel Tucker's program, on the sense of things with MSU basketball, on wives showing up in the studio and nearly ending the show and more.

Ep. 706: Twitter Questions Wednesday night

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, how much faith fans should have in him, where the program is headed, how MSU can compete in NIL, the Tigers, Lions, that moment when we thought our significant others might leave us, and more. Plus, what we're betting and, off the top, our thoughts on Adreian Payne.

Ep. 705: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours - on MSU basketball, the Spartans' new big man recruit, what should be done in the transfer portal and how much patience fans should have, on Tom Izzo, on the Tigers, Al Avila, AJ Hinch and the pivotal week ahead, and more.

Ep. 704: Twitter Questions

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Max Christie's decision ahead, MSU competing in the NIL era, MSU's hire of hockey coach Adam Nightingale, over-unders for the Lions and Spartans, MSU football transfers and more.

Ep. 703: MSU hockey coaching hire and Dave Birkett on the Detroit Lions' draft

We dug in on the hire of Adam Nightingale as MSU's new hockey coach, as the show went off the rails, rescued by a good conversation by the Freep's Dave Birkett on the Lions' draft, before making hoops, soccer and golf picks with Harry.

Ep. 702: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the mess that is NIL, MSU basketball recruiting, the NFL draft for MSU and the Lions, where the Tigers are headed and more.

Ep. 701: Twitter Question Saturday!

We dug into your Twitter questions – on what MSU basketball and Tom Izzo might do in the transfer portal, the Lions' draft (Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, etc.), Kenneth Walker to the Seahawks, NIL issues bubbling, intimate interviews, gambling with money you don't have and more.

Ep. 700: Nick Baumgardner on who the Lions will draft and MSU's football roster

A great conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on who the Detroit Lions will draft and the state of Michigan State and Michigan's football rosters. Plus, Harry Gagnon's NBA picks and NFL draft props, and a can't-miss Premier League parlay.

Ep. 699: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the reasons for your concerns about MSU basketball, Max Christie, MSU's running back situation, the Lions' draft, the slumping Tigers, Miguel Cabrera, bad soccer takes, dumb things we've said and more.

Ep. 698: Hot Take Friday

Ep. 698: Twitter Question Friday

We dug into your Twitter questions - on the state of Michigan State's basketball roster, next year's likely lineup, possible incoming transfers, whether it's worth MSU kicking the tires on Emoni Bates, over-under for MSU and Michigan football wins and more.

Ep. 698: Hot Take Thursday

We dug into your Twitter questions - on the state of Michigan State's basketball roster, next year's likely lineup, possible incoming transfers, whether it's worth MSU kicking the tires on Emoni Bates, over-under for MSU and Michigan football wins and more.

Ep. 697: Talkin' MSU basketball with Shawn Windsor

Off the top, we dug into Julius Marble's departure from MSU and Joey Hauser's return and what it means for the Spartans. Then a great conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor on the MSU hoops roster, the Tigers and Lions draft.

Ep. 696: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours - on what we learned about MSU's football team Saturday, what to expect this season, on ways MSU could make the spring game event better, on Emoni Bates, the Tigers and more.

Ep. 695: Twitter Question Thursday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on MSU football's roster, recruiting and critical position battles this Saturday and beyond, on MSU basketball, Malik Hall's future and what the roster might look like, and on the Lions, Pistons and Tigers, things we've thrown at people and more.

Ep. 694: MSU Hoops Lineup News; and Pistons Talk with James Edwards III

Off the top we dug into the possibilities for MSU's basketball lineup, if Joey Hauser stays and Malik Hall changes positions. And do MSU fans have a responsibility to make an effort to get to the spring football game? Plus, a great conversation with The Athletic's James Edwards (17:32) on Cade Cunningham, the Pistons' future and who they're targeting in the draft. And our NBA, golf and Premier League picks with Harry.

Ep. 693: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU's basketball roster and football spring game and hopes and worries about this football season, on Juwan Howard to the Lakers, the Tigers' opening weekend, the Masters, jackass reporters who might also be jerks and more.

Ep. 692: Twitter Question Friday

We dug into your Twitter questions - on MSU's basketball roster, on Joey Hauser, Mady Sissoko and potential transfers, on Dwayne Stephens' departure to WMU, whether anyone with go with him, and who might replace him, on MSU football this season and how close the program is to contending, on Tiger Woods and the Tigers and more.

Ep. 691: Talkin' MSU hoops and the Masters with Brendan Quinn from Augusta

We dug into Dwayne Stephens' departure from MSU's basketball coaching staff, what it means for the Spartans, Joey Hauser's possible return. Then, Harry Gagnon's MLB season wins picks and best Masters bets, followed by a conversation with Brendan Quinn at the Masters, on Tigers Woods, Max Christie and more.

Ep. 690: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Max Christie's decision to test the NBA draft waters and the odds he'll return to Michigan State, on what MSU needs to do in the transfer portal, the end of Coach K (with lots of Coach K voice impressions from the Rube), the greatest weeks in sports coming this November and December, and more.

Ep.690: Hot Take Sunday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Max Christie's decision to test the NBA draft waters and the odds he'll return to Michigan State, on what MSU needs to do in the transfer portal, the end of Coach K (with lots of Coach K voice impressions from the Rube), the greatest weeks in sports coming this November and December, and more.

Ep. 689: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 688: Twitter Question Friday

We dug into your Twitter questions – on Michigan State's basketball roster, who might leave, what sort of player they might bring in, what next year's team has to become to be considered a success, if U-M should replace MSU in the Champions Classic, whether the Tigers will win over 78.5 games, if the Lions should drive QB Willis and more. And an update on The Rube.