Couch and The Rube

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.

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.

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.

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 o...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, e...

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.

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.

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.

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 (37:3...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.