Can't Read, Can't Write

MSU remains in AD purgatory as J Batt collects two checks? All this while we're on the eve of the launch of Spartan Ventures. Fortunately there's Moneyball to discuss, but what has that ever really told us? All that, and we take your social media questions.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

J Batt is no longer the AD at MSU, after a very short tenure. But there's good news! Coach Fitz heard our recruiting feedback and made some swift changes. We talk about it all and take your social media questions.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

We look at football recruiting and contrast it with what's happening with hockey. Then, as always, we take your social media questions.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

So! The University lost another president. We talk about that, football, Jeremy Fears, and a whole lot more. Oh, and the Youtube chat was active on this one.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Have you ever been at a dorm or house party where two or more James Madison College students get in a heated debate about a civics topic no reasonable person could possibly care this much about? Great news, today you get to relive that experience. Enjoy. Also, sports are discussed. Social media questions addressed.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Daddy's away so the kids will play. Plum and Grooch tackle the latest in football news, NBA combine, and our favorite topic: the MSU Board of Trustees. And of course some of you have social media questions!Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Good thing we got that B10 title, because the tennis team is falling apart. But football is hosting some 4 stars! Also, how do we feel about these Friday night games. Oh, and Will Wade is up to his old tricks. All that, and we take your social media questions!Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Football adds another recruit to the class of 2027, but will MSU be competitive in the conference? There's other sports on campus, and the guys prove their tennis bona fides. Oh, and the NCAA, they're up to their old tricks.All that, and we take your social media questions!Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Activity in the hoops transfer portal! High school boys! Tennis school! Rural Michigan gas station convenience stores! More traumatic memories of Plum's youth! Social media questions!Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

MSU held its spring showcase, a THUD-only scrimmage where defense won, the kickers missed, and the WR group stayed a mystery. The basketball offseason opened with two portal targets committing to Indiana and the portal producing Bonke campus visits and Kepnang intrigue, while a Carson Cooper return became theoretically possible pending an NCAA eligibility rule that may or may not exist. And the guys spent a long time on a short question: is Izzo competing to win a championship, or competing to prove his way works — and whether those are actually the same thing.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

We're about to get our first look at the football team, but what do we expect? And speaking of expectations, what do we really think is going to happen with the basketball roster?Important context for new listeners: Plum is an out and proud gay man. You'll see why's important to know. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

It’s an unwell episode. We wade through the wreckage of a month not off to a great start: only seven offensive linemen, the dread of another missed portal cycle looming, and an executive order that creates chaos and confusion for college sports. Grooch doesn't even bother to show. Praise Allah! Now go get a center, Tom!Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

The seasons are over. It is not good. We are not taking it well. Come be miserable with us.Join us next week​⁠ (for some reason) on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod Where you will see the podcast debut of Plum's partner, Jason! Blink and you'll miss it, though.

The Spartans are on their way to Washington DC, and a date with UConn. Oh, and the hockey team are also playing The Huskies! We also talk about other sports, and take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

It's officially March Madness, but MSU isn't exactly rolling. We talk about the B10 Tournament bounce, the bracket draw, and what this looks like going forward. We also talk about other sports, and take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Hoops are headed to the Big Ten Tournament, and hockey clenched a conference title. There was a Michigan game. There was an all-senior lineup. The guys discuss it all, and then take your Social Media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

MSU swept the state of Indiana — ending a 12-year drought at Mackie and running through Assembly Hall without a lead change — and Grooch came back from paternity leave to make promises on his daughter's life about the team's national ranking. Kohler had his best game of the season at Indiana, Teng went off for 18 on six threes, and the dream is officially back on. The episode closed quietly: a skipped ad read and a tribute to a friend lost to a cycling accident.

Two wins against UCLA and Ohio State keep the Spartans at 22-5, but this episode earns its soul not from the wins themselves — the UCLA game was a blowout and the Ohio State game was an officiating drama wrapped around a Bruce Thornton highlight reel — but from the questions underneath: whether Kohler's foul trouble and shooting coldness is a problem that follows them to Mackie, whether Fears can finally become the guy Izzo is still waiting for, and whether Carson Cooper's career performance against Ohio State is a new floor or just a good day. Mick Cronin provides the comic relief, the Naismith committee provides the outrage, and Plum once again is right about Jeremy Fears being maddeningly inconsistent, even in a win.

Baby Grooch has arrived, Kevin is on FMLA, and Michigan State got absolutely torched in Madison — so it's business as usual on Can't Read, Can't Write. Mike and Plum break down a brutal loss in Wisconsin (51-34 at the half says everything you need to know), dig into the coaching carousel with new QB coach John McNulty and RB coach Travis Russell — both with uncomfortable Michigan ties — and rant about a CBS listicle that had the audacity to give Kyle Whittingham an A.Hockey's rolling, Notre Dame's coming to town, and the guys preview two must-win games against UCLA and Ohio State. Off Grand River, a Providence-St. John's brawl, Doug Gottlieb losing his mind over a technical, Jerome Tang getting fired for cause (and his AD making it worse), and Canada's curling team getting caught doing the absolute worst thing you can do in a gentleman's sport — and then telling Sweden to go pound sand about it.Listener questions, a sponsor read, a whiskey review nobody asked for, and a formal welcome to the newest Spartan. Go green.

It's a Can't Read, Can't Write bombshell episode, where the truth will be revealed. Oh, and there's sports to be discussed, as well. Basketball is on a redemption tour, and hockey is rolling. We discuss it all, stroll Off Grand River, and take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

A hard fought win and a tough loss for the hoops team. We break it down, look forward to the rest of the season, and check out the other sports happening on campus. And of course we answer your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

A successful west coast trip, an absolute humiliation of Maryland, but the gut of the schedule is nearly here. We discuss it all, take a walk off grand river, and answer your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Hoops is on a west coast swing, but there's plenty to talk about in the meantime. We have a look at the team, the Football program, and ice hockey's sweep of Wisconsin.Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

What a week! Two basketball games, transfer portal activity, and the reemergence of a certain Twisted Tea aficionado.Then we talk about it all, and then take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

The Spartans get shucked at Nebraska, and there's a ton on movement on the football team. Like, everyone is in the portal. But, we're also adding players! Then we talk about it all, and then take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

"Oh no. Plum has broken containment."The boys try something new! It's a live show recorded during the second half of the Cornell game, and going late into the night. It's 50% podcast, 50% live react, 50% stream of consciousness rambling. I mean, it's got live Social Media questions and Off Grand River and everything!Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again as the artists intended on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Tom takes the guys down to LCA for our annual tilt against Oakland. Meanwhile, Fitz is filling out his coaching staff, to various degrees of fanfare. Then we talk about about Christmas, Jonesy almost cries, and we take your Twitter questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

A tricky win on the road in conference is a win none the less! Also, there's traction on the football coaching positions, including an old fan favorite coming home. Oh, and there's goings ons with the Detroit media. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Daaaaaaaamn!It wasn't a great week in sports outcomes, but it was a spectacular week in sports fundraising. We chat about the donation, basketball, hockey, and our new official football coach. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

And so, Jonathan (L) Smith Part Two: Electric Boogaloo is officially over. The dawn of a new era of Spartan Football is upon us. But, it looks oddly familiar. And not that bright?Fortunately, hoops trounced North Carolina. Remember that?We break it all down, then DO NOT take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_podTo see the full extent of Plum's struggles to share his Chiles cargo pants photo.

Another week, another loss for this football team. A team who has the potential to go winless in he Big Ten for the first time since 1958 (and that season had a tie). Fortunately Tom Izzo and the women's soccer team are here to save us.We break it all down, then take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Football continues to death spiral with yet another conference loss to a team without a coach and NCAA sanctions to boot. And if things couldn't get worse, Plum has a facial hair mishap. Ack!Fortunately it was a good week for hockey, basketball, and soccer. We break it all down, then take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

It was a good weekend in East Lansing, with the ice hockey team beating up on #3 Penn State, and beating the Razorbacks in Breslin. Oh, and no football to spoil the mood. We break it all down, then take your social media questions. Join us next week​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Another winnable game lost. We talk about the match and the program. Then take your social media questions. Time is a flat circle. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

The team is now 0-5 in the Big Ten, and losing in all aspects of the game. What is there to do?The boys talk about the game, the program, and the way forward. And they take your Social Media questions. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

One Hate Week down, one hate week to go. The Ole Brass Spitoon remains in Bloomington, and the program continues to tail spin. What does this mean going into the Michigan game on Saturday? What does it mean for the program overall? Any why aren't we a totally converted hockey pod yet? All that, and your Social Media questions. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Misery. The guys delve into the UCLA game, analyzing the team's performance and the broader implications for the season. And program, for that matter.Then we take your social media questions. Of which there are many. And of which they are spirited. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Matt Sheehan joins us to discuss MSU's performance against Nebraska. What are the implications for this team, season, and program moving forward. Then we take a walk Off Grand River, and your social media questions.Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

It's a bye week, so what have we to do but speculate? The boys preview Nebraska, look at the college football landscape, and draw conclusions. Then they discuss the other sports on campus, and take your social media questions. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

The guys breakdown MSU's 45-31 loss to USC and walk away impressed by the team's resiliency. We get into scheme vs. personnel, the growth this team has shown and what it'll take to someday be great. After a short jaunt Off Grand River, we take your Social Media Questions. Join in the fun next week on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod or Bluesky @spartanpod.

We're joined by Dante Razzano of ‪YouAreTheProgram‬ to discuss the Michigan State Spartans' recent performance against Youngstown State. We breakdown offense, defense, and special teams while Dante clues us in on player and coach speak tropes like, the next man up mentality, trap games, whether players even listen to press conferences, and how halftime adjustments get implemented. After Dante shares his wisdom, Grech and Jones discuss recent gambling issues affecting college sports before taking your Social Media Questions. Join in next week ‪at spartan_pod‬ on Twitter and IG. @spartanpod on Bluesky.

Kicker U is 2-0 , defeating the Boston College in a double overtime thriller. The guys got together after the game to record their reactions, look forward to the rest of the season, and take your social media questions. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Your Spartans are 1-0, but how did it look? The guys hopped on a call after the game to discuss and take your social media questions. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

In this episode of 'Can't Read Can't Write', we dive into the excitement surrounding the upcoming football season, specifically the first game against Western Michigan. We navel gaze, chatting about how hard it is to preview a MAC team particularly in Week 1. So we analyze Western Michigan's previous season performance while acknowledging a lot of their personnel has changed. Eventually we give up and talk about the new concessions at Spartan Stadium. We then move to the strengths and weaknesses of MSU's position groups, with particular concern for the offensive line and defensive secondary. As the hosts make predictions for the season. Finally we get to your Social Media Questions. We chat game day experiences, bold predictions for the year ahead, NIL experiences and expectations, tailgating traditions, dining experiences, football season predictions, what could have been with Saban at MSU, naming rights and sponsorships at Spartan Stadium, the impact of athletic directors, and our game day traditions and superstitions.Join in the conversation next week on Twitter and Instagram  @spartan_pod  or on Bluesky @spartanpod. Grooch will also be talking to Jonesy about how this is obvious AI slop.

College football is nigh (but not next week), and the NCAA finally releases its findings on the UM cheating scandal. And you have social media questions on both those subjects!Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Woke is dead, so the bro-cast gets as offensive as it can get! MSU football offensive, that is. Got em! Man, we're ready for the Comedy Mothership.So get your X questions in, because we're stone cold killers. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

Defense wins championships. So, let's preview them to find out if they have the goods. Oh, and Plum get's going about Tre Holloman at Moneyball.All that, and we take your Social Media Questions! Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

We kick off our 2025 Spartan Football season preview with Special Teams. You know, punting, fielding, driving fans crazy. That stuff. Then we talk about additions to the basketball and hockey rosters, and take your social media questions. Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

The Social Media questioners have spoken, and there's a lot of heavy F, Mary, Kill questions in this one! But first we take a walk off Grand River, and talk about other podcasters for way too long.Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod

We're back! And we're bringing the football recruits! And the conference realignment! And the social media questions! Join us next week ​⁠ on Twitter and IG @spartan_pod and @spartanpod on Bluesky.And watch again on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@spartan_pod