Couch and The Rube
by Graham Couch & Jason Knick
Graham Couch and Jason Knick are a dynamic duo that get together every afternoon to discuss Michigan State and Big Ten football and men’s basketball, Detroit pro sports and the buzz nationally. The show is a fun, engaging, and thought-provoking all-in-one radio and podcast experience for the Michigan State, Michigan and Detroit sports fan whose assorted interests also might include the outrageous national story, sports gambling and life’s relatable predicaments. Hosts Graham Couch, a sports columnist at the Lansing State Journal, and Jason Knick, “The Rube,” bring you two hours a day of the topics and stories that grab you — often with your input and through insightful interviews with those who know the stories best.
Episodes
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Ep. 1194: Twitter Question Friday: What does this last week mean for MSU football and basketball?
We answered your questions — on Michigan State football and basketball, and what the victories over Michigan and Duke mean going forward, where they rank as a pair in MSU lore, and on several players' NBA chances and roles going forward on the Spartans' basketball team, as well as on the Lions,...
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Ep. 1193: MSU basketball sends a message in beating Duke; Joe Rexrode on MSU hoops and U-M football
We opened with a discussion on MSU basketball's win over Duke in the Champions Classic and what we learned about the Spartans and what it means for the rest of the season. Then The Athletic's Joe Rexrode joined us for a conversation on MSU basketball after the win over Duke, MSU football after…
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Ep. 1192: Hot Take Monday: The MSU football win over Michigan that changed the world
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football's win at Michigan, how it was accomplished, what it says about Pat Fitzgerald's program, the culture he's building, how fans feel about the future of MSU football, and the situation at Michigan, including with Kyle Whittingham, and on…
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Ep. 1191: Twitter Question Friday: Wait, so is MSU basketball a contender again?
We answered your questions — on Michigan State's basketball team after a good week and two wins against two lesser opponents, about Jasiah Jervis, Jordan Scott and Kaleb Glenn, about Cam Ward's struggles, and beating Duke, on MSU football's game against Michigan on Saturday and what it would take...
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Ep. 1190: Hot Take Tuesday: MSU basketball's promising night; MSU/U-M football rivalry lacking juice
We dug into our takes and yours — on MSU basketball's performance Monday night and the lineup change that should set the course for the season, on the performances of Anton Bonke, Kaleb Glenn and others, on the MSU-Michigan football rivalry and why it'll never be like it once was, on the Lions…
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Ep. 1189: MSU basketball concerns; Shawn Windsor on Lions, U-M and Pistons; and Twitter Questions
We opened with a conversation on MSU basketball after Tom Izzo addressed the concerns about his team following the last two exhibition games. Then a conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor — on the Pistons, MSU hoops, the Lions and Michigan football (16:00). Then we answered...
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Ep. 1188: Hot Take Monday: MSU basketball's frontcourt drops the ball and MSU football keeps falling
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball after an exhibition loss at Marquette, the center position and frontcourt, the Jordan Scott-Jasiah Jervis pairing, on MSU football's loss at UCLA and mounting injuries, on the Lions' win, and more.
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Ep. 1187: An MSU basketball examination; Ben Bolch on UCLA football; and Twitter questions
We opened with a discussion on Michigan State basketball after the Spartans' exhibition performance against Connecticut. Then a conversation with the California Post's Ben Bolch on UCLA football and how the Bruins have turned it around so quickly (16:00). Then we answered your questions on MSU...
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Ep. 1186: Hot Take Monday: MSU football takes its foot off the pedal in final minutes
We dug into our takes and yours — largely on MSU football and Pat Fitzgerald's decision to run the ball three times before kicking a would-be lead-taking field goal that was blocked, rather than be more aggressive late against Northwestern, and on MSU's program long-term, including at quarterback.
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Ep. 1185: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football's ability to compete and CFB's 24-team playoff
We answered your questions — on Michigan State football, the Spartans' slew of injuries, the program's ability to compete long-term financially and with Pat Fitzgerald, and Saturday's game against Northwestern, on the new 24-team College Football Playoff and what it means for the sport, on MSU...
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Ep. 1184: Louie Vaccher on Northwestern football, Aidan Chiles and Pat Fitzgerald
We talked MSU football off the top and significance of this week's game against Northwestern for Pat Fitzgerald and the program. Then, the only veteran of the Northwestern football beat, Louie Vaccher, joined us for a conversation on this Wildcats team, Aidan Chiles, Chip Kelly's offense, what...
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Ep. 1183: Hot Take Monday: Mixed feelings about MSU's loss to Illinois and an angst-less Lions win
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football's performance and overtime loss to Illinois, the awful refereeing, Pat Fitzgerald's middle finger, on the Lions' win over the Cardinals, and more.
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Ep. 1182: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football and basketball and Dan Bartholomae's letter
We answered your questions — on Michigan State football and when it's fair to have expectation, on athletic director Dan Bartholomae's letter to fans and funding football, on MSU basketball and potential lineups, on the Lions, Detroit pro sports GMs and more.
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Ep. 1181: Nick Baumgardner on the Lions, Spartans and Wolverines
We opened with a conversation on MSU football and what's at stake Saturday against Illinois, as well as what the passage of the Protect College Sports Act would mean for MSU and college football. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on why the Lions' defense is where it is and...
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Ep. 1180: Hot Take Monday: What to make of the Spartans and Lions
We dug into the weekend that was — MSU football's demoralizing loss at Wisconsin, the Lions' soul-crushingly inept defense, and , on a more positive note, what we learned from MSU basketball's exhibition win on Friday.
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Ep. 1179: Jim Polzin on Wisconsin football and the matchup with MSU; and Twitter questions
Wisconsin State Journal columnist Jim Polzin joined us for a conversation on the Badgers' matchup with MSU and the state of Wisconsin's program under Luke Fickell (13:00). Then we answered your questions on MSU football, the path under Pat Fitzgerald, MSU basketball and Coen Carr and the center...
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Ep. 1178: Hot Take Monday: MSU football vibes crater after injuries, Nebraska defeat
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football after the Spartans' loss to Nebraska and the teams injuries and struggles on the field, on the job Pat Fitzgerald has in front of him, and whether MSU football will win another game; on Michigan's loss to Iowa, the Lions' win over the...
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Ep. 1177: Izzo's hopes for MSU basketball; Steven Sipple on Nebraska football; and Twitter questions
We open discussing Tom Izzo's high hopes for this MSU basketball team. Then a conversation when Nebraska columnist Steven Sipple on the Huskers' football team and what to expect against MSU this Saturday (12:00). Plus, we answered your questions on MSU football and basketball, the Lions, Tigers…
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Ep. 1176: Hot Take Monday: The MSU football loss that didn't feel like a defeat
We dug into our hot takes and yours — on MSU football's performance at Notre Dame and how it sets up the rest of the season, on MSU basketball and Tom Izzo's recruiting after landing guard Antonio Pemberton, on the awful Wyoming bet, on the Lions and Brad Holmes, and more.
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Ep. 1175: Twitter Question Friday: Lions woes; Does MSU have a shot at Notre Dame? Will MSU ever?
We opened with a conversation on the Lions after their loss to Josh Allen and the Bills, joined by former LSJ sportswriter and Wyoming's own Cody Tucker. Then we answered your questions on MSU football heading into the Spartans' game against Notre Dame and where the program is headed, on the…
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Ep. 1174: Pete Sampson on the Notre Dame-MSU football matchup; and how much CFB teams have in NIL
The Athletic's Notre Dame football beat writer Pete Sampson joined us for a conversation on the Irish — just how good this Notre Dame team is, the rivalry with Michigan State, and how this matchup between Notre Dame and MSU might go on Saturday night (16:00). Then a discussion on The Athletic's...
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Ep. 1173: Hot Take Monday: Mixed opinions on MSU football, Detroit Lions after recent performances
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football after its Week 2 performance against Eastern Michigan and heading into Saturday's game at Notre Dame, on the Detroit Lions' performance in an overtime win against the Saints, on Michigan football and Bryce Underwood, and more.
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Ep. 1172: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football expectations in Week 2 and Blue Wall denial
We answered your questions on Michigan State football heading into Week 2, what success looks like against Eastern Michigan and this season, on Michigan football and Bryce Underwood, on Detroit media and the Blue Wall, on rushing the field, Izzo and Grind Week, troughs at Spartan Stadium and more.
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Ep. 1171: Shawn Windsor on MSU football and the Michigan-WMU clock fiasco; plus CFB and NFL picks
Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor joined us for a conversation on MSU's football team, Michigan's football team and the clock fiasco at the end of the Western Michigan game, as well as the new Freep Sports Show he and editor Andrew Birkle are launching (17:00). Then a conversation on the...
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Ep. 1170: Hot Take Sunday: MSU football outlasts Toledo; and WMU gets hosed in Ann Arbor
We dug into our takes and yours — on what we learned about Michigan State's football team in its opener against Toledo, and concerns and predictions going forward; on Michigan's extra-second Hail Mary win over Western Michigan and the controversy surrounding it, and more.
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Ep. 1169: Dave Briggs on Toledo football, and MSU football-eve Twitter questions
Toledo Blade columnist Dave Briggs joined us for a conversation on Toledo's football team ahead of the Rockets' game at MSU (12:00). Then our best bets for Week 1 in college football (36:00). Plus we answered your questions on MSU football, what to expect Friday night, the most important players,...
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Ep. 1167: Hot Take Monday: MSU football bliss before the storm
We dug into our takes and yours — on MSU football just ahead of the season opener, with hope increasing, especially for the Spartans' defense, on the decision not to write about an MSU athlete under investigation, on the Tigers finally letting go of the season, and more.
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Ep. 1167: Twitter Question Friday: Actual answers about MSU's football team
We answered your questions -- on MSU football, the ceiling of this team and certain players, the likelihood Pat Fitzgerald succeeds, and the keys to success this fall, on the College Football Playoff, on golf and what to do with the LIV Tour players, on John Mayer vs. Les Miserables, and more.
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Ep. 1167: The Athletic's Scott Dochterman on MSU and Big Ten football and the case to expand the CFP
A conversation with The Athletic's Scott Dochterman on the Big Ten football season, where MSU fits, and the case for expanding the College Football Playoff (15:00). Plus, a discussion off the top on Tarik Skubal's return to face the Tigers, the Lions' new rivalry jerseys (57:00), and Norm's golf...
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Ep. 1166: Hot Take Monday: Disrespect, excitement and concern for MSU football
We dug into our takes and yours — on MSU football, the disrespect coming the Spartans' way, the excitement from some fans and the concern from others, on the fading Tigers and the Tigers' former ace, bad Premier League bets, tracking your spouse on your phone, The Rube belonging at Hallmark...
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Ep. 1165: Twitter Question Friday: Dialing in on MSU football and goodbye to Nolan the Intern
We answered your questions — on Michigan State football as the season nears, on new MSU AD Dan Bartholomae and how that'll change things in East Lansing, on Jaxon Kohler going to BYU, on the Tigers, the Lions, life and more, including a farewell to Nolan the Intern.
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UPDATED: Ep. 1164: Hot Take Tuesday: MSU hires a new AD, as football season looms
NOTE: The audio has been fixed to include the start of the show. We dug into our takes and yours — on MSU hiring WMU's Dan Bartholomae as its next athletic director, on the Spartans' looming football season and hopes, excitement and lack thereof for it, on the Tigers, the Lions, the start of the...
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Ep. 1163: Twitter Questions: MSU football gets rolling, and did we give up on the Tigers too early?
We answered your questions — on Michigan State football and early thoughts on Pat Fitzgerald and his team as fall camp begins, on MSU basketball and the roster coming out of the summer, on the Tigers and whether we gave up on them too soon, on the Lions, now that Jahmyr Gibbs has signed, and more.
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Ep. 1162: Hot Take Tuesday: Tigers trades, MSU football with a chance, and Jaxon Kohler's next move
We dug into our takes and yours, beginning with ours on the Tigers' trades of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize and the return they got back (6:30), on the Lions' negotiations with Jahmyr Gibbs (22:00), and on MSU basketball's roster, the five-year eligibility rule and why Jaxon Kohler is unlikely to...
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Ep. 1161: Twitter Question Friday: Pat Fitzgerald gets folks fired up, and a looming Skubal trade
We answered your questions — on MSU football, hopes for this season and whether what Pat Fitzgerald said at Big Ten media day got you fired up and believing, on Michigan football and the coverage of it, the Tigers and a looming Tarik Skubal trade, the Lions at training camp and the Jahmyr Gibbs...
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Ep. 1160: Hot Takes: MSU football, trading Skubal, Warde Manuel's hush money, and pent-up July takes
We dug into our takes and yours — on MSU football expectations, Warde Manuel's cushy go-away-quietly package, the frustrating Tigers and trading Tarik Skubal, the Lions' window, and a number of July takes that listeners just needed to get off their chests.
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Ep. 1159: Twitter Question Friday: Why media tiptoes around criticism of Michigan athletics
We answered your questions on Michigan athletics and how the media covers the Wolverines, on MSU football and basketball, ways to fix college football, on the Tigers, the World Cup, life and more.
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Ep. 1158: Joe Rexrode on college football and the saga at Michigan and situation at MSU
The Athletic's Joe Rexrode joined us for a conversation on the saga at Michigan and the situation at Michigan State (and why MSU is a football school), and on the state of college football and future of the sport (13:00). Then we discuss what the Tigers should do at the trade deadline, given…
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Ep. 1157: Hot Take Monday: Warde Manuel's exit; MSU football on the mind; World Cup fever lingers
We dug into our takes and yours — on accountability at Michigan and for athletic director Warde Manuel, on MSU football, on lingering World Cup Fever, on The Open, the Tigers, and life.
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Ep. 1156: Twitter Questions: MSU football and hoops, U-M's mess, and who the Tigers should trade
We answered your questions — increasingly on Michigan State football, on MSU basketball too, on the mess at Michigan, on the World Cup, the Tigers and who they should trade, the Red Wings and Steve Yzerman, betting advice with the World Cup and MSU football, and life advice.
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Ep. 1155: Shawn Windsor on the drama in Michigan athletics, MSU, Pistons, and our British Open picks
We open talking about the mess with University of Michigan athletics. Then a conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor on the drama at U-M, Warde Manuel, the former president and a problematic lawsuit, on U-M basketball, the Pistons and Jalen Duren, the Tigers, and farting...
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Ep. 1154: We are BACK with Hot Take Monday: Drama at MSU and U-M, the World Cup, Tigers and more
We opened with our takes — on the drama at Michigan State, with President Kevin Guskiewicz returning and AD J Batt's departurne to Kentucky, on what to make of the Tigers, on the impact of the World Cup and more. Then we dug into listener takes on MSU's administration, MSU basketball, the mess at...
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Ep. 1153: Twitter Question Friday: MSU basketball, J Batt, Dusty May, the Pistons, and the World Cup
In our last show before a two-week break, we answered your questions on what we're learning about Michigan State's basketball team at the Moneyball Pro-Am, on the administrative mess at MSU, including AD J Batt still being there, despite intending to leave for Kentucky, on U-M basketball and…
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Ep. 1152: MSU's basketball team debuts at Moneyball, and Cody Stavenhagen on the Tigers
We opened talking MSU basketball after the opening night of the Moneyball Pro-Am — who stood out and what we saw, especially among MSU's freshmen, big guys and Jeremy Fears Jr.. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen on the Tigers, where things go from here, criticism of A.J....
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Ep. 1151: Hot Take Monday: Dusty May leaves U-M for the NBA, while MSU athletics remains in flux
We dug into our takes and yours — on Dusty May's departure from Michigan, J Batt's exit from MSU, on MSU basketball and football, the Tigers, U.S. Open, World Cup and more.
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Ep. 1150: Twitter Question Friday: MSU basketball buzz, MSU athletics woes and World Cup mania
We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball's roster heading into the summer and Moneyball Pro-Am, on the dram with MSU and MSU athletics, including with departing AD J Batt, president Kevin Guskiewicz and the board of trustees, on the World Cup experience and more.
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Ep. 1149: J Batt bolts, MSU in flux; James Edwards on covering the Knicks and the Pistons' future
We opened with a conversation on J Batt bolting MSU after one year as athletic director, following the news that President Kevin Guskiewicz would leave, and who's to blame and what now? Then The Athletic's James Edwards joined us for conversation on covering the Knicks' NBA championship run and…
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Ep. 1148: Twitter Questions, and Chris Vannini on college football, Brendan Sorsby and MSU
The Athletic's Chris Vannini joined us for a conversation on Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech, what's coming down the pike in college football and hope for MSU's football program (13:00). Then the saga with MSU and trustee Rema Vassar (37:00) and can't-miss World Cup bets (47:00). Plus, we answered…
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Ep. 1147: Hot Take Monday: MSU football, basketball and the president; and the Brendan Sorsby ruling
We dug into our takes and yours — on the Brendan Sorsby ruling, allowing the QB to play for Texas Tech after betting on college football, including his team, on MSU football recruiting, on MSU basketball, and why MSU should fight to keep President Kevin Guskiewicz, on the Tigers and what to make…
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Ep. 1146: Chris Castellani on the Tigers; and Twitter questions on MSU basketball and football
Chris Castellani joined us for a conversation on the state of the Detroit Tigers, the roster, trade deadline decisions, best prospects in the organization and more (8:30); Plus, we answered your questions on MSU basketball and football, the board of trustees, the Tigers, life and more (37:00).
About this show
Graham Couch and Jason Knick are a dynamic duo that get together every afternoon to discuss Michigan State and Big Ten football and men’s basketball, Detroit pro sports and the buzz nationally. The show is a fun, engaging, and thought-provoking all-in-one radio and podcast experience for the Michigan State, Michigan and Detroit sports fan whose assorted interests also might include the outrageous national story, sports gambling and life’s relatable predicaments. Hosts Graham Couch, a sports columnist at the Lansing State Journal, and Jason Knick, “The Rube,” bring you two hours a day of the topics and stories that grab you — often with your input and through insightful interviews with those who know the stories best.
Hosted by
Graham Couch & Jason Knick
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