Couch and The Rube

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.

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.

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 Blue Wall and MSU QB Alessio Milivojevic's fast start to his career (48:00). Plus, our college football and NFL picks for this weekend (1:06:00).

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.

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, and the chances this MSU football season will be a success (42:00).

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.

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.

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 picks for this week (1:03:00).

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 Christmas parties, and more.

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.

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 Premier League, life's pet peeves and more.

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.

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 return (30:30), followed by listener takes and our reactions to them — on MSU football this season, Pat Fitzgerald, the Tigers' trades, Jaxon Kohler and MSU basketball, Tom Izzo and more (41:00).

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 contract situation, and more.

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.

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.

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 their uneven play and the struggles of Framber Valdez, etc. (1:00:00), followed by a discussion on the Lions as camp nears (1:11:00), and then Tre Holloman's appearance at the Moneyball Pro-Am (1:13:30). Plus, Norm's golf bets for this week's 3M Open (1:18:00).

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.

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.

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 through your chest after surgery (20:00). Plus, our best bets for this week's British Open golf tournament (67:00).

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 Michigan, the Tigers, Lions, lots of World Cup and more (52:00). 

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 Dusty May, on the Pistons' possible signings and Jalen Duren, on the World Cup, Tigers and more.

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. Hinch and Scott Harris, and the trade deadline (20:00). Plus, we talk NBA draft, the three Michigan players and the Pistons' first-round selection (46:30).

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.

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.

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 the Pistons' future (29:00). Plus, intern Nolan chimes in (55:00), and Norm/The Rube's U.S. Open best bets. (1:17:00).

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 your questions on MSU football recruiting, NIL, the Tigers, Knicks, and more (51:00).

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 of their recent recovery, The Rube's anniversary trip to the Memorial golf tournament, and more.

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).

We dug into our takes and yours — the Tigers' and A.J. Hinch and Scott Harris, on MSU football and the Spartans' recruiting momentum, MSU basketball and the center position, the mess with MSU's president and board of trustees, the most hated prominent MSU figures, the Pistons and Wemby regret, and more.

We dug into our takes and listener takes and answered your questions on the drama and happenings at Michigan State, on President Kevin Guskiewicz's untimely exit at MSU, the Board of Trustees (and what should be done about the Board), what it means for athletic director J Batt, on Jeremy Fears' return to MSU basketball for next season, on MSU football, the Tigers, Pistons, parenting, best bets and more.

We answered your questions — on Michigan State basketball and Jeremy Fears Jr., on MSU football and college football playoff expansion, on the Tigers' lost season, life and more.

Off the top, we dug into the Jeremy Fears Jr. NBA decision, the discourse around it and what MSU might look like without him. Then a conversation with Detroit Free Press Pistons' writer Omari Sankofa on the Pistons' future and the decisions ahead with Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson (21:30). Plus, a discussion on the state of sports media(50:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — on MSU basketball and Jeremy Fears Jr.'s flirtation with the NBA, on the MSU board of trustees' emergency meeting and doubling the salary of MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz, on the Pistons' dud of a Game 7 and future, including that of Jalen Duren, on whether the Tigers are toast, and more.

We answered your questions — on Michigan State basketball, Jeremy Fears Jr. and the NBA, on MSU football and NIL resources, on the Lions' schedule, the Tigers' woes, the Pistons and Jalen Duren, vacationing with in-laws, parenting and more.

We dug into our hot takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball and football, NIL and MSU, the Pistons first-round rally against the Magic, Jase Richardson, the Tigers (with news breaking on Tarik Skubal's injury), parenting advice, and more.

We answered your questions — on whether Michigan State basketball is actually a contender next season, who the Spartans' leading scorer might be, early returns on new MSU football coach Pat Fitzgerald's recruiting and expectations for Year 1, the Pistons, Tigers, Golf, parenting and more.

Off the top, we dig into MSU's basketball roster with the NCAA's decision to push forward with five years of eligibility, but not in time for Carson Cooper or Jaxon Kohler. We look at the addition of big man Anton Bonke, and discuss the problems with the expansion of the NCAA tournament. Then The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner joins us for a conversation on the Detroit Lions' NFL draft and roster (26:00). And finally, the Tigers, Pistons and Norm's golf bets (45:00).

We dug into our hot takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball, the addition of center Anton Bonke, whether that's enough to make the roster a contender, the loss of Divine Ugochukwu, on MSU football's best-case scenario, the scuffling Pistons and Jalen Duren, the Lions' draft, parenting and more.

We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball, on the addition of transfer center Anton Bonke, what's next with Divine Ugochukwu leaving, what to make of the roster overall, on MSU football and whether to have hope, the Lions' draft, parenting a newborn and more.

We returned after a week off and the addition of Cora Couch to the Couch and The Rube family, digging into our takes and yours — on MSU basketball and the center position, MSU football after the spring game, the Pistons after Game 1, the Tigers and becoming a dad.

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan basketball's national championship, what it means for Tom Izzo and Michigan State, what's next for MSU's program and roster, and more.

We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball's roster and Tom Izzo's willingness and ability to go get the center his program needs in the transfer portal, on MSU's team next season, who's likely to return and the impact of the incoming guys, on feelings as Michigan plays for a national championship, on NIL, MSU football, the Tigers, World Cup tickets, Easter meals, dead rabbits and more.

We opened discussing Tom Izzo's comments about the Phoenix Suns head coaching Job and other upcoming games on MSU's schedule. Then The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner joined us to talk the MSU-Michigan dynamic in basketball right now, MSU and Michigan football and the Detroit Lions' treatment of Frank Ragnow and the draft (19:00). Plus, our best bets for the NCAA tournament and golf (43:00), and takes on the Jaden Ivey situation (52:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball and hockey bowing out of the NCAA tournament, one frustratingly but expectedly, the other in epic and crushing fashion, on where MSU hoops goes from here roster-wise, whether Tom Izzo will do what needs to be done, on Michigan's run in basketball and hockey and women's basketball, and that tough dynamic for MSU fans, and more.

We answered your questions — on Michigan State basketball's matchup with UConn in the Sweet 16, the Big Ten's NCAA tournament, MSU hockey surviving its first NCAA tournament game, Kevin McGonigle's Tigers debut, travel mishaps, memorable spring break stories and more. 

We opened with a conversation with Steven Izzo, former MSU player and son of Tom, on this MSU basketball team, his relationship with the current players, playing for his dad, and a trip to Niagara Falls with Mark Dantonio. Then, what the North Carolina coaching opening could mean for Michigan and other fan bases, the infuriating NCAA hockey tournament, and best bets this weekend.

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball, the Spartans' Sweet 16 matchup against Louisville, Trey Fort's emergence, Coen Carr's performance, the Big Ten in the NCAA tournament, MSU hockey's NCAA tournament draw, MSU women's hoops falling to Oklahoma, some inappropriate takes from The Rube, and more.

We answered your questions about Michigan State's basketball team after the Spartans' NCAA tournament win over North Dakota State — on the game plan against Louisville, X-factors and keys, Denham Wojcik, Trey Fort, Jeremy Fears Jr., Carson Cooper and more, on lessons from Day 1 of NCAA tournament, the Pistons without Cade Cunningham, along with a couple stories worth telling, but no broken chairs.

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State's NCAA tournament draw, the selection committee, the Big Ten tournament, Purdue, Michigan, MSU hockey, hopes, fears, Jeremy Fears, Trey Fort, and more.