This is Sparta MSU!

It's Michigan week, and This Is Sparta B1G goes all in on the rivalry. Hosts Jason and Sean welcome two Spartan legends. Todd Duckett, one of the best running backs in Michigan State history and president of the MSU Football Players Association, explains Battle for the Houses. In this charity event, Spartans and Wolverines compete to raise money for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Mid-Michigan and Ann Arbor. He shares the story behind it: his youngest son was born with half a heart, and his family stayed at the Ann Arbor house. The event is in its fourth year and has raised more than $500,000. Donate or volunteer at battleforthehouses.com. Andre Rison then joins to talk about the game itself. He argues that records don't matter this week and that it should be treated like a bowl game. He covers the keys to the game: fundamentals, gang tackling, avoiding penalties and "twelve hats to the ball." He also gives his views on recruiting, the portal and NIL, and on alumni accountability under first-year head coach Jonathan Smith's successor, Fitz. He shares his hope of getting a role in the MSU football program and says who he'd want to present his Hall of Fame jacket. Plus live chat questions and the usual Hate Week energy. Like, subscribe, and tell us where you're watching from. Go Green! Sponsors: Coors Light, IHOPBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.

How did Michigan State football get here—and who’s accountable for fixing it? On Episode 321 of This Is Sparta Across the Big Ten, Jason Strayhorn and the crew deliver an unfiltered assessment of MSU after the UCLA loss. Injuries and depth are part of the story, but the bigger debate centers on roster building, NIL spending, talent evaluation and whether university leadership is doing enough to give the Spartans a chance to compete. The guys debate Pat Fitzgerald’s future, potential staff changes and what a serious transfer portal rebuild should prioritize: a quarterback, offensive tackles and pass rushers. Plus, Aidan Chiles’ success at Northwestern sparks a heated discussion about coaching and scheme fit, while Bryce Underwood’s development at Michigan raises questions about recruiting rankings, expectations and preparing quarterbacks to play. Is Michigan State rebuilding—or falling further behind? No green goggles. No sugarcoating. Just a candid conversation about the standards, investment and accountability needed to move MSU football forward. Go Green. Go White.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.

“It’s not just about the money.” Curtis Blackwell joins This Is Sparta Across the B1G for a candid conversation about his Michigan State exit, the growth of Sound Mind Sound Body, and what it takes to reconnect MSU football with Detroit’s talent pipeline. His message: recruiting starts with relationships—and those connections have to exist long before you’re asking for a commitment. Is bad blood really standing in the way? Blackwell gives his perspective on working with Michigan State, explains why the details of recruiting visits matter, and shares what he’s hearing about a more aggressive approach ahead. Spartan fans, what’s the biggest change you want to see in MSU’s recruiting approach? #GoGreen #MichiganState #MSUFootball #DetroitFootball #SoundMindSoundBody #ThisIsSpartaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.

A homecoming heartbreak. A fan base running out of patience. And one big question: What does Michigan State football want to be? Rico Beard of 97.1 The Ticket joins Jason Strayhorn, Chon “SlowSippa” Taylor, and Spencer Brown for an unfiltered conversation about the Spartans’ overtime loss to Illinois—and the bigger issues facing the program. From the failed two-point conversion to offensive play-calling, roster talent, and coaching accountability, the crew debates why Michigan State keeps falling short. But this conversation goes beyond Saturday’s scoreboard. The guys dig into NIL funding, donor trust, Detroit recruiting, and why December’s transfer portal decisions could define the program’s direction. What would a meaningful roster overhaul look like? What needs to change on the coaching staff? And can Michigan State keep its best players while attracting the talent it needs to compete? Plus, a look ahead to Aidan Chiles’ return with Northwestern, a debate over the Big Ten’s contenders, and why some Spartan fans are already turning their attention to basketball. No moral victories—just a candid discussion about what it will take to move Michigan State forward. Subscribe to This Is Sparta Across the Big Ten, join the conversation in the comments, and check out our Substack for more coverage and behind-the-scenes discussion.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.

Three points in Madison. Two former Spartan quarterbacks coming back to East Lansing. And one big question: Does Michigan State want to win? On this episode of This Is Sparta Across the B1G, Jason Strayhorn, Chon “SlowSippa” Taylor, and Spencer Brown break down Michigan State’s 31–3 loss to Wisconsin—and why the frustration goes far beyond the scoreboard. The crew challenges the offensive line’s favorable PFF grades, debates coaching and accountability, and questions whether MSU’s administration is willing to make the NIL investment needed to compete. Next comes a potential quarterback revenge tour: Katin Houser with Illinois and Aidan Chiles with Northwestern. With homecoming approaching, the guys discuss whether the Spartans can respond—or whether tailgating has become the main attraction. Plus, a look around the Big Ten, the debate over coaching to a quarterback’s strengths, and early optimism about Spartan basketball. Unfiltered opinions, former-player perspective, and a demand for a higher standard in East Lansing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.