Couch and The Rube

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.

Ep. 1079: MSU football and Jonathan Smith, the Tigers, Lions, oh my! What did we miss?

We opened with a discussion on the state of Michigan State football after last week's eye-opening loss, and where things are with Jonathan Smith as MSU hits the road to face Indiana this Saturday. Then a conversation with Indianapolis Star Hoosiers writer Zach Osterman on how Curt Cignetti is winning at Indiana, why that program is taken off and whether the Hoosiers might overlook the Spartans (28:00). Followed by a conversation with The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen on the Tigers' offseason and what next year's team might look like (57:00). Plus, the Rube's thoughts on the Lions (1:28:00) and a couple stories worth telling.

10-15
01:36:25

Ep. 1078: Hot Take Monday: Pitchforks after an MSU football mess at Nebraska

We dug into our takes and yours — largely on Michigan State football after a mess of a loss at Nebraska, and concerns about Jonathan Smith's tenure as MSU's coach. Plus, some Tigers and MSU hoops.

10-06
02:17:58

Ep. 1077: Twitter Question Friday: Can MSU football win at Nebraska? Can Izzo own the rev-share era?

We answered your questions — on Michigan State football's chances against Nebraska and the program's outlook long-term, on MSU basketball and what national expectations should be for this MSU team and Izzo recruiting in the rev-share era, on the ALDS-bound Tigers, the Lions, and more.

10-03
01:29:09

Ep. 1076: Previewing MSU football at Nebraska; Izzo lands a recruit; our football picks with Harry

We opened talking about Tom Izzo and MSU basketball's latest recruit, Julius Avent. Then a conversation with longtime Nebraska columnist Steven Sipple on the Huskers and what to expect in the matchup with MSU football (17:00). Plus, our college football and NFL picks and best bets with Harry Gagnon (40:00).

10-01
01:07:59

Ep. 1075: Hot Take Monday: An MSU and Big Ten football, Tigers, Lions and Ryder Cup bonanza

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football and what the weekend in the Big Ten said about the Spartans, on short- and long-term concerns, on the college football fan experience, on the Tigers punting on the division as they head to the playoffs, on the Lions (bless the Lions), on the Ryder Cup and American fans, and more.

09-29
01:47:31

Ep. 1074: Twitter Question Thursday: Tough questions for MSU football and the Tigers

We answered your questions — on Michigan State football and whether the program is capable of returning to prominence, on Jonathan Smith and Joe Rossi, on MSU basketball's team this season, on the Tigers' future and who if anyone should pay for this collapse, on the Lions, living your best life without your spouse and more.

09-25
02:06:52

Ep. 1073: Hot Take Monday: MSU football frustrations and Tigers historic hell

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football, MSU's defense, Jonathan Smith and Joe Rossi and more coming off a loss at USC, on Michigan football, the Tigers hellish and historic slide and more.

09-22
01:34:26

Ep. 1072: Previewing MSU football at USC with the LA Times' Ryan Kartje; and Twitter questions

We opened with a conversation with LA Times USC beat writer Ryan Kartje on USC football and Michigan State's matchup with the Trojans on Saturday night (8:00). Then we answered your questions on MSU football, the Tigers and more (35:00). Followed by our picks and best bets for this week's college football and NFL games (1:33:00). Plus, leftover listener takes from Monday (1:44:00).

09-17
01:57:11

Ep. 1071: Hot Take Monday: MSU football's vibes pointing down, Lions' vibes back up

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football and concerns about MSU's team and coaching (and injuries) heading into Big Ten play, about why Jonathan Smith is unlikely to be interested in the UCLA job, about Michigan football, the Lions' decisive win over the Bears and Ben Johnson and what it means going forward, on the Tigers and more.

09-15
01:35:30

Ep. 1070: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football, the Tigers, Lions and worst fan interactions

We answered your questions – on Michigan State football and what's important for the Spartans to get out of this week's game, on Michigan football, on the Tigers as the postseason nears, on the Lions' facing a must-win, on worst-fan interactions and more. Plus, our best bets and football picks at the end.

09-12
01:47:12

Ep. 1069: Previewing MSU football vs. Youngstown State, talkin' MSU hoops and AP poll hysteria

We opened with a conversation with Youngstown State football writer Neel Madhavan ahead of the Penguins' game at Michigan State (6:00). Then what's behind the AP poll hysteria (21:00) and what to make of MSU basketball's non-conference schedule (30:00). Plus, leftover listener takes on MSU football, the Lions and more (36:00).

09-10
01:10:01

Ep. 1068: Hot Take Monday: MSU football joy, U-M football and Lions misery

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football's 42-40 overtime win over Boston College, what the win meant and what we learned about MSU's team, on Michigan's loss at Oklahoma and where the Wolverines' season is headed, on the Lions' awful performance against the Packers and concerns for the season, and more.

09-08
01:37:33

Ep. 1067: Twitter Questions; previewing MSU football vs. BC; and this week's football picks

We opened with our college football and NFL picks against the spread for this week with Harry, including the MSU and Michigan games and our best bets (8:00). Then a conversation with Boston College football writer Graham Dietz on the state of the Spartans' opponent this week (35:00). Plus, answers to your questions on MSU football, the Tigers, the possibility we have illegitimate children and more, including The Rube's rant abut Los (47:00)

09-04
02:02:55

Ep. 1066: Hot Take Labor Day: How we feel about MSU football after the Spartans' opener

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football after its season-opening win over Western Michigan, on the play of Aidan Chiles, the offensive line, the concerning second half, Michigan's opener and other Big Ten shows, on the Lions, Tigers, life and more.

09-01
01:48:02

Ep. 1065: Twitter Questions: How to evaluate MSU football in its opener vs. WMU

We answered your questions — on Michigan State football heading into Friday night's opener, on MSU basketball, on the early moves by AD J Batt, on the Tigers, our knowledges of pop culture and more.

08-28
01:34:53

Ep. 1064: MSU AD J Batt's media roundtable; previewing MSU-WMU football; and Week 1 picks with Harry

We opened discussing MSU athletic director J Batt's roundtable with reporters Wednesday on a number of issues — NIL, MSU's resources, what to do with CMU, etc. Then a conversation with WMU football play-by-play voice Robin Hook on what to expect from the Broncos in their matchup Friday night against the Spartans (15:00). Plus, our Week 1 college football picks and best bets with Harry Gagnon (37:00).

08-27
01:02:37

Ep. 1063: Hot Take Monday: MSU football hopes and concerns as the seasons begins

We dug into our takes and yours on Michigan State football hopes, predictions and concerns heading into the season opener, on perceptions of Michigan football, on the Tigers' postseason rotation, the Lions at receiver, The Rube at LIV, life and more.

08-25
01:19:53

Ep. 1062: Twitter Questions: MSU football predictions; and who's weirder, Couch or Harbaugh?

We answered your questions on Michigan State's football team, expectations and predictions for MSU players and season wins, on MSU basketball, the future of the center position and what-ifs in Izzo's tenure, on the Tigers, Lions, where "that's the taint" ranks as a show moment, and who's weirder, Couch or Harbaugh?

08-22
01:39:25

Ep. 1061: Shawn Windsor on Michigan football's punishment, MSU basketball and the Tigers

Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor joined us for a conversation on Michigan football's NCAA punishment and his column on it, whether the Tigers are World Series contenders, and Michigan State's basketball team (8:00). Then Harry Gagnon joined us as we went around the horn with our favorite college football and NFL futures bets (39:00).

08-20
01:07:45

Ep. 1060: Hot Take Monday: MSU football, Michigan and the NCAA, CMU and the devil

We dug into our takes and yours on Michigan State's football team as the opener nears, on Michigan football's NCAA punishment and shame (or lack thereof), on CMU athletics deserving punishment and shame, on the Tigers, Lions, and more

08-18
01:21:11

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