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. 1094: Pat Fitzgerald arrives at MSU with vigor and MSU basketball keeps rolling

We opened with a discussion on Pat Fitgerald's introductory press conference at Michigan State and the initial impression he made, followed by our thouhts on MSU basketball's win over Iowa (15:00). Then a conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor on Pat Fitzgerald and MSU football, MSU hoops and the Detroit Lions (21:00). Plus, a look at an epic weekend in the NFL and the college football conference championship games and the bets we like (56:00).

12-03
01:12:58

Ep. 1093: Hot Take Monday: Jonathan Smith is out, Pat Fitzgerald in as MSU's football coach

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State firing Jonathan Smith and the hiring of Pat Fitzgerald as football coach, on MSU basketball, who Jeremy Fears is becoming, facing Iowa and Duke, on frustration with the Detroit Lions and Brad Holmes, and more.

12-02
02:47:01

Ep. 1092: Hot Take Sunday: MSU football pain and coaching flubs; and the Lions live on (sort of)

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football, a frustrating loss to Iowa, Jonathan Smith's future, what J Batt might be thinking, MSU basketball and the shooting guard position, concern over the Lions and more.

11-24
01:39:59

Ep. 1091: Twitter Question Friday: MSU basketball's changed ceiling; MSU football's future

We answered your questions — on Michigan State basketball and what MSU's win over Kentucky means for the season, on MSU football and Jonathan Smith, the circumstances when he was hired and his future, on the Pistons, Tigers, Lions, and more, including a couple stories definitely worth telling.

11-21
02:15:41

Ep. 1090: Hot Take Monday: MSU football fury, Lions angst, and MSU basketball recruiting happiness

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football, the NCAA penalties, Jonathan Smith, J Batt, Alan Haller, etc., on Lions angst and Jared Goff and Dan Campbell, on MSU basketball recruiting, on life and hope and more.

11-17
02:30:08

Ep. 1089: Hot Take Monday: MSU basketball improves the vibes, as does Dan Campbell the play caller

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball after MSU's win over Arkansas, on the notable positives and concerns (at shooting guard and shooting) coming out the game, on MSU football (and its appreciated absence), the Big Ten's take on the refs at Minnesota, on the Lions and Dan Campbell taking over as offensive play caller, on the Tigers and Tarik Skubal, on marriage, flirting with baristas and more.

11-10
01:58:37

Ep. 1088: Twitter Question Friday: MSU basketball's prognosis and big MSU football decisions

We answered your questions — on Michgian State basketball, lineup decisions, the prognosis for this MSU season and the addition of new recruit Jasiah Jervis, on MSU football and the decisions ahead with Jonathan Smith, and how the Luke Fickell situation is similar and different, on the Tigers, Lions, MSU hockey and the Big Ten Network's issue with hockey, on fighting with your spouse, crimes we've committed and more.

11-07
02:20:03

Ep. 1087: MSU basketball lands an important recruit; and Nick Baumgardner on the Lions, MSU football

We opened with a conversation on new Michigan State basketball commitment Jasiah Jervis and what landing him means to MSU's program. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on the Lions' Super Bowl prospects and the state of MSU and Michigan football (22:00). Plus, this week's football picks and best bets with Harry Gagnon (42:00).

11-05
01:02:50

Ep. 1086: Hot Take Monday: Michigan State football's future and Detroit Lions concerns

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State's football program and future, on Jonathan Smith, on MSU accepting CMU's apology, on the Lions and injury concerns and what to do at the trade deadline, on Halloween and more.

11-03
02:13:02

Ep. 1085: Twitter Question Thursday: MSU football's future and MSU basketball's present

We answered your questions on Michigan State football, the coaching situation, the game at Minnesota, the program's NIL resources, on MSU basketball after the exhibition against UConn, on the Tigers and Skubal, the Lions and Hutchinson, Halloween and more. Plus, Harry Gagnon joined us for our football picks and best bets (1:03:00).

10-30
02:16:11

Ep. 1084: Hot Take Monday: MSU football angst, apathy and where to go from here

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football, Jonathan Smith, what the program should do next, on AD J Batt, QB Aidan Chiles, the loss to Michigan, the Pistons, Red Wings, MSU hoops and more.

10-27
02:12:49

Ep. 1083: Twitter Questions: What's best for MSU football vs. Michigan? And MSU basketball thoughts

We answered your questions — on Michigan State football, the future of the program and what outcome is best for the Spartans against Michigan, on MSU basketball after the Spartans' exhibition game against Bowling Green, on the Tigers, the NBA's gambling problem, life and more.

10-24
02:01:34

Ep. 1082: Gov. Whitmer and Shawn Windsor on the MSU-Michigan rivalry, the Lions and more

We opened talking Lions and MSU football and what's at stake for the program and Jonathan Smith this Saturday against Michigan. Then a conversation with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on the MSU-Michigan rivalry, her MSU football memories and NIL (24:30). Followed by a conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor on MSU football, the coaching situation, the game against Michigan and the Lions (36:00). Plus, Harry Gagnon joined us to pick this week's football games and with his best bets (1:03:30).

10-22
01:31:36

Ep. 1081: Hot Take Monday: MSU vs. Michigan football looms, as angst over Jonathan Smith rolls on

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football and Jonathan Smith's tenure, on MSU's matchup with Michigan, on MSU basketball and hockey, and more.

10-20
01:59:36

Ep. 1080: Twitter Question Friday: An MSU football therapy session

We answered your questions — largely on Michigan State football, on what's gone wrong under Jonathan Smith, how the rest of the season might unfold, what's next and who's next, and more. Plus, MSU basketball, NFL conspiracies, Tarik Skubal, and a few stories worth telling.

10-17
02:25:54

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
01:36:28

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
01:28:48

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

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