Best Lansing State Journal Podcasts (2025)

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MSU-Michigan preview with 'Spartan Speak,' the Lansing State Journal's MSU podcast 49:30

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13d ago49:30

49:30

The boys from the Spartan Speak podcast, Graham Couch and Chris Solari, joined Andrew Birkle and Tony Garcia for a special crossover episode of 'Hail Yes!' and 'Spartan Speak' to preview this weekend's Michigan State-Michigan football game. Read all about the Michigan Wolverines by heading to our website at freep.com/sports.…

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Just how good is Michigan basketball? And can Michigan football EVER figure out passing game? 45:35

30m ago45:35

45:35

The most glorious (and tiring) part of the college sports season is upon us, as Michigan football is in the meat of its season and the basketball team's regular season slate has started. Michigan basketball's season opener against Oakland was so impressive, Tony and Andrew had to start the show by breaking it down. Michigan smashed Oakland, 121-78,…

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Ep. 1087: MSU basketball lands an important recruit; and Nick Baumgardner on the Lions, MSU football 1:00:51

1d ago1:00:51

1:00:51

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).…

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Ep. 1086: Hot Take Monday: Michigan State football's future and Detroit Lions concerns 2:10:46

3d ago2:10:46

2:10:46

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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Ep. 1085: Twitter Question Thursday: MSU football's future and MSU basketball's present 2:14:40

7d ago2:14:40

2:14:40

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).…

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Michigan continues domination of MSU rivalry as path to CFP gets clearer 42:00

7d ago42:00

42:00

Michigan football just keeps taking care of business as its path to the College Football Playoff continues to solidify. Tony and Andrew open the show by discussing Michigan's win over Michigan State and how the Wolverines were able to beat the Spartans while not playing their best. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood didn't even crack 100 yards ag…

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Minnesota preview, plus a discussion on MSU basketball vs UConn 56:33

7d ago56:33

56:33

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's football team and program heading into the Minnesota game and whether this team has a chance to break its five-game losing streak. Then, a discussion on what we saw from MSU's men's basketball team in its exhibition against UConn.…

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Ep. 1084: Hot Take Monday: MSU football angst, apathy and where to go from here 2:11:16

10d ago2:11:16

2:11:16

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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Ep. 1083: Twitter Questions: What's best for MSU football vs. Michigan? And MSU basketball thoughts 1:59:35

13d ago1:59:35

1:59:35

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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MSU-Michigan preview with 'Hail Yes!', the Detroit Free Press' U-M podcast 49:09

13d ago49:09

49:09

The boys from the Spartan Speak podcast, Graham Couch and Chris Solari, joined Andrew Birkle and Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press and their University of Michigan athletics podcast, 'Hail Yes!' to preview this weekend's Michigan State-Michigan football game.By Lansing State Journal

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Ep. 1082: Gov. Whitmer and Shawn Windsor on the MSU-Michigan rivalry, the Lions and more 1:31:37

15d ago1:31:37

1:31:37

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 coachin…

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Can Jonathan Smith win back MSU fans by beating Michigan? 57:47

16d ago57:47

57:47

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the angst surrounding Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football's matchup with Michigan. Plus, a little hoops.By Lansing State Journal

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It's rivalry week: Michigan travels to East Lansing to face reeling MSU team 1:01:06

16d ago1:01:06

1:01:06

Oh how quickly things can change. Just a week ago, Tony and Andrew were discussing a Michigan team that looked flat and overmatched on the road against USC. One game later, and the discussion is entirely different. Michigan played one of its most complete games under Sherrone Moore against Washington in Week 8, beating the Huskies 24-7 at the Big H…

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Ep. 1081: Hot Take Monday: MSU vs. Michigan football looms, as angst over Jonathan Smith rolls on 1:57:52

17d ago1:57:52

1:57:52

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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Ep. 1080: Twitter Question Friday: An MSU football therapy session 2:24:03

20d ago2:24:03

2:24:03

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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Can Michigan football save its season after USC debacle? 40:11

21d ago40:11

40:11

Michigan football's game against USC was the "pendulum swing" game of the year, but unfortunately for U-M fans, the season swung in the wrong way. Michigan was clobbered by USC in the second half, losing the game 31-13 and putting the Wolverines back into must-win mode. If Michigan wants to get back into the College Football Playoff conversation, i…

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Ep. 1079: MSU football and Jonathan Smith, the Tigers, Lions, oh my! What did we miss? 1:35:16

22d ago1:35:16

1:35:16

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 wh…

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What's next for Michigan State football, Jonathan Smith after UCLA loss 1:00:30

24d ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari spend an hour discussing the state of Michigan State's football program, how things got here with Jonathan Smith, and what lies ahead.By Lansing State Journal

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Michigan football has an identity and it might just carry them to College Football Playoff 49:48

29d ago49:48

49:48

Michigan football overcame a too-close-for-comfort first half against Wisconsin with a dominant effort after the break to beat the Badgers 24-10 in Week 6 and now turns its sights to one of the biggest games of the season. The Wolverines will travel this week to Los Angeles for the pendulum swing game of the season against USC at the LA Memorial Co…

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Nebraska exposes many MSU problem areas, and why UCLA is a must-win game for Jonathan Smith 45:02

29d ago45:02

45:02

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State football's mess of a showing at Nebraska and the latest biggest game of the Jonathan Smith era, Saturday against UCLA.By Lansing State Journal

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Ep. 1078: Hot Take Monday: Pitchforks after an MSU football mess at Nebraska 2:16:20

1M ago2:16:20

2:16:20

By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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Ep. 1077: Twitter Question Friday: Can MSU football win at Nebraska? Can Izzo own the rev-share era? 1:27:40

1M ago1:27:40

1:27:40

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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MSU-Nebraska is a swing game, and what Julius Avent brings to Spartan basketball 34:17

1M ago34:17

34:17

On this week's podcast. Lansing State Journal reporter Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari preview the Michigan State-Nebraska football game and look at how the Spartans can win. Plus, we discuss new MSU hoops recruit Julius Avent at the end.By Lansing State Journal

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Does Michigan have anything to worry about vs. Wisconsin? 42:02

1M ago42:02

42:02

The "Hail Yes" crew is back to preview Michigan's matchup against a struggling Wisconsin team who is over a two touchdown underdog against the Wolverines. Tony and Andrew open the show by talking about where Michigan stands at the 1/3rd mark of the season and what the Wolverines did during a bye week. Plus, what has gone wrong for the Badgers and h…

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Ep. 1076: Previewing MSU football at Nebraska; Izzo lands a recruit; our football picks with Harry 1:06:42

1M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

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).…

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Ep. 1075: Hot Take Monday: An MSU and Big Ten football, Tigers, Lions and Ryder Cup bonanza 1:50:51

1M ago1:50:51

1:50:51

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.…

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Ep. 1074: Twitter Question Thursday: Tough questions for MSU football and the Tigers 2:05:07

1M ago2:05:07

2:05:07

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.…

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Is Jonathan Smith the coach to lead MSU football in NIL era? Plus, MSU basketball practice begins 54:44

1M ago54:44

54:44

On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari talk about the state of Michigan State's football team coming out of the USC loss and the schedule ahead. Plus, a first look at this MSU basketball team as practice begins.By Lansing State Journal

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Everything setting up just right for Michigan football after Nebraska win 44:43

1M ago44:43

44:43

After falling flat in their first road test of the season in Week 2 against Oklahoma, it was a much different story for Bryce Underwood and the Michigan Wolverines in Week 4. The Wolverines pretty much controlled the game against Nebraska on the road from start to finish, and Andrew and Tony open the show by discussing what we learned about this ye…

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Ep. 1073: Hot Take Monday: MSU football frustrations and Tigers historic hell 1:32:28

2M ago1:32:28

1:32:28

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.By Graham Couch & Jason Knick

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Bryce Underwood has been unleashed: Will it be enough to beat Nebraska? 48:28

2M ago48:28

48:28

Michigan football decided to take the training wheels off freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood in Week 3 against Central Michigan and it paid immediate dividends. A week after the offense struggled mightily against Oklahoma on the road, the Wolverines compiled 625 yards of total offense as Underwood passed for 235 yards and rushed for 114 more. Nee…

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Ep. 1072: Previewing MSU football at USC with the LA Times' Ryan Kartje; and Twitter questions 1:55:26

2M ago1:55:26

1:55:26

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 lis…

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Time to panic? Michigan State heads into USC with injuries, uninspiring win vs. Youngstown State 39:49

2M ago39:49

39:49

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari look at the Michigan State football team's chances at USC, the importance of the game, and, beyond winning, what might be considered a successful trip.By Lansing State Journal

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Ep. 1071: Hot Take Monday: MSU football's vibes pointing down, Lions' vibes back up 1:33:49

2M ago1:33:49

1:33:49

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 mo…