Couch and The Rube
sportsfootballbasketball
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.
Episodes
yesterday 125 minEp. 1108: Twitter Question Friday: Izzo's mom vs. Kur Teng, MSU basketball and winning the Big Ten
We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball, on the Kur Teng/Tom Izzo's mom viral Izzo clip, on what it'll take for MSU to win the Big Ten this season, on finding a fifth year for Jaxon Kohler or Carson Cooper, and what next year's roster needs, on MSU football in the portal, the Lions' offensive coordinator hire, the Pistons' needs, the Tigers and Skubal, breaking chairs and bunking with Chris Solari. Plus, our best bets this weekends, all presented by FireKeepers Casino and iCasino and Sportsbook app.- 5 days ago 129 min
Ep. 1107: Hot Take Monday: MSU basketball Out West, NFL playoffs, Tigers and another broken chair
We dug into our takes and yours on Michigan State basketball's performance at Washington, on what Jeremy Fears Jr. is becoming, Coen Carr's struggles, Denham Wojcik, what it'll take to win the Big Ten, etc., and on the NFL playoffs, Chicago Bears and the playoff QBs relative to the Lions' Jared Goff, on the Tigers' offseason and what fans can do about it, MSU football after the transfer portal, and more, including another broken chair during the show. - last week 155 min
Ep. 1106: Jeff Kohler on MSU basketball, NFL Playoff and CFP picks, and Twitter questions
We opened with a good conversation with noted MSU basketball parent Jeff Kohler, father of the Spartans' Jaxon Kohler — on this MSU team, Jaxon's development, his relationship with the fan base and more (beginning at the 9:00 mark). Then we picked this weekend's NFL playoff games and College Football Playoff championship, along with some other best bets (51:30). Plus, for the final 90 minutes, answers to your questions on MSU basketball — on Coen Carr, Jordan Scott, Jeremy Fears, the rotation and starters — and on MSU football recruiting, the Lions, life and more (1:06:00). - last week 109 min
Ep. 1105: Hot Take Monday: Big stretch for MSU basketball, U-M loses and the Lions-less NFL playoffs
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball, the rotation and the week ahead, on Michigan basketball's first loss, on the Lions-less NFL playoffs, Indiana on the cusp of a college football national championship, MSU football in the portal, reporter etiquette at press conferences (and the outrage surround what happened in Jacksonville) and more, including a couple stories worth telling. - 9 Jan 2026 119 min
Ep. 1104: Twitter Question Friday: MSU basketball's lineup and ceiling; MSU football in the portal
We answered your questions — on Michigan State basketball, Coen Carr and the freshmen, Jaxon Kohler's NBA prospects, and Paul Davis' apology, on MSU football's work in the transfer portal, on Michigan basketball, on the Lions getting serious with a potential offensive coordinator hire, and more. - 6 Jan 2026 145 min
Ep. 1103: Hot Take Tuesday: MSU and Michigan basketball insights, and MSU football and SD4L
We opened 2026 by digging into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball, from Coen Carr to Denham Wojcik, on the juggernaut that is Michigan basketball, on MSU football in the transfer portal, what is SD4L, on the Lions, the Pistons, and life. - 22 Dec 2025 119 min
Ep. 1102: Hot Take Festivus: MSU basketball and football, Lions misery, U-M football, and Santa Rube
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball's start and concerns that remain, on MSU football's offensive coordinator hire, on the bah humbug Detroit Lions and the offseason ahead, on Michigan football's coaching situation, U-M basketball's fan base, and whether mid-majors belong in the college football playoff. Plus, a few Christmas stories worth telling from listeners and the timeless classic, Santa Rube (at the 1:29:00 mark). Merry Christmas. - 19 Dec 2025 118 min
Ep. 1101: Twitter Questions: MSU football hires, MSU basketball's shooting guard, and U-M in turmoil
We answered your questions on Michigan State basketball, the shooting guard position, rotation changes coming, Big Ten hoops, MSU football and coaching hirings, Michigan football's turmoil and coverage of it, the Lions, Tigers (dang it, Scott Harris) and Pistons, The Rube's jail term,Christmas and more. - 17 Dec 2025 81 min
Ep. 1100: MSU basketball and Nick Baumgardner on the Lions, Michigan football and Pat Fitzgerald
We opened with a discussion on Michigan State basketball and what's going to happen at the shooting guard position and how that impacts the backup point guard spot. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on the Lions' future and roster decisions, Michigan football's mess, the legacy of the Jim Harbaugh era and the hire ahead, and on MSU's hiring of Pat Fitzgerald and the fit in East Lansing (17:00). Plus, Harry Gagnon joined us to pick this week's College Football Playoff games and loaded NFL slate (50:00). - 15 Dec 2025 106 min
Ep. 1099: Hot Take Monday: Michigan football's mess, MSU basketball's Divine hope, and the Lions
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State's basketball team and the shooting guard position, on Michigan football's mess and coverage post-Sherrone Moore, on MSU football's staff decisions, on the Lions' and frustration with Brad Holmes (and Scott Harris), on Santa Rube and more. - 12 Dec 2025 144 min
Ep. 1098: Twitter Questions: Michigan football's mess, the Blue Wall, Max Bullough & MSU basketball
We answered your questions on Michigan football's mess, Sherrone Moore, the ever-present Blue Wall, Max Bullough's return to Michigan State football, MSU basketball and more. - 10 Dec 2025 56 min
Ep. 1097: Talkin' MSU's Pat Fitzgerald, College Football Playoff mess, Tigers and Scott Harris angst
We opened with a conversation on how real and scary Michigan basketball might be. Then a conversation with NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach on the College Football Playoff mess and what can be fixed, and her thoughts on Michigan State's hiring of Pat Fitzgerald (10:00). Plus, discussions on frustrations with the Detroit Tigers' Scott Harris and his inability to meet fans where they are (36:00), and the Detroit Pistons and fears they might make a dumb move (50:00). - 8 Dec 2025 134 min
Ep. 1096: Hot Take Monday: An MSU basketball, football and College Football Playoff bonanza
We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State basketball after its loss to Duke and concerns and lack of concern going forward, on MSU football and Pat Fitzgerald's staff, on the College Football Playoff mess and how to fix it, on MSU hockey, how to spend $401 million and more. - 5 Dec 2025 106 min
Ep. 1095: Twitter Question Friday: 401 million answers on MSU football and basketball
We answered your questions on Michigan State football, basketball and athletics — on the $401 billion donation from Greg and Dawn Williams, on why MSU basketball is winning as it is and how it'll fare against Duke, on Pat Fitzgerald and MSU football's roster and staff, on the Lions, what we would do with $401 million and more. - 3 Dec 2025 70 min
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). - 2 Dec 2025 164 min
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. - 24 Nov 2025 97 min
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. - 21 Nov 2025 133 min
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. - 17 Nov 2025 148 min
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. - 10 Nov 2025 116 min
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. - 7 Nov 2025 138 min
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. - 5 Nov 2025 60 min
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). - 3 Nov 2025 130 min
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. - 30 Oct 2025 134 min
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). - 27 Oct 2025 131 min
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. - 24 Oct 2025 119 min
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. - 22 Oct 2025 91 min
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). - 20 Oct 2025 117 min
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. - 17 Oct 2025 144 min
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. - 15 Oct 2025 95 min
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.
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