The Spartan Speak podcast returns after a two-week layoff! Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free beat writer Chris Solari have plenty to cover as the Michigan State football team is coming off a bye week in preparation for Saturday's game against Rutgers. This week's topics include the ongoing coaching search to replace Mel Tucker , the appeal of and the problem with Urban Meyer, the school's NIL collective in turmoil with the disbandment of SD4L, and a preview and...
Oct 11, 2023•49 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the State of the Spartans football program, in the wake of Mel Tucker's sexual harassment lawsuit and this week's announcement that Michigan State intends to fire Tucker with cause. Graham and Chris discuss where things stand with the program now, including fan support, coaching search, players potentially leaving due to transfer, QB situation and even a disc...
Sep 20, 2023•39 min
The news surrounding Mel Tucker's suspension due to a sexual harassment complaint is ever-evolving, but for Friday's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist and Detroit Free Press beat write Chris Solari keep everything completely on the field. Episode topics include previewing Saturday's showdown with Washington and QB Michael Penix, who has owned the Spartans; the debut of interim head coach Harlon Barnett and whether or not he can make the job his permanently; and the re...
Sep 15, 2023•42 min
The Michigan State football team beat Richmond on Saturday to improve to 2-0, but that's on the backburner now as an i nvestigative story from USA TODAY's Kenny Jacoby that coach Mel Tucker was being investigated in a Title IX sexual harassment case was published early Sunday morning. And shortly after the publication of that story, Tucker was suspended by the school without pay amid the investigation with perhaps a final resolution coming in the week of Oct. 5, when there's a formal hearing. La...
Sep 11, 2023•36 min
The Michigan State football team kicked off its 2023 season last week with a win over Central Michigan, with one half (the second) much better than the other. With FCS squad Richmond coming to Spartan Stadium this weekend, MSU will have a chance to improve on some of the potential they showed in the second half last Friday. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari evaluate the Spartans' individual performances and preview Saturday's game...
Sep 06, 2023•38 min
It's been a bit of a different preseason for Michigan State football. There hasn't officially been any indication as to who the Spartans' starting quarterback will be, and in a press conference this week, coach Mel Tucker didn't specifically mention a single player on the roster by name. Is it a weird coincidence or a planned strategy for Week 1 preparation? Lucky for you, the listener, there's no stopping Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chr...
Aug 30, 2023•49 min
We're only a mere eight days away from Michigan State football's season-opening game against Central Michigan. And since the last podcast, some developments have occurred. On this week's episode, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari take a look at the Spartans' depth chart and break the roster down position by position. Who will be MSU's starting quarterback? Can certain defensive players look good against Big Ten competition? What a...
Aug 24, 2023•53 min
Quite frankly, we've been gone way too long. Almost three months, in fact. But that changes today as Michigan State football's fall camp begins Thursday. Fall is near, and that means that Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari emerged from hiding and will return on a near-weekly basis. This week, Graham and Chris thoroughly discuss each MSU position group: Who emerges as the starting QB, Noah Kim or Katin Houser (or Sam Leavitt?) Still...
Aug 02, 2023•56 min
Michigan State football news was hot and heavy on Sunday, as the Spartan football lost three starters to the transfer portal: First, it was two-year starting QB Payton Thorne ; then, expected No. 1 receiver Keon Coleman left; and last, CB Charles Brantley announced he was leaving. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari react to the news and discuss the state of MSU's program following the departures. They end the podcast discussing Jayden Ree...
May 01, 2023•50 min
Michigan State held its spring football game on Saturday. Although it was mostly a glorified practice, there was plenty for Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari to see. They discuss the QB competition between Payton Thorne, Noah Kim and Katin Houser and other highlights from Spartan Stadium. They also delve into basketball, with Tyson Walker and Malik Hall announcing their return for next season. And finally, they discuss what matter...
Apr 17, 2023•49 min
The boys are back from NYC following Michigan State's NCAA tournament loss to Kansas State in the Sweet 16. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari reflect on the Spartans' loss and whether it was a missed opportunity, and then project what next year's roster will look like. In the final part of the podcast, they discuss spring football, Keon Coleman, the upcoming QB battle and more.
Mar 28, 2023•58 min
The Lansing State Journal's Graham Couch and the Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari and Shawn Windsor break down Michigan State's Sweet 16 overtime defeat to Kansas State, in what was an instant classic.
Mar 24, 2023•13 min
There's a reason the "January, February, Izzo" saying exists, and the Michigan State basketball team is advancing to its 15th Sweet 16 under Tom Izzo, upsetting 2-seed Marquette 69-60 on Sunday. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari break down the MSU win piece-by-piece, preview the Kansas State game and discuss the Big Ten's performance in the NCAA tournament.
Mar 20, 2023•27 min
It was a busy past two days in Michigan State athletics, and we're here to cover it all for you: The Spartans are set to play USC in the NCAA Tournament, spring football practice begins, and women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant is stepping down after 16 seasons. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch is joined by beat writer Brian Calloway at the beginning of the podcast to discuss Merchant's departure. Then, Graham and Detroit Free Press MSU beat writer Chris Solari break down th...
Mar 14, 2023•53 min
On this week's Spartan Speak, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari preview this week's Big Ten tournament, discussing which schools need wins the most and predict who will win the tournament. Then, moving on to football, they discuss the decommitment of 4-star WR Nick Marsh, discuss recruiting on the whole before moving on to Brandon Jordan's decision to leave the MSU coaching staff for a job with the Seattle Seahawks.
Mar 08, 2023•44 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari get caught up on the Michigan State basketball's last two games against Iowa and Nebraska, look ahead to this weekend's senior day contest against Ohio State, how the Spartans can still get the double bye in the Big Ten tournament, and what seed they could receive in the NCAA tournament.
Mar 03, 2023•47 min
It has been a difficult week, to put it lightly, following the shooting at Michigan State on Feb. 13 that left three students dead and five wounded. In the background of that horrific event, Saturday's Michigan State-Michigan basketball game was played in Ann Arbor which saw both communities come together in this moment. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the game in the context of everything surrounding it. They also look ...
Feb 20, 2023•35 min
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Spartans' win over Maryland on Tuesday, the struggles of Malik Hall and the three-man center rotation of Mady Sissoko, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, and Sunday's game against Ohio State.
Feb 10, 2023•32 min
In the midst of a condensed schedule, the podcast returns following Michigan State's loss at Indiana on Sunday. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Spartans' 82-69 loss to the Hoosiers, including: MSU's inability to contain Trayce Jackson-Davis Mady Sissoko and Pierre Brooks' struggles The handling of AJ Hoggard's foul situation Plus, a discussion on the rotation, or lack thereof, and how some of next year's freshmen might fit ...
Jan 23, 2023•53 min
After a month off, Spartan Speak returns! Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press Michigan State beat writer Chris Solari have plenty to discuss with the MSU men's basketball season in full swing. They discuss Keon Coleman's decision to play basketball this year, Malik Hall's return after missing games due to a foot injury, and deep dive on MSU football's recruiting class and transfer portal signees.
Dec 29, 2022•54 min
After traveling to State College and Portland, respectively, Chris and Graham are back for the latest episode of Spartan Speak. They discuss the Michigan State football team's loss to Penn State, likely a season-ender with a 5-7 record, the basketball team's performance at the PK85 tournament in Portland against Alabama, Oregon and Portland, and the latest news from the tunnel fight at the end of the MSU-Michigan game back in late October.
Nov 29, 2022•52 min
Things are looking up for the Michigan State basketball team after the Spartans beat Kentucky in double overtime, thanks in large part to Malik Hall's dunks at the end of regulation and the first overtime. But the biggest revelation has been the emergence of third-year player Mady Sissoko, who's becoming a force in the paint. Graham and Chris also preview Friday night's basketball game against Villanova, before moving on to the Spartan football team. It is one game away from bowl eligibility aft...
Nov 18, 2022•51 min
Wednesday was National Signing Day for college basketball, and all four of Michigan State's commits - Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears, Coen Carr and Gehrig Normand - sent in their letters of intent, meaning coach Tom Izzo has secured the nation's No. 3 recruiting class for 2023, according to 247Sports. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Spartans' excellent haul and discuss Monday's season-opening win over Northern Arizona. ...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 9 min
There was a game played Saturday night, but nobody's talking about that. Instead, the post-game altercations that occurred in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after the game have taken center stage. Eight Spartans have been suspended - and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch are here to discuss it all. Plus, we preview Saturday's game vs. Illinois and the men's basketball team's exhibition opener against Grand Valley.
Nov 03, 2022•54 min
There's no mistaking it. The Michigan Wolverines are flying high with a 7-0 record and a No. 4 national ranking. Michigan State is 3-4 and recently ended a four-game losing streak with an overtime win over Wisconsin. But this in-state rivalry has produced some great games over the year, especially the last 14 years, with the Spartans owning a 10-4 advantage in that stretch, including a number of wins where they were the Vegas underdog. Can MSU pull it off again and derail the Wolverines' dreams ...
Oct 26, 2022•46 min
With the Spartans on a bye week, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch brought out their red pens this week to grade the Michigan State football team offense, defense, special teams and coaching. Along with host Phil Friend, they also discuss Saturday's win over Wisconsin with a sprinkling of comments on MSU's game against Michigan on Oct. 29.
Oct 18, 2022•55 min
The Michigan State football team's losing streak reached four after getting blown out by Ohio State on Saturday. The Spartans' issues continue to pile up, as Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and host Phil Friend discuss the issues with the defense, offensive line and recruiting, along with QB Payton Thorne's comments earlier this week.
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr
There isn't much to grab on to the last three games if you're a Michigan State fan, as the Spartans prepare to host No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon. Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and host Phil Friend preview Saturday's game - trying to find spots where the Spartans can feel optimistic, discuss Jayden Reed's season, make game predictions and also talk a little hoops at the end.
Oct 06, 2022•45 min
The Michigan State football team is at a crossroads once again after getting thumped at home by Minnesota. Now, all of the sudden, Saturday's opponent, Maryland - which is coming off a near-upset of Michigan - is an 8.5-point favorite. How did MSU get to that point? Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch try to answer talk, discussing Mel Tucker's tendencies in recruiting and the transfer portal, before breaking down Saturday's Maryland game ...
Sep 29, 2022•50 min
After an offseason of heightened expectations, the Michigan State football team couldn't get through the nonconference slate unscathed after losing at Washington last weekend. Now, the Spartans face a veteran Minnesota team that has the potential to completely upend MSU's season. Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch dissect the state of the Spartans: the offensive line, defensive secondary, running game, pass game, coaching and more....
Sep 22, 2022•49 min
