BIGPLAY Detroit

Chris is back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the Lions’ defensive disaster against Carolina, brutal losses for both Michigan and Michigan State, Jalen Duren’s new deal with the Pistons, growing frustration surrounding the Red Wings, the future of starting pitching in Major League Baseball, and more.

Chris opens the show with the Lions following a frustrating loss to the Panthers. Detroit’s defensive struggles have become impossible to ignore, particularly in the secondary, and Chris breaks down what went wrong against Carolina, Brad Holmes’ failure to adequately address the secondary, Kelvin Sheppard’s struggles with the defense, and why the problems have become such a major concern for the Lions.

From there, Chris turns to another ugly Saturday for college football in the state of Michigan. The Wolverines were embarrassed by Minnesota in a performance that raised even more questions about the direction of Michigan football. Chris breaks down what went wrong and what to make of a disastrous showing for the Wolverines.

Things weren’t any better for Michigan State, as the Spartans suffered an embarrassing loss of their own against Wisconsin. Chris discusses MSU’s performance, where things went wrong, and what the loss says about the state of the program moving forward.

Next, Chris turns to the Pistons, where Jalen Duren has finally signed an extension following plenty of uncertainty and drama surrounding his future in Detroit. Chris breaks down the deal, everything that led up to it, and what it means for Duren and the Pistons going forward.

Chris then checks in on the Red Wings, where frustration continues to build. Dylan Larkin was booed by the home crowd, more players reportedly want trades out of Detroit, and questions continue to mount about what exactly this organization has to build around. Chris discusses the increasingly bleak situation and where the Red Wings go from here.

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Chris and Austin are back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, reflecting on Justin Verlander’s emotional farewell, breaking down the latest Lions win, a brutal Saturday for Michigan and Michigan State, the flaws that still plague instant replay, and more.

They open the show with Justin Verlander, who delivered one last special moment in a Tigers uniform before officially calling it a career. Chris and Austin reflect on Verlander’s beautiful final outing, what he has meant to Detroit throughout his legendary career, and the significance of seeing one of the greatest pitchers of his generation finish where it all began.

From there, Chris and Austin turn to the Lions following another win. They break down Detroit’s performance, what stood out, and what the victory says about the Lions as they continue through the season.

Next comes a rough weekend for college football in the state of Michigan. The Wolverines suffered their first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion against Iowa, surrendering the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. Chris breaks down what went wrong for Michigan, the mistakes that ultimately cost them, and what to make of their first defeat of the year.

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Chris and Austin are back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the Detroit Lions’ growing concerns, encouraging signs from Michigan and Michigan State, contract drama surrounding two Detroit stars, and more.

They open the show with the Lions after their loss to the Buffalo Bills exposed a number of glaring issues that are becoming impossible to ignore. Chris and Austin break down what went wrong, the biggest concerns surrounding Detroit, and what needs to change as the Lions move forward.

Next, Chris turns to Michigan after the Wolverines took care of business against UTEP. After an uneven start to the season, Michigan finally appears to be finding its rhythm, and Chris discusses what he liked from the Wolverines and whether they’re beginning to put things together.

From there, Chris and Austin discuss Michigan State’s loss to #3 Notre Dame—a defeat that actually left them more encouraged about the direction of the Spartans. Michigan State fought harder than they have in years and gave one of the best teams in the country a legitimate battle, offering an early glimpse of what the Pat Fitzgerald era could become. Chris and Austin discuss why the performance felt reminiscent of the Mark Dantonio era and why there may finally be reason for optimism in East Lansing.

The conversation then shifts to the Pistons, who have extended Ausar Thompson while continuing to deal with uncertainty surrounding Jalen Duren. Duren has reportedly turned down extension offers from Detroit and is holding out for a larger deal, leading Chris to discuss the ongoing drama and whether the Pistons should be willing to meet his asking price.

Chris also weighs in on another Detroit star surrounded by uncertainty: Dylan Larkin. After previously requesting a trade but remaining with the Red Wings, Larkin now heads toward another season in Detroit with questions still lingering about his future as the team ramps up for the year ahead.

Finally, Chris makes his gambling pick for Michigan-Iowa, taking the under at 39.5 with -110 odds and betting on a low-scoring battle between the Wolverines and Hawkeyes.

The Lions’ glaring problems after falling to Buffalo, Michigan finding its rhythm, Michigan State showing signs of life against #3 Notre Dame, Ausar Thompson’s extension and the Jalen Duren drama, Dylan Larkin’s uncertain future, and the Michigan-Iowa under—all on this week’s episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

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Chris is back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the Detroit Lions’ narrow Week 1 victory, statement wins from Michigan and Michigan State, the state of the Detroit Tigers, problems with modern college football broadcasts, and more.

Chris opens the show with the Detroit Lions after they narrowly escaped with a victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. He breaks down what went right, what went wrong, and what Detroit’s performance tells us about the team as the new season gets underway.

Next, the conversation turns to Michigan after the Wolverines pulled off an upset over #11 Oklahoma. Coming off a disastrous Week 1, Michigan responded with a statement victory that has the Wolverines back in the Top 25. Chris discusses what changed, what stood out against the Sooners, and whether Michigan has officially turned the page on its rough start.

Michigan State is also 2-0 after another victory, with the Spartans looking much more like the team many expected them to be entering the season. But now comes their biggest test yet. Chris looks at MSU’s start before turning his attention to next week’s massive matchup with Notre Dame.

From there, Chris turns to the Detroit Tigers and asks a difficult question: Is there anything redeemable about their 2026 season? He looks at where things have gone wrong for Detroit and what, if anything, can still be taken away from a disappointing year.

Chris then discusses the state of college football broadcasts and why watching games has become less engaging. With constant stoppages, commercial breaks, reviews, and interruptions disrupting the flow of games, he explains why the viewing experience has become increasingly frustrating.

Finally, Chris makes his betting pick for Michigan State-Notre Dame. With the Spartans entering as massive underdogs, Chris likes Michigan State +30.5 and believes MSU can keep the game close enough to cover the spread against the Fighting Irish.

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Chris and Austin are back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down a bizarre week of college football in the state of Michigan, the start of the Detroit Lions’ season, the National League MVP race, and more.

They open the show with Michigan and Michigan State after a strange weekend for both programs. Michigan State escaped with an unusual win, while Michigan survived what looked like a certain upset thanks to a miracle play and a highly controversial ending. Chris and Austin break down what happened, what they took away from both games, and what it means for the Wolverines and Spartans moving forward.

Next, the conversation turns to the Detroit Lions as they prepare to begin their season. Chris and Austin preview the year ahead, look at the biggest questions surrounding Detroit, and discuss what they expect from the Lions this season.

From there, Austin makes the case for Pete Crow-Armstrong over Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race. He explains why PCA deserves the award and why his overall impact should put him ahead of the Dodgers superstar.

The conversation then returns to Michigan football and next week’s matchup against Oklahoma. Chris questions whether Kyle Whittingham could already find himself on the hot seat if Michigan suffers a crushing loss to the Sooners and what that would mean for the Wolverines moving forward.

Finally, Chris makes his gambling pick for Michigan-Oklahoma, taking Oklahoma -5.5 and betting on the Sooners to cover the spread.

Michigan and Michigan State’s bizarre weekend, the Lions’ upcoming season, Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP, Kyle Whittingham’s potential hot seat, and Oklahoma -5.5—all on this week’s episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

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Chris and Austin are back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the biggest stories from around Detroit sports, college football, and beyond.

They open the show with the Detroit Tigers, whose season is basically over in everything but the official sense. After a year that once offered plenty of reason for optimism, the Tigers have watched their season unravel. Chris and Austin break down how Detroit got to this point, what went wrong, and what the collapse means for the organization as attention begins to shift toward the offseason.

Next, the conversation turns to college football as Michigan and Michigan State prepare to kick off their 2026 seasons. Chris and Austin preview both teams, looking at the biggest questions surrounding the Wolverines and Spartans, what they expect from each program this fall, and what would qualify as a successful season for both sides of the rivalry.

From there, they turn to the Detroit Lions and the possibility of adding some much-needed help in the secondary. Chris and Austin discuss where the Lions could still improve their roster, why the secondary remains an area worth watching, and whether Detroit should make another move as the NFL season gets underway.

The conversation returns to baseball and Justin Verlander, whose legendary career appears to be nearing its end. With Verlander expected to retire after the season, Chris and Austin discuss whether the future Hall of Famer will actually take the mound again before calling it a career and what it would mean to see him pitch one final time.

Finally, they look at the national college football picture and make the case for Oregon as one of the best bets to win the National Championship. Chris and Austin break down why the Ducks have everything they need to make a run, how they stack up against the other contenders, and why Oregon could be the team left standing at the end of the season.

The Tigers' season being all but over, Michigan and Michigan State's 2026 football outlooks, the Lions potentially adding secondary help, whether Justin Verlander will pitch again before retirement, Oregon's National Championship chances, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

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Chris and Austin are back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the biggest stories from around Detroit sports, college athletics, and beyond.

They open the show with the Detroit Tigers, who continue to fall apart as the season moves along. After putting themselves in position to make things interesting, Detroit's struggles have continued to pile up. Chris and Austin break down what's gone wrong, where the Tigers stand now, and what their collapse says about the state of the team moving forward.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Red Wings and their confusing search for a new general manager. Chris and Austin discuss the latest developments, the direction of the organization, and what the Red Wings should be looking for as they try to figure out who will lead the franchise into its next era.

From there, they turn to college basketball, where former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler is transferring to BYU. His move sparks a larger conversation about the constantly changing eligibility rules in college sports, the transfer portal, and just how different the college landscape has become.

Chris and Austin then take a broader look at ESPN and ask a question plenty of sports fans have been thinking: what happened? They discuss why ESPN doesn't feel as good as it used to, how the network and sports media have changed over the years, and what they miss about the ESPN of the past.

The conversation returns to Michigan football and Bryce Underwood, with a massive matchup against Oklahoma looming. Chris and Austin explain why this game could be a defining early moment for Underwood and what a strong—or disappointing—performance could mean for the expectations surrounding Michigan's star quarterback.

Finally, they look at Michigan State football and why the Spartans could be a good bet to surpass their win total from a season ago. Chris and Austin break down why there may be reason for optimism in East Lansing and make the case for MSU taking a step forward this season.

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Chris is back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the biggest stories from around Detroit sports and beyond.

He opens the show with the Detroit Tigers, whose recent surge finally hit a wall against the first-place Chicago White Sox. After fighting their way back into the postseason conversation, the Tigers were swept at home by Chicago. Chris breaks down the series, where Detroit stands after the sweep, and whether the Tigers can keep their surprising run alive.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions and the latest developments from the preseason. Center Cade Mays is dealing with an injury, while Detroit has also added another quarterback to the roster. Chris discusses what both developments mean as the Lions continue preparing for the regular season.

Chris then turns his attention to Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who made some questionable comments about the rivalry with Ohio State. With expectations sky-high for Underwood and the Wolverines, Chris reacts to his comments and what they say about one of the biggest rivalries in college football.

Back to the Tigers, Chris makes the case that Scott Harris made the right call at the MLB trade deadline. Detroit's performance since selling off major pieces has only strengthened the argument that Harris correctly evaluated his team and chose to prioritize the future rather than go all-in on the 2026 season.

Chris also asks a big question about former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy: is it officially time to call him a bust? After losing the starting quarterback battle in Minnesota, Chris looks at where McCarthy's NFL career stands and whether there's still reason to believe he can turn things around.

Finally, Chris heads to the betting window with his gambling pick of the week. This time, he's looking at the New England Patriots, a team that could be due for some regression this season.

The Tigers getting swept by the White Sox, the latest from Lions preseason, Bryce Underwood's Ohio State comments, Scott Harris' trade deadline decisions, J.J. McCarthy's future, a New England Patriots betting pick, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

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Chris is back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the biggest stories from around Detroit sports and beyond.

He opens the show with the Detroit Tigers, who are surging and sitting just barely outside of a postseason spot despite selling at the MLB trade deadline. After moving major pieces and seemingly shifting their focus toward the future, the Tigers have refused to go away. Chris breaks down their recent run and whether Detroit can somehow fight its way back into the playoff picture.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions, who just locked up star running back Jahmyr Gibbs with a contract extension. Chris discusses what the deal means for one of the NFL's most explosive offensive weapons and why keeping Gibbs in Detroit could be a huge part of the Lions' future.

Chris then turns his attention to Tarik Skubal, who may not be completely finished with Detroit after all. Despite being traded at the deadline, Skubal appears to have left the door open for a potential return to the Tigers down the road. Could Detroit eventually bring its former ace back, or has Skubal already thrown his final pitch in a Tigers uniform?

Around Major League Baseball, Chris makes the case for Rob Manfred and why the commissioner has ultimately been a positive influence on the sport. From changes to the game itself to MLB's direction under his leadership, Chris explains why Manfred may deserve more credit than he gets.

Finally, Chris looks ahead to the college football season. He breaks down Pat Fitzgerald's chances of leading Michigan State to the College Football Playoff and explains why Michigan could be one of the best win-total bets on the board, with the Wolverines sitting at over 8.5 wins.

The Tigers' surprising playoff push, Jahmyr Gibbs' extension, a potential Tarik Skubal reunion, Rob Manfred's impact on baseball, Michigan State's CFP chances, Michigan's win total, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

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Chris and Austin are back with another episode of BIGPLAY Detroit, breaking down the biggest stories from around Detroit sports and beyond.

They open the show by discussing the Detroit Tigers' decision to trade Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize for a haul of prospects at the MLB trade deadline. With Detroit sitting just 2.5 games out of a postseason spot, was this the right long-term move or a white flag on the 2026 season? Chris and Austin break down the blockbuster deal, what the Tigers received in return, and what it means for the franchise moving forward.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions, who signed veteran linebacker Devin White after Jimmy Rolder's injury. Chris and Austin discuss whether White still has enough left in the tank to make an impact and how the move affects Detroit's defense heading into the season.

Austin then makes the case that Dan Campbell has become the face of Detroit sports. From changing the culture of the Lions to embodying the city's identity, Austin explains why no figure has had a greater impact on Detroit's sports landscape.

Over in Ann Arbor, Chris weighs in on Michigan football and explains why fans shouldn't be concerned about Kyle Whittingham's lack of history in The Game. Chris believes elite coaching is elite coaching, and that Whittingham's decades of experience will have the Wolverines fully prepared for college football's biggest rivalry.

Finally, Chris wraps things up by looking at one of baseball's most intriguing futures markets: Pete Crow-Armstrong's NL MVP odds. Is the Cubs' young star emerging as the league's most valuable player, or is there still value left on the board?

The Tigers' blockbuster trade, the Lions' latest addition, Dan Campbell's legacy, Michigan football, Pete Crow-Armstrong's MVP case, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

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