Couch and The Rube

We opened with a discussion on Michigan State basketball after the Spartans' exhibition performance against Connecticut. Then a conversation with the California Post's Ben Bolch on UCLA football and how the Bruins have turned it around so quickly (16:00). Then we answered your questions on MSU football and hoops — from the center spot to Coen Carr — and more (39:00). Finally, our picks for this week's college football and NFL games (1:56:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — largely on MSU football and Pat Fitzgerald's decision to run the ball three times before kicking a would-be lead-taking field goal that was blocked, rather than be more aggressive late against Northwestern, and on MSU's program long-term, including at quarterback.

We answered your questions — on Michigan State football, the Spartans' slew of injuries, the program's ability to compete long-term financially and with Pat Fitzgerald, and Saturday's game against Northwestern, on the new 24-team College Football Playoff and what it means for the sport, on MSU basketball, the Pistons, Red Wings, and our best bets.

We talked MSU football off the top and significance of this week's game against Northwestern for Pat Fitzgerald and the program. Then, the only veteran of the Northwestern football beat, Louie Vaccher, joined us for a conversation on this Wildcats team, Aidan Chiles, Chip Kelly's offense, what folks think of Pat Fitzgerald there, the new Ryan Field and the matchup with MSU (18:00). Plus, Michigan football's own misery and Bryce Underwood's struggles (48:00), are the Lions actually in OK shape with Brian Branch's return (59:00), and our weekly college football and NFL picks (1:06:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football's performance and overtime loss to Illinois, the awful refereeing, Pat Fitzgerald's middle finger, on the Lions' win over the Cardinals, and more.

We answered your questions — on Michigan State football and when it's fair to have expectation, on athletic director Dan Bartholomae's letter to fans and funding football, on MSU basketball and potential lineups, on the Lions, Detroit pro sports GMs and more.

We opened with a conversation on MSU football and what's at stake Saturday against Illinois, as well as what the passage of the Protect College Sports Act would mean for MSU and college football. Then a conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on why the Lions' defense is where it is and whether it can be fixed in time to save this season, on the state of MSU football's roster and program under Pat Fitzgerald, and what's gone so wrong at Michigan under Kyle Whittingham (25:00). Plus, our college football and NFL picks for this week (51:00).

We dug into the weekend that was — MSU football's demoralizing loss at Wisconsin, the Lions' soul-crushingly inept defense, and , on a more positive note, what we learned from MSU basketball's exhibition win on Friday.

Wisconsin State Journal columnist Jim Polzin joined us for a conversation on the Badgers' matchup with MSU and the state of Wisconsin's program under Luke Fickell (13:00). Then we answered your questions on MSU football, the path under Pat Fitzgerald, MSU basketball and Coen Carr and the center spot, on the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and more (33:00). Finally, our picks for this week's college football and NFL games (2:03:00).

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football after the Spartans' loss to Nebraska and the teams injuries and struggles on the field, on the job Pat Fitzgerald has in front of him, and whether MSU football will win another game; on Michigan's loss to Iowa, the Lions' win over the Jets, Justin Verlander's send-off, the Rube's trip to the Presidents Cup, and more.