Great Lakes Divide

In case you missed it, Ryan and Tom offer up their previews and predictions for Michigan State vs. Wake Forest in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and the Citrus Bowl pitting #14 Michigan against #13 Alabama. Also, a look back at the FS1 documentary ‘Divided We Stand’ from a critical perspective - as Tom has an ‘airing of grievances’ in the spirit of Festivus over some elements of the production, while Ryan tries to rise above the ‘humbug’ of it all.

Ryan and Tom recap Saturday’s basketball action with easy home wins for Michigan State over Eastern Michigan (101-48) and Michigan over Presbyterian (86-44). For the Spartans, is Aaron Henry coming out of his funk and beginning to put it all together? Can Foster Loyer be a consistent relief option to spell Cassius Winston for key minutes the rest of the season? For the Wolverines, what is the concern level with the abdominal strain that took Isaiah Livers out of action? Which players benefit most from the upcoming holiday break for Juwan Howard’s team? Also, previews and predictions for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl pitting Michigan State against Wake Forest and the Citrus Bowl between #14 Michigan and #13 Alabama.

Shawn Windsor (Detroit Free Press) joins Ryan and Tom to discuss his poignant article detailing the suffering of Michigan State’s Cassius Winston through the tragic loss of his brother, Zach. Shawn takes you behind the scenes during one of the most difficult and challenging times of Tom Izzo’s coaching career, revealing the raw emotion that Cassius and the entire team has dealt with since that fateful night in November. Also, the guys recap MSU’s 77-72 win at Northwestern, as the Spartans become the only Big Ten team to remain undefeated through the first two games on the schedule - and the first team to win a road game in conference play. Finally, Ryan and Tom recap National Signing Day 2019 for both Michigan and Michigan State football, and address the question of why Jim Harbaugh did not add a single recruit from the state of Ohio in this year’s class.

Ryan and Tom recap a tough home loss for #5 Michigan, 71-70 in overtime to #10 Oregon at Crisler Center, capping off a stretch of three losses in their last four games. Also, Michigan State cruises to a 72-49 win over Oakland University at Little Caesar’s Arena - despite the continued emotional struggle of senior captain Cassius Winston in coping with the death of his brother Zach. And in case you missed it, a fascinating conversation with Ed Sherman (author of ‘This Is B1G’) is revisited in time for the holiday shopping season.

Ryan and Tom discuss the all-encompassing book “This Is B1G,” detailing the entire history of the Big Ten Conference in stories and pictures, with author Ed Sherman. The former Chicago Tribune sportswriter and editor details his research in compiling the book, including a focus on the Michigan-Michigan State and Michigan-Ohio State rivalries, as well as ground-breaking innovations by commissioner Jim Delany and others in setting the tone nationally with projects like the Big Ten Network. Also, a full recap of #5 Michigan’s 71-62 loss in Champaign against Illinois on Wednesday night - as Kofi Cockburn gave Jon Teske and the Wolverines fits, en route to a dominant 19-point, 10-rebound performance. Plus a look ahead at Saturday’s basketball action for both Michigan State, at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit against Oakland University, and Michigan taking on #10 Oregon at Crisler Center.

Ryan and Tom recap the weekend’s college football conference championship games, and the resulting four-team College Football Playoff field - did the committee get it right? Does the playoff need to expand to 8 teams? Initial bowl prospects for Michigan (in the Citrus against Alabama) and Michigan State (New Era Pinstripe bowl vs. Wake Forest) are explored, along with the entire slate of bowl games for the Big Ten’s nine qualifying teams. Also, reflecting on Michigan’s wild 103-91 home win over Iowa to start conference play - as well as Michigan State’s slugfest against Rutgers in a 77-65 win at Breslin.

Ryan and Tom go double-barrel basketball, with a pair of marquee college hoops match-ups that ended in disappointing fashion for the #4 Michigan Wolverines (58-43 loss at #1 Louisville) and the #11 Michigan State Spartans (87-75 home loss to #10 Duke). Draymond Green is honored at Breslin with his number 23 being raised to the rafters, we hear from him and Tom Izzo on the celebration. Post-game comments from Izzo reveal a team still trying to find itself, as the Spartans were outworked and outcoached by Vernon Carey, Jr. and Mike Krzyzewski. Jordan Nwora provided the ‘smoke’ David DeJulius was asking for, as the Cardinals clamped down on the road-weary Wolverines. Despite the team’s first loss, Juwan Howard remains optimistic on his team’s effort and accomplishments at this early stage. Plus, the guys make their picks on the Big Ten Championship Game between #1 Ohio State and #8 Wisconsin - as well as the four spots in the College Football Playoff.

Ryan and Tom look back at lamentable performances by both the Wolverines in ‘The Game’ against Ohio State, and the Spartans in a backdoor escape against woeful Maryland to become bowl-eligible. Has time run out on Don Brown and the current Michigan defensive scheme and personnel? Does Michigan need to make full-scale changes on that side of the ball to keep up in the arms race with Ohio State? Is ‘Meeting the Minimum Standard’ now the acceptable mantra for Michigan State football? And WHY did they have hats inscribed with ‘Program Win’ made for this game? Juwan Howard provides a bright spot for discussion with a Battle 4 Atlantis Championship, beating North Carolina and Gonzaga in the process, as Wolverines basketball prepares for a tough trip to Louisville. Michigan State basketball must find a way to stop Vernon Carey, needing more from Xavier Tillman in their rematch of last season’s Elite 8 against Duke.

Ryan and Tom are joined by New York Times best-selling author and University of Michigan historian John U. Bacon for a fun-filled Thanksgiving podcast, previewing Michigan and Ohio State on the gridiron. Ryan incorrectly guesses John’s middle name, but gets him to reveal his prediction for the game and his fondest memories of the rivalry. Tom asks about the heel turn of Greg Mattison from the Wolverines to the Buckeyes, and how that might impact the temperature of the battle. Highlights from Mark Dantonio’s press conference are featured, along with the guys making predictions against the spread for Michigan State-Maryland, as well as The Game itself. Looking back on MSU Basketball’s performance in Maui, along with Michigan getting started against Iowa State in the Battle 4 Atlantis in The Bahamas.

Ryan and Tom look back at Michigan’s impressive 39-14 road victory in Bloomington over Indiana, highlighted by another standout passing performance from Shea Patterson. Jim Harbaugh discusses a breakout game for Nico Collins, which included a big splash 76-yard touchdown reception - one of three scores on the day for the Wolverines wideout. Does this mean Michigan is ready for Ohio State? Aidan Hutchinson touches on the momentum from this win for the Maize and Blue. Michigan State does what they needed to do to remain on a path to bowl-eligibility with a 27-0 win at Rutgers, as Cody White dominated the Scarlet Knights secondary to the tune of 11 catches for 136 yards and three TDs of his own. Meanwhile, Michigan basketball takes care of Houston Baptist in a tune-up for the Bahamas and the Battle For Atlantis - and Michigan State prepares for Landers Nolley II and Virginia Tech in the Maui Invitational on Monday. Featuring Queens of the Stone Age new re-release of Songs for the Deaf on vinyl, brought to you by The Record Lounge.