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. 

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. 

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. 

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 and making predictions. 

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. 

On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch discuss the performance of Michigan State QB Payton Thorne, who has had a bit of a rollercoaster performance in the Spartans' first two games this season. 

Then, they preview Saturday night's Washington game and answer listener questions. 

We've got an actual, live college football game to reach to on this week's Spartan Speak! Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch discuss Michigan State's win over Western Michigan that proved a bit costly, as two key defenders went down with injuries. 

Plus, we talk about Jacoby Windmon, the offensive line, the wideouts, Mel Tucker calling out (maybe) MSU's nutritional team, and we preview Saturday's game vs. Akron. 

Michigan State football's season opener is Friday night against Western Michigan. Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch get you caught up on what to expect in the game, discuss the newest details in Tom Izzo's contract extension and then we do over/unders and predictions for the 2022 college football season. 

Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch catch you up on the latest news in Michigan State sports. 

This week's topics:

• Football and basketball recruiting
• 6 MSU football observations (Keon Coleman and special teams among the topics)
• Listener questions

The Spartan Speak podcast has returned from its annual sabbatical, and just in time, as the Michigan State football team is well into preseason practice and the season opener against Western Michigan is right around the corner. 

The Detroit Free Press's Chris Solari and the Lansing State Journal's Ryan Black take you through the latest in Spartan news. Topics:

• Tom Izzo contract extension
• MSU basketball recruiting lands Coen Carr, Xavier Booker, Gehrig Normand
• 6 MSU football preseason tidbits
• MSU football recruiting
• Listener questions - including 6 hot takes