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Rating

★★★★★

4.5

from

163 reviews

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Graham Couch and Jason Knick are a dynamic duo that get together every afternoon to discuss Michigan State and Big Ten football and men’s basketball, Detroit pro sports and the buzz nationally. The show is a fun, engaging, and thought-provoking all-in-one radio and podcast experience for the Michigan State, Michigan and Detroit sports fan whose assorted interests also might include the outrageous national story, sports gambling and life’s relatable predicaments. Hosts Graham Couch, a sports columnist at the Lansing State Journal, and Jason Knick, “The Rube,” bring you two hours a day of the topics and stories that grab you — often with your input and through insightful interviews with those who know the stories best.

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Ep. 1186: Hot Take Monday: MSU football takes its foot off the pedal in final minutes

2026/10/19

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.

Ep. 1185: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football's ability to compete and CFB's 24-team playoff

2026/10/16

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.

Ep. 1184: Louie Vaccher on Northwestern football, Aidan Chiles and Pat Fitzgerald

2026/10/14

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).

Ep. 1183: Hot Take Monday: Mixed feelings about MSU's loss to Illinois and an angst-less Lions win

2026/10/12

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.

Ep. 1182: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football and basketball and Dan Bartholomae's letter

2026/10/09

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.

Ep. 1181: Nick Baumgardner on the Lions, Spartans and Wolverines

2026/10/07

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).

Ep. 1180: Hot Take Monday: What to make of the Spartans and Lions

2026/10/05

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.

Ep. 1179: Jim Polzin on Wisconsin football and the matchup with MSU; and Twitter questions

2026/10/01

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).

Ep. 1178: Hot Take Monday: MSU football vibes crater after injuries, Nebraska defeat

2026/09/28

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.

Ep. 1177: Izzo's hopes for MSU basketball; Steven Sipple on Nebraska football; and Twitter questions

2026/09/23

We open discussing Tom Izzo's high hopes for this MSU basketball team. Then a conversation when Nebraska columnist Steven Sipple on the Huskers' football team and what to expect against MSU this Saturday (12:00). Plus, we answered your questions on MSU football and basketball, the Lions, Tigers and more (36:00). Lastly, we made our picks for this week's college football and NFL games (1:08:00).

Ep. 1176: Hot Take Monday: The MSU football loss that didn't feel like a defeat

2026/09/21

We dug into our hot takes and yours — on MSU football's performance at Notre Dame and how it sets up the rest of the season, on MSU basketball and Tom Izzo's recruiting after landing guard Antonio Pemberton, on the awful Wyoming bet, on the Lions and Brad Holmes, and more.

Ep. 1175: Twitter Question Friday: Lions woes; Does MSU have a shot at Notre Dame? Will MSU ever?

2026/09/18

We opened with a conversation on the Lions after their loss to Josh Allen and the Bills, joined by former LSJ sportswriter and Wyoming's own Cody Tucker. Then we answered your questions on MSU football heading into the Spartans' game against Notre Dame and where the program is headed, on the Lions' shortcomings, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, and more (35:00).

Ep. 1174: Pete Sampson on the Notre Dame-MSU football matchup; and how much CFB teams have in NIL

2026/09/16

The Athletic's Notre Dame football beat writer Pete Sampson joined us for a conversation on the Irish — just how good this Notre Dame team is, the rivalry with Michigan State, and how this matchup between Notre Dame and MSU might go on Saturday night (16:00). Then a discussion on The Athletic's story on how much each school is spending on its roster, including MSU and Michigan (33:00), and a new poll that shows a declining interest in football among young people (43:00). Plus, are the Tigers worth following here at the end of the season? (52:00) And our college football and NFL picks for this week (57:00).

Ep. 1173: Hot Take Monday: Mixed opinions on MSU football, Detroit Lions after recent performances

2026/09/14

We dug into our takes and yours — on Michigan State football after its Week 2 performance against Eastern Michigan and heading into Saturday's game at Notre Dame, on the Detroit Lions' performance in an overtime win against the Saints, on Michigan football and Bryce Underwood, and more.

Ep. 1172: Twitter Question Friday: MSU football expectations in Week 2 and Blue Wall denial

2026/09/11

We answered your questions on Michigan State football heading into Week 2, what success looks like against Eastern Michigan and this season, on Michigan football and Bryce Underwood, on Detroit media and the Blue Wall, on rushing the field, Izzo and Grind Week, troughs at Spartan Stadium and more.

Podcast reviews

Read Couch and The Rube podcast reviews

4.5 out of 5

163 reviews

★★★☆☆

Nate12and35 2026/06/08

Not a fan of recent change

I understand the need for some help with the show, but I’m not here to listen to a nepo baby get his shot at being on the radio. Love listening to yo...

★★★★★

Otisius14 2026/06/04

Goats

Easily the best podcast on msu sports and perhaps the best on Detroit sports as well.

★★★☆☆

uncledrew303 2025/11/11

Not Awful

Good info on MSU and Detroit sports with some random TDS thrown in there, cuz they can’t help themselves.

★★☆☆☆

Bxtreme1 2025/03/26

Just want sports

If it were just Couch talking Spartan sports for about 45 minutes it’d be the best podcast out there. Don’t really care for the other 90 minutes of co...

★☆☆☆☆

BigGrandpaJ 2024/11/07

Thanks for your political view

The majority of America disagrees with your opinion, Graham. I just don’t get why you would spend the first 10 minutes insulting our President elect, ...

★★★★★

TNwolfe 2022/12/02

Couch and the Rube

I really enjoy the show and look forward to each episode. Very entertaining. Good job guys.

★★★★★

Anthony48872 2022/09/04

Amazing podcast!

Theses guys f’n rock! Best sports podcast in Michigan if not the country! So funny and informative. Just wish Graham showed some love for the bundesli...

★★★★★

Marksnyder9 2022/07/25

Only have one complaint.

The show isn’t long enough and I wish it were 5 days a week.

★★★★★

LuisHe24 2022/06/22

A must for MSU fans

Super fun and chill listen. A must for me

★★★★★

willsro1 2022/05/03

My Favorite Pod

I look forward to every new episode release. A must listen-to if you are an MSU fan or just enjoy two guys talking about relevant topics and with goo...

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