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Spartan Speak

USA Today

Weekly discussion from the Lansing State Journal … Lansing, Michigan.

Location:

United States

Networks:

USA Today

Description:

Weekly discussion from the Lansing State Journal … Lansing, Michigan.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Hello, Pat Fitzgerald. Goodbye, Jonathan Smith, as MSU football changes course

12/1/2025
The Michigan State football program has a new leader: former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the firing of Jonathan Smith and what they think of the hiring of Fitzgerald as the Spartans' football coach. Plus, MSU basketball is rolling, with a huge week ahead.

Duration:00:55:46

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Postgame reaction to MSU football's loss to Iowa

11/23/2025
Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal and Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press discuss Michigan State football's loss to Iowa on Saturday.

Duration:00:14:20

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MSU hoops serves notice. MSU football served by the NCAA.

11/20/2025
Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State basketball's win over Kentucky in the Champions Classic and what it means for the Spartans' team and season. Then a conversation on MSU football, both heading into the Iowa game and the impact of the NCAA sanctions.

Duration:01:17:40

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MSU football is on probation. How and why it happened and what it means for the program

11/13/2025
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the probation handed down to the Michigan State football program by the NCAA for violations under Mel Tucker. From every angle possible, including the Connor Stalions/CMU game and compared to what penalties Michigan received.

Duration:01:14:56

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Massive weekend ahead for MSU sports, minus football

11/7/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State basketball's win over Colgate, the game ahead against Arkansas, new recruit Jasiah Jervis, MSU hockey's showdown with Gavin McKenna and Penn State, and MSU football's controversial loss to Minnesota.

Duration:00:43:05

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Minnesota preview, plus a discussion on MSU basketball vs UConn

10/30/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's football team and program heading into the Minnesota game and whether this team has a chance to break its five-game losing streak. Then, a discussion on what we saw from MSU's men's basketball team in its exhibition against UConn.

Duration:00:56:33

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MSU-Michigan preview with 'Hail Yes!', the Detroit Free Press' U-M podcast

10/24/2025
The boys from the Spartan Speak podcast, Graham Couch and Chris Solari, joined Andrew Birkle and Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press and their University of Michigan athletics podcast, 'Hail Yes!' to preview this weekend's Michigan State-Michigan football game.

Duration:00:49:09

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Can Jonathan Smith win back MSU fans by beating Michigan?

10/21/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the angst surrounding Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football's matchup with Michigan. Plus, a little hoops.

Duration:00:57:47

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What's next for Michigan State football, Jonathan Smith after UCLA loss

10/14/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari spend an hour discussing the state of Michigan State's football program, how things got here with Jonathan Smith, and what lies ahead.

Duration:01:00:30

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Nebraska exposes many MSU problem areas, and why UCLA is a must-win game for Jonathan Smith

10/8/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State football's mess of a showing at Nebraska and the latest biggest game of the Jonathan Smith era, Saturday against UCLA.

Duration:00:45:02

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MSU-Nebraska is a swing game, and what Julius Avent brings to Spartan basketball

10/2/2025
On this week's podcast. Lansing State Journal reporter Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari preview the Michigan State-Nebraska football game and look at how the Spartans can win. Plus, we discuss new MSU hoops recruit Julius Avent at the end.

Duration:00:34:17

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Is Jonathan Smith the coach to lead MSU football in NIL era? Plus, MSU basketball practice begins

9/25/2025
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari talk about the state of Michigan State's football team coming out of the USC loss and the schedule ahead. Plus, a first look at this MSU basketball team as practice begins.

Duration:00:54:44

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Time to panic? Michigan State heads into USC with injuries, uninspiring win vs. Youngstown State

9/17/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari look at the Michigan State football team's chances at USC, the importance of the game, and, beyond winning, what might be considered a successful trip.

Duration:00:39:49

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The vibes are immaculate for MSU football after beating Boston College

9/11/2025
On this week's Spartan Speak, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari take a look at where things stand with Michigan State's football team after the win over Boston College, heading into Saturday's game against Youngstown State. Plus, the USC start time and some Spartan basketball schedule talk.

Duration:00:46:21

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What's at stake vs. Boston College for Michigan State football and Aidan Chiles

9/3/2025
On this week's episode, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari dig into Michigan State's win over Western Michigan and look ahead to the Boston College game - what we're looking for from Aidan Chiles, the defense and more.

Duration:01:01:46

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Western Michigan preview: What to expect from Michigan State football

8/28/2025
The Michigan State football team kicks off its season Friday night against Western Michigan, as the Spartans begin Year 2 under Jonathan Smith. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari preview MSU's opener against the Broncos - what they think might happen, what's important for the Spartans to accomplish, and things they're curious to see unfold. Plus, they'll make predictions for the game.

Duration:00:44:49

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Breaking down Michigan State football position groups

8/22/2025
The Michigan State football season is near, which means it's time for the Spartan Speak podcast to break down the position groups. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari take a spin through each position, getting into strengths and concerns as the Spartans head into their Week 1 game vs. Western Michigan.

Duration:01:06:16

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Fall Camp Takeaways: What we think we know about MSU's football team

8/13/2025
On the latest episode of the Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig into the MSU football storylines at fall camp, including what they think they know about this team, without having seen them play. Plus, a spin through the football schedule and a look at MSU's men's basketball team coming out of the summer.

Duration:01:16:19

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What MSU basketball can still do in the transfer portal

4/14/2025
In the two weeks following Michigan State basketball's loss to Auburn in the Elite Eight, the Spartans have already seen a shift in the team. Jase Richardson declared for the NBA draft, Tre Holloman transferred to NC State and Kaleb Glenn has transferred in from Florida Atlantic. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig into all things Spartan basketball - including what Tom Izzo and his staff can do in the transfer portal. Plus, spring football, hockey and gymnastics.

Duration:01:05:54

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Michigan State-Ole Miss NCAA Tournament preview, with a MSU-Michigan Elite Eight matchup potentially looming

3/28/2025
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari preview the Michigan State basketball team's Sweet 16 game against Chris Beard and Ole Miss.

Duration:00:27:57