Spartan Speak

Spartan Speak

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

Episodes

February 11, 2026 50 mins

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press sportswriter Chris Solari discuss the MSU men's basketball team's place in the Big Ten, whether the race is over, and where the Spartans are headed. Plus, a couple big games for the MSU women's basketball team.

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In a Detroit Free Press and Lansing State Journal collaboration, the "Hail Yes!" and "Spartan Speak" podcasts join to preview Michigan vs. Michigan State. Freep's assistant sports editor Andrew Birkle, U-M sports reporter Tony Garcia, MSU sports writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch answered listener questions live.

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Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State's 15-2 men's basketball team, what's gotten the Spartans to this place, which players have propelled them, which could do more and what the rest of the season looks like as they head out west to face Washington and Oregon. Plus, a look at MSU football's staff and work in the transfer portal.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 pr...

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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. 

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