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Graham Couch

@grahamcouch.bsky.social

2.6K followers 77 following 980 posts

Lansing State Journal columnist, sports and otherwise (a lot of Michigan State football and MSU basketball). Co-host of the Couch and The Rube podcast three days a week.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 10h

🎙️NEW SPARTAN SPEAK POD: @chrissolari.bsky.social and I spend an hour discussing the state of MSU's football program under Jonathan Smith, how things reached this point and what's likely to come.

Download it anywhere you get your podcasts or click below.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

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

On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Graham and Chris spend an hour discussing where MSU football and Jonathan Smith stand after the UCLA loss.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 20h

Here’s 10 minutes of video analysis on MSU football coming out of Jonathan Smith’s presser, heading into the Indiana game.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...

Talkin’ Spartans: Analyzing MSU’s football program under Jonathan Smith heading into the Indiana game

The Lansing State Journal’s Graham Couch and the Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari discuss the situation surrounding Jonathan Smith and MSU football.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Reposted by Graham Couch

Chris Solari @chrissolari.bsky.social · 23h

Smith says MSU QB Aidan Chiles and OG Kristian Phillips will be late-week decisions as to whether they will play at Indiana.

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

Column on Jonathan Smith and a Michigan State tenure in peril, how it came to this and what's likely to happen.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: The Jonathan Smith era of MSU football is in peril. It's hard to see a way forward.

Until Saturday, I held out hope Jonathan Smith might still be able breathe life into this MSU season. But Saturday was different. And Smith knew it.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

Amazing to think what MSU’s offense was a few weeks ago against that USC defense that just tortured Michigan.

Offensive line injuries, sure. But that does not entirely explain MSU’s regression.

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

Here are my grades for Michigan State's football team after its performance Saturday against UCLA.

Column still to come.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Grading Michigan State football's performance against UCLA

Columnist Graham Couch grades the Spartans' performance against UCLA — offense, defense, special teams, coaching and the bottom line.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

Here is 10 minutes of video analysis on MSU's 38-13 loss to UCLA and what it means for Jonathan Smith's tenure.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...

Talkin’ Spartans: Analyzing Michigan State football’s loss to UCLA and what it means for Jonathan Smith

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari, discuss MSU’s loss to UCLA and Jonathan Smith’s tenure.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

Here's a 3 quick takes column on Michigan State's 38-13 loss to UCLA and what it means for Jonathan Smith's tenure.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State football's 38-13 loss to UCLA and Jonathan Smith's tenure

Columnist Graham Couch shares three quick takes on MSU's football team and coach Jonathan Smith's tenure after a bad loss Saturday against UCLA.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

The Citrus Bowl is here. Did they lose their place in the pecking order?

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 2d

What you can't risk is giving UCLA a sense that this is their game to win. That's what MSU did. Iffy decision to go for it, at best. Awful play call. Needed something quicker. Probably with Chiles' feet. Now you're in a fight in a can't-lose game.

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 3d

It would be hilarious if this Tigers-Mariners game delayed Big Noon.

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 3d

Here are 5 determining factors and a prediction for Michigan State's football game against UCLA on Saturday.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Michigan State football vs. UCLA: 5 determining factors and a prediction

A look at Michigan State's football game Saturday against UCLA, with 5 determining factors and a prediction. Plus, how to watch and the betting line.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

🚨😬🤦‍♂️ Couch and The Rube show update:

We’re the Detroit Tigers of podcasting - we reel you in, then screw up again.

Due to a studio scheduling flub, we won’t have a show today. Worse yet, The Rube is then on vacation through Tuesday.

We might not be back until Wednesday.

We’ll make it up to you.

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

There have been other important games in Michigan State’s football season already, games that felt like pivot points or opportunities to take a step. But not a game like this.

Hope for this season stops until the Spartans beat UCLA.

Column.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: For Michigan State football, hope for the season stops until the Spartans beat UCLA

This is not a week where MSU proves it’s a team to be reckoned with. This is the week when MSU proves it’s better than UCLA and stabilizes its season.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

Michigan State's hockey team might have its best top two lines since 1998-99. With that, comes new challenges.

“On paper, we have talent. But I think it gets harder every year. .... We’ve got to make sure everyone's heart is for the team.”

Column.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: MSU hockey might have its best top two lines this century. That comes with new challenges.

“On paper, we have talent,” Adam Nightingale said of an MSU roster with 15 NHL draft picks. “We've got to make sure everyone's heart is for the team.”

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

🎙️❓For Couch and The Rube listeners: We’ll answer your questions during our *THURSDAY morning* show.

Have one?

Reply by *8 a.m.* Thursday or email me at [email protected]

Or add it to the comments on Monday’s show ⬇️ www.youtube.com/live/VsjziLb...

Ep. 1078: Hot Take Monday: Pitchforks after an MSU football mess at Nebraska

YouTube video by Couch and The Rube

www.youtube.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 6d

🎙️NEW SPARTAN SPEAK POD: @chrissolari.bsky.social and I discuss what went wrong at Nebraska, the state of MSU's football team, and an absolute must-win Saturday against UCLA.

Download it wherever you get your podcasts or listen here ⬇️ www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Nebraska exposes MSU flaws, and why UCLA is a must-win game for Jonathan Smith | Spartan Speak

On this week's podcast, Graham and Chris discuss MSU's offensive woes (among other areas) vs Nebraska, and preview Saturday's UCLA game.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 6d

Written on a piece of paper in Adam Nightingale’s office bathroom is the question he was asked as he was being hired as MSU’s hockey coach: “Are you sure you want that job?”

Three years later, MSU might have its best top two lines this century.

Column.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: MSU hockey might have its best top two lines this century. That comes with new challenges.

“On paper, we have talent,” Adam Nightingale said of an MSU roster with 15 NHL draft picks. “We've got to make sure everyone's heart is for the team.”

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 7d

Here is 8 minutes of scintillating MSU football analysis on the Spartans, Jonathan Smith’s presser and the UCLA game, from me and @chrissolari.bsky.social.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...

Talkin’ Spartans: Analyzing the state of MSU football heading into the UCLA game

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press MSU beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Spartans ahead of the UCLA game.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 7d

🚨🎙️📺 Our Monday Couch and The Rube show, digging into our takes and yours –– on MSU football's mess at Nebraska, the state of the Spartans' program, MSU hoops, the Tigers and more — begins now.

The podcast will be up when the show ends.

You can watch and listen now ⬇️ www.youtube.com/live/VsjziLb...

Ep. 1078: Hot Take Monday: Pitchforks after an MSU football mess at Nebraska

YouTube video by Couch and The Rube

www.youtube.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 8d

🚨🎙️ We'll begin Monday’s Couch and The Rube show with our takes.

We want your best take, too — and maybe a bonus or baked take — on MSU football after the loss at Nebraska, the Tigers in the playoffs, the Lions, anything.

Reply 10 a.m. Monday or email me at [email protected]

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 9d

Every Michigan State football game right now feels like a referendum on MSU’s season, and, by extension, Jonathan Smith’s program.

Column on a loss at Nebraska that didn't need to happen, and a team and staff playing for fan base that's short on patience.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: Michigan State's loss at Nebraska was the worst kind of defeat — one that didn't have to happen

Every MSU football game right now feels like a referendum on the Spartans' season, and, by extension, Jonathan Smith’s program. That’s no way to live.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 9d

Here are my grades for Michigan State's performance Saturday at Nebraska.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Grades for Michigan State football's performance at Nebraska

Columnist Graham Couch grades MSU's performance Saturday at Nebraska - offense, defense, special teams, coaching and the bottom line.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 9d

8-plus minutes of MSU football video analysis from Nebraska, from me and @chrissolari.bsky.social, that meets the moment. Or doesn't.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/videos/sport...

Talkin’ Spartans: Analyzing Michigan State football’s 38-27 loss at Nebraska

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press MSU beat writer Chris Solari break down the Spartans’ loss Saturday at Nebraska.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 9d

Here are 3 quick takes on Michigan State's 38-27 loss at Nebraska. What a self-inflected mess.
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports...

Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State football's 38-27 loss at Nebraska

Columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on Michigan State's performance Saturday in a 38-27 loss at Nebraska with three quick takes.

www.lansingstatejournal.com