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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 9h

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...

“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.”

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 22h

🎙️❓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...

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 1d

🎙️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...

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

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 1d

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...

“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.”

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 3d

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...

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

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 3d

🚨🎙️📺 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...

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 3d

🚨🎙️ 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]

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 4d

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...

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.

Grades for Michigan State football's performance at Nebraska

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 4d

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

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

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 4d

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...

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

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

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 4d

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

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

Ep. 1077: Twitter Question Friday: Can MSU football win at Nebraska? Can Izzo own the rev-share era?

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 4d

Plus, MSU gets its best unit - its defense - back on the field with the wind at its back for another 2:37.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 4d

Five straight stops by MSU's defense.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

What a half.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

Unreal. Up is down and down is up.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

Not since Devin Gardner in 2013 have I seen a drive against MSU go that poorly for the opponent. Nebraska lost 32 yards in three plays and then punted for 18 yards.

Three sacks on one drive (two officially).

Who knew? MSU's defense just needed to be on the field.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

Big drive coming up here for MSU's defense.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

The significance of finishing that drive with a touchdown and having Alessio look comfortable can't be overstated. This thing looked like it was about to get out of hand.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

MSU screwing this game up in all kinds of ways. Penalty negates a 62-yard punt down to the 5 yard line. Second punt gets blocked for a touchdown and Ryan Eckley gets hammered.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 5d

That looked way too easy for Nebraska's offense.

MSU missed opportunities on first and second down on its own possession - ran into own guy, then dropped pass. Can't do that today if the Spartans want to keep pace.

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 6d

🚨🎙️📺 Friday morning's Couch and The Rube show, answering your questions — on MSU football at Nebraska and big picture, MSU hoops and Izzo's recruiting, the ALCS-bound Tigers and more — begins now.

The pod will be up when the show ends.

You can watch or listen now ⬇️ www.youtube.com/live/qtGXILH...

Ep. 1076: Previewing MSU football at Nebraska; Izzo lands a recruit; our football picks with Harry

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 6d

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

Have one?

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

Or add it to the comments on Wednesday’s show on YouTube ⬇️ www.youtube.com/live/Z-ivlmi...

Couch: Malik Spencer chose to stick it out at MSU. 'Why leave and build somewhere else, if I can stay and build here?'

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Graham Couch @grahamcouch.bsky.social · 7d

Malik Spencer fits the profile of someone who could have left MSU - a Georgia kid, an early Mel Tucker recruit. But that's now how Spencer sees things.

“Why would I leave my team to go build with another team, with another group of people?”

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

Malik Spencer was a Mel Tucker recruit, a kid from Georgia, who fit the profile of a player who might transfer from MSU. 'Why would I leave my team?'