Épisodes

  • Michigan State Football Is at a Crossroads, Rico Beard on What Must Change | This Is Sparta B1G #319

    Michigan State Football Is at a Crossroads, Rico Beard on What Must Change | This Is Sparta B1G #319
    Oct 14 2026
    A homecoming heartbreak. A fan base running out of patience. And one big question: What does Michigan State football want to be? Rico Beard of 97.1 The Ticket joins Jason Strayhorn, Chon “SlowSippa” Taylor, and Spencer Brown for an unfiltered conversation about the Spartans’ overtime loss to Illinois—and the bigger issues facing the program. From the failed two-point conversion to offensive play-calling, roster talent, and coaching accountability, the crew debates why Michigan State keeps falling short. But this conversation goes beyond Saturday’s scoreboard. The guys dig into NIL funding, donor trust, Detroit recruiting, and why December’s transfer portal decisions could define the program’s direction. What would a meaningful roster overhaul look like? What needs to change on the coaching staff? And can Michigan State keep its best players while attracting the talent it needs to compete? Plus, a look ahead to Aidan Chiles’ return with Northwestern, a debate over the Big Ten’s contenders, and why some Spartan fans are already turning their attention to basketball. No moral victories—just a candid discussion about what it will take to move Michigan State forward. Subscribe to This Is Sparta Across the Big Ten, join the conversation in the comments, and check out our Substack for more coverage and behind-the-scenes discussion.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 25 min
  • Does Michigan State Want to Win? Wisconsin Fallout & the QB Revenge Tour | This Is Sparta B1G #318

    Does Michigan State Want to Win? Wisconsin Fallout & the QB Revenge Tour | This Is Sparta B1G #318
    Oct 7 2026
    Three points in Madison. Two former Spartan quarterbacks coming back to East Lansing. And one big question: Does Michigan State want to win? On this episode of This Is Sparta Across the B1G, Jason Strayhorn, Chon “SlowSippa” Taylor, and Spencer Brown break down Michigan State’s 31–3 loss to Wisconsin—and why the frustration goes far beyond the scoreboard. The crew challenges the offensive line’s favorable PFF grades, debates coaching and accountability, and questions whether MSU’s administration is willing to make the NIL investment needed to compete. Next comes a potential quarterback revenge tour: Katin Houser with Illinois and Aidan Chiles with Northwestern. With homecoming approaching, the guys discuss whether the Spartans can respond—or whether tailgating has become the main attraction. Plus, a look around the Big Ten, the debate over coaching to a quarterback’s strengths, and early optimism about Spartan basketball. Unfiltered opinions, former-player perspective, and a demand for a higher standard in East Lansing.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 13 min
  • MSU Football Is Fighting for Pride: The NIL, Recruiting & Culture Crisis | This Is Sparta B1G #317

    MSU Football Is Fighting for Pride: The NIL, Recruiting & Culture Crisis | This Is Sparta B1G #317
    Sep 30 2026
    Michigan State football is at a crossroads. After a frustrating 31–13 loss, the This Is Sparta crew breaks down why this season has quickly become a fight for pride—and why the issues surrounding the program go much deeper than one game or one quarterback. Jason Strayhorn, Sedrick Irvin, Chon “SlowSippa” Taylor, Spencer, and Swerve talk candidly about: MSU’s offensive struggles, injuries, quarterback play, and whether the team needs changes now Why the Spartans appear overmatched physically in Big Ten matchups The importance of culture, player development, and finding an identity under the new staff Whether Michigan State is investing enough in NIL, recruiting, and retaining talent Why former Spartans and recruits have found success elsewhere How programs such as Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana, USC, Alabama, and others are navigating the new college-football landscape Nick Saban’s comments on NIL, player movement, and the changing power structure in college athletics What it will take for Michigan State to become competitive again—and why patience cannot mean accepting mediocrity The Disney goggles are off. This is an honest conversation about where Michigan State football stands, what must improve, and why the next stretch of games matters for every player, coach, and recruit in the program. Go Green. Go White. #MichiganState #MSUFootball #GoGreen #BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #NIL #MichiganStateSpartans #ThisIsSparta

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 20 min
  • $20M Behind:Jeremy Campbell Breaks Down MSU's NIL Gap After the Notre Dame | This Is Sparta B1G #316

    $20M Behind:Jeremy Campbell Breaks Down MSU's NIL Gap After the Notre Dame | This Is Sparta B1G #316
    Sep 23 2026
    This week on This Is Sparta MSU, Stray, Chon "SlowSippa," and Sedrick "Swerve" Irvin break down Michigan State's tough loss to Notre Dame — highlighting a dominant second-quarter stretch from the offense and a breakout game from linebacker Jordan Hall (currently the No. 5 graded linebacker in college football) that has the crew asking whether the Spartans can build on that energy heading into Nebraska. Then Jeremy Campbell, Founder and CEO of Legacy Sports Management & Media and a former Rutgers Big Ten standout, joins the show to talk about what actually separates his agency in the NIL era, how the market really values players (productivity plus personal brand), and what it costs to field a playoff-caliber roster in 2026 — he puts the number at high-$20M to mid-$30M, while MSU's known football spend is closer to $20M short of that mark. The conversation turns political with a breakdown of the "Protect College Sports Act," the lack of player-side representation in its drafting, and the optics around who's being used to sell it to fans. The guys also dig into MSU's $400M athletics donation — and why almost none of it is actually reaching the football roster today — before closing with predictions for this week's home game against Nebraska. Guest: Jeremy Campbell, Founder/CEO, Legacy Sports Management & Media

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 27 min
  • Cam Edwards Balls Out, Notre Dame, and MSU's Budget Excuse Gets Exposed | This Is Sparta B1G #315

    Cam Edwards Balls Out, Notre Dame, and MSU's Budget Excuse Gets Exposed | This Is Sparta B1G #315
    Sep 16 2026
    Michigan State moves to 2-0 after a 35-7 win over Eastern Michigan, but Slow Sipper, Spencer, and Stray aren't just celebrating — they break down the game tape showing real second-half cohesion up front, spotlight Cam Edwards' 152-yard, 2-TD day that ESPN somehow won't acknowledge, and shout out MSU women's soccer at No. 1 in the nation. Then the crew turns to a massive Notre Dame preview, with the Spartans sitting as ~29.5-point underdogs in the first meeting since 2017, and a wider look at Big Ten chaos with Ohio State, Oregon, and Oklahoma all stumbling. The back half gets real: a no-holds-barred breakdown of MSU's athletic department budget, NIL collectives getting shut down, the AD carousel, and why the crew believes the real obstacle to winning isn't the coaching staff — it's the administration. Go White.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 33 min
  • Fitz's First W, Michigan's Meltdown & what's a Difference-Maker? | This Is Sparta MSU #314

    Fitz's First W, Michigan's Meltdown & what's a Difference-Maker? | This Is Sparta MSU #314
    Sep 9 2026
    Pat Fitzgerald's first game as Michigan State's head coach is in the books, and the Spartans got the win over Toledo — but it wasn't pretty. Jason Strayhorn is joined by Chon "SlowSippa" Taylor, Spencer Brown, and Sedrick "Swerve" Irvin to break down everything from East Lansing and around the Big Ten. In this episode: Pat Fitzgerald's aggressive fourth-down calls in his Spartan Stadium debut Cam Edwards' 27-carry, 98-yard performance and what it means for the run game QB Aidan Chiles' efficient day (76% completion) and whether he's a true difference-maker Michigan State's dominant time-of-possession win that didn't show up on the scoreboard Michigan's stunning 7-point performance in a loss to Western Michigan Big Ten weekend reactions: Ohio State, Miami, Notre Dame, LSU, SMU, and Florida State's NIL struggles MSU athletic department shakeup as Alan Haller successor Jesse Palumbo departs for Kentucky A preview of this week's matchup against Eastern Michigan, plus the crew's score predictions Subscribe and hit the bell for weekly Michigan State football and Big Ten coverage all season long. Go Green, Go White! #MichiganState #Spartans #BigTen #CollegeFootball #PatFitzgerald

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 11 min
  • Nakai Martinez Talks “Bag of Chips,” Spencer Brown Calls Out the Schedule | This Is Sparta B1G #313

    Nakai Martinez Talks “Bag of Chips,” Spencer Brown Calls Out the Schedule | This Is Sparta B1G #313
    Sep 2 2026
    Michigan State football is back — and This Is Sparta Across the B1G is locked in for the season opener against Toledo. Jason Strayhorn, Chon “Slow Sippa” Taylor, and sedrick “Swerve” Irvin break down the biggest questions heading into Friday night at Spartan Stadium: What will Jonathan Smith’s Spartans look like in Game 1? Can Michigan State establish a physical identity? And is this the year the Spartans get back to a bowl game? MSU captain and safety Nakai Martinez joins the show to discuss his return from injury, being voted a captain, the intensity brought by Coach Fitz and the staff, defensive communication, playing with a chip — or a whole bag of chips — on his shoulder, and why this team believes it has something to prove. Then former Spartan offensive lineman Spencer Brown stops by with the honest, hilarious, no-filter conversation Spartan fans need before kickoff. The crew debates Michigan State’s schedule, realistic win expectations, the state of the program, NIL, recruiting, culture, identity, and what a convincing win over Toledo needs to look like. Can MSU run the ball, stop the run, play fast, create turnovers, and send a message in the opener? The road to the 2026 season starts now. Topics Nakai Martinez on becoming an MSU captain Coach Fitz’s energy and the team’s “bag of chips” mentality Michigan State vs. Toledo preview and score expectations Spencer Brown’s blunt take on MSU’s schedule Bowl-game expectations for the Spartans The importance of culture, recruiting, NIL, and player development Why Friday night is a statement game for Michigan State Shoutout to MSU women’s soccer and volleyball Like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments: What does Michigan State need to show against Toledo for you to feel confident about the season? Go Green. #MichiganStateFootball #MSUFootball #GoGreen #Spartans #MichiganState #ToledoFootball #BigTenFootball #CollegeFootball #JonathanSmith #NakaiMartinez #ThisIsSparta Alternate titles Nakai Martinez: “We’ve Got a Bag of Chips on Our Shoulder” | MSU vs. Toledo Preview Can Michigan State Make a Statement vs. Toledo? Nakai Martinez + Spencer Brown Join the Show MSU Football Is Back: Toledo Preview, Nakai Martinez Interview & Brutal Schedule Debate “No More Talking”: Michigan State’s Toledo Test Starts the Season Spencer Brown on MSU’s Schedule, Bowl Expectations & Why Toledo Is a Must-Win Michigan State Football 2026 Preview: Nakai Martinez, Toledo, and the Road to a Bowl MSU vs. Toledo: The Spartans Have Something to Prove | This Is Sparta Across the B1G Thumbnail text Best option: “BAG OF CHIPS!” MSU vs. Toledo Other strong options: NO MORE TALKING STATEMENT GAME BOWL GAME OR BUST? CAN MSU GET TO 6? TOLEDO MUST PAY The title and description reflect the episode’s player interview, Toledo game preview, coach-energy discussion, debate over MSU’s identity and schedule, and the hosts’ bowl-game expectations. Sources 1

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 29 min
  • Big Ten Drops the Hammer, NIL’s New Reality & Swerve’s Football Comeback? | This Is Sparta B1G #312

    Big Ten Drops the Hammer, NIL’s New Reality & Swerve’s Football Comeback? | This Is Sparta B1G #312
    Aug 26 2026
    On this episode of This Is Sparta, Jason Strayhorn, Sean “SlowSippa” Taylor and Sedrick “Swerve” Irvin break down the Big Ten’s new penalties for programs that play former NFL players, the wild eligibility battles reshaping the sport, and why the NIL/revenue-sharing era is changing college football faster than anyone can keep up. We’re also joined by Steve DeBruyler of Legacy Sports Management & Media to discuss what athletes and families need to know about NIL, representation, branding, contracts, career planning, and why waiting for the money to “just come” is not a real strategy. Plus: Michigan State women’s soccer takes down No. 7 North Carolina What MSU’s schedule says about the Spartans’ win total Why the transfer portal has turned smaller programs into development leagues The evolving value of staying in college versus entering the NFL Draft Swerve says he still has two years of eligibility left—and Legacy may have a new client Like, subscribe, and drop your Michigan State football prediction in the comments. Go Green. Go White. #MichiganState #MSUFootball #CollegeFootball #NIL #BigTen #SpartanNation #ThisIsSparta

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/this-is-sparta-msu--5664600/support.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 20 min