YEAR ONE CEILING: Michigan State football could EXCEED predictions; Jeremy Fears to NBA Combine

Michigan State football's 2026 season could exceed the projected 3.5-win over/under, with a realistic ceiling of 8-4 if key injuries are avoided and depth holds up. Host Matt Sheehan walks through a scenario where the Spartans win at home against Nebraska, Illinois, and Northwestern, pull off a surprise win at Wisconsin, and even upset Michigan in a rivalry game—though he stresses this is aspirational, not predictive. The team’s thin roster and lack of returning snaps (27% vs. Notre Dame’s 66%) make such a run unlikely, but not impossible with perfect health and breakout performances from players like Kenny Soares and Inelu Lafayette. On the basketball side, the program is compared to last year’s UConn team—flawed but capable of a Final Four run if they stay healthy and avoid early exits. Meanwhile, Jeremy Fears’ NBA Combine invite, while surprising given his mid-tier draft stock, only slightly increases his chances of leaving for the pros. The episode also tackles fan mail on Devine Ukachuku’s departure, arguing his defensive versatility and ball-handling were more valuable than Kurt Tang’s shooting, and concludes with a humorous take on inviting Sparty the mascot to a wedding rehearsal dinner—$1,000 for 45 minutes of photo ops, but potentially priceless memories.