August 18, 2025 • 7 mins
Aidan Champion of SI.com joins the show to talk all things Michigan State and Big Ten Football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We've got Aiden Champion here on the Lindsay Hunter Foundation
guest Line. He covers Michigan State football for SI dot Com.
Also the deputy editor, Aiden, how are you, my friend, Trend's.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good to hear your voice, my buddy. I'm doing great,
and I'm excited for football season coming up here. We
are nearly there, man, I'm so excited.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Yeah, you and me both, no kidding.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
I can't wait to stop talking about preseason football and
Hen and Hooker and all that bs. But I do
got to ask you this, because you cover the Spartans
quickly on Michigan football. The sanctions or lack thereof, came
out on Friday. What's your general take on Michigan? Did
they get off too easy? Is it too much? Is
the significant fine of twenty million dollars not enough?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
What do you think?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah, you know, I mean, it wasn't anything I was
too surprised about. I didn't think there was necessarily going
to be vacated wins or you know, a suspension, but
as far as postseason, but you know, I it's hard
to say what was deserved, especially when you kind of
look at the hypocrisy. I think that's kind of why
(01:07):
a lot of fan bases are are essentially pissed off
right now. Was because you know what other programs have
been dealt in the past for you know, much lesser, right, Yeah,
And I just think, yeah, they I mean, they got
away with with murder essentially, with with what they did
(01:28):
in those three years. But at the same time, you know,
that was a championship team. Okay, I'm not gonna necessarily
take away from that. I do think they were the
best team in the Big Ten those three years. I agree,
you know, it is just for them. Frankly, it's a
shame that they that they did cheat because it will
(01:50):
forever taint their lexy. I think ultimately that's the biggest
outcome all out of all this.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Now, the bottom line is super people. Some people just
aren't going to let it go right And that's okay.
I mean, Michigan fans can throw it right back in
your face and say we're champions forever. Didn't get vacated.
It is what it is. But it's still frustrating to
a lot.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Of people, right will it will always be tainted. But
the one thing that stands out to me though, with
you know what's a panel Ultimately concluded, is the evidence
being destroyed and how it was kind of like, you know,
this happened. Then we can't really conclude anything with certainty
(02:30):
because of this, so we're gonna let it go. It's like, well,
that's not necessarily what you.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Should do in that right, All right, Let's shift to
Michigan State because that's what you actually cover, that's your wheelhouse,
and I think that's what a lot of people do
want to hear about. I think a lot of people
are ready to put the counter Stallions thing to bed.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Michigan State.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
I've got them this year winning six games, six and six,
even Mendoza Ligne make a Bowl game. That's a step
from last season. Am I crazy for thinking they win six?
Am I crazy for thinking they win only six games?
What do you think them?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
No? I think that is the bare minimum I'm looking at,
you know, not including bowl game. I'm looking at seven
or eight wins. I think it all comes down to
how you start. I think you've got a very favorable
early schedule of three straight home games to start, But
I've been saying the most crucial stretch of the season
(03:23):
is going to be those first two away games USC Nebraska.
I think you got to at least split those and
if you're you know, if you come back for homecoming
against UCLA and you've already got four wins under your belt,
I think you're sitting pretty and the rest of the
way there you can only hope you get better and
(03:44):
win some games that maybe you shouldn't. And I think
that it's all going to be about how they start
out the gate.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah, and a lot is a lot is going to
be made of Aid and Childs. And that's not just
because we always look at the quarterback as football fans,
But if I can draw a comparison to the Lions,
you know, people do look at shared goth but they
also look at all the weapons.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
It seems like there's a lot.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Of emphasis on Aiden Schiles, not a ton on the weapons.
What can you tell us about what else the Spartans
have offensively than Aiden Schiles?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Well, yeah, I mean, it does all start with a Chiles,
and they they'll only go as far as he takes them.
But I think a lot of the reasons he's going
to be better is because of what he's got around him.
Number one, of course, the wide receiver's got a plethora
of receivers he can throw to as well as Jack Belly.
(04:36):
And I think there's a lot of weapons you got there.
But I think, you know it's cliche, but we always
say everything starts up front, starts in the trenches. This
offensive line, I feel is much improved. They've got a
hunger to bring back a grittiness to this group in
East Lansing. They've got some new guys like kind of
(04:57):
more Luca Vincich, Matt Goldwin probably going to be your center.
And then you've got some key returners to Christian Phillips, Grocious,
Dan Rameil. I think there's a nice blend there of
some veterans from other schools who had success at their
forum programs, and then some newcomers who you know, have
(05:19):
seen who saw the struggles on the offensive line last year,
know what the standard is now, and you know, I
do think that it ultimately is going to boil down
to the offensive line.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Aiden Champion, deputy editor and beat writer for the Michigan
State Spartans from SI joining us here on Exist and Barrows.
You can follow them on Twitter at Champion Underscore. Aiden
Aiden spelled with an A Champion as in the twenty
twenty five Lions.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
What do you think aiden.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
The twenty twenty five lines?
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Well, you think they're winning it all?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Oh man? Well, you know, it's very tough to say,
especially I am the line stand and then it was
tough thinking that they would win it all last year
until that the Commander's Game. But it's hard to get
your hopes up now. But you got to and it's
Queen slate. I don't know. I think it's just like
(06:14):
last year. It's gonna come down to injuries and you
gotta stay healthy. So we'll have to see. But this
it's gonna be a tough division again. But I am.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Excited bring it full circle for the Big Ten. And
when you look big picture at the Big Ten, no
pun intended, who's the best team who wins the conference
this year? And why is it not Penn State?
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Why is it not Penn Stakes?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yes, you know where I'm going with that one.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
He get my answer. But I do think it would
be fun State, and I think they just returned too
much talent. But if not them, you know, I would
say I probably say I'll have State, And once again,
I think there will be a lot of playoff implications
(07:02):
with that or national championship implications even with that final
game against Michigan, and I think this could be the
best matchup between those two that we've had in these
four or five year stretch or so.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
All Right, so Aiden Champion says Michigan got off easy,
the Spartans are winning seven or eight games, and Penn
State's gonna win the Big ten. Aiden, thank you so
much for joining us here on Ex's and bros Man
be good, Trent.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
I appreciate you having me
We've got Aiden Champion here on the Lindsay Hunter Foundation
guest Line. He covers Michigan State football for SI dot Com.
Also the deputy editor, Aiden, how are you, my friend, Trend's.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good to hear your voice, my buddy. I'm doing great,
and I'm excited for football season coming up here. We
are nearly there, man, I'm so excited.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Yeah, you and me both, no kidding.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
I can't wait to stop talking about preseason football and
Hen and Hooker and all that bs. But I do
got to ask you this, because you cover the Spartans
quickly on Michigan football. The sanctions or lack thereof, came
out on Friday. What's your general take on Michigan? Did
they get off too easy? Is it too much? Is
the significant fine of twenty million dollars not enough?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
What do you think?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah, you know, I mean, it wasn't anything I was
too surprised about. I didn't think there was necessarily going
to be vacated wins or you know, a suspension, but
as far as postseason, but you know, I it's hard
to say what was deserved, especially when you kind of
look at the hypocrisy. I think that's kind of why
(01:07):
a lot of fan bases are are essentially pissed off
right now. Was because you know what other programs have
been dealt in the past for you know, much lesser, right, Yeah,
And I just think, yeah, they I mean, they got
away with with murder essentially, with with what they did
(01:28):
in those three years. But at the same time, you know,
that was a championship team. Okay, I'm not gonna necessarily
take away from that. I do think they were the
best team in the Big Ten those three years. I agree,
you know, it is just for them. Frankly, it's a
shame that they that they did cheat because it will
(01:50):
forever taint their lexy. I think ultimately that's the biggest
outcome all out of all this.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Now, the bottom line is super people. Some people just
aren't going to let it go right And that's okay.
I mean, Michigan fans can throw it right back in
your face and say we're champions forever. Didn't get vacated.
It is what it is. But it's still frustrating to
a lot.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Of people, right will it will always be tainted. But
the one thing that stands out to me though, with
you know what's a panel Ultimately concluded, is the evidence
being destroyed and how it was kind of like, you know,
this happened. Then we can't really conclude anything with certainty
(02:30):
because of this, so we're gonna let it go. It's like, well,
that's not necessarily what you.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Should do in that right, All right, Let's shift to
Michigan State because that's what you actually cover, that's your wheelhouse,
and I think that's what a lot of people do
want to hear about. I think a lot of people
are ready to put the counter Stallions thing to bed.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Michigan State.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
I've got them this year winning six games, six and six,
even Mendoza Ligne make a Bowl game. That's a step
from last season. Am I crazy for thinking they win six?
Am I crazy for thinking they win only six games?
What do you think them?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
No? I think that is the bare minimum I'm looking at,
you know, not including bowl game. I'm looking at seven
or eight wins. I think it all comes down to
how you start. I think you've got a very favorable
early schedule of three straight home games to start, But
I've been saying the most crucial stretch of the season
(03:23):
is going to be those first two away games USC Nebraska.
I think you got to at least split those and
if you're you know, if you come back for homecoming
against UCLA and you've already got four wins under your belt,
I think you're sitting pretty and the rest of the
way there you can only hope you get better and
(03:44):
win some games that maybe you shouldn't. And I think
that it's all going to be about how they start
out the gate.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah, and a lot is a lot is going to
be made of Aid and Childs. And that's not just
because we always look at the quarterback as football fans,
But if I can draw a comparison to the Lions,
you know, people do look at shared goth but they
also look at all the weapons.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
It seems like there's a lot.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Of emphasis on Aiden Schiles, not a ton on the weapons.
What can you tell us about what else the Spartans
have offensively than Aiden Schiles?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Well, yeah, I mean, it does all start with a Chiles,
and they they'll only go as far as he takes them.
But I think a lot of the reasons he's going
to be better is because of what he's got around him.
Number one, of course, the wide receiver's got a plethora
of receivers he can throw to as well as Jack Belly.
(04:36):
And I think there's a lot of weapons you got there.
But I think, you know it's cliche, but we always
say everything starts up front, starts in the trenches. This
offensive line, I feel is much improved. They've got a
hunger to bring back a grittiness to this group in
East Lansing. They've got some new guys like kind of
(04:57):
more Luca Vincich, Matt Goldwin probably going to be your center.
And then you've got some key returners to Christian Phillips, Grocious,
Dan Rameil. I think there's a nice blend there of
some veterans from other schools who had success at their
forum programs, and then some newcomers who you know, have
(05:19):
seen who saw the struggles on the offensive line last year,
know what the standard is now, and you know, I
do think that it ultimately is going to boil down
to the offensive line.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Aiden Champion, deputy editor and beat writer for the Michigan
State Spartans from SI joining us here on Exist and Barrows.
You can follow them on Twitter at Champion Underscore. Aiden
Aiden spelled with an A Champion as in the twenty
twenty five Lions.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
What do you think aiden.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
The twenty twenty five lines?
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Well, you think they're winning it all?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Oh man? Well, you know, it's very tough to say,
especially I am the line stand and then it was
tough thinking that they would win it all last year
until that the Commander's Game. But it's hard to get
your hopes up now. But you got to and it's
Queen slate. I don't know. I think it's just like
(06:14):
last year. It's gonna come down to injuries and you
gotta stay healthy. So we'll have to see. But this
it's gonna be a tough division again. But I am.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Excited bring it full circle for the Big Ten. And
when you look big picture at the Big Ten, no
pun intended, who's the best team who wins the conference
this year? And why is it not Penn State?
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Why is it not Penn Stakes?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yes, you know where I'm going with that one.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
He get my answer. But I do think it would
be fun State, and I think they just returned too
much talent. But if not them, you know, I would
say I probably say I'll have State, And once again,
I think there will be a lot of playoff implications
(07:02):
with that or national championship implications even with that final
game against Michigan, and I think this could be the
best matchup between those two that we've had in these
four or five year stretch or so.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
All Right, so Aiden Champion says Michigan got off easy,
the Spartans are winning seven or eight games, and Penn
State's gonna win the Big ten. Aiden, thank you so
much for joining us here on Ex's and bros Man
be good, Trent.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
I appreciate you having me
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