They open the show with Justin Verlander, who delivered one last special moment in a Tigers uniform before officially calling it a career. Chris and Austin reflect on Verlander’s beautiful final outing, what he has meant to Detroit throughout his legendary career, and the significance of seeing one of the greatest pitchers of his generation finish where it all began.

From there, Chris and Austin turn to the Lions following another win. They break down Detroit’s performance, what stood out, and what the victory says about the Lions as they continue through the season.

Next comes a rough weekend for college football in the state of Michigan. The Wolverines suffered their first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion against Iowa, surrendering the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. Chris breaks down what went wrong for Michigan, the mistakes that ultimately cost them, and what to make of their first defeat of the year.

They open the show with the Lions after their loss to the Buffalo Bills exposed a number of glaring issues that are becoming impossible to ignore. Chris and Austin break down what went wrong, the biggest concerns surrounding Detroit, and what needs to change as the Lions move forward.

Next, Chris turns to Michigan after the Wolverines took care of business against UTEP. After an uneven start to the season, Michigan finally appears to be finding its rhythm, and Chris discusses what he liked from the Wolverines and whether they’re beginning to put things together.

From there, Chris and Austin discuss Michigan State’s loss to #3 Notre Dame—a defeat that actually left them more encouraged about the direction of the Spartans. Michigan State fought harder than they have in years and gave one of the best teams in the country a legitimate battle, offering an early glimpse of what the Pat Fitzgerald era could become. Chris and Austin discuss why the performance felt reminiscent of the Mark Dantonio era and why there may finally be reason for optimism in East Lansing.

The conversation then shifts to the Pistons, who have extended Ausar Thompson while continuing to deal with uncertainty surrounding Jalen Duren. Duren has reportedly turned down extension offers from Detroit and is holding out for a larger deal, leading Chris to discuss the ongoing drama and whether the Pistons should be willing to meet his asking price.

Chris also weighs in on another Detroit star surrounded by uncertainty: Dylan Larkin. After previously requesting a trade but remaining with the Red Wings, Larkin now heads toward another season in Detroit with questions still lingering about his future as the team ramps up for the year ahead.

Finally, Chris makes his gambling pick for Michigan-Iowa, taking the under at 39.5 with -110 odds and betting on a low-scoring battle between the Wolverines and Hawkeyes.

The Lions’ glaring problems after falling to Buffalo, Michigan finding its rhythm, Michigan State showing signs of life against #3 Notre Dame, Ausar Thompson’s extension and the Jalen Duren drama, Dylan Larkin’s uncertain future, and the Michigan-Iowa under—all on this week’s episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

Chris opens the show with the Detroit Lions after they narrowly escaped with a victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. He breaks down what went right, what went wrong, and what Detroit’s performance tells us about the team as the new season gets underway.

Next, the conversation turns to Michigan after the Wolverines pulled off an upset over #11 Oklahoma. Coming off a disastrous Week 1, Michigan responded with a statement victory that has the Wolverines back in the Top 25. Chris discusses what changed, what stood out against the Sooners, and whether Michigan has officially turned the page on its rough start.

Michigan State is also 2-0 after another victory, with the Spartans looking much more like the team many expected them to be entering the season. But now comes their biggest test yet. Chris looks at MSU’s start before turning his attention to next week’s massive matchup with Notre Dame.

From there, Chris turns to the Detroit Tigers and asks a difficult question: Is there anything redeemable about their 2026 season? He looks at where things have gone wrong for Detroit and what, if anything, can still be taken away from a disappointing year.

Chris then discusses the state of college football broadcasts and why watching games has become less engaging. With constant stoppages, commercial breaks, reviews, and interruptions disrupting the flow of games, he explains why the viewing experience has become increasingly frustrating.

Finally, Chris makes his betting pick for Michigan State-Notre Dame. With the Spartans entering as massive underdogs, Chris likes Michigan State +30.5 and believes MSU can keep the game close enough to cover the spread against the Fighting Irish.

They open the show with Michigan and Michigan State after a strange weekend for both programs. Michigan State escaped with an unusual win, while Michigan survived what looked like a certain upset thanks to a miracle play and a highly controversial ending. Chris and Austin break down what happened, what they took away from both games, and what it means for the Wolverines and Spartans moving forward.

Next, the conversation turns to the Detroit Lions as they prepare to begin their season. Chris and Austin preview the year ahead, look at the biggest questions surrounding Detroit, and discuss what they expect from the Lions this season.

From there, Austin makes the case for Pete Crow-Armstrong over Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race. He explains why PCA deserves the award and why his overall impact should put him ahead of the Dodgers superstar.

The conversation then returns to Michigan football and next week’s matchup against Oklahoma. Chris questions whether Kyle Whittingham could already find himself on the hot seat if Michigan suffers a crushing loss to the Sooners and what that would mean for the Wolverines moving forward.

Finally, Chris makes his gambling pick for Michigan-Oklahoma, taking Oklahoma -5.5 and betting on the Sooners to cover the spread.

Michigan and Michigan State’s bizarre weekend, the Lions’ upcoming season, Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP, Kyle Whittingham’s potential hot seat, and Oklahoma -5.5—all on this week’s episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

They open the show with the Detroit Tigers, whose season is basically over in everything but the official sense. After a year that once offered plenty of reason for optimism, the Tigers have watched their season unravel. Chris and Austin break down how Detroit got to this point, what went wrong, and what the collapse means for the organization as attention begins to shift toward the offseason.

Next, the conversation turns to college football as Michigan and Michigan State prepare to kick off their 2026 seasons. Chris and Austin preview both teams, looking at the biggest questions surrounding the Wolverines and Spartans, what they expect from each program this fall, and what would qualify as a successful season for both sides of the rivalry.

From there, they turn to the Detroit Lions and the possibility of adding some much-needed help in the secondary. Chris and Austin discuss where the Lions could still improve their roster, why the secondary remains an area worth watching, and whether Detroit should make another move as the NFL season gets underway.

The conversation returns to baseball and Justin Verlander, whose legendary career appears to be nearing its end. With Verlander expected to retire after the season, Chris and Austin discuss whether the future Hall of Famer will actually take the mound again before calling it a career and what it would mean to see him pitch one final time.

Finally, they look at the national college football picture and make the case for Oregon as one of the best bets to win the National Championship. Chris and Austin break down why the Ducks have everything they need to make a run, how they stack up against the other contenders, and why Oregon could be the team left standing at the end of the season.

The Tigers' season being all but over, Michigan and Michigan State's 2026 football outlooks, the Lions potentially adding secondary help, whether Justin Verlander will pitch again before retirement, Oregon's National Championship chances, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

They open the show with the Detroit Tigers, who continue to fall apart as the season moves along. After putting themselves in position to make things interesting, Detroit's struggles have continued to pile up. Chris and Austin break down what's gone wrong, where the Tigers stand now, and what their collapse says about the state of the team moving forward.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Red Wings and their confusing search for a new general manager. Chris and Austin discuss the latest developments, the direction of the organization, and what the Red Wings should be looking for as they try to figure out who will lead the franchise into its next era.

From there, they turn to college basketball, where former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler is transferring to BYU. His move sparks a larger conversation about the constantly changing eligibility rules in college sports, the transfer portal, and just how different the college landscape has become.

Chris and Austin then take a broader look at ESPN and ask a question plenty of sports fans have been thinking: what happened? They discuss why ESPN doesn't feel as good as it used to, how the network and sports media have changed over the years, and what they miss about the ESPN of the past.

The conversation returns to Michigan football and Bryce Underwood, with a massive matchup against Oklahoma looming. Chris and Austin explain why this game could be a defining early moment for Underwood and what a strong—or disappointing—performance could mean for the expectations surrounding Michigan's star quarterback.

Finally, they look at Michigan State football and why the Spartans could be a good bet to surpass their win total from a season ago. Chris and Austin break down why there may be reason for optimism in East Lansing and make the case for MSU taking a step forward this season.

He opens the show with the Detroit Tigers, whose recent surge finally hit a wall against the first-place Chicago White Sox. After fighting their way back into the postseason conversation, the Tigers were swept at home by Chicago. Chris breaks down the series, where Detroit stands after the sweep, and whether the Tigers can keep their surprising run alive.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions and the latest developments from the preseason. Center Cade Mays is dealing with an injury, while Detroit has also added another quarterback to the roster. Chris discusses what both developments mean as the Lions continue preparing for the regular season.

Chris then turns his attention to Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who made some questionable comments about the rivalry with Ohio State. With expectations sky-high for Underwood and the Wolverines, Chris reacts to his comments and what they say about one of the biggest rivalries in college football.

Back to the Tigers, Chris makes the case that Scott Harris made the right call at the MLB trade deadline. Detroit's performance since selling off major pieces has only strengthened the argument that Harris correctly evaluated his team and chose to prioritize the future rather than go all-in on the 2026 season.

Chris also asks a big question about former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy: is it officially time to call him a bust? After losing the starting quarterback battle in Minnesota, Chris looks at where McCarthy's NFL career stands and whether there's still reason to believe he can turn things around.

Finally, Chris heads to the betting window with his gambling pick of the week. This time, he's looking at the New England Patriots, a team that could be due for some regression this season.

The Tigers getting swept by the White Sox, the latest from Lions preseason, Bryce Underwood's Ohio State comments, Scott Harris' trade deadline decisions, J.J. McCarthy's future, a New England Patriots betting pick, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

He opens the show with the Detroit Tigers, who are surging and sitting just barely outside of a postseason spot despite selling at the MLB trade deadline. After moving major pieces and seemingly shifting their focus toward the future, the Tigers have refused to go away. Chris breaks down their recent run and whether Detroit can somehow fight its way back into the playoff picture.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions, who just locked up star running back Jahmyr Gibbs with a contract extension. Chris discusses what the deal means for one of the NFL's most explosive offensive weapons and why keeping Gibbs in Detroit could be a huge part of the Lions' future.

Chris then turns his attention to Tarik Skubal, who may not be completely finished with Detroit after all. Despite being traded at the deadline, Skubal appears to have left the door open for a potential return to the Tigers down the road. Could Detroit eventually bring its former ace back, or has Skubal already thrown his final pitch in a Tigers uniform?

Around Major League Baseball, Chris makes the case for Rob Manfred and why the commissioner has ultimately been a positive influence on the sport. From changes to the game itself to MLB's direction under his leadership, Chris explains why Manfred may deserve more credit than he gets.

Finally, Chris looks ahead to the college football season. He breaks down Pat Fitzgerald's chances of leading Michigan State to the College Football Playoff and explains why Michigan could be one of the best win-total bets on the board, with the Wolverines sitting at over 8.5 wins.

The Tigers' surprising playoff push, Jahmyr Gibbs' extension, a potential Tarik Skubal reunion, Rob Manfred's impact on baseball, Michigan State's CFP chances, Michigan's win total, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

They open the show by discussing the Detroit Tigers' decision to trade Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize for a haul of prospects at the MLB trade deadline. With Detroit sitting just 2.5 games out of a postseason spot, was this the right long-term move or a white flag on the 2026 season? Chris and Austin break down the blockbuster deal, what the Tigers received in return, and what it means for the franchise moving forward.

Next, the conversation shifts to the Detroit Lions, who signed veteran linebacker Devin White after Jimmy Rolder's injury. Chris and Austin discuss whether White still has enough left in the tank to make an impact and how the move affects Detroit's defense heading into the season.

Austin then makes the case that Dan Campbell has become the face of Detroit sports. From changing the culture of the Lions to embodying the city's identity, Austin explains why no figure has had a greater impact on Detroit's sports landscape.

Over in Ann Arbor, Chris weighs in on Michigan football and explains why fans shouldn't be concerned about Kyle Whittingham's lack of history in The Game. Chris believes elite coaching is elite coaching, and that Whittingham's decades of experience will have the Wolverines fully prepared for college football's biggest rivalry.

Finally, Chris wraps things up by looking at one of baseball's most intriguing futures markets: Pete Crow-Armstrong's NL MVP odds. Is the Cubs' young star emerging as the league's most valuable player, or is there still value left on the board?

The Tigers' blockbuster trade, the Lions' latest addition, Dan Campbell's legacy, Michigan football, Pete Crow-Armstrong's MVP case, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

Chris opens the show by discussing the Detroit Tigers' difficult decision as the trade deadline approaches. With Tarik Skubal continuing to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball, should Detroit commit to a long-term extension, trade him for a massive haul, or take another approach? Chris examines the franchise's options and what the decision could mean for the Tigers' future.

Next, the conversation shifts to the NBA as LeBron James officially signs with the Philadelphia 76ers. Chris breaks down how the move changes the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and what it means for the Detroit Pistons as they continue their climb toward contention.

Over in Ann Arbor, Chris reacts to Warde Manuel stepping down as Michigan's athletic director. With one of the biggest jobs in college athletics now open, what direction should the Wolverines go next, and how could a new athletic director shape the future of Michigan sports?

Chris also pushes back against the growing skepticism surrounding freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. While some fans are already questioning whether he'll live up to the hype, Chris explains why it's far too early to write off one of the nation's most talented young quarterbacks.

Later in the show, Chris makes the case that Comerica Park doesn't receive nearly the recognition it deserves. From its atmosphere and downtown location to the fan experience and unique dimensions, Chris explains why the home of the Tigers belongs among baseball's most underrated ballparks.

Finally, Chris wraps things up with one of his favorite futures bets on the board: the Houston Astros to win the AL West at +460 odds. Are oddsmakers undervaluing one of baseball's most consistent organizations, or is this simply too good of a number to pass up?

The Tigers' future, LeBron's impact on the Eastern Conference, Michigan athletics, Bryce Underwood, Comerica Park, MLB betting value, and plenty of strong opinions—all on this week's episode of BIGPLAY Detroit.

Chris opens the show by discussing the shocking news that Steve Yzerman is stepping down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. Chris breaks down what the move means for the future of the franchise and whether a new front office could increase the chances of captain Dylan Larkin remaining in Detroit for the long haul.

Next, the conversation shifts to baseball as Justin Verlander officially announces his retirement. Chris reflects on one of the greatest pitching careers in MLB history before discussing the Tigers selecting Cam Flukey in the MLB Draft and why Detroit still finds itself in a difficult position as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.

Over in the NFL, Chris examines the possibility of a Jahmyr Gibbs contract holdout and whether handing running backs massive long-term deals still makes sense in today's game. With elite backs continuing to reshape the market, is Detroit better off paying Gibbs or taking a more cautious approach?

The show also touches on Michigan State athletics as LJ Cason enters the transfer portal while MSU retains President Kevin Guskiewicz, with Chris discussing what both developments could mean for the Spartans moving forward.

Austin then joins the show for a Hall of Fame debate surrounding Justin Verlander. When Verlander is inducted into Cooperstown, should he wear a Detroit Tigers cap, a Houston Astros cap, or choose the blank MLB logo to honor both legendary chapters of his career?

Finally, Chris wraps things up by looking at one of FanDuel's more intriguing NFL futures bets: Jahmyr Gibbs to rush for over 1,125 yards this season at -114 odds. Is it one of the best values on the board, or a risky wager heading into the 2026 season?

He opens the show by looking at the Detroit Tigers' strong finish to the first half before the All-Star break. After weathering a difficult stretch, Detroit has regained momentum. Chris also reacts to three Tigers earning All-Star selections and what their recognition says about the club's progress this season.

On the college basketball front, Michigan appears to be finding stability despite an offseason full of uncertainty. With a coaching change and several key players departing for the NBA Draft, Chris explains why the Wolverines may be in a better position than many expected heading into next season.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons continue to wait while the rest of the NBA offseason moves at full speed. With Detroit seemingly positioned to land a legitimate No. 2 scoring option alongside Cade Cunningham, Chris discusses why the clock may be ticking and whether the Pistons risk missing their opportunity if they wait too long.

Chris also makes the case that fan voting for the MLB All-Star Game has gone too far. As more fan bases coordinate voting campaigns, deserving players are increasingly being left behind, raising questions about whether the current system still produces the game's best showcase.

Finally, Chris argues that the Tigers should work toward locking up Troy Melton for the long term before discussing why Yoshinobu Yamamoto has emerged as one of the strongest candidates to take home the National League Cy Young Award this season.

He starts with the Detroit Red Wings and the growing speculation surrounding captain Dylan Larkin after reports surfaced suggesting he could be interested in a trade. Chris discusses what it would mean for the franchise, whether there's any fire behind the smoke and how Detroit should handle the situation moving forward.

Chris also looks at the Detroit Tigers, who finally found some life once the calendar flipped to June. After weeks of frustration, are the Tigers turning a corner, or is this just a temporary spark? He also examines Tarik Skubal's injury outlook and whether the reigning Cy Young winner still has a realistic path toward capturing a third straight Cy Young Award.

Plus, Chris reacts to recent comments from Dan Campbell regarding Kerby Joseph's injury and what they could mean for the star safety's future. He also dives into Michigan football, discussing whether Bryce Underwood is truly the quarterback of the future and if he's ready to live up to the massive expectations surrounding his arrival in Ann Arbor.

Chris also dives into reports that the Detroit Pistons and Jalen Duren may be far apart on a potential contract extension. Is Detroit being smart with its money, or risking the future of one of its young core pieces?

Plus, Chris discusses the Lions' chances of reclaiming the NFC North this season and whether Detroit has what it takes to get back on top. He also tackles one of the biggest questions surrounding the franchise: Is Jared Goff the quarterback who can lead the Lions back to the mountaintop?

Plus, the Lions lock up Jack Campbell with an extension, but who else could still get paid with Detroit’s remaining cap space? Chris and Austin also dive into Michigan and Michigan State NBA Draft prospects, discussing where some of the biggest names from both programs could land at the next level.

Plus, the Lions schedule is officially out. We react to the biggest games, toughest stretches, primetime matchups, and give our early thoughts on how Detroit’s season could shake out.

He also dives into the growing concerns surrounding the Detroit Tigers as injuries continue to pile up during a brutal stretch of the season, including the latest worries surrounding ace Tarik Skubal.

Plus, Chris discusses whether Dusty May could eventually leave Michigan Wolverines men's basketball for the NBA, and reacts to the possibility of the College Football Playoff expanding even further — and what that could mean for the future of college football.