97.1 The Fan

Austin & Birm

Sports EN ↓ 460 episodes

Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham live and breathe the Scarlet and Gray. As trusted insiders on the Ohio State beat, they bring unmatched access and perspective from inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to the Horseshoe and beyond. If it’s happening in Buckeye Nation, they’re on it.

Author

97.1 The Fan

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.971thefan.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

The Beat: Ohio State mailbag on coaching eras, under-discussed leaders, Buckeyes quarterbacks 18.07.2025

It's Freaky Friday on The Beat as Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham answer viewers questions about all things Ohio State football. Thanks for watching The Austin & Birm Show! Have a great weekend. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/971thefan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@97.1thefa...

The Beat: Three thoughts on Ohio State and the Buckeyes sneaky challenging 2025 schedule 17.07.2025

It's a Thursday on The Beat and that means The Austin & Birm Show is getting into the deepest thoughts of Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham. Today's show focuses on the Buckeyes 2025 football schedule and a few potential landmines along the way to a national title repeat. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook:...

The Beat: Eric Mensah, Dominic Kirks among second-year Ohio State players pushing for playing time 16.07.2025

Welcome back to The Beat courtesy of The Austin & Birm Show and another Wednesday Stock Watch edition of the show. Today, Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham are breaking down the forgotten second-year players at Ohio State who could make a surprise—but important—impact this year for the Buckeyes. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter....

THE BEAT: Picking Buckeyes who deserve more buzz as Ohio State training camp nears 15.07.2025

At the midway point of July, television’s Adam King returns for another weekly chat on The Beat with Austin Ward. This time around, the guys are breaking down some critical pieces to the national-title defense for Ohio State who perhaps aren’t getting talked about enough ahead of training camp for the Buckeyes. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: http...

The Beat: Ohio State, Texas looks like toss-up matchup in week one, Buckeyes lose recruiting staffer 14.07.2025

Ohio State and Texas are both going into the 2025 season with a number of key changes so why are the Buckeyes being viewed as the team with everything to replace? That's one of the day's big questions on The Austin & Birm Show and the latest episode of The Beat. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://ww...

The Beat: Ohio State football mailbag on Ryan Day quarterback decisions, position swaps and more 11.07.2025

Freaky Friday on The Beat is back with a listener mailbag episode from The Austin & Birm Show. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/971thefan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@97.1thefan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/971thefan/

The Beat: Ohio State storylines we wish we could stop talking about as Buckeyes get ready for 2025 10.07.2025

Covering Ohio State football means no shortages when it comes to things to talk about but every so often we're wishing we could stop talking about a few specific things. On the latest episode of The Beat from The Austin & Birm Show we dive into a few of those topics from this post-championship offseason. CONNECT | OHIO'S SPORTS DESTINATION Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www...

The Beat: Ohio State freshmen Bo Jackson, Jarquez Carter stand out as ready to play for Buckeyes this fall 09.07.2025

Ohio State doesn't rely on its freshmen the way a number of programs do but that doesn't mean there aren't some first-year Buckeyes ready to make an impact in 2025. Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham share their thoughts on which freshmen they're expecting to contribute this fall on the latest episode of The Beat on The Austin & Birm Show.

The Beat: Pressing questions for every level of Ohio State defense, coaching staff 08.07.2025

The Buckeyes are in the final homestretch of the summer offseason, and training camp starts at the end of the month for the reigning national champions. With television’s Adam King back from vacation, he and Austin Ward finished up their Talking Tuesday questions for the coaching staff by switching over to the defensive side of the football for Ohio State on The Beat.

The Beat: Ohio State still driving ESPN mouthpieces to madness, NIL wave hit recruiting again 07.07.2025

Ohio State is still a primary needle mover for ESPN and its mouthpieces and that was evident again over the weekend as Paul Finebaum found some reasons to badmouth Ryan Day while not recognizing his hypocrisy in doing so. Plus, two huge NIL deals for players heading to Texas Tech and Syracuse are a good reminder of where things are going in the sport.

Snap Judgments: Jamir Perez commits to Ohio State, new Buckeyes commit talks flip decision 04.07.2025

Ohio State has commitment No. 21 in its 2026 recruiting class as Jamir Perez announces a flip from Florida to the Buckeyes. The Austin & Birm Show is breaking down the impact of his decision and Birm sits down to talk with Perez himself about his recruitment and what led to this decision.

Talking Stuff: Luke Fahey commits to Ohio State, breaks down decision, family ties to Ohio and more 03.07.2025

Ohio State has its 2026 quarterback commitment as California gunslinger Luke Fahey picks the Buckeyes. The latest OSU verbal talks about his decision, his Ohio roots and more with The Austin & Birm Show on the latest edition of Talking Stuff. CONNECT Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/971thefan TikTok: https://www.tik...

The Beat: Jeremiah Smith quotes show confidence rooted in Ohio State response, not arrogance 03.07.2025

Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith made headlines this week for a number of reasons but his comments about the Buckeyes rivalry with Michigan weren't rooted in arrogance or disrespect. That's one of the three thoughts on this Thursday on The Austin & Birm Show and the latest episode of The Beat.

The Beat: Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to provide real impact for Buckeyes in 2025 02.07.2025

Welcome to a Wednesday on The Beat from The Austin & Birm Show. Today Bobby Carpenter joins Austin Ward to share his thoughts on how Matt Patricia can impact Ohio State more than people think.

The Beat: Ohio State tabs Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and JJ Smith to represent Buckeyes in Vegas 01.07.2025

It's Tuesday on The Beat from The Austin & Birm Show and today the guys are breaking down why Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles are the right choices to represent Ohio State in Las Vegas when the Big Ten hosts it annual Media Days. CONNECT Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/971thefan TikTok: https://www.tik...

The Beat: Ohio State position in EA Sports NCAA 2026, whether its right or wrong for 2026 Buckeyes 30.06.2025

Happy Monday from The Austin & Birm Show and welcome back to The Beat as Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham take look at the first team ratings in EA Sports NCAA 2026 and whether or not they're fair to the Buckeyes. Plus, a few thoughts on--again-- on the Ohio State NIL approach after a frustrating weekend of recruiting news. CONNECT Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitte...

The Beat: Ohio State commit Khary Wilder ready to become national name after MVP performance 27.06.2025

Ohio State commitment Khary Wilder joins The Austin & Birm Show to break down his recruiting process and to talk about his MVP performance at this week's Rivals 5-Star Challenge. Plus, a handful of Buckeyes recruiting targets are set to make college decisions and Birm breaks down the latest Ohio State buzz.

The Beat: Aaron Thomas commits to Ohio State, newest Buckeyes talks about his decision 26.06.2025

Ohio State added a new commitment late Wednesday night as three-star offensive tackle prospect Aaron Thomas, a Florida State legacy, has picked the Buckeyes. He joined The Austin & Birm Show to talk about his decision with Jeremy Birmingham for 10TV+, 10TV and 97.1 The Fan in Columbus.

The Beat: Ohio State continues to benefit from mental and physical toughness shown by Carson HInzman, Peyton Pierce 25.06.2025

Ohio State released another batch of its "Dudes of the Week" and it's good reminder that not every superstar on the Buckeyes roster is a national name ... yet. Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham break down the value of guys like Carson Hinzman and Payton Pierce—alongside national names like Caleb Downs—for Ohio State's football program.

The Beat: Ohio State offensive coaches will face different challenges for Jeremiah Smith in 2025 24.06.2025

Ohio State and the Buckeyes offense have a number of changes to adapt to from a year ago but how defenses attack Jeremiah Smith in the first year of Brian Hartline's playcalling adventure may be one of the bigger questions they'll face. Austin Ward and Adam King of 10TV are talking about that on a Talking Tuesday episode of The Beat.

The Beat: Ohio State recruiting buzz, updates from big Buckeyes official visit weekend 23.06.2025

Welcome to Monday on The Beat as Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham break down the latest Ohio State recruiting news following a busy weekend in Columbus. It's not all great news as the Scarlet and Gray try and navigate the new landscape of recruiting and build on their No. 4-ranked recruiting class.

The Beat: Cincere Johnson talks Ohio State verbal, Buckeyes ready for huge weekend 20.06.2025

The latest episode of The Beat from The Austin & Birm Show welcomes new commitment Cincere Johnson for an interview plus Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham break down the huge official visit weekend coming for Ohio State.

Snap Judgments: Cincere Johnson commits to Ohio State over Penn State, Alabama 19.06.2025

Ohio State got a big commitment on Thursday as four-star in-state linebacker prospect Cincere Johnson, a standout performer at Glenville High School, picked the Buckeyes over Penn State, Alabama and dozens of other opportunities. Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham share their thoughts on Cincere Johnson's commitment and what it means for Ohio State in its 2026 recruiting class. CONNECT Website: htt...

The Beat: Ohio State approach on recruiting, NIL has proven to work and other interesting things 19.06.2025

The Beat is back for Thursday and that means that Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham are breaking down three things that they're thinking about Ohio State football this week. Have thoughts about a potential topic we should discuss? Email us: TheAustinandBirmShow@gmail.com CONNECT Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/971t...

The Beat: Austin Siereveld earning his titles, what makes an Ohio State player a 'dude' 18.06.2025

Welcome back to The Beat on the Austin & Birm Show as Austin Ward and Jeremy Birmingham talk about the latest news and notes around Ohio State football. CONNECT Website: https://www.971thefan.com/ Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/971thefan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/971thefan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@97.1thefan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/971thefan/

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