Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

Ohio State is a heavy favorite this weekend. By heavy we mean the weight of world. We can't remember the Buckeyes readying for such a lopsided matchup in the last decade.  Will that stop us from discussing said impending contest? Of course not! 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here to discuss that but we obviously had to load up on some other topics because ... well ... the bigge...

It is Wednesday, so it is of course time to "pollinate the flower" on the Bucknuts Morning 5. (If you have no idea what we're talking about, follow this link to get caught up on the inside joke .) The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to pollinate about: * Ohio State head coach Ryan Day's comments about quarterback Justin Fields being "light years ahead" of where he expected. * Cor...

Ohio State is good. Real good. But ... how good? Playoff contention has been the norm around here for years but this squad has a different flavor. Namely, a much improved defense. So ... again ... how good? Duane Long is here to help me put what we've seen so far in perspective. Six teams have emerged from the pack nationally. Where do the Buckeyes fit in? We break down the improved offensive line...

Expectations were high for Ohio State entering the season. Yes, there were some question marks, but the goals among fans were still very lofty. Well, after three games, expectations for the Buckeyes have shot through the roof. Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle on today's show to talk about just how impressive OSU has been thus far and what we expect moving forward. * Which team is the Buckeyes' big...

Three games, three wins. Ohio State hit the road for the first time this season in the Big Ten opener for the Buckeyes and Hoosiers. Talk about a rude house guest. The Buckeyes pummeled the Hoosiers, 51-10, and the performance matched the score. The improvement of the defense was on full display as the Hoosiers eve needed a trick play to cross the goal line just one time. What did we think of the...

It is Friday the 13th, but the only scary thing we're talking about on the 5ish is Ohio State's defense. And we mean scary from the opponent's point of view, of course. Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss that, plus: * What else has impressed JBook the most about the Buckeyes through two games? * The strong play of Shaun Wade and Malik Harrison , among others. * Did JBook exp...

We open today's show with a prediction some may take issue with. But we think all will be interested. Then we welcome in 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong to spread knowledge on recruiting, what we've seen so far from the Buckeyes and what we can expect from the team as it travels to face Wiltfong's home-state Indiana Hoosiers this weekend. Running back recruiting? Of course we got i...

What is Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields ' best attribute? Could it be his poise? The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus: * What are thoughts on the Buckeyes' running backs thus far? * Is it time to get excited about junior linebacker Baron Browning ? * What are expectations for OSU's Big Ten opener at Indiana on Saturday? * Bax always enjoys some schadenfre...

What a way to start a Tuesday! Today began with a commitment from top Class of 2021 linebacker Reid Carrico. The Ironton, Ohio native will be headed to Columbus, giving the Buckeyes another in-state, foundational piece to a class already showing incredible promise.  Duane Long is here to offer thoughts on Carrico and what he means to the recruiting efforts for the Buckeyes going forward. Starting...

What a performance it was from Ohio State in its 42-0 win over Cincinnati on Saturday and we're here to talk about it on the Monday 5ish. Bill "Bank" Greene joins Dave Biddle for today's show to discuss the dismantling of the Bearcats, Justin Fields being further along in his development than we expected, every unit playing very well for OSU, and what is new on the recruiting trail for the Buckeye...

This show was supposed to be released Sunday morning at 10 EST.  Without boring you with the gory details - it wasn't. It went away for a while. But we were able to retrieve the show and thought you might enjoy it ... albeit a tad late. Dan Rubin gave thoughts on the Cincinnati beatdown and was joined by Bill Kurelic, Matt Baxendell and Dave Biddle. Want to hear more great things about a great gam...

Ohio State will have its first "litmus test" of the season when Cincinnati comes to town Saturday (noon ET; ABC) in the words of our Steve Helwagen. Steve joins Dave Biddle for today's show to talk about all things Buckeyes vs. Bearcats. What can you expect to see in this game? Where does OSU have the clear advantages? Where is UC strong? Plus, has the proverbial light bulb come on for Ohio State...

Beware the Fighting Fickells. That's got to be the motto at the WHAC this week. One-time Ohio State 'interim' head coach and still great Buckeye Luke Fickell brings his Cincinnati Bearcats to Columbus this weekend. Think Fickell and Co. are geeked for the matchup? Think they've allowed themselves to think what a win over Ohio State would do for their program? Let's hope the Buckeyes stay away from...

We are channeling our inner Dave Matthews Band on the show today as there is So Much To Say about the Ohio State Buckeyes. The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle for the Friday extravaganza to discuss: * What is to make of the Buckeyes' running backs? * How much does OSU need sophomore defensive end Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday to return? And how close are they to doing so? * What...

We are still basking in the glow of Ohio State's opening win and really just the return of meaningful football. Sure, it was the opener against an overmatched opponent paid to come get its tail kicked, that will not stop us from making sweeping judgements off a limited sample size. It's what we do! Duane Long is here in his usual Tuesday spot to offer up his impressions of the debut weekend: * Jus...

It is Labor Day, but Bill "Bank" Greene is open for business. Bank joins Dave Biddle for today's show to discuss: * Ohio State's season-opening win over Florida Atlantic. * The performance from Justin Fields ? * What needs to improve the most for the Buckeyes? * What are thoughts about the upcoming OSU-Cincinnati game? * What is the latest on the recruiting trail for the Buckeyes?

We need more than 5ish to wrap up Ohio State games and forecast the future. So we had to bring our 'extended' Sunday morning podcast back for the season. What did we think of Florida Atlantic? What did we think of Ohio State's debut on several fronts? Bill Kurelic is here. Matt Baxendell is here. Steve Helwagen is here. I got out of the way and let them spread wisdom. Enjoy spending part of your S...

It is eve of Ohio State's season opener against visiting Florida Atlantic, and there is plenty to discuss on the show as Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual Friday visit. Some of the items on the docket include: * JBook is pretty fired up about the development of OSU sophomore quarterback Justin Fields and cannot wait to see him in action in the Horseshoe on Saturday. * What else are we l...

The real start of the season - Ohio State hosting Florida Atlantic - kicks off Saturday at noon. But there are plenty of questions that need answering and not just out of Columbus. So we brought in 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong to offer insight on Ohio State season's ahead on the field, on the recruiting trail and ... where the Buckeyes will end up. But we had even more to presen...

What will be the most exciting things to see play out during Ohio State's season-opener against visiting Florida Atlantic on Saturday? One of course is how sophomore quarterback Justin Fields performs. But what else? The revamped defense? The offensive line? The young running backs? Yes, yes and yes. The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to delve into that on the Wednesday extravag...

For a 5-star recruit and one of the highest-rated players at his position - ever - there certainly are a lot of Justin Fields doubters. Why? Who knows? Why is Michigan picked by many to beat Ohio State? Who knows? But that didn't stop Duane Long and me from trying to figure out the Fields angst and get on the record with our expectations for the new quarterback. Also: * What is Duane's biggest con...

Ohio State kicks off its 2019 football schedule on Saturday against visiting Florida Atlantic in just five days, and you can feel the excitement in Buckeye Nation. Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss expectations for the 2019 Buckeyes, recent developments within the program and much more. That is coming at you on the Monday extravaganza.

All offseason, Jonah Booker has been predicting a big season for Ohio State fourth-year junior running back Demario McCall . With the recent news that McCall has established himself as the primary backup to starter J.K. Dobbins, it looks like JBook will be on the money with that prediction. JBook joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss that, plus: * How does the overall depth at RB now look f...

We hope you packed a lunch for today's show. You're gonna need it. Yes, it's Thursday so 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here to spread wisdom on the following topics: * Jalen Berger, Michael Drennen, E.J. Smith ... who will be Ohio State's running back recruits in 2020? * Which Ohio State freshmen has Wiltfong heard are thriving in camp? Is there a freshman who is the best play...

Senior captain Jonathon Cooper will miss some time following ankle surgery, so which defensive ends are going to step up for Ohio State while he is out? The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus: * What are expectations for sophomore quarterback Justin Fields from a statistical standpoint this season? * The C.J. Saunders story is awesome. We talk about it. * The B...