Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

It is all about the Ohio State-Michigan game on today's edition of the Bucknuts Morning 5. Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle to give predictions on who will win The Game, including a final score. We also answer your questions from the Front Row message board about the OSU-UM clash. All of that is coming at you on the Friday extravaganza.

It is the eve of Thanksgiving and it's time to talk all about The Game. The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to discuss this year's rendition of the Ohio State-Michigan game. The Wolverines are 4.5-point favorites. Is this the year they finally win in Columbus, or will the Buckeyes take care of business? What are predictions on the final score? Also on the docket: * How might rain...

The stakes are high. They always are for The Game. But the tension is amped when a Big Ten title game berth is on the line.  Add in the speculation surrounding Ohio State and you have an emotionally charged atmosphere leading up to the regular season finale on noon at The Shoe. Duane Long is here to help put it all in perspective. ** Is Urban Meyer really considering an exit from Columbus? ** When...

It is the best rivalry in college football, and the stakes could not be much higher for the 2018 edition of the Ohio State-Michigan game. The Wolverines are favored by 3.5 points, meaning the Buckeyes are underdogs in The Game in Columbus for the first time since 2004. (Which was a 37-21 OSU victory in Troy Smith's coming-out-party, by the way.) What chances do we give Ohio State of pulling off th...

Today we have the return of the DeanCast. DeanCast guest today is 35-year Buckeye football beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch Tim May. On today’s show we talk: ** May talks about how he sees the Brett McMurphy/ Urban Meyer situation ** May’s initial reaction to what McMurphy wrote and what he found most interesting ** May talks about Urban Meyer and his reaction to McMurphy’s article ** May tal...

The New Orleans Saints (also known in some circles as the New Orleans Buckeyes) are arguably the best team in the NFL this season. They also have a future Hall of Fame quarterback in  Drew Brees , who is having an outstanding season. Yet, the Saints often use backup QB  Taysom Hill  in red zone and short yardage situations. Ohio State is starting to do the same thing with  Dwayne Haskins  and  Tat...

We are here ... albeit late thanks to a Gem City ice storm. But have no fear, 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here. The topic gamut was run: ** Why did Steele Chambers and Ronnie Hickman rise so high in the latest 247Sports Class of 2018 rankings update? ** Will the last four members of Ohio State 's Class of 2019 haul all be flips? ** Has the Zach Harrison ship sailed out of Co...

It's Thursday. It's 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong. It's knowledge for days. * Why the Crystal Ball move for Zach Harrison to Michigan? * The latest on in-state flip candidates Tommy Eichenberg and Jestin Jacobs? * Has the national Ohio State angst affected recruiting (see: Battle, Jordan)? * Does Steve think Ohio State will win out? * We break down a possibly crazy College Footba...

Many people expected Ohio State would move up in the College Football Playoff rankings this week, but that did not happen. The Buckeyes remain No. 10 in the CFP rankings, and not only need to win out to make the four-team field, they likely need some help from the outside. And the Buckeyes also need to pass the eye test down the stretch. You know, actually look the part of a playoff squad. Patrick...

It's Ohio State vs. Michigan State this Saturday in East Lansing. It's always a big game. But this is a BIG game. If Ohio State wins in impressive fashion, sincere faith in this version of the Buckeyes could be 'restored.' If the Buckeyes see the Spartans' No. 1 rush defense dominate ... yeah, you know that will be awful. Can the Buckeyes get it done? Does the Nebraska game offer any evidence towa...

Ohio State sophomore safety  Brendon White  had his personal coming-out-party against Nebraska on Saturday with 13 tackles in less than 3 quarters of play. Why did it take so long for White to see the field this season on defense? And which other backup players perhaps deserve a chance to play for the Buckeyes? Alex Gleitman joins Dave Biddle for today's show to talk about all of that, plus: * It...

Ohio State, fresh off its bye week, will get back in action on Saturday against visiting Nebraska. What wrinkles might the Buckeyes roll out against the Cornhuskers on both sides of the ball? Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus: * What do we expect to see in the OSU-Nebraska game in general? * Is  Shaun Wade  finally going to move into the starting lineup at safety? * What is JBoo...

Tanned, rested and relaxed. That's how we'd describe 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong. Back this week after a brief Florida hiatus, Steve waxes poetic on the following topics: * Ohio State vs. Nebraska (and after that) * Running back recruiting: Crowley, Cain and Glass ... oh my. * Wandale Robinson decision: Wildcats over Huskers and Buckeyes? * Julian Fleming: Another Penn State-Oh...

Ohio State is No. 10 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2018 season, which were released Tuesday evening. Is there good reason for Buckeye fans to be optimistic their team will run the table and make the CFP? Or, especially with it being Halloween, are you a bit scared when you think about how this season might finish for the Buckeyes? Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle on today's...

Everyone is relaxed, refreshed and recharged following the bye week, right? Let's hope that's true of the Buckeyes. Their last public effort was anything but inspiring. Hopefully, you'll be inspired by today's show as Duane Long and I discussed: ** Urban Meyer says he is coming back. Are we surprised? Thrilled? Still concerned? ** Will there be three Ohioans to flip their commitment to the good gu...

It feels like a coin-flip when it comes to predicting if  Zach Harrison  will select Ohio State or Michigan. Bill "Bank" Greene joins Dave Biddle for today's show to give his take on what will happen with Harrison and why, plus: * Will the Buckeyes get offensive lineman  J.D. Duplain  from Strongsville, to flip from Michigan State to OSU? * Will defensive tackle  Cavon Butler  flip from Kentucky t...

How much is all the talk from people like Paul Finebaum that  Urban Meyer  could step down after this season hurting Ohio State's recruiting efforts? Jonah Booker has some strong feelings on that, and he joins Dave Biddle for today's show. What does JBook think will happen with Meyer’s future? How long would Meyer stay at OSU if it was up to him and his health was good? Will the Buckeyes win out t...

Controversy. Haters. Agenda-driven, ratings-motivated media commentary.  If you came here today for that ... bummer. You'll get none of it. What you will get is the most comprehensive Buckeyes talent acquisition update thanks to Bill Kurelic, the Dean of Ohio State Recruiting. Where is 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong, our usual Thursday guest? Think beach, (adult) beverages and bik...

Former Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith's court case involving his ex-wife, Courtney, was resolved on Tuesday. The most notable item is that any charges of domestic violence by  Zach Smith  were dropped. He pleaded guilty to a minor misdemeanor of “disorderly conduct.” That won't fit with the national narrative, but it is reality. Also, what is up with the report that there is strife bet...

Did the bye week come at the right time for the Buckeyes? Definitely. Why? Because this team (program?) is at a 'crossroads.' Will the Buckeyes double-down on what they've done thus far? Or will they use the extra time off to make personnel or scheme changes? Duane Long has strong opinions on this so it's good timing that he is today's featured guest. Sit back and enjoy 5ish with us!

Ohio State suffered an embarrassing 49-20 defeat at the hands of Purdue Saturday night. Where do the Buckeyes go from here? Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle on today’s show to sift through the rubble. Topics include: ** Is the stubbornness of the coaching staff one of the biggest issues? ** What needs to be fixed the most offensively? ** What needs to be fixed the most defensively? ** Is something...

For all the worrying about what is wrong with Ohio State this season, are fans not taking enough time to appreciate the best passing attack they have ever seen from the Buckeyes? Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual visit to talk about that, plus: * Is OSU's wide receiving corps the best it has ever been top-to-bottom (e.g. 1-7)? * Despite the greatness of the passing offense, how big of a...

The No. 1 player in Ohio main storyline left when it comes to 2019 class recruiting. Zach Harrison is a Columbus area native. Will he be in college? Harrison plans to enroll early. But where? Ohio State? Michigan? Penn State? Not exactly three programs that exchange fruitcakes come the holidays.  247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here to talk about Harrison's recent Ann Arbor visi...

Redshirt freshman defensive back Shaun Wade is now practicing exclusively with the safeties for Ohio State. We like this development a lot, we just wonder what took so long. Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual Friday visit to discuss Wade, plus: * What are thoughts on safeties Isaiah Pryor and Amir Riep? * How is the Buckeyes' running game looking through five games? * K.J. Hill stepping...

Today we have the return of the DeanCast. DeanCast guest today is 34-year Buckeye football beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch Tim May. On today’s show we talk: ** May talks about his impending retirement after 35 years of covering Ohio State football ** May looks back at the Urban Meyer / Zach Smith / Courtney Smith situation and if it is over ** May’s thoughts on the Buckeyes’ linebacker play...