The Buckeye Cast

Ohio State travels to Iowa City for its first trip to Kinnick Stadium since the shocking 55-24 loss in 2017. Can Ryan Day's Buckeyes avoid another upset? Or will Iowa's physical style, elite home-field advantage, and Kinnick magic make this a four-quarter battle? In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down: 🏈 Iowa's returning starters on offense and defense  🏈 The Hawkeyes' quarterback battle...

Ohio State dominated Iowa 35-7 in 2024, but the game was only 7-0 at halftime before the Buckeyes finally pulled away. In this episode of the Daily Buckeye Blitz, we rewatch Ohio State's last matchup with Iowa and look at what still matters heading into the Buckeyes' 2026 trip to Kinnick Stadium. We break down Will Howard's efficient day, Emeka Egbuka's three-touchdown performance, Jeremiah Smith'...

Ohio State enters the 2026 season with one of the most experienced and accomplished quarterbacks in college football, yet Julian Sayin still feels underrated nationally. After leading the nation in completion percentage, finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, and earning the highest PFF passing grade in college football, Sayin is entering the critica...

Ohio State opens Big Ten play against Illinois on Sept. 26, and this matchup may be more interesting than Buckeye fans realize. Illinois has won 19 games over the last two seasons, Bret Bielema has built a solid Big Ten program, and the Illini added transfer quarterback Katin Houser after his breakout season at East Carolina. But is that enough to seriously challenge Ohio State in the Shoe? In thi...

Ohio State defeated Illinois 34-16 in 2025, but the final score doesn't tell the full story. The Buckeyes managed just 272 total yards, averaged only 4.3 yards per play, and struggled to establish the run game. So how did Ohio State win comfortably? Matt Patricia's defense dominated, forcing three turnovers and holding Illinois to just 47 rushing yards. In today's episode, we go back and rewatch O...

Ohio State's 2026 schedule has a major common thread — experienced quarterbacks everywhere. From Arch Manning at Texas to Dante Moore at Oregon to Bryce Underwood at Michigan, the Buckeyes will face a wave of second-year starters entering the biggest developmental leap of their careers. In this episode of The Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down: Why Year 2 is often when quarterbacks explode Why Arc...

Ohio State heads to Austin for a massive Week 2 showdown against Texas, and this one could be one of the biggest games of the 2026 college football season. In this episode of The Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the early matchup between the Buckeyes and Longhorns, including Julian Sayin vs. Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith vs. the Texas secondary, Cam Coleman's arrival, Steve Sarkisian's pressure t...

Ohio State beat Texas 14-7 in one of the biggest games of the 2025 season. But what stands out after going back and rewatching the entire game? In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the biggest lessons from Ohio State's win over Texas, including: Arch Manning's running threat Julian Sayin & Jeremiah Smith Carnell Tate's clutch impact Texas tempo Kenyatta Jackson and the Buckeye defensive f...

Most college football fans hate the idea of a 24-team College Football Playoff. But Ryan Day and Ohio State may not stand in the way. On today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down why Ohio State doesn't necessarily need playoff expansion, why Ryan Day called it "debatable" whether it helps the Buckeyes, and why the Big Ten — led by Tony Petitti — is pushing hard for a 24-team CFP. We discuss what...

Will Ohio State's offense or defense become the identity of the 2026 Buckeyes? In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down why Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Arthur Smith and the Buckeye offense could dominate college football this season — and why Matt Patricia's evolving defense may eventually become the strength of the team by November. We dive into: Jeremiah Smith's dominance Julian Sayin's u...

Ohio State's linebacker room may be one of the biggest mysteries on the 2026 Buckeyes roster. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the post-spring outlook for the Ohio State linebackers, including: Payton Pierce emerging as the leader TJ Alford's major development Christian Alliegro's role in Matt Patricia's defense Riley Pettijohn's uncertain fit Eli Lee surprising everyone this spring P...

Ohio State's defensive end room may be one of the most important position groups on the entire 2026 roster. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the Buckeyes' post-spring defensive end recap including: Kenyatta Jackson's breakout potential Beau Atkinson's huge offseason improvement Qua Russaw's intriguing hybrid role Zion Grady's upside Young stars like Epi Sitanilei and Khary Wilder Repl...

Ohio State's wide receiver room may once again be the deepest in college football. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the Buckeyes' post-spring wide receiver recap, including: Chris Henry Jr.'s massive spring Brock Boyd turning heads early Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker emerging Jeremiah Smith somehow getting EVEN BETTER Why Ohio State may rotate receivers more in 2026 Could Chris Henry J...

Ohio State's cornerback room may quietly be one of the BEST groups in college football heading into 2026. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the Buckeyes' post-spring cornerback recap, including: Devin Sanchez's huge sophomore leap Dominick Kelly emerging as a major transfer portal addition Jermaine Mathews' versatility The nickel situation under Matt Patricia Why Ohio State suddenly ha...

Ohio State's defensive tackle room entered spring full of questions… but did the Buckeyes quietly build a strength? In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the entire post-spring defensive tackle situation: Eddrick Houston's HUGE opportunity James Smith's rapid rise John Walker's late spring surge Freshmen flashing early Matt Patricia's possible 3-DT packages Biggest concerns heading into fa...

Ohio State returns FOUR starters and 91 career starts along the offensive line heading into the 2026 season — but major questions still remain. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down: Why Ian Moore may have locked down the left tackle job Whether Austin Siereveld should move inside to guard Concerns about the interior offensive line depth The pressure on Phillip Daniels heading into camp Wh...

Ohio State lost TWO NFL Draft picks at tight end… but the Buckeyes may have quietly rebuilt one of the deepest TE rooms in the Big Ten. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the full spring progress report for Ohio State's tight ends — including Nate Roberts' breakout spring, the emergence of transfer additions Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams, and why Arthur Smith's offense could heavily...

Ohio State lost Caleb Downs, but the Buckeyes may still have one of the best safety rooms in college football. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the full post-spring progress report for Ohio State's safeties — including Jaylen McClain's emergence as a leader, Earl Little's explosive first spring in Columbus, Terry Moore's late surge, and why Leroy Roker may be the surprise of the room....

The College Football Playoff may eventually expand to 24 teams — and I think it would be a disaster for the sport. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, I break down why college football's greatness has ALWAYS been tied to the urgency of the regular season. A 24-team playoff would remove consequences, dilute rivalry games, reward underachieving teams, and turn college football into NFL-lite. I also reac...

Ohio State's running back room may quietly be one of the deepest position groups in college football heading into 2026. In today's Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down everything we learned from spring football about the Buckeyes running backs: Why Bo Jackson remains the clear RB1 Isaiah West's growing role The rising hype surrounding freshman Legend Bey Ja'Kobi Jackson's underrated importance Why C...

Ohio State's quarterback room is set heading into the 2026 season, but all eyes are on Julian Sayin as he enters Year 2 as the Buckeyes' starter. In this episode of the Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down everything we learned this spring — from Sayin's leadership growth and Heisman potential to Tavien St. Clair's rise and the biggest unanswered questions at quarterback. Can Sayin take the next ste...

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently admitted he "can't figure out" why the Big Ten has surged ahead of the SEC. In this episode of the Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the REAL reasons behind the shift in college football power. From NIL leveling the playing field to coaching advantages in the Big Ten, Ohio State and its conference are now setting the standard in college football. Is the SEC...

Ohio State is loaded heading into the 2025 season—but there are still a few key position battles that could shape a national title run. In this episode of the Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down four critical battles and predict the winners, including safety, offensive line, defensive tackle, and linebacker. Will Ian Moore lock down left tackle? Who starts at safety? And which linebackers lead the...

Ohio State just made NFL Draft history with two linebackers selected in the Top 10 — and it's no accident. In this episode of the Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down the rapid rise of linebackers coach James Laurinaitis and how he's building the next "Position U" in Columbus. From Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles to elite recruiting classes and zero transfers, the Buckeyes are quickly becoming THE des...

Ohio State has the talent to compete for a national championship—but none of it matters if the Buckeyes aren't healthy heading into fall camp. In this episode of the Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down why the offseason recovery period is crucial, which position groups need to be fully healthy, and how injuries could impact Ohio State's early-season performance. From the offensive line to the runni...