Bucknuts Morning 5

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 rainy weather affect The Game? * What are injury updates for both squads? * What is something Ohio State can perhaps exploit about UM? All of that and more on the Wednesday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 comes to Ohio State's struggles on defense, is the problem scheme, personnel or ... both? ** What can we expect from The Game? Will Dwayne Haskins and the offense produce against arguably the nation's best defense? Can the Ohio State defense rally after a miserable effort in College Park? All that and more is ready and waiting for you. Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the mild upset and sending Jim Harbaugh to 0-4 against OSU, and Urban Meyer to 7-0 against UM? Bill "Bank" Greene joins Dave Biddle for takes on all of that and much more on a 19-minute edition of the Monday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 talks about his impending retirement after 35 years of covering Ohio State football - what he will and won’t miss... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Tate Martell. Will the Buckeyes continue giving Martell more opportunities, or is that more in the window dressing category? Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual Friday visit to discuss that, plus: * What are thoughts on the Buckeyes' game at Maryland tomorrow? * Is Ohio State's offense taking enough deep shots in the passing game this season? * What are thoughts on Brendon White finally earning the starting job at safety? * What is a wrinkle that would be helpful for OSU's defense? All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Columbus for Ann Arbor? ** Buckeyes vs. Terps: Beatdown coming? ** Ohio State in the College Football Playoff: Possible road map? Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Football Playoff hypothetical including the Buckeyes. Spend 5ish with us, 'Nutters! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Murphy joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss that, plus: * What is the biggest concern for the Buckeyes in terms of facing Michigan State this Saturday in East Lansing? Can OSU run the ball effectively against the Spartans' defense? * Ohio State will tip off its basketball season tonight at Cincinnati. What a cool way to start the season. What can be expected from Chris Holtmann's team? All of that and more on the midweek extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 towards an answer to that? Duane Long is here to wax poetic about the current state of the Buckeyes and a commitment flip we should all bet ecstatic about. Spend 5ish with us today!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 was a big recruiting weekend for the Buckeyes with them landing 2019 RB Marcus Crowley and 2020 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. * The way Urban Meyer is recruiting, what does that say about his future at OSU? * What are early thoughts on Ohio State's game at Michigan State this Saturday? All of that and more on the Monday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 JBook's take on the Urban Meyer situation and the comments the Buckeyes' boss made earlier this week about his health and more? * Four-star prospect Wandale Robinson picked Kentucky over Ohio State, Nebraska and many others on Thursday. The Buckeyes still have 14 commitments in their 2019 class, and are ranked 15th in the country per the 247Sports Composite team recruiting rankings. JBook answers whether the Buckeyes will miss out on finishing with a top-10 class this year or not. All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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-Ohio State marathon tussle brewing? Spend 5ish with us today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 show to discuss that, plus dish out other treats such as: * Other than Shaun Wade perhaps starting at safety over Isaiah Pryor, it does not appear as though Ohio State made any changes to its starting lineup during the off week. Is that a surprise? Who are some backups that perhaps should be given more of a chance on game days? * What are thoughts about the Nebraska game this Saturday?  * What do we make of Urban Meyer's comments on Tuesday about his health? Do you feel better or worse about Meyer's future after hearing from the coach and his doctor? All of that and more on the Halloween extravaganza. Learn mo

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 guys this cycle? ** What changes can be expected to Ohio State's offensive and defensive lineups on Saturday? ** Who is Devine Ozigbo? Is he about to become a household name? ** When the 'official' College Football Playoff rankings are released tonight, where do we expect to see the Buckeyes? Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to Ohio State? And is that pretty much a lock at this point? * What will happen with Wandale Robinson when he announces his decision on Thursday? * Looking at the 2018 team itself, do we expect the Buckeyes will bounce back and finish the season strong? Or are some of the issues beyond repair at this point? * Will Urban Meyer get his fire back? Or did it really never leave? All of that and more on the Monday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 this regular season and win the Big Ten championship? How good really is Michigan? All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 bikinis. Steve will be back next week. So sit back, relax and get a whole lot smarter about Buckeyes recruiting. Class is in session with the Dean! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 between Urban Meyer and Gene Smith? Meyer refuted it yesterday, and we believe him. But we also think there are still hard feelings on Meyer's end that are geared toward OSU president Michael Drake. If that is true, how might it affect Meyer's future at Ohio State? Or might it not have any effect? The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle on the Wednesday extravaganza to discuss all of that and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices