Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

Which teams will be in the running for the 2020 college football national championship? Bill "Bank" Greene joins Dave Biddle for a lengthy version of the Monday 5ish to do a deep dive on that, plus: Who will have a better NFL career: Joe Burrow or Baker Mayfield? Who will be Michigan's starting quarterback this season? What does Bank think of the Wolverines' overall roster for 2020? (Hint: He is not very impressed.) What do fans need to know about the nation's No. 2 middle linebacker prospect, Reid Carrico? He is of course a member of OSU's 2020 recruiting class and recently received an invite to the All-American Bowl. Bank breaks down his game for the listeners.

All of that and more is coming your way on the Monday 5ish.

Every Buckeye that comes to Columbus does so with an eye on the NFL. Most are the best player to ever don the pads in their hometown and the idea of making a living in pro football is a major reason Ohio State was their choice of college. 

While every other real sporting event (see: H-O-R-S-E isn't a sport) has been - at best - postponed ... the NFL Draft will go on.

That means Ohio State takes center stage once again. Defensive stars Chase Young and Jeffrey Okudah lead double-digit Buckeyes into the annual affair. 

So who better to break it all down than a scribe with 26 years experience covering the NFL. What if we could make said scribe an expert on the Redskins, an Ohio State graduate and former Lantern sports editor?

Well, we did just that. 

Today, we are joined on a mega-length pod by John Keim, ESPN's Redskins reporter ... and yes, he is a Buckeye. So it back and enjoy Keim's commentary on Washington's interest in Young, how Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin are faring, why Michigan's Jon Jansen once threw him in an ice bath and so much more.

Should there be an eight-team playoff in college football, as opposed to four-game playoff? That is the main topic of discussion as Patrick Murphy drops by to pinch hit for Jonah Booker on the Friday show. Also on the docket:

* Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith will have a teleconference with local OSU beat writers today at 10 a.m. What are we most interested in hearing from Smith? What will he say about the 2020 college football season and some plans that are being debated?

* Is there a culture problem with Ohio State's men's basketball program? Or are all the transfers simply a sign of the times in college sports?

All of that and more is coming your way on the Friday 5ish.

Ohio State has 15 commitments in its No. 1-rated Class of 2021 haul thus far. How will the class finish up? How many rooms at The Inn are open?

You know the targets from Seattle and Florida. But are there other prospects who could be added to the fold?

247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here with four names that maybe haven't gotten enough attention from us. We take care of that today. Wiltfong has the absolute latest on how Ohio State feels about:

* Jager Burton

* Jantzen Dunn

* Tony Grimes

* Hudson Wolfe

And that's not it! Wiltfong also spreads wisdom on a Khaki-colored Crystal Ball and which future Buckeyes/targets figure to rise in next week's 247Sports rankings update.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters!

Today we have the latest edition of the DeanCast. 

DeanCast guest today is Clemson insider Anna Hickey who covers both the Clemson football team and Tiger recruiting.

On today’s show we talk:

** Where Clemson stands with Buckeyes’ 5-star WR target Emeka Egbuka

** Hickey talks about the Ohio State - Clemson battle for WR Troy Stellato

** Hickey gives her thoughts on super LB Barrett Carter who both the Tigers and Buckeyes would love to land.

** Hickey talks Clemson football and the Buckeyes being a more physical team than LSU was last year.

** We talk about the Tigers and Buckeyes possibly meeting up again in the next college football playoffs.

** And we finish with the Ohio State-Clemson battle on the recruiting front for the country’s No. 1 class.

An action-packed, 21-minute edition of the Wednesday 5ish coming your way? You had better believe it. The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle for his usual midweek visit, and there is plenty on the agenda.

* Who will be Ohio State's top-three leading rushers in 2020?

* Who will be the Buckeyes' top-three leading receivers?

* The NFL Draft is exactly two weeks and one day away, and we are fired up about it. Also, the draft is going to shatter ratings records.

* The biggest discussion on the show is regarding some college athletic directors and head coaches pushing back on the idea of playing games with no fans in the stands. No one wants to see that happen, but what would you rather have: No football at all, or football with no fans in the stands? Exactly. 

All of that and more is in store for you on the Wednesday 5ish.

There are two topics bubbling about the Buckeyes these days:

* Topic One: Ohio State recruiting is incredible.

The latest big timer to get Crystal Balled to the good guys: Tywone Malone. 

Will the New Jersey native and two-sport star (a 305-pound baseball player?) opt for Team Greg or Team Ryan?

* Topic Two: Michigan can't hang with Ohio State.

Why is that?

Multiple podcasts and Internet inches have been devoted to the question.

Duane Long is here to tackle both topics. Both topics were decleated.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters!

President Donald Trump held a conference call with the commissioners of the major professional sports leagues in North America on Saturday. Per ESPN, Trump expressed confidence that the NFL season would start on time in September. If the NFL starts on time, one would have to think that bodes very well for the 2020 college football season being played. Now, it must be pointed out that some governors -- such as Gavin Newsom of California -- do not share Trump's optimism that the NFL season will start on time. But even if football season starts late with no fans in the stands, sign us up for that. Bill "Bank" Greene joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss that, plus:

* What is the latest on the recruiting front for Ohio State?

* Specifically, where do the Buckeyes stand with 2021 defensive tackles Tywone Malone and Marcus Bradley?

* What about Terrence Lewis? What's going on with him?

* Which of the top targets on OSU's board might announce their commitments over the next month or two?

* What was the deal with eBay temporarily suspending Chris Spielman's account on Sunday?

All of that and more is coming your way on the Monday 5ish.

Good morning, Bucknutters! Hopefully this 'unannounced' podcast is a way for you to spend some quality Ohio State time today or whenever. 

'Bucknuts Almost Live' was our in-season podcast used to wrap up games and set up the week ahead. Uhh ... things have changed for everyone since the football season. So we thought it would be a good idea to bring back the Sunday podcast to help with our 'Nutters getting through the extended homebody assignment.

Now, it's pretty clear this podcast won't follow the same format it did during the season. It will be more of a guest-driven pod for interviews that maybe go even longer than the usual five minutes on the BM5 (we kid, we kid).

Our guest today is Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst from The Athletic. He provides the best possible breakdown you can get of the Buckeyes aiming to hear their name called later this month. 

But we could use your help: Who would you like to hear from on 'Bucknuts Almost Live'? Please use the thread below to offer suggestions.

And enjoy today's show!

How is Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields staying sharp during the coronavirus quarantine? Is he doing most of his work in the film room, or is he actually getting on a football field and throwing real footballs to real people? Jonah Booker drops by for his usual Friday visit to talk about what Fields is doing now, plus:

* The media will get a chance to interview OSU director of player personnel Mark Pantoni later this morning, and we're happy about it.

* What uncommitted 2021 recruits does JBook have his eye on the most?

* Are SEC programs getting an advantage over Big Ten programs during the quarantine? Why?

All of that and more is in store for you on the Friday 5ish. At least, we think it's Friday.