Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

Bill Greene joins Dave Biddle for today's show, and the topics include:

* Takeaways from Ohio State's heartbreaking loss to Clemson on Saturday in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Yes, we're still salty about it. The Buckeyes made plenty of mistakes, but the replay official was the worst we've seen.

* The departures of Jeff Hafley and Mike Yurcich from the program and who might replace them.

* Which recruits are remaining on Ohio State's board for the 2020 class?

* Who might be next to join the Buckeyes' 2021 class?

All of that and more is coming at you on the Monday 5ish.

Misery loves company. That's the theme today.

Ohio State's dream season ended Saturday night with a nightmare against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl that amounted to a 29-23 defeat.

Missed opportunities. Referees. Replay officials. All played starring roles.

Bill Kurelic is here. Matt Baxendell is here.

We will get through this together.

Spend some quality time with Bucknuts this Sunday a.m.

Ohio State and Clemson have faced off three times in the history of the programs, and all three contests ended in disaster for the Buckeyes.

In the 1978 Gator Bowl, the Tigers defeated OSU 17-15, a game that will always be remembered for Woody Hayes striking a Clemson player. Hayes was fired and never coached again.

In the 2014 Orange Bowl (2013 season), Ohio State lost 40-35 to the Tigers. That game will be best remembered as when OSU quarterback Braxton Miller fractured his labrum (right shoulder). Miller never played quarterback in a game again.

In the 2017 Fiesta Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal (2016 season), Urban Meyer suffered the most embarrassing loss of his career considering the stage it was on. Clemson pounded the Buckeyes 31-0, forcing Meyer to revamp his offensive coaching staff in the following weeks (bringing in Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson).

On Saturday, Ohio State has a chance to exercise those demons when they play Clemson in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl/CFP semifinal.

What are thoughts on this matchup? Who will win this game and why?

Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle for a special edition of the 5ish "live" from Arizona to discuss all of that and more.

OK, it's time. The holiday is over. Let's focus, people. Ohio State has a national championship to win.

First, Clemson. 

* Payback time. This movie was a horror show three years ago. But Ohio State is a much different outfit. Clemson is, too.

* Justin Fields vs. Trevor Lawrence. Two Georgia boys playing their trade for out-of-state powerhouses. Same high school year. Same NFL Draft (we assume). One will emerge as next year's likely No. 1  overall draft pick and Heisman Trophy fave.

* Is Clemson's defensive line up to the challenge? How about the Tigers' offensive line? Ohio State will present the biggest challenge for each all season.

* Can Ohio State's future NFL defensive backs consistently challenge Clemson's future NFL receivers? 

* Dabo Swinney vs. Ryan Day. Is the new guy ready?

247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here in the Xmas glow to talk Fiesta Bowl. Let's get rolling.

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

Ohio State has not been a real underdog all season. That changes Saturday night.

Clemson is a 2.5-point favorite over the Buckeyes in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. 

But the national vibe is stronger.

That vibe is the Buckeyes are headed for a buzzsaw. Clemson's combination of talent, experience and coaching will just be too much for the Buckeyes.

Yeah ... right.

Duane Long is here to offer a perspective different from that. Quite different.

It's Christmas Eve morning. 

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

Monday is about Dave Biddle and Bill Greene here at the BM5. So you're half-covered today.

Dave is sunning himself likely on a exotic isle but the show must go on.

Bill is here to be his bank-like self on the following topics:

* Mike Yurcich to Texas to call plays for Tom?

* Familiar face to follow Jeff Hafley?

* Brendon White and Greg Schiano: Reunited and it feels so good?

* Clemson is a 2-point favorite over Ohio State. Who should be favored?

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

Ohio State is pretty good at football. Ohio State is pretty good at basketball.

It's pretty fun to be a part of.

With the football team gearing up for a national title run, Chris Holtmann's squad went to Vegas, baby, and took out Kentucky. That's wins over Villanova, North Carolina and Kentucky and we are only 12 games in.

Is that good?

Also: Football.

We take a look back at National Signing Day and let you know where Ohio State's priorities are in the current class and where the focus is in 2021.

Spend some quality time with Bucknuts this Sunday a.m.

Urban Meyer achieved 'rock star' status as a coach and recruiter. He could walk into any living room anywhere and sell Ohio State with a swagger. 

Replacing him on the recruiting trail wasn't going to be easy. But Ryan Day has done a great job of it so far.

247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong takes you behind the scenes of a specific, successful recruitment during this cycle that showed Day has not missed a beat in taking over for a legend.

Other items of intrigue we got into:

* Utah over Ohio State? The heck?

* Solidifying the QB room

* Which program is crying loudest right now?

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

Ohio State emerged from yesterday with the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation. Not too shabby. If you think this secures another year of playoff contention when these recruits blossom ... you're right.

We get into all the particulars about yesterday with the Dean of Ohio State Recruiting Bill Kurelic.

Among the specifics we address:

* C.J. Stroud is in.

* Clark Phillips is not in.

* Cameron Martinez is somewhere in between.

* Class strengths: Offensive line and wide receiver.

* Class sleepers: Who is better than you think?

* Where to from here for the staff?

 Spend 5ish with us today, Nutters!

It is national signing day in college football and The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle for today's show to talk all about it from Ohio State's perspective.

The Buckeyes will sign at least 23 players today, perhaps 24 depending on what quarterback CJ Stroud decides to do when he makes his announcement at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Two verbal commits -- cornerback Clark Phillips and athlete Cam Martinez -- will not sign today. Phillips will decide between OSU and Utah on Thursday, while Martinez will likely wait until what is now the late signing period in February to make his final call. What is Bax's take on those situations?

Ryan Day and the Buckeyes currently have the No. 4 class in the nation, per the 247Sports Composite. And they are the only Big Ten team in the top 10.

The class is led by perhaps the best wide receiver group we have seen. The offensive line class is also extremely impressive. What else stands out about the class, both good and not so good?

All of that and more is coming at you on the signing day version of the 5ish.