Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

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.

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.!

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.

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...

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.

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! 

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!

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.

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!!!

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.