Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Ohio State suffered an embarrassing 49-20 defeat at the hands of Purdue Saturday night.

Where do the Buckeyes go from here?

Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle on today’s show to sift through the rubble.

Topics include:

** Is the stubbornness of the coaching staff one of the biggest issues?

** What needs to be fixed the most offensively?

** What needs to be fixed the most defensively?

** Is something off with head coach Urban Meyer?

All of that and more on the Monday program.