Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

What kind of game is expected in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and USC tonight?

Well, our Bucknuts staffers on scene -- Steve Helwagen, Patrick Murphy and Dave Biddle -- think a high-scoring affair is in store.

What advantages do the Buckeyes have over the Trojans, and vice versa?

Which team has more motivation for this game?

What are our predictions as far as who will win and what the final score will be?

All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza.

The Buckeyes were knocked off their loft recruiting perch during the Early Signing Period. Georgia is the new No. 1. Ohio State sits No. 2.

Can they get back on top down the stretch? There are still many quality recruits out there and the Buckeyes are in on several.

Which ones? What chance do they have with said recruits? What chance do they have of taking the top spot back from those feisty Bulldogs?

A good chance, actually.

247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here to tell you why ... and he throws in a Ohio State-USC prediction for the Cotton Bowl while he's at it so this is a show you won't want to miss.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!

The mental side of sports is always a relatively big factor.

But it might be even more important than usual in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and USC on Friday.

The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to discuss which team will be more motivated in Arlington, Texas, and how much impact that will have. Also on the docket:

* Will Dwayne Haskins see action when the game is still on the line?

* Where do the Buckeyes really have an advantage over the Trojans?

* What is Bax's prediction on who will win this game? (And you will be surprised. Well, maybe not now.)

All that and more on the Wednesday extravaganza.

The presents are gone, the belly is full. It's time to get back to important matters: Ohio State football.

Duane Long is here to wax poetic on the following:

* How was the recruiting class affected by Jackson Carman's decision to attend Clemson?

* What position is now set for years after the haul?

* How has the quarterback vibe changed for the Buckeyes?

* What type of challenge will USC provide in the Cotton Bowl?

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

When Urban Meyer first took over Ohio State's program in 2012, he said he wanted an angry team that would cause opponents to tap out.

Meyer will be entering his seventh season at OSU in 2018. Has the program under his watch become, dare we say, too nice?

That is the position that Jonah Booker has taken, and he drops by for his usual Friday visit to defend his point of view and much more. Dave Biddle and JBook also discuss:

* If other teams are going to negatively recruit against Ohio State, shouldn't the Buckeyes return the favor?

* Overall, what are our thoughts on OSU's 2018 recruiting class?

* One week away from the Ohio State-USC clash in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, what kind of game do we expect to see?

All of that and more on the Friday-before-Christmas extravaganza.

The first and what is widely believed to be the most impactful day of the Early Signing Period is in the books.

Ohio State had an eventful day to say the least.

We bring in the Dean of Ohio State Recruiting - Bill Kurelic - for a complete breakdown of yesterday and what the rest of this recruiting cycle holds in store for the Buckeyes.

We are less than 24 hours away from the biggest recruiting day of the calendar year. So we needed to make some moves.

Move 1: We brought in 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong today instead of waiting until his usual Thursday spot.

Move 2: We asked Steve for the absolute latest on the following Ohio State targets yet to make their final destination final:

** Jackson Carman

** Emory Jones

** Jaiden Woodbey

We also take a look at who will wait it out tomorrow and aim for a hat dance down the road.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.! 

There has been a lot of talk about J.K. Dobbins.

But we contend on the BM5 that not nearly enough attention has been given to Ohio State's true freshman running back.

Not only is he just the fourth OSU freshman RB (and third true freshman) to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season -- he currently has 1,190 -- but he is averaging an amazing 7.3 yards per carry.

Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle to sing J'Kaylin Dobbins' praises (yes, that's his real first name), plus:

* Thoughts on Mike Weber's future.

* Thoughts on Ohio State's matchup with USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Where do the Buckeyes have a big advantage over the Trojans?

All of that and more on the Monday extravaganza.

It's Friday, you've got a job, and you've got something to do.

But before you get to that, take in a quick version of the BM5 featuring Jonah Booker who joins Dave Biddle.

On the docket:

* High four-star defensive end recruit Tyreke Smith trending Ohio State's direction.

* Should the early signing period take place even earlier? Such as before the season starts (like in basketball)?

* Larry Johnson sure doesn't look like a coach that is on the verge of retirement.

All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza.

The three-day Early Signing Period is less than a week away.

Who is in?

Who is out?

What surprises are in store over the next six days?

247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here with knowledge and predictions. We cover the following Buckeye targets on today's show:

* Tyreke Smith

* Jayson Oweh

* Tyler Friday

* Cameron Brown

* Jackson Carman

* Emory Jones

Then we finish with a review of the two newest Buckeyes: Tommy Togiai and Kam Babb.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!!!