Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

The first year of the early signing period in college football is nearly a month away (Dec. 20-22) and one person who is not a fan of it is Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.

Why doesn't Meyer like it? Could it have a negative effect on OSU recruiting?

Jonah Booker drops by as usual on Friday to join Dave Biddle and discuss the early signing period, plus:

* Thoughts on senior day tomorrow as the Buckeyes take on Illinois.

* Who should be OSU's starting linebackers?

* If the Buckeyes win out, will they make the College Football Playoff?

All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza.

The skies have grayed in Ohio, probably for several months.

But the Buckeyes' recruiting trail forecast?

Sunny ... very sunny.

Taking the lead for an elite defensive back?

Back in it for an elite linebacker?

Still in it for another elite linebacker?

Coveted quarterbacks ready to visit?

We need a recruiting specialist to break it all down.

Thankfully, it's Thursday and 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here to spread sunshine.

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

We have a special edition of the Bucknuts Morning 5 today as Ben Koo, owner and publisher of the popular Awful Announcing site, drops by to chat with Dave Biddle.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

* The background of Awful Announcing and what makes the site stand out to fans and journalists nationwide.

* Who are the best and worst football announcers?

* If Ohio State wins out, will the Buckeyes make the College Football Playoff?

* Ben's thoughts on J.T. Barrett, who will be playing his final game in Ohio Stadium this Saturday.

All of that and much more in a 21-minute edition of the Wednesday extravaganza.

Awful against Iowa.

Dominant against Michigan State.

How do you explain these Buckeyes?

We brought in Duane Long to address that query as well as:

* Do the Buckeyes need Jerome Baker?

* Who should start at linebacker?

* Which Class of 2018 QB target does Duane like most?

* Did Ohio State find a gem in Texas?

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!

Should redshirt freshman Tuf Borland remain as Ohio State's starting middle linebacker?

Does the targeting penalty/ejection situation need to change in college football?

Alex Gleitman joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* Thoughts on the Buckeyes' excellent performance against Michigan State.

* The latest on 2018 quarterback recruiting for the Buckeyes.

That plus more on the Monday extravaganza.

Will Ohio State win the Big Ten championship?

Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle to answer that question, plus:

* How big is the Michigan State game for Urban Meyer's legacy at OSU?

* What are our predictions for the OSU-MSU clash?

* Is Trevon Grimes really going to return to Ohio State, or is he likely to enroll at Miami?

All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza.

There's more to coaching than games!

So let's focus where Ohio State seems to have it all handled: the recruiting trail.

And who better to help us with the global perspective on the Buckeyes than 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong?

Nobody is the right answer there. So guess who's here?

Wiltfong gives us the latest on the following:

* Cade Mays

* Chris Olave

* Tyler Friday

* Anthony Cook

* Emory Jones

* Jarren Williams

ALSO: What does Wiltfong think of the Michigan State-Ohio STate tussle at The Shoe this weekend?

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!

Did the embarrassing loss at Iowa finally wake Ohio State up, or will we see more of the same inconsistent and sloppy play from the Buckeyes the remainder of this month?

The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* Thoughts on Ohio State's substandard play at linebacker.

* Thoughts on Parris Campbell returning this week for the Michigan State game and what impact that might have.

* The Buckeyes being No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Are they definitely out of the playoff hunt?

* Greg Schiano admitting he needs to coach better.

All that and more on the Wednesday extravaganza.

Ahh, quarterback recruiting. It's the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to the BM5.

Ohio State currently has a commitment from one Georgia signal caller. But will he stick ... and will he be replaced in the Class of 2018 by another Peach Stater?

Who knows? 

Who better to ask than 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong, who broke the story of Ohio State's offer to Jarren Williams.

We get deep on the future of the Buckeye quarterback position. 

Steve also takes the heat for picking the Nittany Lions over the Buckeyes last week.

Spend 5ish with us, 'Nutters!

Ohio State is No. 6 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings of 2018.

The big question now is whether the Buckeyes will definitely make the CFP if they win out and finish with a 12-1 record, including a Big Ten championship.

The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* The improvement of J.T. Barrett.

* The improvement of Isaiah Prince.

* The job Kevin "Ron" Wilson is doing (and Ryan Day).

That and more on the Wednesday extravaganza.