Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

It is the morning after Ohio State's season-opening 49-21 win at Indiana on Thursday.

Despite the spread being 20.5 and the Buckeyes winning by 28, a lot of OSU fans came away from the game feeling salty.

Alex Gleitman joins Dave Biddle to talk about the 2017 opener, whether J.K. Dobbins should be the Buckeyes' starting running back even after Mike Weber returns healthy, and whether we're giving enough credit to Indiana who might be a better team than people like us expected.

All of that and more as you kick off September with the Friday version of the BM5.

You were right to call in sick today.

It's GAME DAY!

Our extended wait is over as the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington for an 8 p.m. kickoff against the host Hoosiers. 

This just in: Kevin Wilson was the Indiana coach last season. Kevin Wilson is now the Ohio State offensive coordinator.

Advantage: Ohio State.

What will Wilson do to his former charges tonight? 

Does Indiana have any Ohioans that could stand in Ohio State's way?

We bring in Indiana native and 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong for his prediction on the game and recruiting vibes surrounding the contest.

Spend 5ish with us on this Buckeye holiday!

It is the eve of Ohio State's season-opener against Indiana, and we're having some fun on today's show.

The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to predict several "over/under" scenarios for Ohio State (and one other team) this season. Included in the festivities:

* Over/under 11.5 regular-season wins for Ohio State.

* Over/under 45.5 total touchdowns for J.T. Barrett, including the postseason.

* Over/under 9.5 sacks for Nick Bosa, including the postseason.

* Over/under 5.5 interceptions for Denzel Ward, including the postseason.

* Over/under 99.5 total tackles for Jerome Baker, including the postseason.

* Over/under 999.5 combined rushing/receiving yards for J.K. Dobbins, including the postseason.

* Over/under 8.5 regular-season wins for Michigan.

Also, if you still need advice on buying tickets for tomorrow night's tilt in Bloomington, we tell you what you need to know.

As for the various over/unders, give us your answers in the comments section.

That cold sweat you feel? That inability to pay attention at work? That gravitational pull towards Thursday night.

It's all normal, Bucknutters. The season is here.

Duane Long joins us for his final appearance before the opener in Bloomington to break down the recently released depth chart, the youth movement afoot and what to expect against the Hoosiers.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!

Game week has arrived for Ohio State and we have an action-packed edition of the BM5 to kick things off.

What are the biggest storylines on both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes as they head into the season opener at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) on Thursday?

Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* Discuss the players such as Branden Bowen, Austin Mack and Johnnie Dixon who were named starters over the weekend when OSU coaches called their parents.

* Preditions for the OSU-IU tilt.

* The commitment of four-star WR Blue Smith.

That plus more on the Monday extravaganza.

If Dwayne Haskins has to play at some point this season in meaningful action, what should we expect from the redshirt freshman quarterback?

Also, we are less than a week away from Ohio State's season-opener at Indiana, and the Buckeyes have still not named a starting right guard. What do we make of this situation?

Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle to discuss all of that, plus:

* Give a prediction on the OSU-IU game.

* Talk about our new feature, Lunch Bucks, where we will go to a Columbus-area restaurant each Monday after Urban Meyer's press conference and do a live video talking Ohio State football.

* Where should we go this Monday? Tell us in the comments section.

We have all of that and more on the Friday extravaganza.

The forecast for this weekend?

'Blue' skies ... hopefully.

L'Christian 'Blue' Smith, the No. 4 player in Ohio, will make his commitment on ESPN on Sunday. Smith and Huber Heights Wayne travel to face Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland and the commitment will be brought to you live during the broadcast.

We think it will be programming you enjoy.

Then again, with recruiting these days, what isn't there enjoy?

We welcome in 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong for his usual Thursday appearance and talk Smith's impending decision and how Ohio State could finish this class with the top five players in Ohio and 10 of the top 37 prospects nationally.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!

Ohio State has confirmed that third-year sophomore quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a broken finger in practice and will miss at least the next 3-4 weeks.

This obviously means redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins will begin the season as the Buckeyes' backup QB.

What effect will this have on the Buckeyes, if any?

Is there a chance true freshman Tate Martell could get in the mix?

The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, joins Dave Biddle to discuss that and more.

Welcome to Dan & Duane's Prediction Preview Extravaganza!

With the season nearly upon us, we tried to 'fill in the blanks'?

Huh?

See below for the blanks. Then hang on for the BM45ish!!!!!

Dan & Duane's Prediction Preview Extravaganza

1. ________ is the Class of 2018 prospect committed to Ohio State I am most excited about.

2. ________ is the Class of 2018 prospect NOT committed to Ohio State I am most excited about.

3. At season's end, _____ _____ will be considered the best player on Ohio State's team.

4. ____ _____ will be the first Buckeye selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.

5. Next season, Greg Schiano will be a/an ________ coach at ________.

6. ____ ____ is the Buckeye most likely to transfer after the 2017 season.

7. The biggest threat on Ohio State's 2017 schedule is ______________.

8. ____ _____ is the Buckeye that will surprise everyone this season.

9. After J.T. Barrett, _____ _____ will be the first quarterback to enter a game this season.

10. ____ _____ will lead the Buckeyes in receptions this season.

11. The best opposing player Ohio State will face this season is _____ ______.

12. Which players on the current roster have a chance to be Top 5 picks in NFL Draft?

13. Michigan will win ________ regular season games this season.

14. Penn State will win ________ regular season games this season.

15. The four College Football Playoff teams will be _____, ______, ______ and _______.

_______ will beat _____ in the championship game.

It sounds like Ohio State has found its starting right guard after roughly three weeks of preseason camp.

Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* What can be expected from the Buckeyes' O-line this year?

* How concerned are we about Mike Weber's hamstring ailment?

* How much do we expect J.K. Dobbins will play this year?

* Who has won the battle for a starting cornerback spot between Damon Arnette and Kendall Sheffield?

The Monday extravaganza is jam-packed with all of that and more.