Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

Has the drama been removed from the College Football Playoff, at least from Ohio State's point of view?

Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* Which players might leave early for the NFL from OSU.

* What can be done about OSU right tackle Isaiah Prince at this late stage of the season?

* That plus much more on this 16-minute edition of the BM5.

Is there a lot to talk about these days when it comes to the Buckeyes?

Uhh ... yeah.

We are joined as always on Tuesday by Duane Long, who spreads wisdom on the following topics:

* Has Ohio State found the next Jmes Lauranaitis?

* Is Markquese Bell a prospect Ohio State should take?

* Why is Khaki Jim still crying and man is that annoying or what?

* Who should be in the College Football Playoff?

* Can Isaiah Prince improve by the next game?

All that and more are a click away.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m.!

Is Mickey Marotti the true MVP -- most valuable person -- of Ohio State's thrilling 30-27 double-overtime win over Michigan? We make the case for OSU's strength coach on today's show as Alex Gleitman joins Dave Biddle.

Also covered:

* Reflections on The Game.

* Thoughts on the Buckeyes' continuous problems in pass protection.

* Is Ohio State now a lock to make the College Football Playoff?

* A recap of the huge recruiting weekend for the Buckeyes.

* That plus more as you kick off your week the right way, by listening to the BM5.

The Game is tomorrow, and on today's show Matt Baxendell joins Dave Biddle to compare all nine individual positions groups of Ohio State and Michigan. Who has the advantage at each spot?

Also covered:

* Is Wilton Speight really going to play, or is this a smokescreen from up north?

* Predictions of The Game, including a final score and how things will play out.

Happy Thanksgiving, Bucknutters!

We have a holiday-sized show for you today with TWO guests for you to feast on.

* First we welcome in 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong per usual. Which prospects headed for Columbus should we be focused on? Is there still hope with Baron Browning? Will Ohio State add any commitments this weekend? What is a sugar cream pie? 

We get answers from Wiltfong.

* Then we are joined by Ira Weintraub, radio host of 'The Michigan Insider' on WTKA in Ann Arbor weekdays from 6-10 a.m. Will we see Wilton Speight at quarterback? Where can Michigan be attacked? Where do the Wolverines see weakness in the Buckeyes? All that and more from one of the premier voices on the Fighting Khakis.

We appreciate you spend some of your holiday with us so chow down on an extra-meaty BM5ish!

Everything is bigger during Ohio State-Michigan week.

Including the Bucknuts Morning 5.

That's right, today's show runs north of 28 minutes in length. And we go across enemy lines to bring in Steve Lorenz and Isaiah Hole from Wolverine247. Steve Helwagen from Bucknuts also joins the festivities.

Covered on the show:

* Do Michigan and Ohio State have respect for each other? Hatred? Or a weird mixture of both?

* What's the latest update on Michigan's quarterback situation? Is Wilton Speight going to play or not? What was up with the "broken collarbone" reports?

* What advantage do the Buckeyes have in this game?

* What advantage do the Wolverines have?

* What are the recruiting implications of The Game?

* To close the show, we each give our predictions, including a final score and how we think The Game will play out.

Which Ohio State team will we see this weekend when the Fighting Khakis try on The Shoe?

What are the Buckeyes' biggest strengths and weaknesses when matched up with the Wolverines?

Will Shaun Wade be a Buckeye when all is said and done?

Will Baron Browning and Wade migrate to Tuscaloosa?

It's The Week of The Game and Duane Long is here to spread wisdom.

Join us ... 

Is there gamesmanship on Michigan's behalf in regard to its quarterback situation? Or is there really a "50/50" chance Wilton Speight will play against Ohio State on Saturday?

That is one of the pertinent topics Patrick Murphy and Dave Biddle discuss on today's show.

Also covered:

* If the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines, would it actually be beneficial for Ohio State to not play in the Big Ten championship game, as crazy as that sounds?

* Initial thoughts on the OSU-UM matchup, and the fact the Buckeyes are favored by seven points.

* Will Ohio State definitely make the College Football Playoff with an 11-1 record, but no Big Ten crown?

* The media schedule today for OSU team coverage, which is jam-packed.

Is Ohio State currently in "cold-blooded killer mode"? 

The People's Champ, Matt Baxendell certainly thinks so.

Also covered on the show:

* Will the Buckeyes definitely make the College Football Playoff with an 11-1 record, but no Big Ten title?

* Did Louisville's loss last night to Houston help Ohio State?

* Thoughts on Ohio State's basketball team, which moved to 3-0 with a win over Providence last night.

* Predictions on tomorrow's Ohio State at Michigan State game.

Ohio State vaulted to No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night, and it's a foregone conclusion that the Buckeyes will make the playoffs if they finish 11-1, even without a Big Ten championship.

Or is it?

That's what Steve Helwagen and Dave Biddle debate on today's show.

Also covered on the program:

* The play of J.T. Barrett. Is he actually performing better than most Ohio State fans seem to believe?

* Thoughts on Ohio State's game at Michigan State this Saturday. The Buckeyes are favored by 22 points and usually play very well at Spartan Stadium, but could bad weather make this a closer game than expected?

* That plus more on the midweek extravaganza.