Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

Defensive lineman Jashon Cornell and linebacker Justin Hilliard combined for what Ohio State fans called "10-star Wednesday" on July 2, 2014 when they committed to Ohio State. Both were five-star recruits at the time, and Hilliard held on to his fifth star (and was the only five-star recruit in OSU's 2015 class).

However, Cornell is not listed on the two-deep -- even after the season-ending injury to Tracy Sprinkle -- and Hilliard is third on the depth chart at his position, behind Dante Booker and Joe Burger.

Matt Baxendell joins Dave Biddle to discuss what is going on with Cornell and Hilliard, plus wide receiver Corey Smith. Urban Meyer wouldn't have wanted Smith back this season unless he thought Smith could be a big help. But Smith barely played in the season-opener against Bowling Green. 

That and more on the Wednesday extravaganza.

Did we just witness a drastic change in Ohio State's offensive philosophy?

Can this group withstand the injury report?

Who is the nation's top 5 via the "eye test" after Week One?

We hit all of that in glorious detail with the inimitable Duane Long.

Starting your Tuesday morning with 5ish from us here at Bucknuts!

How does junior defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle being out for the season with a knee injury affect the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes?

Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle to discuss that and much more.

A total of 10 true freshmen played for Ohio State during the 77-10 win over Bowling Green. We discuss those freshmen and whether we were surprised by any of them.

Also, it's a big day for team coverage as we talk about on the show, so keep it locked to Bucknuts all day.

Did Ohio State dodge a proverbial bullet when running back Kareem Walker decommitted from OSU and eventually signed with Michigan?

That's one of the topic Dave Biddle and Jonah Booker discuss on today's show.

And of course game day is almost upon us. The Buckeyes will kick off the 2016 season tomorrow against visiting Bowling Green, and we give our thoughts about the game, OSU's wide receivers and much more.

There was a time when we thought J.K. Dobbins and Cam Akers would both be part of Ohio State's Class of 2017 haul. Is it possible neither will actually matriculate to Columbus?

We bring in 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong to provide wisdom on running back recruiting in 2017, the first 2018 prospects Ohio State contacted when the clock struck midnight and how the Buckeyes' season will go with Bowling Green ready to invade The Shoe at noon on Saturday.

Come along and spend 5ish with us!

Eight wide receivers made Ohio State's two-deep that was released on Tuesday. Not wide receivers plus hybrids; just wide receivers. Yes, eight of them made the cut.

However, redshirt freshman K.J. Hill was not one of them.

Does this indicate that the coaching staff doesn't think highly of Hill, or is there nothing to see here?

That's one of the topics Brandon Castel and Dave Biddle discuss on today's show, which includes several takeaways from the depth chart.

Torrance Gibson ... we hardly knew ye?

Five-star commitments and targets on display nationwide?

Actual Ohio State football slated for Saturday?

Duane Long's birthday?

Yes, the BM5 is quite an experience this morning. We hope you start your day right with us.

Game week has finally arrived for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The program will release its official 2-deep on Tuesday, but Dave Biddle takes a stab at what the entire 2-deep will look like on today's show.

Also, today marks the first Urban Meyer game-week press conference of the season. Those will be held each Monday at 11:45 a.m., and will be followed by interviews with OSU assistant coaches and players. It's going to be a busy day (and a busy year) so keep it locked to Bucknuts.

What are reasonable expectations for true freshman defensive end Nick Bosa at Ohio State in 2016?

Will J.T. Barrett reach 3,000 passing yards this season for the Buckeyes?

Who is the third-best head coach in the country?

What is going on at "That School Up North"?

"The People's Champ" Matt Baxendell joins Dave Biddle for all of that and more.

Ten-star Mondays?

A new Class of 2017 tight end?

Michigan defects aplenty?

Just another day in Buckeye Nation and we are here to put it all in perspective.

And who better to assist other than 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong?

He has answers, opinions and the reason he does not put gel in his hair before working out.

What? You'll just have to listen to understand.

So spend 5ish with us this morning!