The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

With a top-15 showdown on deck in Iowa City this Saturday, it's time for a few bonus episodes to let you hear directly from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day with some of his thoughts on the play of the Buckeyes' offense. 

Day has been challenging his team over the past month - challenging the offensive line to get more push, and the running backs to run harder - angry, even. So is he seeing that on the field?

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear directly Day about that, the status of talented true freshman Legend Bey, and much more.

Why aren't talented Ohio State freshmen Legend Bey and Khary Wilder seeing more playing time for the Buckeyes?

Ryan Day answered that question on Tuesday. In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman break down Day's answers and discuss what he said and what he didn't for each of the two exciting freshmen.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the current Heisman favorite, but how much does that mean in September?

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss Smith's Heisman odds and what it would take for him to actually win the award. How close is he to matching DeVonta Smith's numbers when he won it? How will the Ohio State defense factor into this? And isn't it just KNOWN that Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football? The fellas talk about all of this and more.

Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19, but after going back and rewatching the game, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr found plenty more to talk about on the Buckeye Weekly Podcast.

Jeremiah Smith was once again the biggest story, and the rewatch only reinforced one obvious conclusion: Ohio State should keep getting him the football. From easy red-zone opportunities to quick-game concepts and explosive plays, Smith continues to make the difficult look routine.   

Tony and Tom also take a closer look at Julian Sayin’s running, Nate Roberts’ emergence at tight end, Ohio State’s offensive line, Riley Pettijohn’s growing role, the Buckeyes’ unusual run fits on defense, the lack of proven stars in the front seven, and why some of the defensive issues may be more schematic than individual.

They also discuss young players like T.J. Alford, Khary Wilder and Jordan Thomas, what Ohio State may do defensively against Iowa, and one veteran move from Carson Hinzman that deserves its own football terminology.

0:00 — Rewatching Ohio State’s 42-19 win over Illinois
0:28 — What is a bold prediction for Jeremiah Smith anymore?
0:53 — Just throw the ball to Jeremiah Smith
3:02 — Why even simple throws to Smith are so effective
4:31 — Jeremiah Smith does the little things too
5:41 — Julian Sayin running and Nate Roberts emerging
6:36 — Ohio State’s tight end rotation
8:05 — Jake Cook as a short-yardage weapon
8:44 — Julian Sayin finally using his legs
10:37 — Why Sayin’s scrambling can change the offense
12:28 — The Ohio State defense is still a work in progress
13:03 — Weird run fits and difficult assignments
14:49 — Is Matt Patricia asking too much of this defense?
16:42 — Riley Pettijohn’s good and bad moments
18:01 — Ohio State’s young linebackers continue to grow
20:04 — Qua Russaw was more noticeable on the rewatch
20:56 — Why the Iowa game could tell us a lot about the front seven
22:12 — How Ohio State may line up against Iowa
22:35 — Jordan Thomas making his case on special teams
23:48 — Jay Timmons’ status and the nickel question
25:51 — Secondary communication issues
26:24 — Carson Hinzman’s veteran “boop” move
27:18 — Final thoughts

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the Michigan Wolverines' performance in their loss at home to Iowa.

How did it happen? Why did it happen? Who is to blame? Should it have ever happened in the first place? The fellas talk about all of this and much, much more. Including Michigan's ongoing struggles running the ball, the growing weaponry of Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan, Bryce Underwood's improved play, and how much any of this really matters.

We don't normally do a show with postgame clips from Ohio State's next opponent, but when that opponent stuns Michigan on the final play of the day in Ann Arbor, we understand that Buckeyes fans might be a little more interested than usual. 

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz in the wake of his team's 20-19 shocker over the Wolverines, including his thoughts on the play of QB Hank Brown, WR Reece Vander Zee, that final play on the whole, and much more.

Ohio State heads to Iowa City this week, so Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr went back and rewatched Iowa’s 20-19 win over Michigan to get a better idea of what the Buckeyes are walking into.

What did they learn? Iowa may not be flashy, but the Hawkeyes are still very good at dragging opponents into exactly the kind of game Kirk Ferentz wants to play. Michigan outgained Iowa for much of the afternoon, but the Hawkeyes capitalized in the red zone, avoided costly mistakes, won key late-game situations, and found a way to steal a road win in Ann Arbor.

Tony and Tom break down Hank Brown, Iowa’s running game, the Hawkeyes’ receivers, their red-zone efficiency, the importance of turnover margin, and why Ohio State absolutely cannot let this turn into a classic Iowa rock fight.

0:00 — Rewatching Iowa’s 20-19 win over Michigan
0:37 — How in the world did Iowa win this game?
2:03 — The Kirk Ferentz formula is still alive
4:13 — Iowa’s offense: slow, methodical and hard to escape
5:54 — The incredible bounces that helped Iowa
6:51 — A 99-yard kickoff return changes everything
8:08 — Even Iowa can have special teams problems
9:50 — The stat that explains how Iowa wins games
11:20 — Why Iowa doesn’t need to force turnovers
12:39 — What Iowa’s offense can actually do
13:57 — Ohio State has to get Iowa off the field
17:05 — Breaking down Iowa’s improbable final drive
18:40 — How a Michigan injury changed the final sequence
19:43 — Iowa’s passing game still has limitations
20:37 — Why Ohio State has to play sound, patient defense
22:12 — Final thoughts on the Hawkeyes
22:28 — Looking ahead to Ohio State at Iowa

The biggest takeaway: Iowa doesn’t need to dominate statistically to beat you. The Hawkeyes just need the game to stay close long enough for one turnover, one special-teams play, one penalty, or one late drive to decide it.

Ohio State will have to stay disciplined, finish drives, tackle cleanly, and avoid giving Iowa the kind of openings that have made the Hawkeyes so dangerous in Iowa City over the years.

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Ohio State opened Big Ten play with a 42-19 win over Illinois, and Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr are live with their instant reaction on the Buckeye Weekly Podcast.

Jeremiah Smith put together another ridiculous performance, finishing with 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns, while Julian Sayin showed something Buckeye fans have been waiting to see: a willingness to use his legs. Sayin repeatedly extended plays and picked up key first downs as a runner, adding another dimension to the Ohio State offense.  

But the Buckeyes didn't leave this game without some concerns. Illinois rushed for 199 yards and consistently generated explosive plays against an Ohio State defense that struggled to control the line of scrimmage. Tony and Tom discuss the defensive line, linebacker rotation, Khary Wilder, Riley Pettijohn, the lack of a consistent pass rush, and whether Ohio State's run defense has officially become a concern.

They also break down Ohio State's running game, the offensive line without Phillip Daniels, the continued development of the Buckeyes' young players, and what this performance means heading into a road trip to Iowa.

0:00 — Instant reaction to Ohio State's 42-19 win
1:38 — Jeremiah Smith's monster four-touchdown performance
5:00 — Should Ohio State just keep feeding Jeremiah Smith?
7:30 — Where were the other Buckeye receivers?
10:00 — What Ohio State's rotations tell us about who the coaches trust
12:26 — Khary Wilder, Riley Pettijohn and the young Buckeye defenders
16:00 — Illinois exposes problems with Ohio State's run defense
20:00 — Is the defensive line Ohio State's biggest concern?
24:00 — Where is the Buckeyes' pass rush?
28:00 — Breaking down Ohio State's offensive line
30:00 — Is the running-game problem the backs or the offensive line?
32:23 — Bret Bielema on trying to defend Jeremiah Smith
34:46 — Bielema on Julian Sayin using his legs
35:34 — Has Ohio State solved its short-yardage problem?
38:00 — Every contender in college football has flaws
44:00 — Why Ohio State fans shouldn't overlook a comfortable Big Ten win
47:00 — The biggest concern with this Buckeye team right now
52:00 — Why the defensive line could determine Ohio State's ceiling
56:00 — Why isn't Legend Bey playing more?
59:00 — Ohio State goes 4-for-4 in the red zone
1:00:11 — Tony vs. Tom: Who came closer on the final score?
1:01:30 — Looking at Illinois and the rest of its schedule
1:04:07 — What we'll be breaking down this week at Buckeye Insiders

Ohio State has plenty to clean up, particularly defensively, but the Buckeyes also left this one with encouraging developments from Sayin and yet another reminder that Jeremiah Smith can take over a football game almost by himself.

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Juck Miletti checks in from Ohio Stadium with his initial reaction following Ohio State’s 42-19 win over Illinois to open Big Ten play.

Julian Sayin showed a new element to his game with his legs, Jeremiah Smith delivered a monster four-touchdown performance, and the Buckeyes were dramatically better on third down and in the red zone. But there were still some concerns, most notably an Ohio State defense that surrendered far too many explosive plays.

Juck breaks down what stood out from Sayin, Smith, the young linebackers, Nate Roberts and the tight ends, Ohio State’s offensive line combinations, the running game, special teams and more. He also hands out his Buckeye helmet stickers and looks ahead to next week’s road test at Iowa.

0:00 — Opening thoughts on Ohio State’s 42-19 win
0:36 — Julian Sayin finally shows the X-factor with his legs
1:34 — How much does Sayin’s scrambling change the offense?
2:30 — Jeremiah Smith takes over the game
3:43 — Can Ohio State just keep feeding Jeremiah Smith?
5:20 — Concern over Illinois’ explosive plays against the defense
9:01 — Ohio State’s huge improvement on third and fourth down
10:25 — Perfect day in the red zone
10:55 — Matt Patricia shows more defensive aggression
12:58 — Riley Pettijohn’s growing role at linebacker
14:00 — Nate Roberts stands out at tight end
15:25 — What is Ohio State doing with the tight end rotation?
16:35 — Brock Boyd flashes when given an opportunity
17:12 — Did Bo Jackson answer Ryan Day’s challenge?
19:32 — Ja'Kobi Jackson continues to make the most of his carries
20:00 — Gabe VanSickle and the offensive line combination
21:22 — How Julian Sayin handled pressure
22:22 — Why Ohio State’s special teams remain frustrating
24:35 — Buckeye helmet stickers: Jeremiah Smith, Nate Roberts and Jaylen McClain
25:30 — Payton Pierce on Ohio State’s defensive breakdowns
28:27 — Juck’s thoughts on Payton Pierce
29:20 — The passing game is carrying the Buckeyes right now
30:15 — Ohio State’s youth movement is coming
32:21 — Final thoughts and looking ahead to Iowa

Ohio State improved to 4-0 with the victory, but Juck sees a team that is still developing week by week — with plenty of encouraging signs and a few issues that need to be cleaned up before the schedule gets tougher.  

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It is gameday as Ohio State kicks off Big Ten play by hosting 2-1 Illinois. The Buckeye Insiders' team of Juck Miletti, Tom Orr, and Tony Gerdeman preview the game and share their picks for what's about to happen. Where do the Illini have issues? Where can the Buckeyes take advantage? Will the Ohio State running game respond? All of this is covered and much more.