The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

Ohio State has plenty of talent entering the 2026 season, but which position groups are most likely to fall short of expectations?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine the Buckeyes' most vulnerable rooms, beginning with wide receiver. Jeremiah Smith is a proven superstar, but can Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker, Brandon Inniss, or one of Ohio State's talented freshmen provide the kind of secondary production Buckeye fans have come to expect?They also discuss the uncertainty at cornerback, the challenge of replacing Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese at linebacker, and how Ohio State will adjust in the secondary without Caleb Downs. The Buckeyes have plenty of possible answers, but many of them remain unproven.0:00 — Welcome to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast0:28 — Which position group could disappoint?1:02 — Wide receiver concerns beyond Jeremiah Smith2:26 — Why replacing Carnell Tate matters so much3:38 — Cortez Hankton's first major test at Ohio State4:08 — Concerns about production from the veteran receivers4:35 — Cornerback uncertainty and depth questions6:37 — How portal losses changed the cornerback room7:42 — Linebackers replacing Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese9:24 — Resetting expectations for the linebacker room10:05 — Questions throughout Ohio State's defense11:22 — Replacing Caleb Downs in the secondary13:02 — How nickel concerns could affect cornerback depth13:20 — Ohio State's many potential solutions13:59 — Finding the best fit at nickel14:34 — Final thoughts and reasons for optimism15:05 — Supporting Buckeye Weekly and BuckeyeInsiders.comWhich Ohio State position group is most likely to fall short of the preseason hype? Let us know in the comments.Subscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, turn on notifications, and give the video a thumbs up to help more Buckeye fans find the show.For more Ohio State football coverage and discussion, join us at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Tony Gerdeman and Juck Miletti take a deep dive into the greatest rivalry in college football. The guys share their personal memories of growing up with Ohio State vs. Michigan, rank the biggest Wolverine Killers and Buckeye Killers, discuss Bryce Underwood and Michigan's 2026 outlook, and examine whether the Wolverines are positioned for long-term success under Kyle Whittingham.0:00 – Welcome to The Time and Change Will Surely Show0:45 – Growing up with The Game: Tony and Juck's rivalry memories4:28 – Juck explains his "Wolverine Killer" ranking formula5:20 – No. 5: Texas' best6:47 – Tony begins his "Buckeye Killers" list8:36 – No. 4: Missouri's best10:27 – Tony's No. 4: The running wounded12:25 – No. 3: Spin and win14:38 – Tony's No. 3: Died trying16:56 – No. 2: Joseph Thomas19:31 – Tony's No. 2: Timmay20:45 – No. 1: There can be only one23:55 – Tony's No. 1: Ditto26:43 – Honorable mentions from both lists29:01 – Present day: Michigan's 2026 outlook30:11 – Bryce Underwood's development and Kyle Whittingham's comments33:39 – Can Michigan's running backs carry the offense?36:36 – Breaking down Michigan's receivers and offensive line38:14 – Evaluating Michigan's defensive front40:34 – Concerns about the Wolverines' secondary and linebackers43:52 – Michigan's schedule and biggest swing games44:45 – Looking ahead: Recruiting under Kyle Whittingham51:17 – Is Michigan's recruiting momentum slowing?55:22 – The long-term future of the Wolverines57:02 – Final thoughts and predictionsIf you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your own lists:Who are your Top 5 Wolverine Killers?Who are your Top 5 Buckeye Killers?How do you see Michigan's future under Kyle Whittingham?⭐ The best way to support everything we do is by becoming a member at BuckeyeInsiders.com for premium Ohio State coverage, analysis, recruiting, and community discussion.

Which Ohio State defenders have the most to gain during fall camp?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr continue their fall camp preview series by identifying five Buckeyes who could dramatically improve their roles, secure starting jobs, or force their way into the defensive rotation before the 2026 season begins.The discussion starts at defensive end, where Zion Grady has an opportunity to establish himself opposite Kenyatta Jackson. But he is not alone. Beau Atkinson, Epi Sitanilei, and Qua Russaw are also fighting for meaningful snaps in a position group still searching for answers.Tony and Tom then turn to linebacker, where Riley Pettijohn, T.J. Alford, and Christian Alliegro all have significant opportunities. Can Pettijohn make up for missing the spring? Could Alford build on the ground he gained? And will Alliegro prove he can be a dependable three-down linebacker?In the secondary, Leroy Roker has a chance to force Ohio State to find a role for him, while Dominick Kelly could establish himself as the Buckeyes' third cornerback. Cameron Calhoun also enters camp with an opportunity to use his experience to climb the depth chart.Which Ohio State defender has the most to gain in fall camp? Let us know in the comments.0:00 — Fall camp is almost here0:28 — Which defenders have the most to gain?1:11 — Zion Grady's opportunity at defensive end2:39 — Beau Atkinson and the battle opposite Kenyatta Jackson4:08 — Riley Pettijohn's chance at linebacker5:57 — T.J. Alford and Christian Alliegro enter the competition8:05 — Why the third linebacker role matters9:18 — Leroy Roker's opportunity in the secondary10:26 — Could Roker earn a regular rotational role?11:21 — Dominick Kelly and the third cornerback job13:09 — Cameron Calhoun's chance to make a move15:06 — Why the opening days of camp matter so much15:34 — Final thoughts before fall camp beginsSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, predictions, and discussion.Become a member and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Which Ohio State offensive players have the most to gain during fall camp?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr identify five Buckeyes with major opportunities to improve their roles, win starting jobs, or force their way onto the field before the 2026 season begins.The discussion starts along the offensive line, where Ian Moore could either emerge as Ohio State's starting left tackle or remain outside the starting five. Josh Padilla also has an opportunity to win the right guard job and potentially allow Austin Siereveld to remain at left tackle.Tony and Tom then turn to a wide receiver room searching for answers behind Jeremiah Smith. Can Devin McCuin establish himself as Ohio State's starting Z receiver? Could Chris Henry Jr., Brock Boyd, Kyle Parker, or Brandon Inniss make a major move during camp?They also examine Isaiah West's opportunity to secure a significant role behind Bo Jackson and explain why Turbo Rogers may be one of the most overlooked players on the entire offense.Which Buckeye has the most to gain in fall camp? Let us know in the comments.0:03 — Fall camp is officially here0:34 — Which offensive players have the most to gain?1:13 — Ian Moore's opportunity at left tackle2:00 — Josh Padilla and the right guard competition3:25 — How Austin Siereveld affects the offensive line equation4:43 — Devin McCuin's chance to win the Z receiver job6:20 — What Ohio State needs from McCuin8:39 — Could Chris Henry Jr. force his way onto the field?9:30 — Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker, and the wide receiver competition11:12 — Isaiah West's opportunity in the running back rotation12:25 — Why Turbo Rogers has so much to gain14:07 — Can Rogers climb the running back depth chart?15:11 — Final thoughts on Ohio State's offensive opportunitiesSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, predictions, and discussion.Become a member and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

The 2026 college football season will be an enormous one for Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans, and their showdown with Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Coliseum on Halloween will go a long way toward determining whether the Trojans can earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. In this special bonus episode, you'll hear directly from Riley about his personal history against Ohio State and the historic rivalry between the Buckeyes and Trojans, and whether this could be the start of a rekindled rivalry. Plus, you'll hear his thoughts about a 24-team College Football Playoff, what it will take to get USC over the hump and into the CFP, and why he's so openly confident about his team this year.

Penn State's new head coach Matt Campbell has extensive ties to Ohio, from his playing and early coaching career at Mount Union, to his time as the head coach at Toledo, so it wasn't surprising that he was asked a couple of questions involving Ohio State during 2026 Big Ten Media Days.In this special bonus episode, you'll get to hear Campbell discuss the impact that former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel has had on his career, and his decision to take the Penn State job, as well as the role that former OSU running back James Peoples could have on this season's Penn State team. Plus, you'll hear his thoughts on imprinting his culture on the Penn State program, how he'll adapt to the increased expectations in Happy Valley, and more.

New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham's first Big Ten Media Days featured plenty of rivalry talk, the unnecessary need for hate in a rivalry, his happiness with being at Michigan, the development of quarterback Bryce Underwood, the depth at defensive line, the search for an offensive line, and more.In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Marcus Hartman of BuckeyeInsiders.com joins host Tony Gerdeman to discuss their biggest takeaways from Whittingham's sitdown with the media.Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, the award-winning, upscale steakhouse in Downtown Columbus, named one of the Top 50 steakhouses in America by Food Network. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today

There is a ton of excitement around Ohio State freshman running back Legend Bey. The former Texas quarterback was one of the most dynamic runners in the 2026 recruiting class. Now he's a Buckeye and there are significant plans for him this season. But how significant? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman is joined by Buckeye Insiders' Juck Miletti to discuss their thoughts on what to expect from Legend Bey this season.

Florida State transfer safety Earl Little earned some high praise for his play in the spring, but what does that mean for this season? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, host Tony Gerdeman is joined by Buckeye Insiders' Juck Miletti to talk about Little and the expectations they have for him this season.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr talk about the likelihood of once again having three Ohio State All-Americans attending Big Ten Media Days. They accomplished the feat last year with Sonny Styles, Jeremiah Smith, and Caleb Downs. Will they do it this year with Julian Sayin, Jaylen McClain, and Jeremiah Smith? The fellas discuss those possibilities and answer who is more likely to earn the honor between Sayin and McClain.

The Big Ten Media Days are now over and fall camp is less than a week away. What did we learn? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, host Tony Gerdeman is joined by Buckeye Insiders' Juck Miletti as the two recap what they learned, how Juck's first-ever media days went, their thoughts on some of the things the Michigan contingent had to say, their Ohio State takeaways, and much more.

Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain met with the media at 2026 Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Wednesday, and had a lot of interesting thoughts on how the Buckeyes will replace Caleb Downs, the roles that Earl Little and Terry Moore will take on, what to expect from sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez, his impressions of new OSU wide recievers Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker, and more. In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Marcus Hartman of BuckeyeInsiders.com joins host Tom Orr to discuss his biggest takeaways from the 30-minute interview session with McClain. Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, the award-winning, upscale steakhouse in Downtown Columbus, named one of the Top 50 steakhouses in America by Food Network. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today.

The 2026 college football season will be an enormous one for Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans, and their showdown with Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Coliseum on Halloween will go a long way toward determining whether the Trojans can earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. In this special bonus episode, you'll hear directly from Riley about his personal history against Ohio State and the historic rivalry between the Buckeyes and Trojans, and whether this could be the start of a rekindled rivalry. Plus, you'll hear his thoughts about a 24-team College Football Playoff, what it will take to get USC over the hump and into the CFP, and why he's so openly confident about his team this year.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith met with reporters on Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days. He had plenty to say, including thoughts on some key defenders, some young receivers, not being battled tested as a team last year, and more. In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr react to what Smith had to say.

Penn State's new head coach Matt Campbell has extensive ties to Ohio, from his playing and early coaching career at Mount Union, to his time as the head coach at Toledo, so it wasn't surprising that he was asked a couple of questions involving Ohio State during 2026 Big Ten Media Days.In this special bonus episode, you'll get to hear Campbell discuss the impact that former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel has had on his career, and his decision to take the Penn State job, as well as the role that former OSU running back James Peoples could have on this season's Penn State team. Plus, you'll hear his thoughts on imprinting his culture on the Penn State program, how he'll adapt to the increased expectations in Happy Valley, and more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman discuss some thoughts on Julian Sayin following his media session at Big Ten Media Days. Sayin talked about working with Arthur Smith, what excites him most about this offense, his responsibility as the Ohio State quarterback, and much more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman discuss Michigan's appearance Thursday at Big Ten Media Days and what they want to learn about the Wolverines under new head coach Kyle Whittingham and players Bryce Underwood, Jordan Marshall, and Trey Pierce.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr share their thoughts following Ryan Day's 45-minute chat session at Big Ten Media Days. Day discussed the offensive line and how things will go there, what position group he'll be watching closely, the difficulty of the schedule, the toughest player on the team, and much more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss some major individual matchups for the Buckeyes this season. Tony has Tom blind-rank five matchups in terms of which will be the most impactful for Ohio State this season.

In this audio-only edition of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr share their reaction to speaking with Illinois head coach Bret Bielema about the state of college football, being a Big Ten spokesman, growing up, living with failure, and much more.

In this audio-only episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman recap their thoughts following a conversation with new Penn State head coach Matt Campbell. Campbell talked about life at Penn State and the lessons he has learned as a head coach. What has been the hardest lesson? The fellas discuss this as well as the problem with expectations that coul hinder the Penn State football program.

In this audio-only episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what they learned from USC head coach Lincoln Riley. Riley shared interesting thoughts on the value of high school recruiting -- particularly quarterbacks, a potential renewed rivalry with Ohio State, embracing expectations, being in alignment throughout the program, and more.

In this instant reaction episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti had to say about the Protect College Sports Act, how close it is, the SEC breaking away, the possibility of the Big Ten doing the same, and much more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman gives Tom Orr five Buckeye predictions that could define the season. They then discuss each of the predictions and the likelihood that they happen.

Ohio State has the best wide receiver in college football—but does it have a proven No. 2?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr wrap up their positional concerns series by examining the three biggest questions facing the Buckeyes' wide receiver room heading into the 2026 season.Jeremiah Smith is the unquestioned star, but Ohio State must determine who will emerge behind him. Can Brandon Inniss finally take the next step? Will UTSA transfer Devin McCuin or LSU transfer Kyle Parker become dependable options? And could one of the talented freshmen force his way into the rotation?Tony and Tom also discuss Ohio State's expected move toward a quicker passing game, the importance of producing more yards after the catch, and whether the Buckeyes have enough proven playmakers to replace Carnell Tate.They also explore what a successful freshman season should realistically look like—and why relying on a freshman can be either a warning sign or a sign that the player is simply too talented to keep off the field.Are these concerns significant enough to limit Ohio State's offense, or will the Buckeyes find their answers early in the season? Let us know in the comments.0:00 — Introducing Ohio State's wide receiver concerns0:30 — Concern No. 1: Is there a true No. 2 receiver?1:40 — Replacing Carnell Tate, Quincy Porter, and Mylan Graham3:26 — Evaluating Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker4:16 — Concern No. 2: Adapting to a quicker passing game5:36 — Why yards after the catch must improve7:02 — How the new approach could affect Julian Sayin8:00 — Concern No. 3: Will Ohio State rely on a freshman?8:57 — What a good true freshman season actually looks like11:08 — The good and bad reasons for playing freshmen12:22 — Final thoughts on the Buckeyes' wide receiver roomSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, predictions, and discussion.Become a member and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Is tight end actually a concern for Ohio State in the supposed “Year of the Tight End”?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine the biggest questions surrounding the Buckeyes' tight end room, beginning with the most familiar concern of all: can they consistently run block?Nate Roberts, Northwestern transfer Hunter Welcing, and Ohio transfer Mason Williams are expected to lead the group, but Ohio State still has to determine which players it can trust in critical short-yardage situations and how quickly the coaching staff can identify its best combinations.Tony and Tom also discuss whether the room contains a legitimate receiving weapon, why Roberts could become a surprise fan favorite, and whether any of Ohio State's current tight ends can develop into the kind of NFL prospect the Buckeyes had last season.They also explore how uncertainty at wide receiver could lead to more two- and three-tight-end formations and whether Ohio State has enough quality depth to make that approach work.Are the concerns justified, or will 2026 truly become the Year of the Tight End? Let us know in the comments.0:00 — Introducing Ohio State's tight end concerns0:32 — Can the Buckeyes' tight ends run block?1:57 — Evaluating Nate Roberts, Hunter Welcing, and Mason Williams3:14 — How quickly can Ohio State identify its best blocker?3:45 — Is there a legitimate receiving threat in the room?5:48 — Why Nate Roberts could become a fan favorite7:28 — Does Ohio State have an exceptional tight end?9:08 — Who has the best NFL potential?10:26 — Could Ohio State use more two- and three-tight-end sets?11:20 — Do the Buckeyes have enough depth for 13 personnel?13:00 — Final thoughts on the Year of the Tight EndSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, predictions, and discussion.Become a member and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Is defensive tackle a legitimate concern for Ohio State heading into the 2026 season?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine the biggest questions surrounding the Buckeyes' interior defensive line, beginning with the expected step back at nose tackle following the departure of Kayden McDonald.Can Will Smith Jr. and UCF transfer John Walker provide enough disruption in the middle? Does Ohio State have the depth necessary to play its preferred fronts? And can Jason Moore finally establish himself as a dependable member of the rotation?Tony and Tom also discuss the possibility of one of the true freshmen earning meaningful snaps and explain why the development of Eddrick Houston could determine the ceiling of the entire position group.Houston has shown flashes, but after battling a knee injury last season, Ohio State needs the former five-star prospect to become a more consistent and disruptive presence. The arrival of James Smith may ease some of that pressure, but the Buckeyes still need answers throughout the defensive tackle room.Are these concerns justified, or does Ohio State already have enough talent and experience to remain strong up front? Let us know in the comments.0:00 — Introducing Ohio State's defensive tackle concerns0:23 — The expected step back at nose tackle1:59 — Comparing Will Smith Jr. and John Walker to Caden McDonald4:09 — Does Ohio State have enough defensive tackle depth?5:30 — What can the Buckeyes expect from Jason Moore?8:20 — Can Ohio State survive with a four-man rotation?10:15 — Why Eddrick Houston must take the next step11:19 — Reasons for optimism about Houston14:00 — Final thoughts on the defensive tackle roomSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, predictions, and discussion.Become a member and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman discuss the four major concerns for the Ohio State quarterbacks headed into the 2026 season.

David Gabriel Georges has committed to Tennessee, ending one of the most high-profile Ohio State recruiting battles of the cycle.Tony Gerdeman and Juck Miletti break down how the Buckeyes lost out, what Tennessee did to win the recruitment, how NIL changed the equation, and whether Ohio State miscalculated the cost of landing one of the nation's top running back prospects.They also discuss Carlos Locklyn's role in the recruitment, Ryan Day's involvement, the reality of recruiting against Tennessee in the NIL era, whether Ohio State should have pushed harder financially, and where the Buckeyes go from here at running back.00:00 — Intro00:12 — Juck reacts to the end of the David Gabriel Georges recruitment01:48 — Ohio State's offer and the challenge of battling Tennessee04:40 — Did Ohio State miscalculate the market?08:55 — Why Tennessee deserves credit for going all-in13:10 — Why choosing Tennessee can make sense for a running back16:55 — Ryan Day, Carlos Locklyn, and Ohio State's recruiting strategy20:59 — Did Ohio State ever really have a chance?24:42 — The locker room impact of a massive running back NIL deal26:20 — How NIL has changed roster construction27:48 — Why Ohio State could afford to take this swing31:00 — Why the loss still stings33:57 — Big-picture perspective on Ohio State's 2027 recruiting class35:41 — Final thoughts and listener reactionWho do you blame for Ohio State missing on David Gabriel Georges — or was Tennessee simply willing to go further than anyone else? Drop your thoughts in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

Devin McCuin arrives at Ohio State after three productive seasons at UTSA, but what should Buckeye fans realistically expect from the veteran wide receiver transfer?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss McCuin's past production, how big of a step up he faces at Ohio State, what they saw from him during spring practice, and why his range of possible outcomes may be wider than almost anyone else on the Buckeye offense.They also break down his potential role opposite Jeremiah Smith, how Chris Henry Jr., Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker, and other receivers could impact his opportunities, and whether McCuin could become a major piece of Ohio State's passing game this season.00:02 — Intro00:12 — Tom sets up the uncertainty around Devin McCuin00:37 — Devin McCuin's UTSA production and Ohio State opportunity02:20 — Revisiting Tony's February projection03:47 — Why McCuin's range of outcomes is so wide06:00 — What spring practice did and did not reveal07:34 — How McCuin performed against better competition at UTSA09:55 — Tony revises his Devin McCuin prediction10:26 — Tom goes over on the new projection11:12 — Could McCuin approach Carnell Tate-type production?12:18 — Why September may reveal his role13:00 — Final thoughts and listener questionWhat kind of season do you expect from Devin McCuin at Ohio State? Drop your catches, yards, and touchdown predictions in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss three concerns for the Ohio State defensive ends. How big are these concerns and how likely are they to impact the Buckeyes' season? The fellas talk about this and much more.

Warde Manuel Is OUT...EventuallyMichigan athletic director Warde Manuel is stepping down at the end of the year, following the release of a summary from an outside review into the Michigan athletic department's culture, oversight, and accountability.Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what Michigan revealed, what it did not reveal, why Manuel is staying on through the end of the year, and how the report frames issues inside the athletic department. They also look at the long list of Michigan football controversies and suspensions in recent years, the challenge of overseeing a major football program, and whether Manuel is being fairly blamed for what happened on his watch.00:00 — Intro00:11 — Tom introduces the “$11 million episode”00:30 — Warde Manuel is out — eventually01:03 — Why Manuel is staying through the end of the year01:34 — What Michigan released from the outside review02:47 — The report's positives and vague negatives03:44 — The “deep and wet well” analogy04:59 — Failures of oversight and accountability06:04 — Why Manuel is being asked to help fix the culture07:38 — Why Michigan may want stability right now08:38 — Oversight issues inside the football program10:50 — Michigan's recent suspension history11:40 — The coaches, not the players, have been the issue12:48 — How much blame belongs to Warde Manuel?15:19 — Carefully worded exits and Michigan's culture of accountability16:40 — Why Kyle Whittingham may represent a culture reset17:46 — Final thoughts and listener questionIs Warde Manuel to blame for Michigan's recent athletic department issues, or is he being unfairly railroaded? Drop your thoughts in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

Brandon Inniss is back for another season as a key piece of Ohio State's offense, but can he become more explosive in year two as a starter?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss expectations for Inniss, what he did last season, where his numbers need to improve, and whether Ohio State can get more big plays from the slot receiver position this year.They also discuss how Inniss compares to past productive Buckeye slot receivers, why yards after the catch will be so important, how Julian Sayin's progression reads could impact his targets, and whether Inniss can remain a reliable weapon while also increasing his downfield and red-zone production.00:30 — Intro00:40 — Tom explains why expectations shows are fun00:57 — Setting up Brandon Inniss' year-two expectations01:29 — Looking back at Inniss' 2025 production02:40 — Why 271 receiving yards was lower than expected04:19 — The yards-per-catch issue05:15 — Ohio State's history of productive slot receivers06:11 — Tony's projected numbers for Brandon Inniss06:59 — What would count as a solid season?08:20 — Could Inniss add more touchdowns?09:40 — Inniss' sure hands and punt return value10:03 — Where Inniss fits in Julian Sayin's passing progression11:21 — Final thoughts and listener question11:54 — Tom sings the show outWhat kind of season do you expect from Brandon Inniss? Drop your catches, yards, and touchdown predictions in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

Which Ohio State offensive players are ready to become breakout names this season?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr draft six Buckeyes who could take major steps forward on offense, including players along the offensive line, in the backfield, at wide receiver, and at tight end.They discuss why Ian Moore may be one of the most important players on the offense, how Legend Bey could become a dangerous weapon, what Chris Henry Jr. could bring to the wide receiver room, and much more.00:30 — Intro00:41 — BuckeyeInsiders.com and the PowerPauseKing01:49 — Setting up six breakout Buckeyes on offense02:29 — Breakout Pick No. 1: Ian Moore03:28 — Why Ian Moore could be critical at left tackle04:09 — Breakout Pick No. 2: Legend Bey06:08 — How many touches could Legend Bey get?07:05 — Breakout Pick No. 3: Chris Henry Jr.08:01 — Why Chris Henry Jr. could become a bigger part of the offense09:53 — Breakout Pick No. 411:14 — Breakout Pick No. 513:58 — Breakout Pick No. 616:43 — Final thoughts and listener questionWhich Buckeye offensive player do you think is most likely to break out this season? Drop your pick in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

The Ohio State Buckeyes just landed the final - and biggest - piece to their elite 2027 defensive line recruiting class. Karlos May, a 4-star defensive tackle out of Birmingham, Alabama, just announced that he was committing to Larry Johnson's class over other finalists like Georgia, Auburn, and Florida State.In this special bonus show - a breaking news episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Juck Miletti, the Recruiting Insider at BuckeyeInsiders.com, joins host Tom Orr to break down the importance of May's commitment, how he fits in with the top-100 players already committed to the class, including DJ Jacobs, Markus Fakatou, and Wyatt Smith, and more.

Who is the best quarterback Ohio State will face during the 2026 season?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr rank the opposing quarterbacks on the Buckeyes' schedule, from the least proven options to a top three featuring Texas' Arch Manning and others.The discussion includes Bryce Underwood's potential sophomore leap at Michigan, Malik Washington's promising freshman production at Maryland, Anthony Colandrea's unpredictable playmaking ability, and what Illinois can expect from former Michigan State quarterback Katin Houser.Tony and Tom also examine whether Josh Hoover can maintain Indiana's recent standard at quarterback, debate whether Arch Manning belongs ahead of Maiava, and explain why Moore may enter the season as the most dangerous passer Ohio State is scheduled to face.Which quarterback would you rank No. 1? Let us know in the comments.0:00 — Introducing the opposing quarterback rankings1:18 — Ranking Nos. 12 through 93:45 — No. 85:33 — No. 77:20 — No. 610:12 — No. 512:50 — No. 415:56 — No. 318:21 — No. 219:44 — No. 122:52 — Final thoughts on Ohio State's challenging quarterback scheduleSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, rankings, and discussion.Become a member and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Is Ja'Kobi Jackson being overlooked in Ohio State's crowded running back room?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr continue their running back expectations series by examining one of the Buckeyes' most difficult players to project for the 2026 season.Jackson appeared in only four games last year before an injury ended his season, but his previous work at Florida included productive performances against Georgia, Texas, and LSU. So which version of Jackson should Ohio State expect this fall?Tony and Tom discuss whether Jackson can carve out a consistent role behind Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, how many carries may realistically be available, and why his value could extend beyond his rushing totals. They also explore his potential as a third-down back, pass protector, and receiving threat out of the backfield.Could Jackson become this year's version of C.J. Donaldson? Might he finish third in snaps but fourth in carries? And is a 400-yard rushing season a fair expectation—or evidence that he is being overlooked?Let us know your Ja'Kobi Jackson projections in the comments.0:00 — Projecting Ja'Kobi Jackson's 2026 season0:36 — Why Jackson is so difficult to evaluate2:17 — His productive stretch against top SEC defenses4:43 — Could Jackson play more than his rushing totals suggest?7:59 — His potential impact in the passing game10:15 — Are Ohio State's rushing projections getting too high?Subscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, predictions, and discussion.Join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Will Isaiah West emerge as Ohio State's not-so-secret weapon in 2026?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr revisit their expectations for the talented second-year running back after continuing to hear strong reviews about his potential inside the Ohio State football program.West rushed for 312 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman, but his role could grow considerably in an offense expected to place a greater emphasis on the running game under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.How close is West to presumed starter Bo Jackson? Could the two running backs combine for 2,000 rushing yards? And might West's size make him Ohio State's primary short-yardage and goal-line option?Tony and Tom discuss West's projected carries, rushing yards and touchdowns, the value of keeping the Buckeyes' running backs fresh, and why West could be much more than a traditional backup this season.Let us know your Isaiah West projections in the comments.0:00 — Will Isaiah West be Ohio State's secret weapon?1:09 — Why expectations for West have changed2:42 — Revisiting the preseason projections4:19 — Could West rush for more than 800 yards?5:49 — West's potential short-yardage role7:51 — Projecting his 2026 touchdown total9:07 — Could West produce his first 100-yard game?11:09 — Why Ohio State will divide the carries12:01 — Final Isaiah West projectionsSubscribe to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast for daily Ohio State football discussions, analysis, predictions and news.Join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Bo Jackson rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a true freshman at Ohio State. So what comes next in year two?In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr revisit their offseason expectations for Bo Jackson and discuss whether his projected numbers still make sense after spring ball. They break down possible rushing totals, yards per carry, touchdowns, carry distribution, and how Ohio State's deep running back room could impact Jackson's production.They also discuss the role of Isaiah West, Ja'Kobi Jackson, Legend Bey, Carlos Locklyn, Arthur Smith, and whether a better offensive line could make the Buckeyes' running game even more efficient this season.00:00 — Intro00:16 — Tom's national championship confetti update01:48 — The confetti story gets even stranger02:25 — Revisiting Bo Jackson expectations from February03:13 — Tony's projected numbers for Bo Jackson04:10 — Why the touchdown jump makes sense05:50 — Carry totals, yards per game, and Ohio State's RB history08:09 — How Isaiah West, Ja'Kobi Jackson, and Legend Bey could impact carries10:24 — Short-yardage carries and Bo Jackson's yards-per-carry outlook11:02 — Remembering what Bo Jackson already accomplished as a freshman12:06 — How high is Bo Jackson's ceiling in year two?13:28 — Final prediction and listener questionWhat kind of season do you expect from Bo Jackson in year two? Drop your rushing yards, touchdowns, and yards-per-carry predictions in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

Ohio State's cornerback room has a chance to be one of the strengths of the 2026 Buckeye defense — but are there still legitimate concerns?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the biggest questions facing the Ohio State cornerbacks, including whether expectations are too high for Jermaine Matthews, Devin Sanchez, and Dominick Kelly; how the Buckeyes replace Davison Igbinosun's physicality; and whether every cornerback room is bound to have a few rough moments over the course of a season.They also discuss what the spring revealed about Devin Sanchez, how daily battles with Jeremiah Smith could help prepare the corners, why Dominick Kelly's experience at Georgia matters, and how past great Ohio State corners have still had difficult matchups.00:00 — Intro00:11 — Tom asks what Tony is panicking about today00:25 — Setting up the cornerback concerns01:06 — Concern No. 1: Are expectations too high?02:23 — Why the cornerback projection is fair, but not reckless05:36 — Veteran depth and the value of insurance at corner06:23 — Concern No. 2: Replacing Davison Igbinosun's physicality08:31 — Why practicing against Jeremiah Smith matters09:53 — A challenging schedule for Ohio State's cornerbacks10:47 — Concern No. 3: Avoiding random bad games and big plays12:07 — Why even great corners give up plays13:28 — Final thoughts on the concern level14:29 — BuckeyeInsiders.com and wrap-upHow concerned are you about Ohio State's cornerbacks this season? Drop your thoughts in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

Can Ohio State's 2026 defense be even better than the Buckeyes' 2024 national championship defense?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr compare the two defenses position by position, including the defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties, and special teams. They discuss why the 2024 defense sets such a high bar with players like J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, Ty Hamilton, Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Lathan Ransom, Jordan Hancock, Denzel Burke, and Davison Igbinosun.They also look at where the 2026 Buckeyes could have an edge, including the cornerback room, the potential of the linebacker group, the return game, and whether a full-time special teams coordinator could make a major difference.00:00 — Intro00:10 — Comparing this year's Buckeyes to a national championship team00:44 — Tony sets up the 2026 vs. 2024 defense debate00:54 — BuckeyeInsiders.com update01:27 — Why this comparison is different from asking who can win it all02:02 — Defensive line comparison03:12 — Why the 2024 defensive line gets the edge for now04:38 — Linebacker comparison05:59 — Could the 2026 linebackers eventually catch the 2024 group?07:32 — Cornerback comparison08:55 — Why the 2026 cornerback room may have the edge10:30 — Safety and nickel comparison12:19 — Why the 2026 safeties could still be one of the nation's best groups13:40 — Special teams comparison16:10 — Why 2026 special teams could be better18:04 — Final position-by-position thoughts19:23 — Listener question and wrap-upCan Ohio State's 2026 defense top the 2024 national championship defense? Drop your position-by-position picks in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.

Could the 2026 Ohio State offense actually be better than the 2024 national championship offense?Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr compare the Buckeyes' 2026 offense to the 2024 title team position by position, including Julian Sayin vs. Will Howard, the current running back room vs. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Jeremiah Smith's growth, the wide receiver and tight end groups, and whether the 2026 offensive line could eventually match or exceed the 2024 version.They also discuss how much championship bias impacts the comparison, how roster-building has changed in the NIL and transfer portal era, and why the 2026 Buckeyes may not need to be better than 2024 at every spot to still compete for a national title.00:00 — Intro00:11 — Tom courts disaster with coffee and a white shirt00:42 — Comparing the 2026 offense to the 2024 national champions02:12 — How NIL and the portal have changed roster depth04:26 — Ohio State's recent recruiting success in Alabama06:11 — Quarterback comparison: Julian Sayin vs. Will Howard07:26 — What Sayin needs to do better than Howard09:49 — Running back comparison: 2026 depth vs. 2024 star power10:55 — Why Henderson and Judkins set such a high bar13:02 — Receiver and tight end comparison14:27 — Offensive line comparison and injury questions15:51 — Could the 2026 offensive line be better for most of the season?17:56 — Final thoughts and listener questions19:44 — BuckeyeInsiders.com update and wrap-upCould the 2026 Ohio State offense be better than the 2024 national championship offense? Drop your position-by-position picks in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com to become a member and join the conversation.