Buckeye Talk: Ohio State podcast by cleveland.com

On this Buckeye Talk episode, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means move on to previewing the Ohio State defensive line. The Buckeyes lost Heisman Trophy finalist and No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Chase Young off last year's line, as well as the veteran three-man tackle rotation of Davon Hamilton, Jashon Cornell and Robert Landers. But there is more talent in the pipeline. The guys run through what they expect from Zach Harrison, Tyreke Smith, Haskell Garrett, Tommy Togiai, Tyler Friday, Jonathon Cooper, Taron Vincent and the rest of the candidates for defensive line playing time. They look at the recruits coming in next on the line, talk about the influence of line coach Larry Johnson, offer their big predictions for the group and delve into the overall expectations for the entire 2018 recruiting class at the end of the pod. It's a good hour of D-line talk, so thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NCAA releases more coronavirus guidelines for college sports. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Buckeye Talk episode for Thursday, it's time for Phil Steele's annual visit to preview the Buckeyes and the college football season. Phil publishes his annual college football preview magazine from his office in Northeast Ohio, and he's been putting them out for more than 20 years. Even with COVID-19 threatening the season, Phil did his usual business and his 2020 preview is getting out to fans right now. He joined Doug Lesmerises to talk about the Buckeyes and the Big Ten and to make his picks for the Heisman Trophy and the national championship. It's college football talk from an expert you'll want to hear. Thanks for making Buckeye Talk part of your day. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our preview of Ohio State's 2020 schedule continues with a breakdown of Illinois with Bob Asmussen of the Champaign News-Gazette. But this Buckeye Tall Big Wednesday pod goes in-depth to explore big upsets. iI's a phenomenon Ohio State football rarely experiences, but when those days come around, they tend to linger in the memories of players, coaches and fans for years after. When we say upsets, we don't mean losing as a betting line favorite. We mean a ranked Ohio State team losing to an unranked team in a completely unexpected fashion. Aided by our Buckeye Talk Subtext subscribers, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means look at the various elements that set the stage for upsets and look for common denominators. Also, each of us picks which opponent on OSU's known schedule is the biggest threat to spring an upset in 2020. Baird and Asmussen, a Big Ten beat writer since 1996, discuss the uncertain future ahead due to COVID-19 and what the Big Ten might be able to do to salvage a season. They also delve into the continuing Lovie Smith rebuild -- what last season's turnaround to bowl eligibility meant, and where the Illini still must improve to make a jump. Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Tuesday rapid fire podcast from cleveland.com as Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means answer seven questions from our Buckeye Talk text subscribers. Most of them deal with the uncertainty of the college football season, but two questions stand out: • Could the Big Ten play a season if, for instance, the SEC does not? • Would it be better to move the Michigan game to early in the season or keep it as the regular season finale and risk not playing it at all? These are obviously uncertain times and things constantly change with the outlook about a college football season for 2020. Buckeye Talk will continue to adjust with you, and thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark. it. Down. Ryan Day is off to a 15-0 regular-season start as Ohio State football's head coach. How long will that unbeaten run continue? This week's question: When will Ryan Day lose his first regular-season game as Ohio State's head coach? The uncertainty of the 2020 schedule complicates the question. But the Buckeye Talk Crew of Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means give their pick for when OSU will need its first mid-season bounce-back under Day. They also reach out to our Subtext subscribers for their predictions. Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another bonus Saturday podcast as breaking news pushed back the planned outside receiver breakdown. So on this Buckeye Talk episode from cleveland.com, it's now time to talk Chris Olave, Julian Fleming, Gee Scott Jr., Jameson Williams and the rest of the outside receivers for the Buckeyes in 2020. Doug Lesmerises, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird break all that down in their typical position preview format -- is the group better this year or last year? Is it better this year or next year? Biggest strength? Biggest question? Player you are most interested in seeing? Crazy prediction? Confidence level? It's a fun way to go through some of the Buckeyes' best playmakers. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Big Ten on Thursday announced it would not play non-conference games in 2020, and on this Friday Buckeye Talk, Nathan Baird is here to talk about that and Doug Lesmerises is here to yell about that. Nathan has the facts, Doug has the rage. But why is Doug yelling? He thought the Big Ten made the correct move on this, so he's yelling at the other conferences and any other people that might have a problem with it. But he also has some issues with how Ohio State is handling this as well. This is a Buckeye Talk with some anger, but that's nothing new. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State shuts down voluntary workouts over positive COVID-19 tests See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our preview of Ohio State football's 2020 opponents rolls along as we reach the Nov. 14 trip to Maryland. Emily Giambalvo of the Washington Post joins us to break down the state of Mike Locksley's program as the Terrapins try to climb out of the bottom of the Big Ten East. What is Locksley doing in recruiting to climb the national rankings, who will quarterback the Terrapins in 2020 and how soon can Maryland become more competitive within the division? But first, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means react to the breaking news Wednesday night that Ohio State is shutting down its voluntary workouts after multiple athletes tested positive for COVID-19. What do we know about the situation so far? On top of other similar shutdowns across the country, is college football less likely to return on time or at all? Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this big Wednesday Buckeye Talk, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means once again take 20 rapid fire questions from text subscribers. But there's some deep discussion off the top. The first texter asked which state, other than Ohio, is the most important for the Buckeyes to recruit. Looking at the number of players Ohio State has pulled from different states since Urban Meyer's first full class in 2013, the guys found many different ways this answer could go. Later, they got into comparing Ohio State receiver recruiting to Alabama receiver recruiting; they answered why there may be a dip in top-shelf OSU linebacker play; they discussed whether there will be another defensive Heisman Trophy winner in their lifetimes; and they debated whether Brian Hartline or Larry Johnson would be more difficult for Ohio State to replace. It's another round of 20 great questions and 20 fun answers. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Buckeye Talk episode from cleveland.com, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means get back to position group previews for the first time since the middle of May. It's time to pick those up again, and the offensive line is up next. Thayer Munford, Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis are back as starters. Paris Johnson, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Harry Miller are five-star recruits fighting for jobs. And the line looks to be one of the strengths of the 2020 Buckeyes, Doug, Nathan and Stephen do a category by category breakdown, and they ponder what the gap created for OSU running backs by Myers at center and Davis at right guard should be called. Also, Doug kicks off the podcast by setting a betting line for a game between the 2014 Buckeyes and 2019 Buckeyes. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football has seen only five 1,000-yard receivers its history -- all since 1986 and no more than one in any season. The 2020 Buckeyes have a Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback with a big arm, a couple of emerging stars in the receiver corps and a coach willing to take chances and go for the jugular early. So will OSU have two receivers cross the 1,000-yard mark in the coming season? Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means debate whether that number is reachable in 2020. The Buckeyes did not have even one 1,000-yard receiver in 2019. Even in 2018 with Dwayne Haskins airing it out, only one receiver crossed that threshold. On the other hand, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are poised for big seasons and there is no J.K. Dobbins in the backfield to dominate carries. Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State currently trails Michigan in the rivalry 58-51-6. Unless the Buckeyes actually trail 58-52-6. Regardless, with the way the Buckeyes have been dominating Michigan lately, the idea of Ohio State taking a lead in the overall series for the very first time is on the horizon. So when will it happen? On this Friday edition of Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com, that's what Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means dive into with the help of their text subscribers. The texters offer all kinds of years of when the Buckeyes could take the lead, and how it might happen. But first, there's a debate ... what will happen with the vacated OSU win from the 2010 season? And what could the discussion around that win -- does it count or not? -- be like as Ohio State gets closer in the series? This Buckeye Talk is a little different -- the topic is hard to wrap your arms around, and it's at least eight years, and maybe 80 years, in the future. But it does matter to OSU fans. There's no doubt about that. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Continued updates on college football and COVID-19 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckeye Talk is up to the ninth game on Ohio State's 2020 schedule, as the next stop in the season opponent preview is the Indiana Hoosiers. For that, Doug Lesmerises talks to Zach Osterman, the IU beat writer for the Indianapolis Star. Doug and Zach discuss whether the Hoosiers are a candidate to spring an upset of the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium, and Zach gives his take on how much greater the Hoosiers' chances would be if the game was in Bloomington. There's an analysis of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who has upside and an injury history. And OSU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was pushed out as Indiana's head coach before he was hired by the Buckeyes -- what did he do to set up Indiana before he left? Indiana is coming off its best season in 25 years, and coach Tom Allen might have the program on an upswing. So it may be time to start thinking about Indiana at least having a chance to beat Ohio State for the first time since 1988. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means are back for a rapid fire Wednesday podcast, taking 20 questions from text subscribers over the course of two hours. Among the topics: What if Jim Harbaugh was perfect against Ohio State instead of winless? What are the expectations for 2021 running back recruit TreVeyon Henderson? When will the Buckeyes decide on 2020 schedule adjustments? Would the Buckeyes be comfortable playing young tackle Dawand Jones this season? Is it better to have Ohio State's experienced offensive line or Clemson's experienced defensive line? What's our most embarrassing moment in sports journalism? As always, the subscribers provided great questions and the guys hope their answers lived up to them. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Buckeye Talk episode is a little different, as Doug Lesmerises interviews two guests. First up is Brett Ciancia, the founder of Pick Six Previews, who provides a look at the Buckeyes in the national context. Doug and Brett talk about Ohio State as a playoff contender, why Brett has Justin Fields as a first-team All-American, the gap between Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten, and what Brett thinks of Ryan Day as an offensive schemer. Next is an interview with Jason Campbell, a resident in Oregon who is a graduate of Ohio State's medical school. He does dances on social media and came to Buckeye Talk's attention after a recent Twitter dance-off with Brutus Buckeye. Doug and Jason talk about his favorite Ohio State football memories, how he felt getting into Ohio State's medical school, what it's like dealing with COVID-19 on the front lines in his hospital, his view on the anti-racism movement in America, and what he expects for this college football season. Brett and Jason both were great and Buckeye Talk appreciates their time. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The COVID-19 pandemic already canceled Ohio State's spring football after only three practices. Now, after teams began voluntary workouts, positive tests have shut those practices down at multiple programs across the country. For Mark It Down Monday this week, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means weigh on in how they expect the virus to affect the shape of the Buckeyes' season. Will a solution be worked out to play the full 12-game slate? Will the Big Ten move forward with a conference-only season? Will the season be interrupted or shut down? Buckeye Talk discusses the factors that might make an impact, such as testing, travel and whether students return to campus and stay. They also share subscriber predictions, which ranged from business as usual to extremely pessimistic. Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another rapid fire Q&A episode from Buckeye Talk, and Doug Lesmerises, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird take eight questions from text subscribers on this Friday edition. How much should a 5-star freshman play for the Buckeyes? (Though Doug misread the question and as a result there were sort of two separate discussions here.) What do the guys think of the recruiting decommitment of Devonta Smith? What is the best deal in fast food? Which Ohio State assistant will be the next to get a Power 5 head coaching job? What is the ideal running back breakdown in 2020 if all the players in that room are healthy? Which Buckeyes would have had better careers with a different assistant coach? And which actors would play the guys in a movie? Great questions, as usual. They had fun answering and they hope you have fun listening. Thanks for joining another Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State loses a 2021 football recruit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Buckeye Talk episode from cleveland.com, the goal is to steal a little less of your time after Wednesday's humongous podcast. For this Thursday pod, the 2020 schedule preview continues with the eighth Ohio State opponent, Nebraska. The Buckeyes are scheduled to host the Cornhuskers on Oct. 31 after winning five of the first six vs. Nebraska since the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten. A year ago, hopes were high for Nebraska, but that didn't work out so well, as the Huskers finished 5-7 and missed a bowl for the third straight season. To check in on 2020, Steven Sipple, a columnist for the Lincoln Journal Star who has covered Nebraska football since 1995, joins the pod. He and Doug Lesmerises talk about what happened to quarterback Adrian Martinez last season; the transfer of receiver J.D. Spielman; if Steven is shocked about what has happened to Nebraska football since the glory days of Tom Osborne; and whether coach Scott Frost, entering Year 3, can get the program turned around. Steven also has some interesting views on Ohio State after watching the Buckeyes from afar. It's important to know the opposition, and after this, Ohio State fans will know more about Nebraska. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a monster. But thistopic and the surrounding discussion is as interesting as anything you've heard on Buckeye Talk in some time. On this Buckeye Talk, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird, Stephen Means and the cleveland.com text subscribers on Ohio State football dig in deep on the idea of whether the Buckeyes could develop a mini dynasty in the next five years and what would have to happen for them to do it. The texters voted on the idea by choosing one of four options: Yes it can happen; Yes, maybe; No; No, the idea is silly. Find out how that vote went down. Then listen to other great eras of OSU football history and how the Buckeyes fell just short of mini dynasties. Then run through the modern programs -- seven of them since the mid-80s -- that did achieve a mini dynasty. And then hear the in-depth discussions on recruiting, quarterback development, assistant coaches, Ryan Day and more -- everything that would go into multiple OSU titles in the next few years. It's a high bar, and as the guys explain, Ohio State may be the only program in the nation right now where this podcast could take place. The others are either already in a mini dynasty, or thinking about getting there would be crazy. This isn't crazy. But it is long. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Buckeye Talk episode from cleveland.com, Stephen Means does the heavy lifting in taking a look at Ohio State's 2021 recruiting class, all of its strengths and how the Buckeyes might finish off what is so far a 19-person class. Since last time the guys checked in with a major recruiting dive on this class, a few OSU targets have verbally committed elsewhere. But three major five-star targets still remain, and the Buckeyes seem to be in good shape with at least two of them. Doug Lesmerises and Nathan Baird are also along for the ride to the discuss a group that is clearly ranked No. 1 in the ratings, far ahead of second-place Clemson. The '21 class is gonna be good, the question is just how good, and that's what the guys tried to answer here. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark. It. Down. Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means are back for another prediction pod, where they put their name on their expectations for the 2020 season and invite eventual praise or ridicule. Today's topic follows up on a similar theme from earlier in the series. Who will lead Ohio State football in interceptions in 2020? Shaun Wade is the secondary's lone returning starter. However, some of the role player rising into featured spots have shown an ability to make plays on the ball and create turnovers. For the first time during Mark It Down Monday, the Buckeye Talk panel was in complete agreement as to the player in question. As always our Subtext subscribers also weighed in with their picks -- including a few surprising names. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a bonus Saturday episode of Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. Doug, Nathan and Stephen recorded this to be the Friday podcast before the news broke about Ohio State scheduling Alabama, and they couldn't delay talking about that. So this now became an extra Buckeye Talk treat. But it matters. Because the guys are resetting everything on this episode, so they don't forget it for later. They go through every Ohio State position group in quick fashion and they talk about the coaches and the expectations for this season, just so listeners have no doubt about their views on the 2020 Ohio State Buckeyes. Sometimes everyone needs to take a step back, and that's what this episode is about, and by the end, their thoughts on Ohio State football this season cannot be in doubt. Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Friday episode of Buckeye Talk, it's time to talk Bama. Ohio State and Alabama agreed to a home-and-home series in 2027 and 2028 and Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means are fired up to talk about this matchup that is just seven short years away. Well, Doug is really fired up. Will head coaches Nick Saban and Ryan Day still be leading their teams in 2027? Is this good or bad for the teams' college football playoff hopes? Will Doug, Nathan and Stephen be around to cover these games? In addition, Michael Casagrande, an Alabama beat writer for AL.com, stops by to talk about the series and the agreement from the Crimson Tide side of things. A series like this deserves an entire podcast, and that's what cleveland.com is bringing you. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football schedules a series with Alabama in 2027 and 2028. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Buckeye Talk dealt with Ohio State's five biggest recruiting hits of the last five years. Now, it's time for the misses. On this episode, Doug Lesmerises lists his top five misses and gathers up the votes from text subscribers. In-state offensive tackle Jackson Carman, who chose Clemson over the Buckeyes in 2018, is mentioned, but where does he rank for Doug and the texters? There are also rapid fire questions, starting with whether Ohio State is to Oregon as Clemson is to Ohio State, meaning one national power that the other can't get past. Then there are questions on Al Washington, Demario McCall and movies we'd make people watch. Thanks to the text subscribers for the great topics, and thanks to you for listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The season schedule preview has reached maybe the toughest test of 2020 for the Ohio State Buckeyes and their national title hopes -- Oct. 24 at Penn State. On this big Wednesday podcast, Doug Lesmerises is joined by Penn State writer Bob Flounders of PennLive.com for an in-depth look at the Nittany Lions. There's All-American linebacker Micah Parsons on defense, quarterback Sean Clifford on offense and what the future holds for coach James Franklin. Also, what will it mean for this OSU road trip if there aren't fans in the stands at Beaver Stadium, or if the crowd is limited? Then Doug, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means look at the Nittany Lions from the Buckeyes' perspective: -- Could Ohio State lose at Penn State this season and still win the national title? -- Where does Penn State rank among the best programs in the country? The guys debate them in the top seven. -- Is Penn State recruiting at a level that can keep the Nittany Lions competitive with Ohio State? -- And what if Justin Fields had maintained his original recruiting commitment to Penn State? There's a lot here, and you should enjoy all of it. If you care about Ohio State, this is the Big Ten opponent you should know the most about, and you'll be more informed about the Nittany Lions after this. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Buckeye Talk episode from cleveland.com, Stephen Means is back to join Doug Lesmerises and Nathan Baird in diving into the issues around Ohio State as the guys do some more rapid fire questions. Which Ohio State player could be a sleeper ready to break out this season? Which Buckeye will be missed the most after the 2020 season? What about Kerry Coombs as a potential Ohio State head coach down the line? And what are the best concerts they guys have ever attended? Beyond the quick answers, Doug, Stephen and Nathan talk about the news surrounding Ohio State having its athletes sign a coronavirus pledge before returning for voluntary workouts. What did that say about the relationship between the school and the players, and do the guys agree with that policy? There are some quick discussions and a more in-depth one, and it's all part of another Buckeye Talk. Thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark It Down Monday on Buckeye Talk is about taking a stand on our assessment of Ohio State football. This week’s topic lays out exactly what we expect from one of the Buckeyes’ most important newcomers. Will Ohio State running back Trey Sermon be first team All-Big Ten in 2020? Doug Lesmerises and Nathan Baird debate the various angles. From potential usage to how he fits in the offense to Sermon's injury history to the other top running backs in the Big Ten Conference, they look at how likely the Oklahoma grad transfer is to succeed J.K. Dobbins as a first-team selection. Then they turn to the Buckeye Talk Subtext subscribers for their collective vote and their reasons why they are optimistic about Sermon's ceiling for 2020 or why they have lingering questions or concerns. If you’re not already a Buckeye Talk Subtext subscriber, text 614-350-3315 for breaking new and analysis and to participate in the polls and include your comments on this daily podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Friday Buckeye Talk podcast from cleveland.com, Doug Lesmerises and Nathan Baird are going rapid fire again, answering questions from text subscribers. If you'd like to ask them questions, sign up for a free text trial by texting 614-350-3315. Honestly, it's not all that rapid fire. But there are a lot of questions. Such as: Which Buckeye would it hurt to lose the most if he decided to give up football? As journalists, would Nathan and Doug rather cover success or controversy? Is there any chance Ryan Day leaves for the NFL soon? Who is their favorite non-Buckeye player to cover? Is Ryan Day at the same level as Lincoln Riley as a quarterback whisperer? And who are the top five best recruiting hits for the Buckeyes of the last five years? (We'll get to the five biggest misses on a later podcast). As always, the guys love the questions that texters send. And they hope you'll enjoy hearing the answers. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chase Young is named the Male Big Ten Athlete of the Year See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Thursday Buckeye Talk episode from cleveland.com, Doug Lesmerises is joined by Matt Wenzel of MLive.com to talk about Michigan State, the sixth opponent on the 2020 Ohio State schedule. Buckeye Talk has been working its way through the OSU opponents, and it's time for the Spartans, now under first-year coach Mel Tucker. Doug and Matt talk about Mark Dantonio's departure and legacy, how Tucker is recruiting differently than Dantonio, the expectations for the Spartans this year, and all the play makers they lost from a year ago. You'll know much more about Michigan State when this pod is over. At the start of the podcast, Doug runs through three questions, including what it would be like if Urban Meyer was still the coach and whether any OSU coach could ever surpass Woody Hayes. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This big Wednesday episode is like three Buckeye Talks in one. First, Doug Lesmerises and Nathan Baird do a round of rapid fire questions from text subscribers, including how far quarterback Justin Fields is from reaching his upside and which out-of-business chain restaurants they miss the most. Then Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith makes his first Buckeye Talk appearance for a half-hour interview, as he and Doug talk about the Buckeyes' involvement with the Black Lives Matter movement, whether Ohio State should have more black assistant coaches, what Smith's career as a black college football administrator has been like and how OSU athletes might continue to show some form of protest, including possibly kneeling for the National Anthem in the fall. Then, the podcast ends with three big, meaty questions from text subscribers, all related to the Big Ten chasing the Buckeyes: Which Big Ten fan base should be the most discouraged? Which Big Ten team will be the next to beat Ohio State? Which Big Ten team would you like to see jump up and become a College Football Playoff contender? There's a lot happening on a lot of different topics on our weekly flagship episode. We hope you enjoy it, and we appreciate you listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Buckeye Talk podcast episode from cleveland.com, Doug Lesmerises is back to join Nathan Baird, while Stephen Means is on furlough this week, and the topic is the ACC vs. the Big Ten. The discussion around Ohio State and Clemson on this pod has often led to disparaging comments about Clemson's conference, the ACC, but now Nathan and Doug really dig into it, thanks to a great texter question. How many Big Ten teams other than Ohio State would be the second-best team in the ACC behind Clemson? The answer is ... a lot. And that tells us something about how much easier Clemson has it. Also, Doug has some gripes about the episodes he wasn't on last week and lays them out to Nathan, and then Doug has a few more complaints about sports writers in general. Thanks as always for listening to Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark It Down! Ohio State's winning streak against Michigan has to end someday, right? Right? Well, we're running with that assumption for the next installment of our weekly kick-off podcast. Doug Lesmerises is back, at least for the first half of this episode in which he, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means predict what year Michigan will rise up and beat the Buckeyes. They explain what roster dynamics, coaching dynamics and other factors play into their predictions. From there we turn to the other stars of the show: The Subtext subscribers who make their predictions on when this OSU winning streak will end. Some see a potential interruption in the near future. Some went the full Ray Bradbury approach and looked far into the future for the Wolverines' next victory. If you're not already a Buckeye Talk Subtext subscriber, text 614-350-3315 for breaking news and analysis and to participate in the polls and comments on the Daily Pod. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State athletes participate in protests and demonstrations against racism See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're closing out the week with a Rapid Fire Friday on Buckeye Talk. Nathan Baird and Stephen Means roll through a handful of questions from our Subtext subscribers to head into the weekend. First up: Which Ohio State football player is the best bet to win a major national award in 2020? Justin Fields is the returning Heisman Trophy finalist. All of 2019's other award winners or finalists have moved on. Could other Buckeyes rise up to contend for major positional awards? Among the other topics on today's episode: How many Fields interceptions would "give us pause?" Could Ohio State's 2020 offense actually better suit Master Teague? After years of rolling their eyes at SEC fans who talked about their grinder of a schedule, did Buckeye fans see the same dynamic play out for their team in 2019? As always, thanks for following us on Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Buckeye Talk daily pod keeps rolling right along, and today the topic is quarterbacks. We know Ohio State enters the 2020 season with one of the nation's top quarterbacks. Prompted by a Buckeye Talk Subtext subscriber question, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means delve into having a returning starter might be a bigger edge than ever in the season ahead. They also play devil's advocate on how much of a jump Fields can take between his sophomore and junior seasons. In the second half of the pod, both Nathan and Stephen rank their top five quarterbacks the Buckeyes will face in the 2020 regular season. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the big Wednesday episode of Buckeye Talk we resume our walk through Ohio State football's 2020 schedule after taking a "bye" week. Next up are the Iowa Hawkeyes, who will visit Ohio Stadium on Oct. 10. Nathan Baird talks with Des Moines Register columnist Chad Leistikow about all things Iowa. How do the Hawkeyes keep outperforming their recruiting rankings? How long will Kirk Ferentz stick around? And most importantly, how could Iowa potentially come to Columbus and give the Buckeyes a scare? Additionally, Nathan and Stephen Means reach back to Buckeye Talk Subtext subscriber memories of the 2017 Ohio State loss at Iowa. Some had very visceral reactions to that loss, but some also appreciated it for triggering necessary change within the program. Before all that, however, Nathan and Stephen debate a question that may be central to the Ohio State season. Which is more crucial for the Buckeyes' national championship hopes for 2020: An offense that reaches its expectations or a defense that exceeds its expectations? Plenty of great takes sent in by our listeners on that topic as well. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nathan Baird and Stephen Means confront one of the most common questions from our Buckeye Talk listeners. When will Ohio State schedule Alabama/Auburn/LSU/insert your SEC power of choice here? Actually, they flipped the question around, prompted by a Subtext subscriber. If you could pick one non-conference opponent for a home-and-home series for the Buckeyes, who would you choose and why? Nathan and Stephen both looked west for their answers. (Doug Lesmerises, on furlough this week, likely screamed his disapproval from home.) However, most of our subscribers looked south. This is the Tuesday warm-up before the big Wednesday pod. Thanks for coming back five days a week for Buckeye Talk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Monday, another opportunity to Mark It Down and make our bold predictions on the future of Ohio State football. Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means tackle the question of who will ... well ... tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage the most in 2020. Who will succeed Chase Young as the Buckeyes' sack leader this fall? Doug insists there are only two candidates, and he and Nathan opted for the same defensive end. Stephen strayed from the trend and looked at another position as OSU's next sack leader. Our Buckeye Talk Subtext listeners voted for eight candidates, though one was the clear favorite. To vote on the next Mark It Down Monday topic, or to suggest a podcast topic, sign up for a free trial by texting 614-350-3315. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Friday Buckeye Talk episode, Ohio State's rivalry with Michigan is once again the focus. Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means discuss what it would be like if Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer played golf with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson; why Michigan doesn't recruit Ohio more; what to make of Michigan coaches doing cartwheels over a recruit; and what would happen if the Big Ten realigned with the Buckeyes and Wolverines in separate divisions. There are some other Big Ten-related questions from text subscribers, and with new listeners finding the pod every week, those subscribers offered slogan suggestions for Buckeye Talk to inform new listeners what this podcast is all about. Whether you are old or new, thanks so much for being a listener. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh baby, there is a good fight in this episode. On this Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com, Doug Lesmerises lined up against Nathan Baird and Stephen Means in a major disagreement over how many losses it would take this season for Ohio State fans to lose faith in Ryan Day. Major difference of opinion near the end of this one as the guys took eight questions from text subscribers. But first, they dealt with questions about whether the Big Ten will ever catch up with the SEC and whether there is a surge in Big Ten recruiting this season. At the end, they took subscriber answers on whether Alabama or Clemson is the bigger challenge for Ohio State as a national title contender this year, and debated quarterback skill vs. motivation in what will be driving the best teams in the country. It's a heated Buckeye Talk, and thanks for listening. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State adds a recruit and plans to return from the coronavirus shutdown. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this big Wednesday episode of Buckeye Talk, America's favorite Ohio State football podcast, the comparison is to the national champs. Can Ohio State's offense this season be as dangerous and dynamic as LSU's offense last season? To figure that out, Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means watched several LSU games from last year, and they broke down the comparison into five areas: play calling, offensive line, receivers, running back and the quarterback comparison between Joe Burrow and Justin Fields. There were some areas where the Buckeyes absolutely have the potential to match up with one of the great offenses in college football history, and other areas where Ohio State might have trouble reaching that LSU level. Find out what the guys think of each comparison. Also, there's a discussion of Ohio State's latest 2021 recruit, and final voting in the fast food bracket that will be reduced from the Sweet 16 to a champion. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk from cleveland.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Tuesday Buckeye Talk episode is all about coaching, as the guys key in on four areas based on questions from our text subscribers: Which current Ohio State football players will make the best coaches someday? Who would set up as a better replacement for Ryan Day a decade from now, Luke Fickell still as the Cincinnati head coach, or Brian Hartline if he becomes Ohio State's offensive coordinator? Which current opposing coaches are the most dangerous to the Buckeyes, and are they in the Big Ten or are they national rivals? Which Michigan coach taking over for Jim Harbaugh would provide the greatest challenge to the Buckeyes? Doug Lesmerises, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird answer those questions. If you'd like to ask questions that lead to podcast discussions, sign up for a free trial as a text subscriber by texting 614-350-3315. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with the second installment of Mark It Down Monday. The Buckeye Talk gang of Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means gets specific with a big prediction about the near future of Ohio State football. In what year will the Buckeyes win their next national championship, and who will be the quarterback? Returning Heisman Trophy finalist Justin Fields leading OSU to the 2020 championship may be the obvious answer for some. But are the Buckeyes talented enough on both sides of the ball relative to the national competition? If Ohio State is a couple of years or more away from winning it all, which quarterback will get it done? Two true freshmen are battling to back Fields up in 2020, and another top recruit comes on board for 2021. The Buckeye Talk crew debates the importance of a quarterback in winning the championship and whether Kyle McCord can step in immediately in 2021 and beat out CJ Stroud and Jack Miller to run the show. As always they turn to the subtext subscribers to continue the debate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices