The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Four BIGGEST Linebacker Concerns Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Ohio State lost two elite linebackers from last year’s national championship defense, so how concerned should Buckeye fans be about the position in 2026?
In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the biggest linebacker concerns facing Ohio State this season, including the challenge of replacing Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, the pressure on Payton Pierce as the new leader of the defense, the importance of tackling consistency, and how much Riley Pettijohn, Christian Allegro, TJ Alford, Eli Lee, and others could factor into the rotation.
The Buckeyes may not have two first-round linebackers again, but can Matt Patricia and the Ohio State defense still find the right answers?
Join us at BuckeyeInsiders.com for more Ohio State football coverage, message board discussion, insider analysis, and more.
00:00 Welcome to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast
01:01 BuckeyeInsiders.com is live
01:56 The biggest concerns at linebacker
02:25 Replacing Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese
03:17 Can Ohio State still have very good linebacker play?
05:41 Why the Buckeyes don’t have to replace everyone one-for-one
06:25 Concern No. 2: Tackling without Sonny Styles
07:26 How much does Ohio State’s margin for error shrink?
09:15 The impact of losing Caleb Downs behind the linebackers
10:20 Concern No. 3: Payton Pierce taking over the defense
11:25 Why Pierce may already be prepared for the role
13:09 Concern No. 4: Figuring out Riley Pettijohn’s role
14:20 Why missing spring matters for Pettijohn
15:26 How TJ Alford and C.J. Hicks-style versatility could help the rotation
16:28 Eli Lee, depth, coaching, and final thoughts
17:10 Subscribe, comment, and join BuckeyeInsiders.com

Four MAJOR Concerns on the Offensive Line Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Ohio State’s offensive line could be very good this season — but there are still some important questions to answer.
In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss four major concerns for the Buckeyes up front, including the left tackle situation, Philip Daniels’ development, how the line handles movement and stunts, and how quickly Ohio State can settle on its best five.
They also discuss where Austin Siereveld, Ian Moore, Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery, Philip Daniels, Josh Padilla, Gabe VanSickle, and Jake Cook could fit into the offensive line picture.
00:00 — Intro
00:07 — Tom reacts to the title
00:19 — Concern No. 1: Is Ian Moore ready at left tackle?
01:37 — Why Ian Moore is more of a question than a crisis
03:46 — Concern No. 2: Philip Daniels’ next step
05:36 — Right-side issues from last season
06:09 — How much growth has Daniels already shown?
07:59 — Concern No. 3: Can the line handle movement and stunts?
10:08 — Why experience and Arthur Smith could help
12:21 — Concern No. 4: How long until Ohio State finds its best five?
14:11 — Fall camp options and possible offensive line combinations
16:33 — Final thoughts and listener questions
What is your biggest concern with Ohio State’s offensive line 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 for updates, coverage, and more.

Launch Day! Buckeye Insiders Is About To Go Live! Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

The day we've been waiting for is finally (almost) here! Buckeye Insiders, the new Ohio State fan community is set to launch Wednesday, July 8 at Noon Eastern.
Who is a part of the new site? How is it going to be different? How can you be a part of it all?
In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Tony Gerdeman of BuckeyeInsiders.com joins host Tom Orr to talk about everything you need to know to be a part of the big launch day.
Today's show 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.

Could This Be the Deepest Buckeye Backfield Ever? Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Could Ohio State have its deepest running back room in more than 30 years?
Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss whether the Buckeyes’ current backfield could be the deepest since the loaded 1992 group that featured Robert Smith, Raymont Harris, Jeff Cothran, Eddie George, Butler By’not’e, and others.
They compare that room to the current group of Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, Ja'Kobi Jackson, Legend Bey, Turbo Rogers, and more. They also look back at other Ohio State running back rooms from the Cooper, Tressel, Meyer, and Day eras to determine where this year’s group could eventually rank.
00:00 — Intro
00:10 — BuckeyeInsiders.com launch update
00:38 — Could this be Ohio State’s deepest RB room since 1992?
02:47 — Comparing this year’s backfield to the 1992 group
05:05 — Could this year’s production exceed 1992?
07:19 — Why the 1992 rushing numbers need context
10:17 — Remembering Tim Williams and the 1992 offense
13:48 — Other Ohio State running back rooms in the conversation
17:18 — NFL production from past Buckeye backfields
19:19 — Final thoughts and listener question
Could Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, Ja'Kobi Jackson, Legend Bey, and the rest of Ohio State’s running backs become one of the deepest backfields in Buckeye history? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.
Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com for updates on the launch of the new site.

Is Bryce Underwood the Best Player In Michigan History? Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Bryce Underwood says he feels like he is the best player ever to come out of Michigan. Is that confidence, or is that going too far?
Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss Underwood’s comments, whether he meant the best player from the state of Michigan or the best player from the University of Michigan, and how he compares to names like Charles Woodson, Andre Rison, Tyrone Wheatley, Antonio Gates, Jerome Bettis, Chad Henne, J.J. McCarthy, and others.
They also look at Underwood’s freshman season, his development, Michigan’s quarterback history, and what he still has to prove before claims like that can be taken seriously.
00:31 — Intro
00:40 — Tom’s goal for the show
01:03 — Bryce Underwood’s big quote
03:20 — Did he mean Michigan high school football or the University of Michigan?
05:01 — Comparing Underwood to Michigan legends and freshman quarterbacks
07:37 — Bryce Underwood vs. Chad Henne as freshmen
10:22 — Terrelle Pryor comparison and freshman QB development
11:41 — J.J. McCarthy comparison and Michigan’s offensive outlook
13:19 — Final thoughts and listener question
Is Bryce Underwood on track to become the best player to come out of Michigan? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.
Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com for updates on the launch of the new site.

Which Buckeye Will Win B1G Freshman of the Year? Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

Can Ohio State make it three straight Big Ten Freshman of the Year winners?
Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss whether the Buckeyes have a realistic candidate to follow Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin as the most recent Big Ten Freshmen of the Year from Ohio State. They look back at the Buckeyes' history with the award, including Robert Smith, Orlando Pace, Maurice Clarett, Terrelle Pryor, Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, Mike Weber, and C.J. Stroud.
They also discuss which current Buckeye freshmen have the best path to playing time, whether a true freshman wide receiver could put up the necessary numbers, how special teams could factor in, and why this might be a harder award for Ohio State to win this season than it was the last two years.
00:00 — Intro
00:12 — Tom discovers another second-generation Buckeye
01:27 — Ohio State’s recent Big Ten Freshman of the Year run
03:48 — Could Chris Henry Jr. be the top candidate?
05:25 — What kind of production would it take?
06:57 — The case for a versatile offensive weapon
09:16 — Why starters usually win this award
10:18 — Possible defensive candidates and longshot scenarios
11:22 — Final thoughts and listener picks
Which Buckeye freshman do you think has the best chance to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year? Drop your pick in the comments.
Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.

Five Ohio State Predictions That Could Define the Season Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

Tony Gerdeman has five Ohio State football predictions for Tom Orr to judge.
Some are bold. Some are reasonable. Some may depend on opportunity, schedule, injuries, development, and how quickly new faces emerge for the Buckeyes this season.
Tony and Tom discuss several areas that could shape Ohio State’s year, including young offensive playmakers, linebacker production, special teams pressure, close-game situations, and whether the Buckeyes can answer one of the biggest questions facing the offense.
00:00 — Intro
00:11 — Tom prepares for Tony’s predictions
00:26 — Prediction No. 1
01:36 — How realistic is the first prediction?
03:01 — Prediction No. 2
04:39 — Why early-season narratives matter
06:56 — Texas games and linebacker expectations
08:44 — Prediction No. 3
09:40 — Prediction No. 4
10:24 — Late-game kicking situations
12:12 — Prediction No. 5
13:48 — Why the final prediction may be more realistic than it sounds
15:46 — One key difference from last year
16:57 — BuckeyeInsiders.com launch update
17:36 — Wrap-up
Which prediction do you think is most likely to happen? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.
Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com for updates on the launch of the new site.

What Must Julian Sayin Do to Win the Heisman? Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

What would Julian Sayin need to do to win the Heisman Trophy?
Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the path for Ohio State’s quarterback to become a Heisman contender, including the stats he would need, the wins that would matter most, and why the award is still so tied to narrative, record, and big-game moments.
They compare Sayin’s chances to recent Heisman quarterback seasons, discuss how Jeremiah Smith could both help and hurt his campaign, and look back at how much the award has changed from the days of Gino Torretta, Andre Ware, David Klingler, Cam Newton, Troy Smith, and others.
00:00 — Intro
00:11 — BuckeyeInsiders.com launch update
01:11 — Red, White, and Buckeye Insiders
01:38 — What Julian Sayin needs to do to win the Heisman
03:35 — Why wins may matter more than stats
05:24 — How close the Heisman race can get
07:10 — Could Ohio State vs. Oregon become a Heisman showdown?
09:01 — How many huge passing games does Sayin need?
10:32 — Heisman moments and Troy Smith comparisons
11:14 — Gino Torretta and old-school Heisman quarterback numbers
12:08 — Looking back at the 1992 Heisman race
13:12 — How much quarterback stats have changed
14:47 — David Klingler, Andre Ware, and video-game passing numbers
15:06 — Final thoughts and listener reminders
What would Julian Sayin need to do to win the Heisman this season? Drop your stat line and prediction in the comments.
Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.
Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com for updates on the launch of the new site.

What Jeremiah Smith MUST Do to Win the Heisman Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

What would it take for Jeremiah Smith to win the Heisman Trophy?
Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the kind of season Ohio State’s superstar wide receiver would need to put together to become a serious Heisman contender. They compare Smith’s potential numbers to past wide receiver Heisman-like seasons, including DeVonta Smith and Michael Crabtree, and discuss why stats alone may not be enough.
They also look at how defenses will try to limit Jeremiah Smith, why big performances against Texas, Oregon, Indiana, and Michigan would matter, how red-zone usage could boost his touchdown total, and whether Heisman voters may hold his position — or his already massive expectations — against him.
00:00 — Intro and the heat wave update
01:13 — Listener question: What does Jeremiah Smith need to do to win the Heisman?
02:10 — DeVonta Smith’s Heisman numbers
03:01 — Why DeVonta Smith’s situation was different
03:34 — Special teams value and extra Heisman points
04:29 — Michael Crabtree’s freshman season and Heisman voting history
06:25 — Why defenses will build everything around stopping Jeremiah Smith
09:50 — The burden of massive expectations
11:29 — How Ohio State can use Smith near the goal line
12:37 — Highlight catches, touchdowns, and Heisman moments
13:59 — Will Jeremiah Smith win the Heisman?
14:19 — Final thoughts and listener question
14:48 — BuckeyeInsiders.com launch update
15:35 — Wrap-up
Do you think Jeremiah Smith can win the Heisman this season? What numbers would he need to put up to make it happen? Drop your prediction in the comments.
Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.
Visit BuckeyeInsiders.com for updates on the launch of the new site.

BONUS: BOOM! 5-Star WR Jett Harrison Commits to the Buckeyes Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

This is the latest episode of Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning as Tom Orr and Juck Miletti break down the commitment of 5-star wide receiver Jett Harrison from Wednesday.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes started the long 4th of July weekend off with a big BOOM on Wednesday, as Jett Harrison, a 5-star prospect considered the best wide receiver in the 2028 recruiting class, committed to OSU.
In this special breaking news episode of Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Juck Miletti, the recruiting insider from BuckeyeInsiders.com, joins host Tom Orr to discuss the impact of Harrison's commitment and what it means for the future of the wide receiver room in Columbus.
His commitment gives OSU at least one 5-star wide receiver in every recruiting class from 2023 to 2029, starting with Brandon Inniss, Jeremiah Smith, Quincy Porter, Chris Henry, Jr., Jamier Brown, Jett Harrison, and Austin Miller.
Today's episode is sponsored 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.

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