The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

Why isn't Tavien St. Clair playing quarterback for Ohio State? Why did Jeremiah Smith go nearly half a game without touching the football? And what does Ryan Day plan to do about the Buckeyes' struggling defense and special teams?Following Ohio State's third loss of the season, Ryan Day met with reporters on Tuesday to address the growing list of problems facing his football program.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down Day's comments and discuss what they reveal about Ohio State's plans heading into Saturday's game against Northwestern.Day confirmed that Luke Fahey will remain Ohio State's starting quarterback, despite increasing calls from fans to give true freshman Tavien St. Clair an opportunity. Tony and Tom explain why the coaching staff apparently isn't ready to make that move and what St. Clair would need to show in practice to earn meaningful playing time.They also examine the puzzling lack of involvement for Jeremiah Smith against Oregon. How does the nation's best receiver go two quarters without a target? And why doesn't Ohio State simply design more plays specifically to get him the football?On defense, Ryan Day acknowledged that he remains heavily involved in game-planning discussions with Matt Patricia. That raises another question: If Day wants an aggressive defense, why are the Buckeyes continuing to play so conservatively?Finally, Tony and Tom discuss the firing of special teams coordinator Robby Discher, the disastrous fake punt against Oregon, and whether additional coaching changes could be coming.00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: Breaking down Ryan Day's latest press conference00:33 – Ryan Day confirms Luke Fahey will start against Northwestern01:29 – Why Tavien St. Clair isn't getting an opportunity at quarterback02:30 – What Ohio State's coaches need to see from St. Clair in practice04:02 – Could Ohio State simplify the offense to get St. Clair on the field?05:00 – Why Luke Fahey remains the Buckeyes' best option for now05:41 – Why did Jeremiah Smith go nearly two quarters without touching the football?07:15 – Ohio State's limited possessions and the failure to target Smith08:45 – Why Ohio State needs to make Jeremiah Smith the first read more often09:52 – How Smith's presence creates opportunities for other receivers10:39 – Why Jeremiah Smith sometimes comes off the field on third down11:41 – Ryan Day's involvement in Matt Patricia's defensive game plans12:46 – Why Day's desire for an aggressive defense doesn't match the results13:22 – Defensive breakdowns, missed assignments, and recurring problems15:21 – Ryan Day addresses the firing of special teams coordinator Robby Discher15:36 – How Ohio State will divide special teams coaching responsibilities16:35 – Will firing Discher actually improve Ohio State's special teams?17:03 – The fake punt against Oregon and Ohio State's lack of special teams creativity18:17 – Does Ryan Day need to take a more aggressive approach on special teams?18:43 – Why Ohio State isn't firing more assistant coaches right now20:15 – Why Ryan Day isn't ready to play younger players simply to evaluate them21:55 – How Ohio State's situation differs from Michigan's coaching changes23:11 – Final takeaways from Ryan Day's press conference23:24 – Viewer questions, Buckeye Insiders, and final thoughtsJoin Buckeye Insiders!Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider reporting, recruiting analysis, premium message board discussions, and more at:https://BuckeyeInsiders.comJoin Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and the Buckeye Insiders community for daily coverage and conversation about everything happening with Ohio State football.Watch more Ohio State coverage on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@BuckeyeInsidersJoin the conversation!

Does Ryan Day consistently fail in the margins of Ohio State's biggest games? Are the Buckeyes making too many mistakes in critical situations, playing too many tight ends, and struggling to identify their best five offensive linemen?In this edition of Fact or Fiction on the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr tackle another round of criticism from Ohio State fans following the Buckeyes' disappointing losses to USC and Oregon.One fan argues that Ryan Day's teams routinely lose games because of failures in the margins, that Ohio State continues to play ineffective tight ends, that the offensive line rotation shows a lack of planning, and that too many players are receiving significant playing time despite not performing at the level expected of a Buckeye.How much of that criticism is fact, and how much is fiction?Tony and Tom examine Ohio State's history of missed field goals, questionable special teams decisions, clock management, and other small mistakes that can make an enormous difference in close games.They also discuss the Buckeyes' continued reliance on multiple-tight-end formations, whether Jeremiah Smith should ever leave the field in critical situations, and why the offensive line has become a revolving door of personnel changes.Finally, they take a hard look at Ohio State's talent level and whether the Buckeyes have enough elite players to compete with the nation's best teams.Of note, this show was recorded before Ryan Day fired special teams coordinator Robby Discher.00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: Fact or Fiction returns00:30 – A fan's criticism of Ryan Day, the tight ends, offensive line, and roster talent01:30 – Fact or Fiction: Ryan Day fails in the margins of every big game02:15 – How missed field goals have changed Ohio State's biggest games03:00 – Special teams, field position, and questionable punting decisions03:45 – Ryan Day's clock management and late-game strategy04:43 – Why the word "every" makes the criticism too broad05:16 – Ohio State's close losses and the importance of winning in the margins06:30 – Fact or Fiction: Ohio State's tight end play is atrocious07:15 – Why the Buckeyes may be playing too many tight ends08:05 – The difference between using two tight ends and relying on three or four09:00 – Why taking Jeremiah Smith off the field is such a problem10:04 – Fact or Fiction: Ohio State's offensive line rotation proves the coaches have no plan10:45 – Injuries, illness, and uncertainty surrounding the five best offensive linemen11:46 – Why the Oregon game raised new concerns about offensive line decisions12:30 – Is Ohio State experimenting too much with its offensive line combinations?14:01 – Why offensive line injuries and inconsistency are affecting teams across college football14:45 – Fact or Fiction: Too many bad players are getting meaningful snaps15:53 – Should Ohio State shorten its rotations and rely more heavily on its best players?17:18 – Has the Buckeyes' overall talent level declined significantly?18:48 – Why modern college football makes it harder to stockpile elite talent19:30 – How injuries expose the lack of depth across college football20:28 – Final verdicts: Which criticisms are fact and which are fiction?21:00 – Buckeye Insiders community, viewer comments, and final thoughtsJoin Buckeye Insiders!Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider reporting, recruiting analysis, premium message board discussions, and more at:https://BuckeyeInsiders.comJoin Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and the Buckeye Insiders community for daily coverage and conversation about everything happening with Ohio State football.

Has Ryan Day created a culture of playing not to lose rather than playing to win? Has Ohio State's head coach become too conservative, settled for underperforming assistant coaches, and abandoned the aggressive mentality that once made the Buckeyes so dangerous?In this edition of Fact or Fiction on the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine another round of criticism from Ohio State fans following the Buckeyes' third loss of the season — their first three-loss campaign since 2011.One fan argues that Ryan Day has created a culture of tightness and fear, accepted mediocrity from some members of his coaching staff, and lost the aggressive edge that defined Ohio State's offense earlier in his tenure.How much of that criticism is fact, and how much is fiction?Tony and Tom discuss whether Ryan Day's conservative approach has contributed to Ohio State's struggles in big games and whether the Buckeyes have become too concerned with avoiding mistakes rather than creating opportunities.They also examine the coaching staff, including the performances of tight ends coach Keenan Bailey and offensive line coach Tyler Bowen, and whether Day has been too patient with assistants whose position groups aren't meeting expectations.Plus, why does Ohio State seem so uncomfortable playing from behind? Has the Michigan rivalry changed Ryan Day's approach to coaching? And how much of the Buckeyes' struggles can be attributed to injuries, a true freshman quarterback, and circumstances beyond the coaching staff's control?With special teams coordinator Robby Discher already out, could more coaching changes be coming?00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: Ohio State's first three-loss season since 201101:08 – Fact or Fiction: Has Ryan Day created a culture of tightness and fear?03:06 – Why criticism of Ryan Day's conservative approach is complicated04:15 – Dan Lanning's aggressive fake punt against Ohio State05:48 – Did Ohio State's halftime message against Oregon reveal a problem?06:30 – Is Ryan Day coaching not to lose instead of coaching to win?07:30 – Has Ryan Day settled for mediocrity among his assistant coaches?08:44 – Why Keenan Bailey and Tyler Bowen are facing criticism10:00 – The challenges of hiring coaches from college football and the NFL12:17 – Are Ohio State's tight end and offensive line coaches the right fit?13:30 – Has Ryan Day lost the aggressive edge that once defined his offense?14:48 – Why the 2022 Georgia game is a complicated example of aggressive coaching15:30 – How close Ryan Day came to winning another national championship16:30 – Why Ohio State needs to become more comfortable running tempo17:12 – How Luke Fahey's inexperience has changed Ohio State's offense18:15 – Has the Michigan rivalry changed Ryan Day's coaching mentality?19:30 – Could more assistant coaching changes be coming at Ohio State?20:39 – Why Ohio State's problems don't have one simple explanation21:30 – What to expect from Ryan Day's coaching staff after the season22:28 – Final verdict: Has Ryan Day lost his edge?Join Buckeye Insiders!Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider reporting, recruiting analysis, premium message board discussions, and more at:https://BuckeyeInsiders.comJoin Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and the Buckeye Insiders community for daily coverage and conversation about everything happening with Ohio State football.

The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams, and college football will never be quite the same. But is a bigger playoff actually a bad thing?In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down the newly announced 24-team College Football Playoff format, the five-year agreement with ESPN, and what it all means for Ohio State, the Big Ten, and the future of college football.The new format includes automatic bids for the four Power Four conference champions and the highest-ranked Group of Six champion, with 19 additional at-large selections. The top eight teams receive first-round byes, and the first two rounds will be played on campus.But the expansion also raises some enormous questions.Will a 24-team playoff diminish the importance of the regular season? What happens to conference championship games? Will Ohio State still have something meaningful to play for against Michigan if both teams have already secured playoff spots?Tony and Tom also discuss the television negotiations involving ESPN, Fox, and the Big Ten, including why Fox pushed for a bigger playoff but ESPN ultimately retained control of the television rights.And Tony shares his questions from the official College Football Playoff media teleconference, including what executive director Rich Clark said about protecting the regular season, rewarding difficult nonconference schedules, and responding to fans who oppose expansion.00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: The College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams!00:35 – Breaking down the new 24-team playoff format and ESPN agreement01:37 – Will expansion hurt college football's regular season?02:37 – Why conference championship games may become unnecessary03:57 – Could the Big Ten return to recognizing co-champions?05:10 – Why Fox wanted playoff expansion but ESPN retained the television rights06:37 – Could ESPN sell playoff games to Fox or other networks?08:00 – The future of college football's television rights negotiations08:55 – Would Ohio State ever rest starters against Michigan?09:53 – Will a 24-team playoff diminish the importance of The Game?10:45 – New scheduling expectations for Power Four and Group of Six teams12:00 – Tony questions CFP executive director Rich Clark about scheduling incentives13:15 – Why rewarding marquee nonconference victories may not be enough14:29 – Should the playoff replace subjective rankings with an objective selection formula?15:28 – What college football can learn from figure skating's scoring system17:00 – How transparent scoring could make playoff selections easier to understand19:32 – Tony asks Rich Clark about fans who oppose playoff expansion20:30 – Does the College Football Playoff really listen to its fans?21:38 – Why a 24-team playoff could create exciting new postseason matchups22:30 – The appeal of campus playoff games and unfamiliar opponents24:00 – Could playoff expansion actually improve nonconference scheduling?24:25 – Final thoughts: Is the 24-team playoff good for college football?Join Buckeye Insiders!Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider reporting, recruiting analysis, premium message board discussions, and more at:https://BuckeyeInsiders.comJoin Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and the Buckeye Insiders community for daily discussions about Ohio State football, the Big Ten, and the changing landscape of college football.Join the conversation!

The fallout from Ohio State’s disastrous loss to Oregon over the weekend has begun. According to multiple reports, special teams coordinator Robby Discher has been fired.Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports was the first to break the news.Discher was hired away from Illinois after the 2025 season to turn the Buckeyes’ special teams into a difference-maker. Instead, the unit cratered to its worst level in the history of modern analytics.In this breaking news episode, you'll get the details on what went wrong for the special teams this season, what may have been the final straw during Saturday's debacle against the Ducks, and what else could change soon within the Ohio State program.

Michigan State shocks Michigan! The Spartans entered the weekend without a Big Ten victory, but somehow walked into Ann Arbor and handed the Wolverines an embarrassing 15-6 loss.In this edition of Michigan Monday on the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down one of the most surprising results of the Big Ten season and examine just how bad things have gotten for Kyle Whittingham and the Michigan Wolverines.With both Ohio State and Michigan coming off ugly losses, which fan base is feeling worse?Michigan's offense was nearly shut out by a struggling Michigan State team that was missing numerous key players. The Wolverines managed just six points, turned the ball over four times, surrendered five sacks, and couldn't establish anything resembling a consistent running game.And now Michigan has fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck.Tony and Tom discuss whether Beck was really the problem, why Tommy Carr struggled so badly against the Spartans, and whether the Wolverines should consider returning to Bryce Underwood at quarterback.They also examine Michigan's surprisingly ineffective running backs, the offensive line's inability to handle defensive line movement, and how Michigan State controlled the game despite its own offensive limitations.Plus, Michigan's special teams produce another memorable moment, Kyle Whittingham's knowledge of Michigan's rivalry traditions comes into question, and Tony and Tom look ahead to what could be a particularly strange edition of The Game.Could the Ohio State–Michigan game determine which program salvages its season?00:00 – Welcome to Michigan Monday: A miserable weekend for Ohio State and Michigan00:44 – Michigan State shocks Michigan 15-6 in Ann Arbor02:33 – What happens when Ohio State's struggling defense meets Michigan's struggling offense?04:27 – Tommy Carr's inaccurate passing and Michigan's limited offensive playbook06:18 – What happened to Jordan Marshall and Michigan's running backs?07:10 – Why Michigan's running game has become completely ineffective09:23 – Tommy Carr's struggles: Five sacks, two interceptions, and constant pressure11:01 – How did Jason Beck's offense become such a disaster?13:48 – Why Michigan's offensive personnel haven't lived up to expectations16:00 – Kyle Whittingham, Michigan traditions, and the Wolverines' offensive identity18:02 – How Michigan State exploited Michigan's offensive line with twists and stunts18:45 – Five scoring drives, five field goals: Michigan State's unusual offensive performance20:09 – Did Michigan State simply want this game more than Michigan?21:00 – The Spartans dominate time of possession despite numerous injuries22:00 – Is this Michigan's worst loss since Toledo in 2008?24:03 – Michigan narrowly avoids a shutout against the Spartans25:25 – John Henry Daley's dominant defensive plays against Michigan26:51 – Michigan's replacement kicker delivers an unforgettable DOINK27:42 – The history of Michigan coaches losing their first game against Michigan State29:14 – Michigan fans boo the Wolverines' offensive play-calling30:24 – Questionable decisions and more Michigan–Michigan State coaching history32:06 – Which team handles adversity worse: Ohio State or Michigan?32:20 – Could The Game salvage either team's disappointing season?33:19 – Final thoughts, fan reactions, and Buckeye Insiders updatesJoin Buckeye Insiders!Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider reporting, recruiting analysis, premium message board discussions, and more at:https://BuckeyeInsiders.comNovember is Member Appreciation Month at Buckeye Insiders! We're celebrating with special events, exclusive opportunities, and member giveaways.Join Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and the Buckeye Insiders community for daily Ohio State football coverage and discussion.Join the conversation!Let us know what you think in the comments!👍 LIKE this video if you enjoy our Michigan Monday episodes.🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast with Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr for daily Ohio State football news, analysis, game previews, and postgame reactions.

Has Ryan Day's offensive philosophy become Ohio State's biggest problem? Has the Buckeyes' shift toward a more conservative, NFL-style approach taken away the explosive offense that once made Ryan Day one of college football's most successful offensive minds?In this edition of Fact or Fiction on the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr tackle two complaints from Ohio State fans following the Buckeyes' losses to USC and Oregon: Ryan Day's increasingly conservative offensive philosophy and a roster that doesn't seem built to execute it.The Buckeyes once routinely scored 40, 50, and even 60 points under Ryan Day. Now, the emphasis on offensive balance, controlling the clock, running the football, and using multiple tight ends has created questions about whether Ohio State has abandoned what made its offense so dangerous.Has Ryan Day overcorrected?Tony and Tom discuss the impact of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Ohio State's reliance on 13 and 14 personnel, and the puzzling decision to take Jeremiah Smith off the field in critical situations.They also examine the disconnect between roster construction and offensive philosophy, the struggles of the offensive line, and whether Ohio State's defensive personnel are being utilized properly.From Matt Patricia's conservative approach to the pass rush to Ryan Day's evolution from an aggressive play-caller to a coach seemingly content to win slower, there's plenty to debate.And most importantly, does Ohio State need to rediscover the aggressive offensive mentality that made Ryan Day successful in the first place?00:00 – Welcome to Buckeye Weekly: Another edition of Fact or Fiction00:31 – Ohio State fans identify the Buckeyes' biggest problems01:25 – Fact or Fiction: Ryan Day's NFL philosophy doesn't fit Ohio State's roster01:57 – Has Ryan Day overcorrected in trying to establish offensive balance?02:56 – Why Ohio State's tight end investments don't match its offensive approach04:00 – The problem with using 13 and 14 personnel instead of Jeremiah Smith05:00 – Ohio State's roster construction problems extend beyond the offense06:16 – Are the Buckeyes failing to utilize their best defensive players?07:00 – Why Ohio State's offensive line continues to regress09:08 – Does Matt Patricia need to become more aggressive on defense?10:00 – Ohio State's lack of pass rush and the problems it creates in coverage11:13 – Fact or Fiction: Ryan Day's NFL-style offense is destroying what made Ohio State great12:00 – Should the Buckeyes return to trying to score 50 points every game?13:19 – How Ryan Day's offensive philosophy has changed since 201914:30 – Did Michigan losses cause Ryan Day to overemphasize running the football?15:30 – Why Arthur Smith's offense may not fit Ohio State's personnel16:46 – Can an NFL-style offense really damage Ohio State's long-term success?18:06 – Did winning the 2024 national championship reinforce Ryan Day's conservative philosophy?19:25 – Are major changes coming to Ohio State's coaching staff and offensive approach?20:30 – What Ryan Day can learn from Nick Saban's willingness to adapt22:01 – The verdict: Does Ohio State need to return to a college-style offensive mentality?23:00 – Final thoughts, viewer feedback, and Buckeye Insiders communityJoin Buckeye Insiders!Get exclusive Ohio State football coverage, insider reporting, recruiting analysis, and premium message board discussions at:https://BuckeyeInsiders.comJoin Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and the Buckeye Insiders community for daily conversations about everything happening with Ohio State football.Join the conversation!FACT OR FICTION: Ryan Day's NFL-style offensive philosophy is Ohio State's biggest problem.Should Ohio State return to the aggressive, high-scoring approach Ryan Day used earlier in his career? Is Arthur Smith's offense simply a poor fit for the Buckeyes' current personnel? Or are roster construction and player development the real issues?And should Matt Patricia be doing more to generate pressure with Ohio State's defense?

BuckeyeInsiders.com's Juck Miletti gives his first thoughts following Ohio State's 41-28 loss to Oregon. Who is to blame? What went wrong? How unexpected was this? Juck discusses all of this and much, much more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman give their instant reactions following Ohio State's disappointing 41-28 loss to Oregon. The fellas go through a bunch of questions from the viewers and discuss the changing landscape of the sport and whether or not changes need to made at Ohio State as well.

The No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 23 Oregon Ducks are getting set to square off in a game with very different stakes than expected before the season started. Instead of a matchup of national championship frontrunners, it's a battle between two teams just trying to stay alive in the race for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr from BuckeyeInsiders.com preview the game from Ohio Stadium.The pregame show is presented by The Pennant: Ohio News Delivered To Your Inbox Every Weekday, all for free! Sign up today at ThePennantOH.com/insider