The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

Ohio State still has not officially named a starting quarterback for USC, but Ryan Day may already have a pretty good idea who it will be.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down Day’s latest comments on the competition between Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair and what they may reveal about the Buckeyes’ plan at quarterback.Day continues to emphasize that Fahey entered the competition ahead, while also saying both quarterbacks still need to be ready. Tony and Tom discuss why that sounds like Fahey remains the favorite, why Ohio State may be delaying an announcement, and how valuable first-team reps have become this week.0:01 — The latest on Ohio State’s quarterback situation0:43 — Ryan Day still hasn’t named a starter1:50 — Does Day already know who the starter is?3:12 — Why Luke Fahey still looks like the favorite5:01 — The value of first-team reps6:40 — What Ryan Day is looking for in his quarterback8:45 — Day’s demeanor and confidence level11:05 — How do you keep the starter from looking over his shoulder?12:18 — Could both quarterbacks play against USC?14:06 — Could Tavien St. Clair have a short-yardage package?15:30 — Why this is such a consequential week15:50 — Is starting on the road actually better for a young QB?Tom believes Ohio State may be keeping the competition open publicly in part to make sure both quarterbacks stay fully engaged and prepared. That matters even more after watching Julian Sayin go down, because whoever doesn’t start could still be needed at any moment.The first-team reps are especially important now. Fahey and St. Clair need timing with the offensive line, wide receivers, and center Carson Hinzman, while also adjusting to everything from cadence to snap location to the speed of Ohio State’s starting defense.Day also outlined what he wants from the starter: toughness, routine plays made routinely, staying on schedule, and avoiding the kind of mistakes that turn a bad situation into something worse.And while Day acknowledged there is a path for both quarterbacks to play, Tony and Tom both expect Ohio State to choose one starter and give that player the confidence to settle into the game rather than constantly looking over his shoulder.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Michigan’s defense did just about everything it could. The offense did not.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down Michigan’s 13-6 overtime loss to Indiana and what it says about the Wolverines heading into the second half of the season.The secondary may have played its best game of the year, with Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Smith Snowden, and Chris Bracy all making major contributions. But once again, Michigan’s offense could not take advantage of a strong defensive performance.Tony and Tom discuss Tommy Carr’s first start, Michigan’s offensive line problems, the lack of a running game, questionable play calling, missed field goals, and whether Bryce Underwood would have changed the outcome.0:01 — Michigan Monday begins0:38 — Michigan’s defense deserved better2:05 — The secondary’s best game of the season3:53 — More credit for Michigan’s defense5:27 — Indiana didn’t complete a pass in the second half7:08 — Can Michigan’s offense score enough to win?9:15 — The offensive line remains a major problem11:47 — Four red-zone trips, zero touchdowns14:26 — Tommy Carr’s freshman mistakes16:41 — Jason Beck and Michigan’s offensive problems19:55 — Just how bad has the offense been?21:21 — Would Bryce Underwood have won this game?24:36 — Michigan’s future quarterback problem25:46 — Special teams continue to hurt Michigan27:19 — Other strange moments from the Indiana loss28:17 — What if Luke Fahey plays like Tommy Carr against Michigan?30:38 — Final thoughtsOne of the biggest problems remains the offensive line. Michigan used its fifth different line combination in seven games, struggled badly against Indiana’s stunts, and finished with just 57 rushing yards on 42 attempts.Carr also showed exactly why playing a true freshman quarterback can be so unpredictable. He made plays with his legs, but also committed the kind of mistakes that can directly swing a close game, including a costly sack before halftime and an interception thrown into heavy coverage.And despite all of those problems, Michigan still had opportunities to win — which makes the continued struggles on special teams even more painful in a season filled with one-score games.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Which Ohio State offensive players are poised to see their stock rise the most during the second half of the season?On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr head back to the imaginary stock market, this time looking for Buckeyes on offense who could become much more valuable down the stretch.Tom starts with Chris Henry Jr., who has already begun making more of an impact and could be on the verge of a true freshman breakout. With defenses devoting so much attention to Jeremiah Smith, Henry could see more targets and more opportunities to make big plays.Tony then takes a chance on Luke Fahey. The true freshman quarterback has enormous upside if he becomes the starter and can simply provide solid, efficient production while taking advantage of Ohio State’s weapons.0:01 — Buying stock in Ohio State’s offense1:10 — Who is the best offensive investment?1:36 — Chris Henry Jr. is ready to break out3:32 — How much upside does Henry have?4:45 — Buying Luke Fahey stock5:53 — What would a successful Fahey season look like?8:07 — Is Austin Siereveld worth buying?8:19 — Nate Roberts could become a young quarterback’s best friend10:13 — Mason Williams and Ohio State’s tight ends11:04 — Buying Isaiah West stock12:01 — Why West could have a much bigger role13:05 — What about Legend Bey?13:50 — Who are you buying for the second half?Fahey may be the biggest boom-or-bust investment of the group. If he can complete around 60 percent of his passes, produce roughly 240 passing yards per game, limit turnovers, and contribute with his legs, that could be enough to keep Ohio State in position to win a lot of games with a true freshman quarterback.Tom also buys Nate Roberts, believing tight end could become increasingly important with a young quarterback. Tony makes a similar argument for Mason Williams, with both expecting Ohio State to lean more heavily on 12 personnel and make the tight ends a more consistent part of the progression.And Tony closes with Isaiah West. After an important performance against Indiana, West appears positioned to become a much bigger part of the running game, particularly while Ohio State waits to see when Ja'Kobi Jackson can return.So whose stock are you buying for the second half of Ohio State’s season? Let us know in the comments.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Ohio State enters the second half of the season with a new quarterback situation, questions along the offensive line, and very little margin for error.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down the three biggest factors that will determine how far the Buckeyes can go the rest of the way.It starts at quarterback. Whether Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair ultimately gets the job, Ohio State needs enough production from the position to keep the offense dangerous without asking a young quarterback to do too much.From there, Tony and Tom discuss the importance of the offensive line getting healthy and playing its best football, the need to establish a dependable running game, and why simply staying healthy could be one of the biggest determining factors of the entire season.0:00 — Three things that will decide Ohio State’s season1:18 — No. 1: Quarterback play2:19 — How different will the offense look?3:31 — The little things that change with a new quarterback5:10 — Ohio State can’t hide its young quarterback5:55 — No. 2: The offensive line7:43 — How the line can make life easier for Luke Fahey9:15 — The running game becomes even more important9:50 — No. 3: Staying healthy10:35 — Can Ja'Kobi Jackson return?11:30 — Why Ohio State’s cornerback depth matters12:05 — The defense may need to create more points13:02 — Why special teams could become more aggressive14:00 — Which three factors matter most?Ohio State’s offensive line could be especially important. If Austin Siereveld returns and the Buckeyes can settle on their best five, improved pass protection and a stronger running game could take significant pressure off a first-year starting quarterback.Health will also be critical. Ohio State has already dealt with major injuries at quarterback, offensive line, running back and elsewhere, and additional losses could expose depth issues at several positions.And with the offense potentially needing time to adjust, the defense and special teams may have to provide more than just stops. Turnovers, short fields, punt returns and even defensive scores could become an important part of Ohio State’s formula down the stretch.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Ohio State is entering the second half of the season with a new quarterback situation and plenty of unanswered questions, so it’s time for some bold predictions.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr each make predictions for what’s coming down the stretch for the Buckeyes — from Luke Fahey’s production at quarterback to rushing touchdowns, special teams scores, and defensive touchdowns.0:00 — Four bold predictions for the second half0:34 — Luke Fahey passing yards per game3:33 — Fahey scores at least three rushing touchdowns5:04 — Can Fahey hit the “Mendoza line” as a runner?6:37 — Ohio State special teams scores three touchdowns8:12 — Five combined defensive and special teams touchdowns9:30 — How many defensive touchdowns has Ohio State scored so far?10:08 — Final bold predictions and viewer picksTom counters with a rushing prediction, calling for Fahey to score at least three rushing touchdowns over the second half. That would exceed the combined total for several recent Ohio State starting quarterbacks over a multi-year span and give the Buckeyes a different element at the position.Tony then turns to special teams and predicts three touchdowns in the second half, including the possibility of a punt return, kickoff return, or blocked kick being taken back for a score.Tom goes even broader, predicting five combined touchdowns from Ohio State’s defense and special teams as the Buckeyes become more aggressive in creating havoc and helping a young quarterback.What are your bold predictions for the rest of Ohio State’s season? Drop them in the comments.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

The Ohio State defense has made some significant steps forward over the past few weeks, including wins over Iowa, Maryland, and Indiana. This week, OSU defensive coordinator Matt Patricia met with the media to discuss the improvement by players like Eddrick Houston and Jay Timmons, and more.

Ohio State has reached the midway point of the season, so it’s time to take stock of what has surprised us most about the Buckeyes so far.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr hand out some unofficial midseason “awards” and discuss the biggest surprises from the first half of the year.They start with Julian Sayin, whose overall numbers were strong despite some uncharacteristic misses and accuracy issues. Tony and Tom discuss whether injuries, an increased workload, or the punishment Sayin has taken behind the offensive line may have played a role.From there, they get into the emergence of Ohio State’s defensive tackles, Jason Moore’s breakout season, Ja'Kobi Jackson’s impact at running back, the development of the linebackers, Jay Timmons becoming a major contributor as a freshman, and the very uneven first half of the season for Ohio State’s special teams.0:02 — Midseason awards and Ohio State’s biggest surprises0:27 — Julian Sayin’s surprising first half2:23 — Has Sayin been dealing with more than we realized?3:33 — The defensive line has become a strength5:20 — Jason Moore’s breakout season6:05 — Ja'Kobi Jackson’s impact at running back8:01 — Ohio State’s linebackers keep getting better9:55 — Why the linebacker rotation is working11:20 — Jay Timmons has exceeded expectations12:02 — Ohio State’s special teams remain a concern13:13 — Why special teams matter even more now14:00 — Final thoughts and biggest-surprise picksOne of the biggest positive developments has been the interior defensive line. Jason Moore, Eddrick Houston, Will Smith and James Smith have helped turn what looked like a major question mark early in the year into one of the defense’s strengths.Ja'Kobi Jackson has also been one of the more pleasant surprises, giving Ohio State a different running style, challenging Bo Jackson for carries, and establishing himself as a legitimate part of the offense before suffering a foot injury.Meanwhile, the linebackers have continued to improve as the season has progressed, with Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro, Riley Pettijohn and T.J. Alford all carving out meaningful roles.The biggest negative surprise? Special teams. Despite an offseason coaching change and the addition of a transfer kicker, Ohio State has struggled in that phase for much of the first half and will need improvement as the games get tighter down the stretch.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Ohio State is turning to a backup quarterback again — and history says that has worked out pretty well for the Buckeyes.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr look back at Ohio State’s history with replacement quarterbacks since 2000 and ask what it could mean for Luke Fahey.Going back to the start of the century, Ohio State is 23-2 in games started by a backup or replacement quarterback after the original starter was injured. That list includes Scott McMullen, Troy Smith, Kenny Guiton, J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones and Kyle McCord.Tony and Tom discuss why those numbers are so strong, how much of that success came from favorable opponents, and why a backup quarterback can sometimes give an offense an unexpected advantage because opponents have not had time to prepare for a different style of play.0:01 — Does Luke Fahey have history on his side?0:25 — Ohio State’s remarkable record with backup quarterbacks1:55 — The Buckeyes who stepped in and won2:59 — How much did the schedule help those backups?4:01 — Why the quarterback isn’t the whole story5:51 — Can Ohio State still stockpile quarterback depth?8:09 — How the transfer portal has changed backup QB situations10:08 — Why backup quarterback is becoming more important11:56 — What Luke Fahey can take from Ohio State’s historyThe Buckeyes have repeatedly found ways to survive — and sometimes thrive — after losing their starting quarterback. J.T. Barrett went 11-1 after replacing Braxton Miller in 2014, and Cardale Jones famously went 3-0 after Barrett was injured, finishing the season with a national championship.But Tony and Tom also explain why the modern transfer portal makes situations like those harder to recreate. Ohio State can no longer expect to keep experienced quarterbacks sitting behind the starter for three or four seasons, meaning today’s backups may be younger and considerably less experienced when they are suddenly called upon.If Fahey becomes the starter, he would also be different from most of Ohio State’s previous replacement quarterbacks because he would be doing it as a true freshman. Still, he has already experienced being thrown into a difficult situation at Indiana, and now Ohio State would have time to build an offense around what he does best.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Ohio State suddenly has a midseason quarterback competition, and Tavien St. Clair is getting his opportunity to make a move.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss whether St. Clair can overtake Luke Fahey and become Ohio State’s starting quarterback following the injury to Julian Sayin.Ryan Day confirmed that both quarterbacks will get work with the first-team offense during the bye week. Fahey won the backup job during fall camp and has remained ahead of St. Clair, but Ohio State now has a rare opportunity to evaluate both quarterbacks with the starters before making a decision for USC.Tony and Tom discuss what St. Clair would have to show in a very short window, whether his physical upside could factor into Ryan Day’s decision, and whether Ohio State should be thinking simply about beating USC or about which quarterback gives the Buckeyes the best chance to compete for a national championship.0:30 — Ohio State has a midseason quarterback battle1:02 — Can Tavien St. Clair win the starting job?2:31 — Why this is an important opportunity for St. Clair3:57 — Ryan Day explains how Ohio State will handle the competition6:16 — How much ground does St. Clair have to make up?8:11 — What happens if Fahey and St. Clair are even?9:51 — Why Luke Fahey remains the favorite10:57 — Could Ohio State prefer a Tavien St. Clair offense?13:07 — What St. Clair must do to win the jobIf this weren’t a bye week, Day indicated that Ohio State would essentially have to move forward immediately with Fahey. Instead, St. Clair gets several practices with the first-team offense to show how much progress he has made since falling behind Fahey during fall camp.The fascinating question is what happens if St. Clair makes the competition close. Fahey has demonstrated a better command of the offense to this point, but St. Clair brings intriguing physical tools and potentially a different ceiling. If St. Clair can erase the gap during this week of practice, Tony believes those traits could make Ryan Day’s decision considerably more difficult.Tom still expects Fahey to take the first snap against USC, but with St. Clair finally getting meaningful work alongside Ohio State’s starters — including Jeremiah Smith — this may be his best opportunity yet to prove he should be the guy.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Julian Sayin is out indefinitely, and Ohio State is now preparing to move forward without its starting quarterback.On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr react to Ryan Day’s comments following Tuesday’s practice and discuss what comes next for the Buckeyes at quarterback.Ryan Day did not put a timetable on Sayin’s return and said Ohio State has a plan in place if it has to play the rest of the regular season — or even the rest of the season — without him. Tony and Tom discuss why that makes Luke Fahey the likely favorite to start against USC, how Tavien St. Clair can still make this a real competition, and how Ohio State should balance developing both quarterbacks while still trying to win immediately.0:00 — Julian Sayin is out indefinitely1:09 — Should Ohio State expect Sayin back this season?1:59 — Luke Fahey vs. Tavien St. Clair begins2:39 — Why Luke Fahey appears to have the edge4:23 — Could St. Clair’s upside change the decision?4:44 — How should Ohio State split the quarterback reps?5:37 — Winning now has to remain the priority7:21 — How many first-team reps should Fahey get?8:24 — Building chemistry with Jeremiah Smith9:30 — How much can Ohio State simplify the offense?10:08 — Is Justyn Martin part of the quarterback conversation?11:00 — Final thoughts on Ohio State’s quarterback situationDay said Fahey and St. Clair will compete, but also repeatedly noted that Fahey has been ahead in the pecking order. That makes Fahey the logical favorite entering the off week, while St. Clair now gets his best opportunity yet to make a push for the job.Tony and Tom also discuss why every first-team practice rep matters so much now. With Fahey still inexperienced and having had limited work with the starters, Ohio State has to decide how much of the week it can realistically devote to an open competition before committing to the quarterback who gives the Buckeyes the best chance to beat USC.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

Ohio State survived a wild 19-15 win over Indiana, and on this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr go back through the game to find the things that stood out most on a second viewing.They take a closer look at Jay Timmons’ impact on the defense, the problems that surfaced when he left the field, Isaiah West’s growing role at running back, Ohio State’s struggles in heavy personnel near the goal line, Julian Sayin taking too many hits, Chris Henry Jr.’s continued emergence, and the officiating issues that affected both teams.They also revisit Indiana’s final play, the Nick Marsh catch that came inches from changing the entire outcome, and what this game may tell us about both Ohio State and Indiana moving forward. 0:00 — Rewatching Ohio State’s wild win over Indiana0:35 — How close Indiana came on the final play2:35 — Could these teams meet again in Indianapolis?4:10 — Ohio State’s defense looks different without Jay Timmons6:12 — Jay Timmons’ remarkable day6:57 — Should Legend Bey have gotten more opportunities?8:36 — Isaiah West’s growing role at running back10:24 — Ohio State’s inconsistent running game10:55 — Why 14 personnel needs to go13:10 — Does Ohio State really need to “punch it in”?15:45 — Why spreading the field makes more sense17:07 — Offensive line problems continue19:01 — Was Julian Sayin already banged up?21:00 — Chris Henry Jr. is starting to emerge22:11 — Chris Henry Jr. climbing Ohio State freshman receiving lists24:40 — The officiating was bad in both directions26:37 — Ohio State has to overcome bad calls too29:10 — Josh Hoover took a beating29:56 — Indiana’s late mistakes and penalties30:50 — Did the moment get too big for Indiana?31:47 — The challenge of defending a national championship32:54 — Final thoughtsOne of the clearest takeaways was just how important Timmons has become. He broke up passes, forced a turnover, tackled well in space, and handled difficult coverage assignments, while Ohio State’s secondary became much more vulnerable when he was unavailable. On offense, Tony and Tom spend plenty of time questioning Ohio State’s insistence on using heavy personnel near the goal line, especially when it means taking Jeremiah Smith off the field. The fourth-down touchdown showed exactly how much defensive attention Smith commands even when he doesn’t touch the ball.They also discuss the beating Julian Sayin has taken in recent weeks and why the offensive line’s protection issues are becoming impossible to ignore.Subscribe to the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel for more Ohio State football coverage, and join the conversation at BuckeyeInsiders.com.

What is the latest with the Ohio State quarterback situation? In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the injury to Julian Sayin and what the Buckeyes will do now that he is sidelined. Is freshman Luke Fahey the guy to lead Ohio State forward? What has he done to win the job? What does this mean for his reps moving forward? Can Tavien St. Clair make a push? Could he see playing time soon as well? Where is Justyn Martin in all of this? The fellas discuss everything there is to discuss regarding the Buckeye quarterbacks.