Advertise on podcast: Buckeye Talk: Ohio State podcast by cleveland.com

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis rank Ohio State football's top 15 players based on their ability to do their job. This isn't a discussion about talent, upside or any of the other typical ways to figure out who the Buckeyes' best players are. This is simply about what the tape tells us. In doing so it reveals a stark detail about this team heading into 2024 and a conclusion of what needs to happen for OSU to compete for a national title. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis answer questions from the Subtext subscribers. Among the questions discussed: Could Sonny Styles be a positionless player for Ohio State's 2024 defense? Who can make the most of the NFL Combine? How many points will the Buckeyes give up in the first four weeks of the season? What we need to see from OSU’s offense this spring. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Thursday episode of BUckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis look ahead to the start of Ohio State spring football practice. To do that, they are drafting the nine Buckeyes that intrigue them the most for spring, from early-enrolled freshmen, to veterans battling for jobs, to players who might be ready to take a step toward stardom. There will be a lot of OSU coverage from the NFL Combine next week, but spring practice will start before you know it. So let’s get ready now. Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Andrew Gillis and Stephen Means discuss the recent coaching changes at Ohio State. They focus on the introduction of James Laurinaitis as the linebackers coach and Matt Guerrieri as the safeties coach. They explore Laurinaitis' process of transitioning from a graduate assistant to a full-time coach and the expectations for CJ Hicks in the linebacker room. They also discuss Guerrieri's reunion with Jim Knowles and the familiarity he brings to the safety room. Plus a conversation on where Sonny Styles could end up between linebacker and safety. Also, they do this while switching up the dynamic with Andrew hosting since technically Stephen was the only one there. Thanks for listening to Buckeye talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A college football video game is headed back into stores for the first time in over a decade with different football programs getting in on the promotion. In the wake of the news, Ohio State football was among the numerous teams to create a concept for the game's cover featuring elite players from the last decade. That sparked this episode of Buckeye Talk where Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss which OSU players could've made a case for being on the cover at any point since the game's last edition in 2013. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day has finally finished off Ohio State football's 2024 coaching staff by promoting James Laurinaitis from graduate assistant to full-time assistant coach. Doing so gives the former three-time All-American full reign over the linebacker position just a year after returning to the program. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss what that means for the Buckeyes going forward. Then the trio gets into the meat of what this episode of Buckeye Talk is all about. OSU has a roster made to win the first national title of the Ryan Day era. But what are the biggest obstacles both within and outside the program that could prevent it from doing so? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis answer questions from the Subtext subscribers. Among the questions discussed: The 5+7 model for the college football playoff is being discussed and there is a vote scheduled to approve it. What sporting events they would cover if they could go back in time. Ranking the best running backs in Ohio State history. Who will be the offensive and defensive MVPs in 2024? Who's the fasted Buckeye? The art of asking questions during press conferences. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is moving on from Chris Holtmann as its basketball coach opting to fire him despite having four years still left on a contract extension signed in 2022. Despite the remaining years, the decision doesn’t come as a surprise as the Buckeyes are in the midst of yet another disappointing season that looks destined for them to end on the outside of the NCAA Tournament. Ripping off the band-aid now starts the process of current athletic director Gene Smith and incoming athletic director Ross Bjork finding his replacement. On this emergency episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird break down this decision and what it means for OSU basketball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State continues to put together its 2025 recruiting class which ranks fourth nationally with eight commits including two from five-star recruits, On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis explore five of the most important targets left on the board and what landing them would say about the program. They also have a quick conversation about new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and his potential impact on OSU's quarterback recruiting efforts. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day pivoted to Chip Kelly as Ohio State's offensive coordinator after losing Bill O'Brien and he might have found the perfect fit. The Buckeyes' offensive personnel features plenty of players Kelly has been known to maximize in the past across multiple places in college football. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis explore the impact of Kelly as Ohio State's offensive coordinator and the potential changes to the run game. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day worked quickly to find a replacement for Bill O'Brien when Ohio State's new offensive coordinator left for Boston College three weeks after getting the job. The abrupt change provided a chance for Day to come full circle in his coaching career as he is expected to bring in Chip Kelly from UCLA. The two have a long-standing relationship with Kelly being Day's offensive coordinator at New Hampshire, then hiring him onto his staff at multiple stops. Now Day's former mentor is expected to head to Columbus to take over the offense at a time when Day feels it's necessary to step away from playcalling. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis take a look at the new hire and its impact on Ohio State. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day hired Bill O'Brien to run Ohio State football's offense and now O'Brien is walking away just a month after getting to Columbus. Choosing to hand the offense over to someone else was a significant step in Day's growth as a head coach. He admitted it wasn't something he wanted to do, but would have to do for the sake of the program. He thought he'd found the perfect person to hand things off to in O'Brien. But now he'll have to find a Plan B. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss the impact of O'Brien's departure and where OSU turns to news to find an offensive coordinator. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices