Episode Details

Opening & General

• Wednesday show, presented by FanDuel.
• Steve at Schottenstein Center prepping for Ohio State men's basketball vs. USC.
• Encouragement to like, subscribe, leave comments/questions in chat, and support via Super Chats.

1. Do Buckeye fans care about former players' NFL success (e.g., Super Bowl rings)?
   • Strong consensus: Yes — it's a major point of pride.
   • Reflects program development, recruiting value, and bragging rights.
   • Examples: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks, Super Bowl champ, Offensive Rookie of the Year), C.J. Stroud (Texans playoff success), Joe Burrow (past LSU/Heisman pride even after leaving OSU).
   • Fans track OSU alumni in NFL games; university uses it in graphics/marketing.
   • Concern raised: With heavy transfer portal movement and multi-school careers, future bragging rights and "which school" pride may fade (e.g., players at 4–5 colleges).
2. College sports transience (football & basketball)
   • Basketball example: USC's Cam Woods played at 5 schools (Troy → NC A&T → NC State → Robert Morris → USC).
   • Football example: Robbie Ashford (Ole Miss → Oregon → Auburn → South Carolina → Wake Forest).
   • Discussion on how player movement erodes traditional school loyalty/pride (e.g., NFL intros listing colleges, Hall of Fame "hat" debates).
   • Prediction: More players at 4 schools in 4 years; high school + college could reach 7+ stops.
3. 2025 NFL Combine – Ohio State invites
   • 11 Buckeyes invited (solid group, no major snubs noted).
   • Offense: CJ Donaldson (RB), Carnell Tate (WR), Will Kacmarek & Max Klare (TEs).
   • Defense: Caden McDonald (DT), Caden Curry (DL), Sonny Styles & Arvell Reese (LBs), Lorenzo Styles Jr., Davison Igbinosun, Caleb Downs (DBs/safety).
   • Up to 5 could go Round 1; potential to match or approach program highs (e.g., Georgia had 5).
   • Combine attendance boosts draft stock (interviews, medicals, workouts), but some drafted without invites (pro days, connections).
4. 2026 Ohio State football schedule highlights
   • Non-conference: Ball State (home), Kent State (home), Texas (road, Week 2).
   • Brutal Big Ten stretch: Indiana (road), USC (road), Oregon (home) in four weeks (Oct 17 – Nov 7), with bye before USC.
   • Other tough games: Illinois (Bielema factor), Penn State, Michigan, etc.
   • Described as possibly one of the toughest ever; little "breather" stretch.
   • Computer scheduling gave OSU no favors; limited "exhale" weeks.
   • Discussion on Big Ten scheduling formula (performance-based tiers, rivals like Michigan protected, travel constraints — one West trip).
   • Debate on fairness of no divisions (schedule disparity, tiebreakers, championship game relevance).
5. Other quick hits
   • NFL free agency list noted (only Draymond Jones mentioned as OSU alum