Episode Details

Ohio State Buckeyes LIVE 385 — Ball State Week Voice of College Football | Mark Rogers, Steve Helwagen (Bucknuts 247), Tony Gerdeman (Buckeye Insiders) Week 1 preview vs. Ball State | Ryan Day presser recap | Stat projections | Texas on deck

00:00–02:00 | Open

New day, same Buckeyes. Week 1 vs. Ball State as a 51.5-point favorite. Everyone is already looking at Texas, but Ohio State wants to work out the kinks. Steve just came from Ryan Day’s first weekly press conference (video + full transcript posted). Also spoke with C Carson Hinsman and S Earl Little (FSU/Alabama transfer).

02:00–06:30 | Ryan Day press conference — position-by-position

Steve: Day walked through almost every group. No group sounded like a concern.

• WR: Deep. Expect six to play. Phillip Bell (RS Fr) is the sixth. Kyle Parker still not ready; practicing a little.
• RB: Young. Want live experience.
• QB: Hope Julian Sayin is improved. Backup still open — Tavian St. Clair and Luke Fahey will keep alternating second-team reps. Day wants both to get live snaps if possible.
• Playing time vs. Texas: Uneasy balance. Games like this often 35-0 or 35-3 at half. Starters may get one more series in the third, then clipboard. Bigger fish next week.
• OL: Excited about the three veterans in the middle — Montgomery, Hinsman, Searles.
• DL: Deep.
• LB: Riley Pettyjohn and Tarvos Alford will play behind Peyton Pierce and Christian Ali-Agro.
• Secondary: True freshman Jay Timmons expected to play (nickel or field corner).

Tony: Day’s mood is better than last week (when he said he was “pissed off” and didn’t want anyone thinking they were satisfied). If the backup QB job is truly open, both guys need to throw. Watch who actually plays — 2020 had Jack Miller in first as “backup” while C.J. Stroud was the real one.

Day called the offense “fun” — balanced and explosive. Tony asked if that was fun for coaches or fans. Day said both.

06:30–10:00 | Week 1 energy + home opener history

Week 0 was sloppy (UNC-TCU, Memphis-UNLV, FSU-NMSU). Still football. Tony’s biggest curiosity Saturday: true freshmen and how the four-linebacker rotation looks.

Freshmen likely to play: Legend Bay, Jay Timmons, Brock Boyd, Chris Henry Jr., possibly Kari Wilder (DE) and Simeon Caldwell (S). New stars every year — last year almost nobody had Caden Curry as an All-American in August.

Home opener streak talk:

• 26 straight season-opening wins (back to 1999 Miami).
• Last true home opener loss discussed as possibly Virginia Tech 2014 or much earlier (Penn State 1978 era).
• “Make it 51.”

10:00–12:30 | Day the QB + WR rotation

Big Ten Network circulating old Ryan Day New Hampshire highlight (power option TD + game-winning throw). Players reacting. Day going into New Hampshire Hall of Fame this year with his college coach.

Chat (Aaron) brings WR rotation again. Tony’s standard Ohio State freshman WR context:

• 11 catches for Brock Boyd = Marvin Harrison Jr. freshman year.
• 25 catches for Chris Henry Jr. = Ted Ginn Jr. 2004.
• Only four true freshmen ever had 30+ receptions at OSU: Jeremiah Smith, Cris Carter, David Boston, Garrett Wilson. Only Carter and Smith topped 40.

Tony thinks Chris Henry Jr. can join the 30-catch club and will play a lot. Brock Boyd will play a lot too.

Jeremiah Smith last week: difference in Arthur Smith’s offense is “we’re going to get me the ball.” Brandon Ennis similarly excited. Receivers being shown how they’ll be used. Christmas morning — we’ll see if the presents match the wrapping.

WR room far deeper than