EVERY GAME COUNTS / Ohio State Buckeyes LIVE 375

Buckeyes Live Episode 375 Notes Show: Buckeyes Live presented by FanDuel | Voice of College Football (OhioStateVOCFB) Episode Theme: "Every Game Counts" – Summer preview edition focused on legacy, schedule reality, and non-con tune-ups Hosts/Panel: Mark Rogers (host), Steve Helwagen (Bucknuts247 Senior Editor), Tony Gerdeman (Buckeye Weekly co-host) Special Guest: Steve Helwick (Underdog Dynasty / Buy the Belt) Runtime Context: ~60 minutes | June 24, 2026 (Big Ten Media Days ~1 month away; 25-year anniversary of Trestle’s first season) Executive Summary The crew opens with humor around Brian Kelly’s new broadcasting role, then shifts to a respectful, in-depth look at Jim Trestle’s upcoming honor at the Ball State opener. They cover Trestle’s hiring story, rapid fan adoption, 2002 national title, Michigan record, and Tattoo Gate’s place in NIL history. Big Ten Media Days representatives are announced and analyzed. The brutal 2026 schedule and FanDuel’s 9.5 win over/under draw heavy scrutiny for travel and recovery issues. Guest Steve Helwick delivers detailed previews of Ball State (offensive reset in Year 2) and Kent State (impressive turnaround amid chaos). The show closes with OSU vs. MAC historical context and a tease of Buckeye Weekly’s “biggest villains of the century” list. Overall tone: nostalgic, realistic about the schedule, and optimistic about the roster’s talent. Timestamped Key Segments 00:00 – 00:05 | Opening & Jim Trestle Honor Tease Immediate “sweater vest” reference to Trestle. Trestle will be honored at the Sept. 5 Ball State opener; credited with restoring national championship status to Columbus. 00:10 – 00:35 | Brian Kelly CBS / Mountain West News (Comedy Break) Front Office Sports reports Kelly calling games for CBS and assigned to Mountain West. Jokes about lasting 3.5 hours without the F-word, regional accents/dialects, and wearing a lei in Hawaii. “Test pattern gets better ratings than San Jose State at Hawaii.” Acknowledgment of his fall from Notre Dame/LSU but respect for his coaching ability (“he wins wherever he goes”). 00:38 – ~00:15 | Jim Trestle Deep Dive – Hiring, Rise & Legacy Hired from Youngstown State (1-AA); initial skepticism from some fans/former players who wanted Glenn Mason. Famous intro at OSU vs. Michigan basketball game at Schottenstein Center (even did Michigan radio). Andy Geiger’s memorable line after film study: the field was still 100 yards, the ball was still brown and oblong — “they were really good.” Trestle won 4 national titles at YSU and reached 7 title games in 15 years. Rapidly won over the fanbase with his press conference and rivalry comments. Tenure highlights: 2002 National Championship, Big Ten titles (discussion of 6 official vs. 7 claimed due to vacated wins), 9-1 vs. Michigan. Tattoo Gate context in 2026: players were eligible when they won; suspended after the fact. Called the “founding fathers of NIL” for trading memorabilia for tattoos because they couldn’t afford them. Perspective shifted post-Sandusky and with TV money. Plaque/facade debate: Trestle deserves it (perhaps time it with Alabama game next year). Urban Meyer next logical. Ryan Day (active) would be a strong recruiting tool but space out honors so they feel special. “Winning cures all.” ~00:16 – 00:23 | Big Ten Media Days Reps & Captains Ohio State representatives: Jalen McClain (defense – stepping into Caleb Downs role, focused on communication), Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin (QB). McClain choice notable; expected big year. Smith returning after going as a freshman last year. No Kenyatta Jackson or offensive lineman (missed opportunity for good quotes). Captains projection: Smith + Ennis (offense), Jackson + McClain (defense). Emphasized that the best players are the hardest workers and define the culture. 00:21 – 00:29 | 2026 Schedule, Travel & Win Total (FanDuel 9.5) Brutal schedule with 5 road games: Texas (OOC), USC, Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana (defending champs in context). Criticism of Big Ten scheduling: no bye after the toughest West Coast trip; back-to-back tough games; TV-driven with little regard for recovery (“They don’t care”). 9.5 over/under feels low for a talented roster but reflects the strength of schedule. Possible to make playoffs at 9-3 with quality wins (Texas/Indiana). Historical note: OSU rarely goes under when they have good teams (last notable was Fickell year with many one-score losses). 00:29 – ~00:43 | Ball State Preview (with Steve Helwick) 2024: 4-8 (3-5 MAC); offense was historically bad (130th in passing, 15.8 PPG). Close wins, multi-score losses. Year 2 of Mike Uramovich era (Northern Illinois offensive success story, Temple, turned around Butler FCS; Indiana native). Stability emphasized. QB battle: Tyler Mizell (D-II transfer who excelled) vs. Keldrick Luster (limited snaps from SMU/Texas State). Key names: Donovan Hamilton (WR, Purdue transfer – potential first 600-yard receiver in years), TJ Horton (RB), transfers Deontay Griffin (ex-OSU), Gavin Forche (LB), Jared Beatty (edge from San Diego State – replacing Nathan Voorhees’ 17 TFL / 12 sacks). Big need: offensive spark and explosiveness. ~00:43 – ~00:49 | Kent State Preview Remarkable 2024: 5-7 after 1-11 in 2023 amid massive chaos (coach fired pre-season, interim Mark Carney, portal/coordinator exodus). “Ride to Hell Tour”: Annual non-con vs. Power conference teams for checks (Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Florida State last year) — helped development. Offense: Boom-or-bust with QB Drew to Shields (multiple ACLs, strong arm, enough mobility). Low in consistent 10+ yard plays but high in explosive/big plays and deep shots. Returning WRs Wayne Harris and Ardell Banks. Realistic bowl path requires 5 MAC wins (non-con usually 1-3). 00:49 – End | OSU vs. MAC History, Outlook & Closing Some historical close calls (Toledo in Fickell year, Bowling Green, Miami OH 2019 started hot then collapsed). Generally dominant recently. These games are excellent for testing true freshmen (Chris Henry Jr. hype), depth chart, and transfers. Expect decisions by early 2nd quarter. Historical vs. Kent State: Ohio State 3-0, combined score 165-20 (notable blowouts in 2014 and 2007). Closing plugs and Buckeye Weekly “5 biggest Ohio State villains this century” tease (Harbaugh likely high, 2019 semifinal replay officials called out). Steve Helwick on CFB future: trending toward a ~20-team super league paying massive money to top players; others left behind competitively. Notable Quotes (with approximate timing) “This was a one double A coach… a lot of former players wanted Glenn Mason.” (on Trestle hiring skepticism) “The football field was still a hundred yards long and fifty seven yards wide… they ran pass plays and run plays… and, boy, it all looked the same to us. So… they were really good.” (Andy Geiger on Trestle) “They were the forerunners, the founding fathers of name, image and likeness. They should go in the College Football Hall of Fame just for getting everybody paid.” (Tattoo Gate / NIL) “The Big Ten almost went out of its way to schedule everyone difficult… for Ohio State this year.” “They don’t care. You play a game at home at eight o’clock… turn around and go to USC the next Saturday… They do not care.” (on scheduling/recovery) “It’s a great recruiting tool… You’re going to be coached by a legend… You don’t take that back.” (Ryan Day facade discussion) On Kent State’s turnaround: “He got five wins out of that team” despite pre-season chaos. Key Takeaways & Content Angles Trestle honor at Ball State opener is a major nostalgia/content opportunity (25-year timing). Media Days reps signal internal confidence in McClain as a leader; Smith/Sayin are obvious but exciting. Schedule narrative is “prove it” — lean into toughness and travel challenges for content. 9.5 over/under is interesting for betting/social discussion. Ball State: Rebuild story with offensive questions; easy OSU win but useful for depth evaluation. Kent State: Inspirational turnaround tale; explosive but inconsistent offense makes for fun “boom or bust” clips. MAC openers are low-stress but valuable for young player evaluation (Henry Jr., transfers, etc.). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.