Ohio State Buckeyes LIVE #369 Host: Mark Rogers Guest: Steve Helwagen (Bucknuts 247 Senior Writer) Date: ~May 2026 (recorded during Steve’s daughter’s graduation weekend) Platform: OhioStateVOCFB / Bucknuts page
Overview
A relaxed but informative offseason episode focused on Ohio State football’s TV/media value, the Big Ten’s network game selections, 2026 schedule highlights, revenue payouts, and broader college football topics. Steve joins from the hospital after his mom’s injury, showcasing his dedication.
Key Topics & Highlights
1. Big Ten TV Deal & Network Draft (Fox, CBS, NBC)
- 4th year of the 7-year contract (through 2029).
- Typical windows: Fox Noon, CBS 3:30, NBC 7:30.
- Fox gets first three picks in the weekly draft and has historically taken Ohio State vs Michigan as its #1 pick.
- Ohio State–Michigan has averaged ~14M viewers over 10 years; 2024 game hit 18.4 million (one of the biggest regular-season broadcasts in decades).
- Steve’s predicted Fox top 3 for 2025:
- Ohio State @ Michigan (The Game)
- Ohio State @ Indiana (Week 7, Oct 17 – rematch of 2024 B1G Championship + last two national champs)
- Oregon @ Ohio State (Week 10, Nov 7) – debated vs. Oklahoma @ Michigan in Week 2
2. Ohio State & Big Ten Revenue
- Big Ten distributed ~$1.4 billion last year.
- Ohio State received nearly $100 million (highest in conference) thanks to strong TV ratings + College Football Playoff run (won 2024 title).
- Average payout ~$70M; new members (Oregon/Washington) still on half-shares (~$45M).
3. 2026 Schedule & Ranked Matchups
- Much stronger than 2025: 19 Big Ten vs. Big Ten ranked matchups projected (vs. only 10 last year).
- Notable non-conference: Oklahoma @ Michigan (Week 2).
- CBS Sports preseason rankings highlight Big Ten strength (Texas #1, OSU #2, Oregon #3, Indiana #6, etc.).
- Discussion of noon kickoffs (OSU had 5 in 2025) and fan preferences for prime-time big games.
4. Friday Night Package & Other Notes
- Fox released its 2026 Friday package (includes Penn State @ new Northwestern stadium).
- Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State largely avoid weekday games historically.
- NBC/Peacock changes: Fewer “Peacock-only” Big Ten games; more linear TV.
- Notre Dame’s primetime schedule impacts Big Ten windows.
5. Broader College Football Discussion
- Playoff expansion debate (24-team format, byes, home games, conference championships, impact on regular season).
- Steve and Mark’s thoughts on rewarding strength vs. equity, automatic qualifiers, Group of 5 access, and Notre Dame’s independent status.
- Bowl season concerns and NFL overlap.
- Humorous asides about coaches’ playoff preferences and schedule complaints.
Notable Mentions
- Indiana as defending national champions (projected strong again).
- Ryan Day aligning with Tony Petitti on 24-team playoff.
- FanDuel sponsorship and plug for Mark’s book Disputed National Champions.
- Steve’s personal update: Mom’s non-life-threatening injury; still made time for the show.
Tone: Conversational, insightful, and fan-focused. Mix of hard data (ratings, payouts, draft picks) with opinion on scheduling, TV strategy, and future of the sport.
Best For: Ohio State fans wanting early insight into 2026 TV exposure, Big Ten media strategy, and key matchup predictions. Great “state of the program” media discussion.
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