A defense that strangles the run, a quarterback who doesn’t flinch, and a head coach leaning into “win by one” over style points—our latest breakdown follows Ohio State from a controlled Illinois win to a focused march toward Wisconsin. We talk through the Silver Bullets’ resurgence, the secondary’s resilience under fire, and why red-zone sequencing and a true WR3 could turn tidy wins into comfortable ones. Special teams gets a hard look too, because in November football, hidden yards decide reputations.

We then shift to Cincinnati, where a veteran quarterback changed the mood, the timing, and the stakes. The second half looked like real Bengals football: receivers finishing contested catches, the line holding up, and the offense playing on schedule. But we don’t gloss over the issues—run fits, missed tackles, penalties, and a defense that has to get off the field on third down. With a favorable slate ahead, the path to stacking wins is clear if the details tighten and the kicking game keeps its edge.

Cleveland’s story is tougher. We unpack the receiver inconsistency, midweek patchwork in the secondary, and the uncomfortable truth in player-graded reports about facilities, travel, and support. Those things matter in free agency and in the locker room. The roster still flashes high-end talent on defense, but culture and infrastructure have to match ambition if the Browns want more than near-misses. Along the way, we get candid on NIL’s impact across the Big Ten, why depth is destiny, and how coaching decisions ripple through a long season.

Tap play for midseason grades, bold predictions, and score picks for Buckeyes-Wisconsin and Bengals-Steelers. If you’re riding with Ohio football, subscribe, share with a friend, and drop your predictions—we’ll read our favorite takes on the next show.

Welcome to Scarlet, Orange & Brown — the ultimate Ohio football podcast for fans who live and breathe the Buckeyes, Bengals, and Browns. Each week, we break down the biggest storylines across college and pro football in the Buckeye State — from Ohio State’s championship grind and Cincinnati’s push for AFC dominance to Cleveland’s quest to finally get it right. Hosted by Ken Carpenter and Chris Huesman, this show blends real coaching insight, passionate fan energy, and sharp analysis you won’t find on national shows. If you love tough defense, smart football talk, and honest takes from someone who’s been in the trenches, hit subscribe and join the Ohio football conversation.

Defense can set the ceiling on a season, but only if your offense knows how to cash the checks. We open with Ohio State’s 42–3 dismantling of Minnesota—numbers that only tell part of the story. The Buckeyes are thriving because the tight end has returned to the center of the script, the offensive line is bullying fronts with Ohio-bred starters, and the receiver room punishes any coverage choice. Jeremiah Smith draws gravity, Carnell Tate explodes into space, and Max Clare keeps chains moving. With Illinois on deck, we walk through the matchups, injury notes, and why veteran focus has erased those old midseason trap-game vibes.

Then we head to Cincinnati, where the Bengals just made one of the most intriguing moves of the year: trading within the division to bring in Joe Flacco. It’s unconventional—and it’s exactly the kind of stabilizing bet a roster with elite pass catchers needed. We break down how a five‑man front and added heat on quarterbacks quietly boosted the defense, why Browning’s turnovers made the pivot unavoidable, and how a quick-processing veteran can turn protection into points. We also set expectations for Packers week, from spreads to live upset paths.

Cleveland’s story is about the last two minutes. Dylan Gabriel’s debut was steady, Quinshon Judkins ran with purpose, and the defense remains a force—but endgame execution keeps slipping. We get candid on Kevin Stefanski’s conservatism, the quarterback depth chart questions, and the simple formula that fits the Browns’ identity: aggressive calls, heavy run, and defense dictating terms. Along the way, we zoom out to Penn State’s pressure cooker—buyouts, NIL, big-game records—and the league-wide reality that injuries and thin margins separate contenders from almosts.

If you love Ohio football—Buckeyes dominance, Bengals recalibration, Browns grit—this one delivers strategy, context, and clear takeaways you can argue about all week. Tap follow, share with a fan who needs the receipts, and leave a quick review to tell us your Illinois and Bengals–Packers predictions.

A defense that refuses to blink, a roster searching for its voice, and a unit trying to hold together at the edges—Ohio football gave us a full spectrum week. We open on the Buckeyes’ 24–6 road win at Washington, spotlighting a defense that travels, suffocates, and sets a championship floor. Caden Curry headlines a relentless front that stacks sacks and tackles for loss, while the secondary strangles red zone options. On offense, Justin Sand’s quiet efficiency and a clearer rotation with Bo Jackson, Peoples, and Donaldson signal a workable blueprint—especially if the red zone clicks under the lights against Minnesota. Penn State and Michigan loom, with Illinois circled as a quiet trap.

Then we pivot to the Bengals, where scoreboard pain meets structural fixes. We get honest about quarterback trade options—Russell Wilson’s mobility vs. Cousins’ processing—and why the answer must pair with design changes: two-step timing, tight end hot routes, and flats that punish blitz depth. Penalties and O-line leakage demand empathy in the playbook, not hero ball. Leadership matters when your franchise QB isn’t there; sideline strain can’t become your identity.

We close with the Browns’ reality check: both tackles down, turnover tax up, and an offense capped at 14 points. Dylan Gabriel gets the nod, and the mission is clarity—protect with chips and slides, feed Jerry Jeudy with motion and cleaner stems, and let Jim Schwartz’s defense cash in field position rather than rescue it. London against Minnesota offers a chance to reset tempo and belief. We wrap with locks, upsets, and a quick look at Guardians and Reds postseason hopes, where keeping big bats under five and testing thin bullpens could swing a series.

If you enjoy smart, straight-shooting Ohio football talk—Buckeyes breakdowns, Bengals solutions, Browns grit—hit follow, share with a friend, and leave a review telling us your bold prediction for the weekend.

Buckle up for a wild ride through the Ohio football landscape as we dissect a weekend that perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of the game we love.

The #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes enjoyed their bye week but face a significant test traveling to Washington to open Big Ten play. Ryan Day's renewed intensity has the team flying out early to acclimate to the Pacific Northwest environment – a sign of his evolution as a head coach. Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin prepares for his first road start while Bo Jackson continues to impress in the backfield. Meanwhile, a defense featuring standouts Caleb Downs, Caden Curry, and Arvel Reese has established itself as perhaps the most dominant unit in college football.

The Cincinnati Bengals experienced the devastating reality of life without Joe Burrow, suffering their worst loss in franchise history – a 48-10 shellacking by the Minnesota Vikings. Backup quarterback Jake Browning struggled mightily behind an offensive line that provided little protection or running lanes. With a murderer's row schedule ahead featuring Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh, the Bengals face a critical juncture in their season.

The Cleveland Browns provided the weekend's most pleasant surprise, engineering an improbable comeback against the Green Bay Packers after trailing 10-0 late in the fourth quarter. Their elite defense continues to suffocate opponents, having held three premier NFL running backs to a combined 96 yards rushing. Veteran Joe Flacco did just enough while rookie running back Judkins showed promise in his first significant action.

We also preview the weekend's most compelling college matchups, including LSU-Ole Miss, Oregon-Penn State, and Alabama-Georgia, while discussing fan frustrations ranging from stadium behavior to concession prices. Whether you're a Buckeye, Bengal, or Browns supporter, this episode captures the full spectrum of emotions that make Ohio football so compelling.

Subscribe now and join our growing community of passionate Ohio football fans as we navigate the highs and lows of the season together!

The physical toll of football extends far beyond the final whistle, a reality former Buckeye and NFL veteran Donnie Nickey brings into sharp focus on this week's Scarlet Orange and Brown podcast. His candid journey through the aftermath of an eight-year NFL career—from debilitating cluster headaches to the spiritual awakening that ultimately saved him—offers a rare glimpse behind professional football's glossy exterior.

Between brutally honest reflections on his role as a "wedge buster" on special teams ("You've got to have a few screws loose") and shocking revelations about concussion protocols of the early 2000s ("Apple, umbrella... I just regurgitated the same three words"), Nickey delivers the kind of authentic perspective only someone who's lived in the trenches can provide. His admission of wearing the same helmet technology from high school through his NFL career stands as a stark reminder of how quickly player safety has evolved.

The episode doesn't shy away from current affairs, delivering comprehensive analysis of all three Ohio football teams. The hosts break down Ohio State's commanding 37-9 victory over Ohio University, highlighting Julian Sayin's impressive performance and Matt Patricia's defensive wizardry. They examine the Cincinnati Bengals' uncertain future following Joe Burrow's turf toe injury and explore why the Cleveland Browns continue to struggle despite outgaining opponents.

What emerges is a multi-layered conversation about football that transcends box scores and highlight reels. When Nickey says, "My championship ring now is my wedding ring," he crystallizes the episode's most powerful message: there's life after football, but finding your way there requires the right team around you. For anyone who loves the game but wants to understand its human cost, this episode delivers wisdom that lingers long after the final play.

Football fever has taken over the Buckeye State, and our latest episode delivers the comprehensive coverage you deserve. We dive deep into Ohio State's scorching 2-0 start, where they've dominated opponents 84-7 behind Julian Sane's near-perfect passing and a defense that's been nothing short of spectacular. Despite significant coaching changes and new personnel, the Buckeyes haven't missed a beat, suggesting their ceiling remains sky-high as Big Ten play approaches.

The upcoming matchup against Ohio University has Vegas setting a five-touchdown spread, but our hosts predict a more competitive affair. While still forecasting a convincing Buckeyes victory (44-17 or 48-17), we explore why the Bobcats' recent upset over West Virginia and the emotional charge of an in-state rivalry could make this more interesting than expected.

We also dissect the Browns-Bengals showdown that saw Joe Flacco throw for nearly 300 yards in a losing effort while Joe Burrow struggled with just 113 passing yards yet emerged victorious. Cleveland's secondary impressed by containing Cincinnati's elite receivers, but drops and special teams failures proved costly. Meanwhile, the Bengals' defense, particularly linebacker Logan Wilson, stepped up in a major way—something our Bengals expert notes hasn't always happened when Burrow has an off day. Looking ahead to Week 2, we offer predictions for the Browns' challenging trip to Baltimore and Cincinnati's home opener against Jacksonville, complete with betting insights that went perfect in Week 1.

Whether you're bleeding scarlet and gray, rooting for orange and brown, or devoted to the orange and black, our passionate analysis covers every angle of Ohio football. Subscribe now to ensure you never miss our weekly breakdown of everything happening on gridirons across the Buckeye State!

Dive into the heart of Ohio football passion with the debut episode of the Scarlet, Orange and Brown (SOB) podcast! Hosts Chris Huesman and Ken Carpenter – both former coaches with decades of experience – bring their blue-collar perspective to Ohio's football landscape, covering everything from the Buckeyes to the Bengals to the Browns.

Football runs deep in the Buckeye State, and we're embracing the "Ohio against the world" mentality. Our hosts break down what to expect from Ohio State this season, projecting a return to the Big Ten Championship against Penn State. With analysis of Michigan's challenges, Nebraska's potential breakthrough under Matt Rule, and why Oregon could dominate the western division, we provide insights you won't find elsewhere.

The NFL conversation heats up with an in-depth look at the AFC North, where the Ravens and Bengals battle for supremacy while the Browns rely on elite defense to overcome quarterback questions. We examine Joe Burrow's weapons, Cincinnati's offensive line improvements, and Cleveland's veteran addition of Joe Flacco. Our bold predictions include the Bills finally breaking through to win the Super Bowl against the Eagles, with division winner forecasts across the NFL.

Beyond X's and O's, we highlight the character of Ohio's football culture through stories like Nick Chubb's $5 million donation to Cleveland homeless shelters and similar community initiatives from players across the state. We wrap up with betting locks for the week, including the Commanders over Giants and a potential Browns upset of the Bengals in the Battle of Ohio.

Join us weekly as we bring you insights from our coaching backgrounds, passionate fan perspectives, and upcoming guest interviews with insiders from across Ohio football. Subscribe now to get every episode delivered straight to your device – because here, it's all football, all Ohio, all the time.

The passion for football runs deep in the Buckeye State, where the gridiron isn't just a game but a way of life connecting communities across Ohio. From the storied tradition of Ohio State to the professional franchises in Cincinnati and Cleveland, football culture here represents something uniquely powerful and unifying.

Welcome to the Scarlet, Orange, and Brown Podcast, where hosts Chris Huseman and Ken Carpenter bring decades of experience as both coaches and fans to deliver authentic, no-nonsense coverage of Ohio's football landscape. Our premiere episode establishes our deep personal connections to these teams – Chris growing up idolizing Bengals greats like Kenny Anderson and Anthony Munoz, while Ken remained loyal to the Browns despite being surrounded by Steelers fans in Eastern Ohio. Both hosts share powerful memories that shaped their Buckeyes fandom, including Ken's experience hearing Woody Hayes speak at his high school banquet.

We dive into pressing questions facing each team: Can Ohio State repeat as national champions with freshman phenoms Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith leading the charge? Has Ryan Day evolved into a more complete coach who can finally overcome the Michigan hurdle? Will Joe Burrow get the protection and weapons needed to bring Cincinnati its first Super Bowl victory? And can Cleveland's quarterback situation ever find stability? Through our "Three Teams, Three Questions" segment, we offer unfiltered perspectives on what to expect this season across Ohio football.

Beyond game analysis, we're creating a community for true football enthusiasts who appreciate authentic discussion free from corporate talking points. Subscribe now to join us weekly as we deliver insights, interviews with special guests, and the kind of passionate football talk that only true Ohioans can provide. Leave a review and help us build something special together – because here, it's all football, all Ohio, all the time.