Nothing beats the panic of realizing you’re fifteen minutes away from home, the Buckeyes are about to kick off, and your phone's data is acting like it's 2005. You need the game. You need Paul Keels. Honestly, if you grew up in Ohio, that voice is basically the soundtrack to every Saturday afternoon since the late nineties. Finding the right radio station osu football fans can rely on shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt, but with signal drift and the sheer size of the Ohio State Sports Network, it sometimes is.
The flagship is 97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM) in Columbus. That’s the gold standard. If you’re within fifty miles of the Olentangy, you’re usually set. But Ohio is a big state with a lot of hills and dead zones.
Why the Radio Broadcast Hits Different
Listen, streaming is great until it buffers right as TreVeyon Henderson hits the hole. Radio is instant. It's raw. There is a specific kind of magic in hearing Jim Lachey break down a holding call before the referee even turns his microphone on.
People think terrestrial radio is dying, but for college football, it’s arguably more alive than ever. It’s about the community. You’re listening to the same feed as the guy in the truck next to you on I-71 and the grandmother sitting on her porch in Zanesville. The Ohio State Sports Network is one of the largest in the country for a reason. It spans dozens of affiliates across the Midwest, ensuring that even if you're deep in the woods of Hocking Hills, you can probably catch the score.
The technical setup is massive. Learfield handles the distribution, pushing the signal to over 70 stations. This isn't just about FM anymore either. While most of us still twist a dial, the integration with the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM has changed the game for alumni living in Florida or Arizona who still want that "hometown" feel.
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
Breaking Down the Major Signals
In Columbus, WBNS 97.1 FM is the powerhouse, but they also simulcast on 1460 AM. If you’re heading north toward Cleveland, you’re looking for WKNR 850 AM. It’s legendary. Down in Cincinnati, things get a bit trickier because you’re deep in Bearcats and Bengals territory, but 1530 AM (WCKY) often carries the torch.
Wait. Did you know that the signal strength actually changes at night? AM radio waves bounce off the ionosphere. It’s called "skywave propagation." Sometimes, you can hear a clear Buckeyes broadcast in Philadelphia at midnight, but you can’t hear it in a valley thirty miles from the stadium. It’s weird science, but it’s why having a list of backup frequencies matters.
The Voices That Define the Saturdays
Paul Keels. Jim Lachey. Matt Andrews. These names carry weight. Keels took over for the legendary Terry Smith in 1998 and has since become the definitive "Voice of the Buckeyes." His "Touchdown, Ohio State!" call is iconic. It's not just about what he says, but how he says it—that rhythmic, steady baritone that never loses its cool, even when the Buckeyes are down by six in the fourth quarter against Michigan.
Lachey brings the grit. As a former All-Pro offensive lineman, he sees the game through the trenches. While the TV announcers are talking about the quarterback's "poise," Lachey is pointing out that the right guard is leaning too far forward, telegraphing a run. That’s the level of detail you only get on the radio station OSU football enthusiasts tune into every week.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
What if you aren't in Ohio?
This is where the modern era actually helps.
- SiriusXM: Usually, the Buckeyes are featured on the Big Ten channels (Channels 195, 196, or 372).
- The Varsity Network App: This is a free download. No subscriptions. It’s the easiest way to get the local Columbus call anywhere in the world.
- OhioStateBuckeyes.com: They still run a live audio stream for free.
The Struggles of Syncing Radio to TV
We all try it. We want to mute the national TV announcers because they’re driving us crazy, and we want to listen to Keels instead. But the delay is brutal. The TV signal is often 30 to 45 seconds behind the "live" radio broadcast.
You’ll hear the crowd roar on the radio, and then half a minute later, you see the play happen on your 4K screen. It ruins the suspense. Some fans use "delay boxes" or specific apps like "TuneIn" that allow you to pause the audio to match the visual. It’s a lot of work, but for a rivalry game? It’s worth it.
Common Misconceptions About the OSU Network
A lot of people think that every station that carries "The Fan" programming carries the games. Not true. Local contracts are messy. A station might carry the mid-day talk shows but switch to high school football or local news when the Buckeyes kick off.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
Another big one: "The signal is better on FM." Usually, yes. But AM signals actually travel much further during the day. If you’re on a long road trip across the cornfields, 1460 AM might stay with you long after 97.1 FM has faded into static.
Finding the Right Frequency Near You
- Toledo: WSPD 1370 AM
- Dayton: WHIO 1290 AM or 95.7 FM
- Youngstown: WKBN 570 AM
- Lima: WIMA 1150 AM
These stations are the lifeblood of the network. They don't just play the game; they play the pre-game "Buckeye Roundtable" and the post-game "Call-In Show." That’s where the real venting happens after a loss.
The Future of Buckeye Radio
There’s a lot of talk about digital-only broadcasts. Some people worry that the "old school" radio station OSU football has thrived on will disappear. Honestly? I don't see it happening. The "drive-time" audience is too massive. Whether it's farmers in tractors or people stuck on the 270 outerbelt, the demand for a free, over-the-air signal is still peak.
Plus, the tradition is too deep. There is something fundamentally "Ohio" about listening to the game on a battery-powered radio while you’re grilling in the backyard. It links generations. My grandfather listened to the games on a radio, my dad did, and I still do when I'm working in the garage.
How to Ensure You Never Miss a Kickoff
- Program your presets: Before the season starts, find the three closest affiliates to your home and save them.
- Check the weather: If it's stormy, AM signals will crackle more. Switch to FM or an app.
- Charge the portable: If you're going to the game, take a small pocket radio. The stadium delay for cellular data is legendary—you won't be able to check Twitter/X for updates, but the radio will be instant.
- Download "The Varsity Network": It is the most reliable backup. Period.
It’s about more than just a score. It’s the sound of the Best Damn Band in the Land coming through the speakers in a way that feels intimate. It’s the silence Keels leaves after a big play so you can hear the roar of 105,000 people. You just don't get that anywhere else.
Next Steps for the Game Day Ready Fan:
Check the official Ohio State Sports Network affiliate map on the morning of the game, as local stations sometimes change their lineup mid-season. If you are traveling out of state, verify your SiriusXM subscription or download the Varsity Network app at least an hour before kickoff to avoid the "last-minute download" login stress. Finally, if you're trying to sync your radio to your TV, look into the "Audio Delay" feature on your PC if you're streaming the audio through a browser—it’s the easiest way to get the voices and the video in perfect harmony.