The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Clemson & Georgia in trouble? Notre Dame bounceback? Backyard Brawl revenge? College football picks
Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis

Episode Overview

Doug and Bill go deep on a slate of the week’s most interesting college football games, blending analytical breakdowns with their signature blend of Northern pride and anti-Southern bias. This week’s picks include high-stakes showdowns and September "referendum" games for national giants like Clemson, Georgia, and Notre Dame. The hosts weigh playoff implications, coaching hot seats, and quarterback drama—while keeping Buckeye Nation’s interests front and center. As always, expect good-natured ribbing, legit expertise, plenty of memorable one-liners, and honest disagreement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Records and Housekeeping (01:21–02:48)

• Both Doug & Bill are tied at 7-7 against the spread for the season; straight-up: Doug 7-7, Bill 8-6.
• “We’re here to entertain you and perhaps inform you; we are not really here to make you money.” – Doug (02:49)
• This week features 7 picks, with a heavy lean toward Southern games due to matchups.

[CLEMSON at GEORGIA TECH]

Noon, ESPN | Clemson -3.5, O/U: 51.5
(02:48–10:24)

• Clemson at a Crossroads

  • Clemson hasn’t started 1-2 since 2014. Lost to LSU already; nearly stunned by Troy (trailed 16-0 before rallying).
  • The program faces scrutiny: “Is college football passing Dabo Swinney by?” – Doug (05:03)
  • If Clemson loses here: may fade out of relevance nationally (not a firing situation, but a "not worth paying attention" situation).
  • Bill’s preseason national title pick for Clemson now looks shaky, citing Cade Klubnik’s lack of progress: “Doesn’t seem like he’s gotten any better.” (06:17)

• Quarterback Battle

  • Clemson: Cade Klubnik (struggling vs. blitzes, 86th in passing efficiency).
  • Georgia Tech: Haynes King (tough, returning from injury, gritty), backup Aaron Philo looked good last week.

• Line Movement

  • Opened at Clemson -9.5, moved as low as -2.5, steadied at -3.5. “That is a ridiculous line move.” – Doug (10:05)

• Picks & Outlook

  • Bill: Georgia Tech 24-20
  • Doug: Georgia Tech 23-21
  • “If you are pining for the days where a highly ranked team could destroy itself in September... watch this game at noon.” – Doug (09:10)

[WISCONSIN at ALABAMA]

Noon, ABC | Alabama -20.5, O/U: 46.5
(10:24–17:57)

• Rarity & Stakes

  • Rare SEC-Big Ten regular season matchup. Only Alabama’s second time hosting a Big Ten school since 2011.
  • Alabama’s all-time record against the Big Ten discussed; three Big Ten schools have winning records vs. Bama (Michigan, Minnesota, UCLA).

• Wisconsin’s Quarterback Chaos

  • Two transfer QBs: Billy Edwards (injured), Danny O’Neill (stepped in and looked decent vs. MTSU).
  • “Aren’t you worried Ty Simpson (Bama QB) will outduel Danny O’Neill? ... I’m good. Give me Danny boy.” – Doug (14:19)

• Realistic Assessment

  • Bill doubts Wisconsin can hang: “Wisconsin not running the ball well. I don’t know what to make of the quarterback thing... I don’t know that Wisconsin has much of a chance here.” (14:56)
  • Doug points to last year’s competitive first half and improved backup situation.

• Picks & Outlook

  • Doug: Alabama 27-21 (leans Wisconsin +20.5)
  • Bill: Alabama 38-14 (taking Bama -20.5)
  • “If Wisconsin shows up and looks starstruck and out of its league, I think it’s the beginning of the end for Luke Fickell.” – Doug (16:50)

[GEORGIA at TENNESSEE]

3:30pm, ABC | Georgia -4.5, O/U: 49.5
(19:18–23:28)

• Quarterback Concerns

  • Georgia’s Gunner Stockton under scrutiny: “We just want him to look in games like he looks in practice,” quoting Kirby Smart. Doug’s skeptical.
  • Bill: “Saying we want Gunner Stockton to look like he looks in practice is both an indictment of Gunner Stockton and Georgia’s defense he practices against.” (21:17)
  • Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar (App State transfer) seen as a positive; “App State’s quarterback’s not beating Georgia,” jokes Doug.

• Historical Context & Matchup

  • Georgia has dominated Tennessee recently, last 8 games by two-plus touchdowns.

• Picks & Outlook

  • Doug: Tennessee 30-24 (calls out volatility of a first-year QB at top 15 programs)
  • Bill: Georgia 28-17
  • “If I can pick against Georgia, I’m going to pick against Georgia.” – Doug (23:15)

[SOUTH FLORIDA at MIAMI]

4:30pm, CW | Miami -17.5, O/U: 57.5
(23:28–27:29)

• Channel Tangents & Miami Praise

  • Jokes about CW and its frog mascot (“Chester Wiggleton” – Bill, but real name is Michigan J. Frog).
  • Doug: “South Florida has been the story of the college football season so far.”
  • Miami’s looked “as good as anybody”: “Ohio State, Oregon, and Miami” are the country’s best so far (25:07).

• Picks & Outlook

  • Doug: Miami 33-21 (South Florida with the points)
  • Bill: Miami 35-7 (“true pumpkin time” for South Florida)
  • “I have Miami 35-7. True pumpkin time. That’s a good phrase...” – Bill (26:50)

[NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M]

7:30pm, NBC | Notre Dame -6.5, O/U: 49.5
(27:31–30:50)

• Notre Dame Rebound?

  • Notre Dame off a bye after Miami loss (“I think Notre Dame is fine. I think Miami’s really good.” – Doug)
  • RB Jeremiah Love’s usage discussed—the hosts question ND’s reliance on RPOs and call for more straight runs.
  • Bill: “You’re letting defense dictate whether or not you give the ball to your best player. Just give it to him.” (29:27)

• Game Quality

  • Both teams struggle tackling, which could mean big plays.
  • Marcel Reed (A&M QB) can be dangerous if ND defense isn’t careful.

• Picks & Outlook

  • Doug: ND 31-20
  • Bill: ND 31-28 (A&M +6.5)
  • “I think it’s a big Jeremiah Love game. Both these teams... not great tackling...” – Bill (29:55)

[BACKYARD BRAWL: PITT at WEST VIRGINIA]

3:30pm, ESPN | Pitt -7.5, O/U: 57.5
(32:08–37:18)

• Rivalry Lore & Bad Blood

  • Reminiscing about the legendary 13-9 upset in 2007 (“Pitt fans just walk around and say ‘13:9’ to West Virginia fans and it makes their blood boil.” – Doug)
  • Pitt won the last matchup via dramatic comeback.

• West Virginia’s Struggles

  • Total roster overhaul; best player Jaheim White lost for the year.
  • QB issues unresolved; offense sputtered even after multiple turnovers last week against Ohio.
  • “West Virginia might be the worst team in the Big 12.” – Bill (36:34)

• Picks & Outlook

  • Doug: Pitt 35-21
  • Bill: Pitt 42-17
  • “Pitt is maybe substantially better... If this wasn’t a rivalry game, I think this feels more like a 10- or 14-point spread.” – Doug (35:23)

[MINNESOTA at CAL]

10:30pm, ESPN | Minnesota -2.5, O/U: 42.5
(37:26–41:12)

• Underrated QB Duel

  • Minnesota: Drake Lindsay (true sophomore), Cal: Jaron Kiave Sanga-Pulatelli (true freshman—“the best freshman QB right now” per Bill).
  • Both can “rip it”—receiving praise for arm strength and upside.

• Program Stakes

  • “September referendum” for Minnesota: Must win to remain on playoff periphery.
  • Uncertainty over RB Darius Taylor’s health (a significant factor for Minnesota’s offense).

• Picks & Outlook

  • Doug: Minnesota 28-21
  • Bill: Cal 24-21 (“better quarterback,” lauds Cal’s run D and coaching)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Betting and Entertainment:
  “We’re not necessarily…here to make you money. So no, if you are here to make money, get out. And I’m not saying like get out, I’m saying like get out, run…flee for your own good.” – Doug (02:49)

• On Clemson’s Situation:
  “Is college football passing Dabo Swinney by?” – Doug (05:03)
  “Doesn’t seem like he’s gotten any better.” – Bill, on Cade Klubnik (06:17)

• On Line Movement (Clemson-Georgia Tech):
  “That is a ridiculous line move…” – Doug (10:05)

• On Quarterback Play (Georgia):
  “Saying we want Gunner Stockton to look like he looks in practice is both an indictment of Gunner Stockton and Georgia’s defense he practices against.” – Bill (21:17)

• On South Florida’s Magical Start:
  “South Florida has been the story of the college football season so far.” – Doug (23:45)

• On True Pumpkin Time:
  “35-7. True pumpkin time. That’s a good phrase. If you were on ESPN, they would have a graphic at the bottom that had a pumpkin and said Landis’ true pumpkin time.” – Doug (26:50)

• On Running Back Usage at Notre Dame:
  “You’re letting defense dictate whether or not you give the ball to your best player. Just give it to him.” – Bill (29:27)

• On the Backyard Brawl Legacy:
  “Pitt fans just walk around and say ‘13:9’ to West Virginia fans and it makes their blood boil because everybody knows exactly what that means.” – Doug (33:19)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 01:21 | Records, intro to the week’s picks | | 02:48 | Clemson at Georgia Tech deep dive | | 10:24 | Wisconsin at Alabama analysis | | 19:18 | Georgia at Tennessee breakdown | | 23:28 | South Florida at Miami, channel tangents | | 27:31 | Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M | | 32:08 | Backyard Brawl: Pitt at West Virginia | | 37:26 | Minnesota at Cal preview | | 41:12+ | Wrap, upcoming shows, end banter |

Tone, Style, & Audience Takeaway

Doug and Bill maintain their signature wry, Ohio-centric tone, blending earnest analysis (“this is a September referendum game...”) with irreverence (e.g., recurring frog and pumpkin spice jokes, anti-SEC/pro-Northern football banter). The show is fast-paced yet thorough, making it both informative for serious fans and welcoming for those looking to keep up with the national picture.

Bottom Line:
This episode is a map for a pivotal Saturday in college football, mixing keen observations, bold picks, and the usual Midwest snarl—all designed to keep Ohio State fans, and college football junkies, both informed and entertained.