The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: College Football Playoff Bracket Reaction: Ohio State is No. 2, Notre Dame Out
Date: December 7, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis (Blue Wire Network)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Doug and Bill break down the just-announced College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket, focusing on Ohio State earning the No. 2 seed, Notre Dame’s surprising exclusion, and the path ahead for the Buckeyes. Recording live from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the hosts deliver instant analysis, debate playoff seeding logistics, and explore the potential implications for Ohio State’s title defense.
The tone balances deep Buckeye analysis, national context, and plenty of the banter fans love—plus a few memorable side tangents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Playoff Bracket Reaction and Location Implications

[01:35 - 03:15]

• Ohio State secured the No. 2 seed, exceeding expectations since the hosts had predicted they’d fall behind Georgia at No. 3.
• Discussion of possible bowl assignments:
  • As No. 2, Ohio State could land in the Cotton Bowl (vs. Texas A&M) or the Orange Bowl (potentially against Miami).
  • Geography matters: Orange Bowl would offer Miami a home advantage; Cotton Bowl would favor Texas A&M.
• Doug observes: “It would be kinda crappy to have to, two years in a row, play a playoff bowl game that’s basically a road game.” [02:14]

[03:15 - 04:46]

• If Ohio State ends up in the Sugar Bowl, it could avoid giving opponents home-state advantages.
• Bill notes the committee’s goal to avoid “lower seeds having a home field, home state, hometown advantage.” [03:37]

2. Notre Dame Out, Miami and Alabama In

[03:46 - 04:46]

• Bill praises Doug for forecasting this scenario: “Philly Stradamus here called on Tuesday night. You laid out the path that a lot of people did not buy—and you nailed it a hundred percent.” [03:46]
• Doug explains: “[It’s] not surprising at all… once [Notre Dame and Miami] are next to each other, the head-to-head I think would rule the day, and that’s clearly what happened here.” [03:57]
• Committee may also have wanted ACC representation; “I do think it ended up being like kind of clean for them. Like all the hand-wringing about Notre Dame and Miami generated a lot of buzz… right up until the time where they did the sensible thing and finally honored the head-to-head.” [04:15]
• Bill jokes about betting on Notre Dame’s odds for drama, not inside information: “On things like this, Vegas doesn’t know… they read the committee worse than the college football experts, like Philly Billy here.” [05:08]

3. The Path Ahead for Ohio State: Harder as a 2-Seed?

[05:57 - 07:13]

• Bill: “If Ohio State had been the three seed as we expected, they’d be opposite Ole Miss, Tulane… Instead, they are opposite Texas A&M… or a talented, angry, back-from-the-dead, disrespected Miami.”
• Doug argues the No. 2 path is “actually harder than the path for the three.” [06:05]
• There’s a debate: Would you rather face a rested Ole Miss or two strong, battle-tested teams?
• Doug: “I would probably prefer the Ole Miss-Tulane path… but I don’t know that this one look is inherently bad. I think Ohio State is better than both of these teams.” [06:46]

4. Breaking Down the Quarterfinal Matchup

[07:22 - 09:48]

• Bill asks: “Gut check right now—Miami or Texas A&M, who are you taking?” [07:24]
  • Doug: “I’m taking Miami.”
  • If Miami wins, there could be a high-profile rematch of the 2002 National Championship.
• The bracket sets Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl (New Year’s Eve, 7:30 p.m. ET). The Fiesta Bowl follows on January 8.
• Potential routes: Miami in the Cotton Bowl, Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl, and potentially Indiana in the title game (who just beat Ohio State).
• A break for a behind-the-scenes moment: “Can you hold my mic for a second? Because Pat Murphy just walked through our shot. I’m gonna go yell at him.” [07:13] (Bill; playful tone)

5. Environmental Advantages and Home-Field Concerns

[09:48 - 10:22]

• Doug notes: “If they were to play Miami in the Cotton Bowl, I don’t think [Ohio State] would have to [play on a silent count]. I think it would be a pro-Ohio State crowd.”
• If the Buckeyes advance to the Fiesta Bowl, that crowd would favor Ohio State, too.

6. On National Perceptions, SEC, and the Big Picture

[13:54 - 14:46]

• Bill: “I think we have an opportunity to find out, through this playoff bracket, how mid the SEC is… Sometimes being the two and three is not that different than being the one.” [13:54]
• Both hosts agree: Ohio State’s overall title outlook remains strong; no matchup jumps out as unwinnable.
• National champ odds at the time: Ohio State (+250), Indiana (+260), Georgia (+550). [14:46 (Doug)]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Doug on Playoff Committee Decision-Making & TV Influence

  • “It is a TV show. We know that.” [04:10]

• Bill on Betting and Bracket Drama

  • “Vegas doesn’t know… they read the committee worse than… experts like Philly Billy here.” [05:08]

• Doug, on Miami's big-game status

  • “Call me up the next time Miami wins a big game.” [07:06]

• Show Banter & Color

  • “Can you hold my mic for a second? Because Pat Murphy just walked through our shot. I’m gonna go yell at him.” [07:13]
  • “If there is gigantic news that causes us to need to come back on a video, we certainly will do that.” [15:08]
  • “Cash your checks, cash your bets. Triple dipper on me. Thank you Landis.” [15:45]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:35 - Opening: Ohio State as No. 2 seed, bowl speculation
• 03:46 - Notre Dame’s exclusion, Miami/Alabama inclusion analyzed
• 06:05 - Debate: Is the path for the No. 2 seed harder?
• 07:24 - Gut check: Miami or Texas A&M?
• 08:03 - Playoff schedule and path clarified; Cotton and Fiesta Bowls assigned
• 09:48 - Importance of crowd/environment for Ohio State’s path
• 13:54 - Broader playoff implications, SEC reputation, and odds

Summary Table: Ohio State’s New Playoff Path

| Seed | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Potential Final | Home/Away Concerns | |-------|-----------------------|-------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------| | #2 | Miami or Texas A&M | Winner of Georgia | Indiana or Oregon | Cotton Bowl likely vs. Miami or TAMU; Fiesta Bowl likely neutral/pro-OSU crowd |

Conclusion

Doug and Bill deliver rapid, layered insight on Ohio State's playoff road:

• While geography and seeding raised fresh challenges, both agree the Buckeyes are well-positioned and remain favorites to claim another title.
• The hosts also unpack the drama behind Notre Dame’s omission, Miami’s inclusion, and what this playoff field might reveal about the current state of the SEC.
• The episode’s value lies in real-time reaction, matter-of-fact expertise, and a fan-focused, transparent look at postseason anxieties and optimism.

Next steps: The duo sign off with promises of more coverage post-Ryan Day press conference and as the playoff picture becomes even clearer.