Podcast Summary: The Bill and Doug Show – College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Picks (12/31/2025)

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Episode: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Picks for the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis
Date: December 31, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Doug and Bill bring their signature combination of banter, Ohio State insight, and conference skepticism as they preview and pick the three non-Ohio State College Football Playoff quarterfinal games: the Orange Bowl (Oregon vs. Texas Tech), Rose Bowl (Indiana vs. Alabama), and Sugar Bowl (Georgia vs. Ole Miss). They also weave in live commentary during the tail end of the Vanderbilt-Iowa bowl and riff on southern football bias and ESPN’s treatment of the SEC.

The tone is irreverent yet informed, with the hosts unafraid to take shots at prevailing narratives while providing reasoned football analysis and picks.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Vanderbilt-Iowa Watch-Along & Big Ten vs. SEC “Midness” (01:38–06:26)

• Vanderbilt-Iowa ongoing: The hosts joke about the absurdity of staking reputations on the game’s outcome, underscoring that Vandy's 10–2 record versus Iowa's 8–4 is not really a playoff-level debate.

  • "It is not great to stake so much of your personal reputation and frankly your personality on a Vanderbilt Iowa game." — Bill Landis (02:11)

• Big Ten bowl dominance: The Big Ten stands at 6–1 in bowls; the SEC is 2–5 (only beating Tulane and Oklahoma), a stat repeatedly used to highlight perceived conference “midness.”

• Critique of national narratives:

  • Bill and Doug challenge the idea that close losses to teams like Indiana or Oregon mean the Big Ten is weak, or that the SEC deserves blanket deference.
  • They lampoon the idea that postseason performance should be the ultimate referendum on conference strength, while also noting that bowl success hasn't meaningfully changed how the national media views these leagues.

Orange Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas Tech Preview & Picks (06:26–10:17)

• Line, total, and teams: Oregon favored by 2.5 points over Texas Tech; total at 51.5.
• Defensive edge: Doug expects a low-scoring affair, arguing Texas Tech's defense will “translate,” even if Oregon’s offense is more talented than Big 12 teams they’ve faced.
  • Injured Oregon receivers are back, but Doug downplays their impact, noting they’re not even listed as questionable.
• Talent and style: Oregon earns praise as a “lurker” all year, balanced on both sides, but with its national profile subdued post-Indiana loss.
  • "There’s a lot of good for Oregon that has not really been a primary discussion point... Maybe the most of any team in the field, to be honest." — Doug Lay (09:00)
• Picks:
  • Bill: Oregon 24–14
  • Doug: Oregon 24–20
    Both take Oregon to cover and the under.

Rose Bowl: Indiana vs. Alabama Preview & Picks (10:43–15:35)

• Indiana as favorite: Indiana is a 7.5 point favorite with a 47.5 total—remarkable given the historical “Alabama mystique.”
• Coaching mentalities:
  • Kurt Signetti (Indiana) is described as “locked in” and possibly manufacturing 'game face' for his team, compared to early Jim Harbaugh.
    • "I think the Kurt Signetti transition has happened more quickly. But I think he believes it this year because I think when you have a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback... I think at this point... his team has confidence." — Bill Landis (12:05)
• Why Indiana is for real: The hosts cite Indiana’s road wins and belief in both sides of the ball.
  • Alabama's roster talent is acknowledged, but their inconsistent play throughout the year is a red flag.
• Injuries: Indiana’s defensive line is thin, but Alabama hasn’t run effectively; both Bill and Doug think Indiana’s defensive scheme is an advantage.
• Picks:
  • Doug: Indiana 28–20
  • Bill: Indiana 31–20
    Both see Indiana covering and a slight lean to the over.

Interlude: ESPN/SEC “Midness Conspiracy” Rant (16:29–22:10)

• Critical Moment: Bill rails against an ESPN article claim that the “SEC is the undisputed king” of college football based on all-time bowl records, arguing it’s a deliberate distraction from the SEC’s current mediocre postseason.
  • "This is a covert operation to flood Google with secret headlines so that people don’t stumble upon the actual fact that the SEC, as we speak right now, is 2 and 5 in bowl games..." — Bill Landis (21:37)
  • Doug finds the whole thing amusing, while still worrying ESPN might come after Bill for “unearthing the truth.”
• Live Update: Iowa pulls away from Vanderbilt, much to Bill’s satisfaction (“My self-worth has been raised.” — 20:13).

Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Ole Miss Preview & Picks (22:10–23:27)

• Line, total, narrative: Georgia favored by 6.5; total is 55.5.
• Coaching/rosters:
  • Hosts note Georgia has improved all year and is tough to beat twice.
  • Ole Miss’ offensive staff (soon headed to LSU) is distracted and potentially conflicted.
  • Gunner Stockton’s four-TD performance in a previous meeting is cited.
• Picks:
  • Doug: Georgia 35–17 (“I think Kirby [Smart] is going to put Pete Golding in a dumpster.” — 23:08)
  • Bill: Georgia 30–23 (sees it closer, but stays with Georgia to cover or push)
• Summary: The hosts repeat their theme: the SEC is “mid,” and ESPN is trying to cover it up—a narrative they've resurfaced throughout this and prior episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "It is not great to stake so much of your personal reputation and frankly your personality on a Vanderbilt Iowa game."
  — Bill Landis (02:11)
• "I think Vanderbilt being left out of the playoff potentially being viewed as an injustice against the American way of life."
  — Bill Landis (03:49)
• "This is midness on display."
  — Doug Lay (06:13)
• "There’s a lot of good for Oregon that has not really been a primary discussion point... Maybe the most of any team in the field, to be honest."
  — Doug Lay (09:00)
• "I think at this point... his team has confidence. And I think Kirk Signetti thinks they’re the best team in the country and they’re going to win the national championship."
  — Bill Landis (12:05)
• "This is a covert operation to flood Google with secret headlines so that people don’t stumble upon the actual fact that the SEC, as we speak right now, is 2 and 5 in bowl games..."
  — Bill Landis (21:37)
• "I think Kirby’s going to put Pete Golding in a dumpster."
  — Doug Lay (23:08)

Picks Recap

| Game | Bill's Pick | Doug's Pick | Both Agree | |--------------------|-----------------------|----------------------|------------| | Oregon vs. Texas Tech (Orange) | Oregon 24–14 | Oregon 24–20 | Yes | | Indiana vs. Alabama (Rose) | Indiana 31–20 | Indiana 28–20 | Yes | | Georgia vs. Ole Miss (Sugar) | Georgia 30–23 | Georgia 35–17 | Yes |

Segment Timestamps

• Vandy-Iowa banter, Big Ten/SEC discussion: 01:38–06:26
• Orange Bowl breakdown & picks: 06:26–10:17
• Rose Bowl breakdown & picks: 10:43–15:35
• ESPN “midness” conspiracy and rant: 16:29–22:10
• Sugar Bowl breakdown & picks: 22:10–23:27

Final Thoughts

Doug and Bill deliver playoff picks with conviction and plenty of conference bias snark, but always rooted in on-field analysis. The episode’s sharpest edge is reserved for the ongoing narrative battle over the SEC’s reputation, with Bill’s ESPN tirade providing both comic and cultural commentary. For fans looking for insight, entertainment, and a little truth-telling, this is a quintessential Bill and Doug installment.