The Bill and Doug Show: College Football Playoff Rankings Released – Ohio State No. 1, Risers and Surprises from the Committee
Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis
Date: November 5, 2025
Episode Theme:
A deep-dive reaction episode to the release of the initial 2025 College Football Playoff committee rankings. Doug and Bill discuss why Ohio State landed at No. 1, offer insight and analysis on the full top 25, debate risers and surprises, and break down the playoff picture for the Buckeyes and other contenders.
Main Theme / Purpose
Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis go live (well, “simulated live”) with instant reaction and analysis as the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings of the 2025 season are released. They dissect the committee’s choices, focus on Ohio State’s position, and look at what the rankings say about conference strength and the postseason picture. The hosts also highlight significant movers, disappointing placements, and what these initial rankings mean for the playoff chase.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Predicting the Top 12 – Who Should Be No. 1?
- Bill and Doug start the episode by predicting the committee's top 12 before seeing the actual rankings.
- Both expect Indiana to be No. 1, with Ohio State No. 2, citing metrics and road wins.
- Doug: “If all those things are more or less equal, I think basically what it'll come down to is that Indiana has two good wins on the road and Ohio State... has one of Ohio State's good wins at home.” (04:11)
- The Big Ten’s strength of record and signature wins discussed for Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M.
Notable Quote
Doug: “Undefeated, reigning national champs in the playoff era... only two... were ranked number one in the initial playoff rankings. So when you have an undefeated national champ who is more likely to like going to be number one in the AP poll, that has not always been reflected in the first playoff rankings.” (06:49)
2. AP Poll vs. Committee Rankings
- Hosts debunk the myth that committee is influenced by the AP poll.
- Bill: “The AP poll isn't very good and it influences the committee. It doesn't influence the committee... No, the AP is influenced by the committee.” (08:00)
- Citing past seasons where AP No. 1’s did not match the first CFP rankings.
Notable Quote
Doug: “History tells us it's the committee that influences the AP poll, not the other way around.” (09:09)
3. Live Reaction: Full Top 25 Breakdown
- They methodically run down the release of the full top 25, comparing committee spots to AP rankings, reacting with approval or surprise.
- Tennessee being in at #25 is questioned.
- ACC teams are notably stacked lower than expected.
- Iowa surges up from #26 (AP) to #20 (CFP), which Bill calls “by far the biggest jump.” (24:56)
- Oregon drops three spots from the AP poll.
- Ole Miss is ranked “too high” at #6.
- Texas gets “respect” at #11; the hosts see the Longhorns as rising figures in the playoff race.
Notable Quotes
Bill: “I think Ole Miss is too high at 6... that's probably my most disappointing thing.” (21:01)
4. What the Rankings Mean for Conferences
- Big Ten: Grows respect, with 7 teams in the committee rankings.
- SEC: Could get 4 teams in the playoff; hosts expect strength to play out through coming matchups.
- Big 12: BYU & Texas Tech both in strong position; even a two-bid league is possible.
- ACC: Only one team (Virginia at #14) has a clear path. Miami, Louisville, Georgia Tech all discussed as potential dark horse champs, but playoff hopes look slim.
- “The ACC is only going to get one team in. I don't see any other way around that...” (28:47)
5. Playoff Scenarios & Hypotheticals (23:40–26:00)
- Simulate how the bracket would look today:
- Georgia hosting Memphis, winner faces Alabama.
- Texas Tech vs. Oregon, winner faces Ohio State.
- Ole Miss vs. Virginia, winner gets Texas A&M.
- BYU vs. Notre Dame, winner plays Indiana.
Notable Quote
Bill: “Oregon and Ohio State end up opposite each other, but they didn’t play this year. If there’s an Oregon-Ohio State rivalry, then I guess... Bring it on in the playoff, right?” (24:32)
6. Most Impactful Teams / Games to Watch Going Forward
- Oregon: Three ranked games left (Iowa, USC, Washington)—winning out would propel them up.
- Texas: Looming with a strong schedule ahead; could shake up SEC and playoff picture if they beat Georgia & Texas A&M.
- Iowa: “The biggest jump up;” could make things very interesting as a 10-2 possibility.
- BYU & Texas Tech: Direct clash with rematch potential for a possible two-bid Big 12.
- Notre Dame: If ND wins out, “they’re in” (50:08), confirmed by their #10 ranking now.
7. Projected Final Playoff Fields (40:58–47:54)
Doug’s Projected Top 12 (December 8):
- Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
- Texas A&M (SEC champ)
- Indiana (Big Ten runner-up)
- Alabama (SEC runner-up)
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Texas Tech (Big 12 champ)
- Louisville (ACC champ)
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- BYU (as 2nd Big 12 team)
- Memphis (Group of Five)
Bill’s Projected Top 12:
- Similar at the top, but has Georgia Tech as ACC champ at #5 (“propulsive” win vs. Georgia moves them up)
- Four SEC, four Big Ten teams, one each from ACC and Big 12, Texas as best three-loss team
- South Florida as Group of Five
Notable Quotes
Bill: “Texas does not disgust me to the level that every other SEC team does.” (47:54)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If all those things are more or less equal, I think basically what it'll come down to is that Indiana has two good wins on the road and Ohio State... has one of Ohio State's good wins at home.” – Doug (04:11)
- “Ole Miss is too high at 6... that's probably my most disappointing thing that they do have Ole Miss that high.” – Bill (21:01)
- “[With] Notre Dame, as long as they win, they’re in.” – Doug (50:44)
- “Texas is a team that felt like it was off the radar for a while... Texas and Oregon might be the two most interesting teams in the playoff race at this point.” – Bill (23:02)
- “For the Big Ten... just even that scooching up slightly of the Big Ten I think matters a little bit, then at least they're like on the committee's minds.” – Bill (39:03)
- “I'm like you, a little bummed to see Ole Miss get that kind of respect... They played some nail biters against some pretty bad teams.” – Doug (32:24)
Important Timestamps
- 03:36 – Doug predicts Indiana should be No. 1; committee will value road wins.
- 06:49 – Doug’s playoff history: Undefeated champs not always No. 1 in CFP.
- 08:00–09:08 – Bill & Doug break down AP poll's influence.
- 10:35–13:37 – Live tracking of each spot in the top 25; key surprises and risers.
- 20:20 – “Oregon is going to have a chance to move up. Maybe they're lower than the AP, but they're going to play three ranked teams here...”
- 23:40 – How today’s bracket would look, rapid-fire hypothetical analysis.
- 24:56–25:54 – Iowa’s big jump from AP to committee rankings; what it means for playoff contention.
- 28:47 – “The ACC is only going to get one team in...” Conference-by-conference playoff picture analysis.
- 40:58–47:54 – Doug & Bill’s projected final playoff seeds and field, with reasoning.
Tone & Style
Doug and Bill are fast-paced, sarcastic, occasionally self-deprecating, and highly knowledgeable about the history and politics of college football. They keep discussion lively and fan-oriented, frequently poking fun at traditional biases, the AP poll, and the absurdity of playoff projections in early November.
Takeaways for Listeners
- Ohio State fans: Buckeyes are No. 1 with a clear path but big games ahead; middle of the Big Ten is finally getting committee respect.
- For playoff watchers: Initial CFP rankings matter less as future matchups will reshape the top 12. Watch Oregon, Texas, Iowa, and BYU/Texas Tech.
- On the process: Committee does not follow the AP; resume, marquee wins, and recency matter.
- For all fans: Expect volatility, stay tuned for more high-impact games, and keep an eye on the back-end Big Ten battles and Big 12 chaos.
Final Thoughts
Bill & Doug will continue weekly playoff breakdowns, projecting the field, discussing key games, and celebrating/commiserating with Buckeye Nation as the playoff chase heats up.
For additional analysis, fans are encouraged to check out the Bill and Doug Substack and upcoming prediction shows.
Summary compiled for fans (and the Playoff-obsessed) who want deeper insight than the graphics on ESPN.