The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode Summary — "Did Ohio State help create dominant Indiana and Oregon teams? Would Woody Hayes like Curt Cignetti?"

Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis (Blue Wire)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores how Ohio State has shaped the trajectories of other rising Big Ten programs, particularly Indiana and Oregon. Doug Lesmerises focuses on the ripple effect of Ohio State's dominance — not only as a standard-bearer but also as a motivator. The conversation weaves in Woody Hayes’ legacy, the attitude shift within the Big Ten, and examines whether bold new leadership (namely Kurt Cignetti and Dan Lanning) can both challenge and emulate the Buckeyes’ ruthless approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Would Woody Hayes Like Kurt Cignetti?

• Doug muses on the attitude of Indiana’s coach Kurt Cignetti, referencing his blunt, aggressive approach in games and with the media.
• Cignetti’s “more points” comment after dominating Illinois (01:30) is compared to Woody Hayes’ famous line: “Why'd you go for two? Because I couldn't go for three.”
• Quote:

  “Just a matter-of-fact domination of an opponent and you don’t let up. Is this attitude... currently being exemplified by two Big Ten head coaches — a matter-of-fact ruthlessness... That is a very, very good thing.” (Doug, 02:00)

• This signals the Big Ten is moving further from ‘gentleman’s agreement’ days (02:55).

2. Ohio State as the Standard — Fueling Their Rivals’ Rise

• Doug connects Ohio State’s historical dominance and Michigan’s recent resurgence (four straight wins, national title) to the competitive drive evident in Indiana and Oregon.
• Both Indiana and Oregon had only one loss last year — both to Ohio State (06:00-08:50).
• Quote:

  “I think you might have the two angriest programs in the country right now who both made the playoff last year... a gigantic motivating factor for Indiana and Oregon is losing to Ohio State.” (Doug, 06:30)

• Discusses Big Ten game margins:
  • Highest average margin of victory — Oregon (40), Indiana (37.7), Penn State (34.5) (08:10).
  • Notable blowouts: Indiana 63-10 over Illinois, Oregon 69-24 over Oklahoma State.

3. Shifts in Attitude and Identity Across the Big Ten

• Identifies Cignetti and Lanning as backbone coaches with a cutting attitude, and Ryan Day as the “face” of the league.
• Highlights how newer powers are not just winning but reshaping reputations of programs like Indiana (“not just a coach but a program,” 12:50).
• Quote:

  “There can be multiple rounds in the Big Ten now. When it used to be once upon a time, you would look around and ask who else can even get one good game out of this? Now we’re getting multiple good games.” (Doug, 15:30)

4. Role of High-Profile Coaches and Speculation on Their Futures

• Cignetti and Lanning have both received substantial contract raises in under two seasons; are now among the highest-paid coaches (16:40).
• Speculation: Will Lanning or Cignetti eventually leave for the SEC, or can they build “destination programs” at Oregon/Indiana?
• Quote:

  “Why do they have to leave? Why is the grass greener there? Why can't Indiana and Oregon be exactly who they want to be with these two coaches staying long term?” (Doug, 18:35)

5. Penn State’s Place in the New Big Ten Hierarchy

• Doug questions if Penn State, under James Franklin, has leveraged losses to top teams as growth opportunities (see the “we’re not that” quote, 12:10).
• Lanning praises Penn State’s schematics heading into their matchup — but questions remain about Penn State’s edge (21:33).

6. Outlook for the Whole League and Legacy of Rivalries

• Big Ten’s improvement traced through Michigan’s title, Ohio State’s national championship, and the echo effect on new contenders (19:40).
• Doug frames the coming weeks as a tournament — “semifinals” of rising programs (Indiana, Oregon) against established ones (Penn State, Illinois).
• Implied: The Big Ten is no longer a league with a few elites, but a conference of urgent, ambitious programs pushing each other higher (15:30-19:00).
• Quote:

  “This is sort of like Ohio State’s own doing. When you help create this, you then can become a victim of it, but the result is a stronger conference overall.” (Doug, 21:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Would Woody Hayes like Kurt Cignetti? ... just a straightforward, this is how we’re going about it and we don't really care what you think.” (Doug, 01:40)

• “Angry Oregon and angry Indiana... are both being motivated, I think, by that Ohio State loss and then setting out on their own path.” (Doug, 11:45)

• “Kurt Cignetti and Dan Lanning might be the backbone of the Big Ten.” (Doug, 07:30)

• On Indiana-Illinois:

  “Brett Bielema said they kept pouring it on, which is exactly what they should do.” (Doug, 09:10)

• On sustained conference growth:

  “The Big Ten can have rounds of that now. There can be multiple rounds in the Big Ten.” (Doug, 15:30)

Key Timestamps

• 01:30: Woody Hayes & Cignetti attitude connection
• 03:00: End of ‘gentleman’s agreement’ culture
• 06:00-08:50: Indiana/Oregon’s losses to OSU as fuel
• 08:10: Biggest blowout stats & schedule quirks
• 12:10: Penn State’s struggles to leverage losses
• 15:30: Multiple rounds of big games in the Big Ten
• 16:40: Coaches’ pay raises & contract futures
• 18:35: Oregon/Indiana as destination jobs vs. SEC
• 19:40: Big Ten’s heritage of pushing each other
• 21:00: How setting the standard brings new challengers
• 21:33: Penn State’s “edge” going forward

Engaging Insights for New Listeners

• The episode offers a panoramic view of how programs traditionally “on the outside” are earning their way into the conversation by channeling defeat into dominance.
• It’s both a celebration of deliberate ruthlessness (Woody Hayes-style) and a meditation on what real, sustainable competitiveness looks like in the modern Big Ten.
• The hosts provide the context that helps explain why a game like Indiana-Oregon is suddenly must-see TV, and how Ohio State’s own culture-building might lead to their toughest future opponents.

Conclusion

Doug Lesmerises crafts a case for how Ohio State’s historic excellence — and recent stumbles — have sparked a new, edgier Big Ten. The “angry” Indiana and Oregon squads, led by uncompromising coaches, represent a league that’s finally pushing each other and looking beyond its bluebloods. The conversation sets up the season as a tournament of competing attitudes and standards, with a challenge to programs like Penn State: adapt, or fall behind.

For more in-depth analysis, look out for Bill Landis’ Tuesday film breakdown and the Buckeye-centric Thursday show.