The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Is Ohio State in Danger at Washington? Julian Sayin Vibes and Nicknames: Ohio State Around the Shoe

Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis
Guests: Dave Biddle (Buck Nuts), Tim May (Tim May Show)
Theme: A deep dive into Ohio State's upcoming road game at Washington, quarterback Julian Sayin’s development, and the evolving Big Ten landscape

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bill and Doug Show ("Around the Shoe" segment) focuses on Ohio State's significant road test at Washington, the challenges presented by the Huskies (including an electric quarterback), and the ongoing evolution as the Big Ten expands with West Coast teams. The hosts and guests share insights from decades on the Ohio State beat, offer colorful commentary, debate nicknames for new Buckeye QB Julian Sayin, and reflect on past Buckeye trips out west.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Washington Road Test – What Stands Out?

[05:54 - 15:32]

• Biggest Concerns at Washington

  • Dave Biddle: “I think it's containing Demond Williams… Matt Patricia compared him to Kyler Murray. So did Ryan Day… this is going to be a test.” (05:54)
    • Ohio State’s red zone offense also flagged as a concern; efficiency remains key, especially looking ahead to teams like Michigan.
  • Tim May: Red zone offense issues with young QB (Julian Sayin) learning on the job. Points out issues with recognizing open receivers and the need for more assertive play-calling in short yardage.
    • “Julian Sayin was just a little bit offbeat… those are little first year starting quarterback learned the hard way… With that said, they still won by 28. That's just nitpicky.” (08:28)
  • Bill Landis: Draws parallel to last season’s Oregon road trip: "They are inexperienced at quarterback, they are inexperienced at play caller... I am interested in the entire mechanism of all of that." (10:35)
    • Concerned about communication, silent counts, and noise in Husky Stadium impacting offensive operations.

• West Coast/Midwest Dynamics:

  • Doug Lesmerises: Wonders about possible slow start due to travel and time-zone adjustment, highlighting Washington’s explosive offense: "Washington has scored on all but three of its drives… If on this road trip they're kind of not themselves right away, I think they could get behind the eight ball a little bit." (13:05)
  • Dave Biddle: Emphasizes what a win would mean for Washington’s program and the Huskies' offensive prowess, while remaining unsure about their defense.

2. QB Julian Sayin: Vibes & Nicknames

[16:29 - 24:11]

• Nickname Brainstorming and Early Impressions:
  • Tim May: “My nickname for him is just, Just Sayin’. I mean, oh, that's all you need to know. This guy… can play, man. Just sayin', he's as accurate a quarterback as I've covered at Ohio State.” (16:50)
  • Bill Landis: Leans into California surf vibes: “JT O'Sullivan called him a human Jugs machine... you could call him Jug Sayin’... or Shaka Sayin’ for that surfer vibe.” (19:11)
  • Dave Biddle: Suggests “The Carlsbad Kid,” referencing Sayin's California roots: "He's got a little kid to him, because he kind of looks young, but also – it's like a little swagger." (23:08)
  • Doug Lesmerises: Pitches “Smooth Sayin’—like smooth sailing.”
  • Discussion extends to Sayin’s poise, accuracy, his advanced use of tight ends, and how his persona may develop as he gains experience.

3. How "Big" Is This Washington Game?

[24:44 - 35:19]

• The Spread, Stakes, and New Big Ten Realities:
  • Bill Landis: "This is only the third time in ten years Ohio State is a single-digit favorite in Big Ten play outside Michigan or Penn State. The word that comes to mind is 'real one.'" (24:44)
    • Ohio State could lose if it doesn’t play well; Washington’s skill position talent and offensive design pose significant threats.
  • Doug Lesmerises: Calls it “the new reality of the Big Ten,” referencing deeper middle-tier competition and more legit threats beyond the usual suspects: "When your conference is better, one of the things that happens is maybe your best teams lose every now and then instead of steamrolling everybody." (27:58)
  • Tim May: Emphasizes unpredictability and the toughness of road games at Washington: “…never an easy place to play, even if you get the lead. If you're not on the beam, you can get your butt kicked, which Ohio State has found out two of those three times.” (30:05)
  • Dave Biddle: Frames it as “relatively tough compared to Michigan,” but insists Washington is solid, even if not quite a blue-blood.

4. The Impact of West Coast Teams Joining the Big Ten

[35:24 - 41:37]

• Big Picture Takes:
  • Doug Lesmerises: “Refreshing… I think it was a good refresh for the league. From a football standpoint, I don’t think the Rutgers and Maryland refresh … quite hit the same way.” (35:24)
  • Dave Biddle: “Strange but exciting. And profitable.” (36:33)
  • Tim May: Focuses on the enhanced competitiveness and the travel being overblown: “From a football standpoint, I thought it was a home run… as much as it didn't make sense when Cal and Stanford joined the ACC, it makes hellacious sense now.” (38:12)
  • Bill Landis: “Weird but worth it… Oregon and the others enhance all three tiers of the Big Ten, and changes the temperature of the conference in a good way.” (40:33)

5. Remembering 2007: Ohio State’s Last Trip to Washington

[42:35 - 49:10]

• Personal Anecdotes & Buckeye History:
  • Dave Biddle: “What I remember the most… is Jim Tressel apologizing to Ty Willingham and Washington for Ohio State scoring a touchdown on the last play. Wasn’t like he's throwing it, Brandon Saine just scored. They're trying to run the clock out.” (42:50)
  • Tim May: Shares a vivid memory of “intestinal desonates” from questionable calamari eaten on the trip (44:00), and muses on the quirks of road travel in the PacNW.
  • Doug Lesmerises: Recalls the hype around Washington’s young Jake Locker and draws parallels to current QB situations: “He [Locker] was a four-year starter and became a first-round pick… it’s a reminder, you have to respect Washington and be aware of their skill, talent, and home field.” (46:18)
  • Dave & Tim: Compare facing young, hyped quarterbacks like Locker and Jared Goff to the current test, reminding that Ohio State defenses are a great litmus test for up-and-comers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave Biddle on defending Washington’s QB:
  "I think it's containing Demond Williams... this is going to be a test. But this Ohio State defense is fantastic." (05:54)
• Tim May on Julian Sayin:
  "My nickname for him is just, Just Sayin’. Oh, that's all you need to know. This guy can play, man. Just sayin', he's as accurate a quarterback as I've covered at Ohio State." (16:50)
• Bill Landis on the importance of this game:
  "To me, feels like Ohio State is going into a game that I think it can lose if it doesn't play well. Right. And that doesn't happen a ton throughout Ohio State season." (25:34)
• Doug Lesmerises on conference expansion:
  "I think it was a good refresh for the league... from a football standpoint, I don’t think the Rutgers and Maryland refresh … quite hit the same way." (35:24)
• Dave Biddle, on 2007 Washington trip:
  "What I remember the most... Jim Tressel apologizing for scoring a touchdown on the last play." (42:50)
• Tim May on travel and memories:
  "I remember having intestinal desonates for two days after eating that squid. So that's, that's the most memorable thing to me." (44:00)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Introductions & Beat Writer Histories: [01:01 - 04:18]
• Washington Game Preview, Key Concerns: [05:54 – 15:32]
• Quarterback Julian Sayin Nicknames and Analysis: [16:29 – 24:11]
• Framing the Magnitude of the Washington Game: [24:44 – 35:19]
• West Coast Expansion in the Big Ten: [35:24 – 41:37]
• Remembering 2007, OSU in Washington: [42:35 – 49:10]
• Signoffs, Where to Find the Guests: [49:21 – End]

Recap: Original Language & Tone Highlights

• The conversation flows naturally, blending serious football analysis with humor and beat writer camaraderie.
• Colorful banter: Tim May’s storytelling, calamari mishaps, talk of “getting out over your skis,” and references to podcasting in parking lots provide levity.
• Candid opinions: On coaching, player development, and conference changes.
• Fan-centric insights: Recognizing what matters most to Buckeye fans heading into a challenging road trip.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for any Ohio State fan looking for a detailed, honest, and occasionally irreverent take on the program’s biggest current questions: How real is the threat at Washington? Can Julian Sayin grow into his role quickly? And what does this new Big Ten mean for the Buckeyes’ path—all delivered by longtime insiders who know the history, the vibe, and the stakes.