Podcast Summary: The Bill and Doug Show – Is Ohio State's rushing attack ready for Big Ten play?

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Host(s): Bill Landis (solo for this episode)
Episode Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bill Landis offers a solo deep-dive into Ohio State’s rushing attack following their 37-9 win over Ohio. With the Buckeyes entering a challenging Big Ten schedule, Bill examines the current state of Ohio State’s run game, emerging talent in the backfield, and how the scheme has evolved through three games. He contextualizes recent performances in anticipation of tougher defensive opponents, and discusses how the run game can complement the Buckeyes’ elite passing attack.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage for Big Ten Play (01:21–03:30)

• Ohio State is coming off consecutive wins, including their best rushing performance so far against Ohio.
• A difficult schedule lies ahead: Ohio State's upcoming games include Washington (away), Minnesota (home), Illinois (away), and Wisconsin (away), marking a significant ramp-up in competition.
• The episode deliberately sets aside detailed red zone analysis (covered in other episodes), but acknowledges that run game performance intertwines with red zone efficacy.

2. Rushing Attack by the Numbers (03:30–06:30)

• Current Rankings:
  • 45th nationally in rushing yards per game (192 yds/game) – averaging lowered by a tough outing against Texas and bolstered by easier opponents.
  • 28th in yards per carry (5.59) – up from 4.99 last year.
• Back-to-Back Explosive Games:
  • Over 7 yards per carry in two straight games (Grambling, Ohio) – rare since 2016.

"It's been good, at the very least, to see Ohio State iron some stuff out with this rushing attack... you just kind of look for trends."
— Bill Landis (06:20)

• Bill cautions against overvaluing recent success due to the level of competition, emphasizing that true tests are upcoming.

3. Backfield Developments: Bo Jackson Emerges (06:30–11:20)

• Bo Jackson’s Ascendancy:
  • Credited as RB1 by Bill and others—showing explosive running and receiving skills.
  • “He was a part of the offense for the entire game, both as a running back or a ball carrier and a receiver. Explosive as a ball carrier. I think shifty as a receiver in a way that I thought was pretty interesting.” (09:24)
• Receiving Threat:
  • Possibility Jackson could help fill the “third receiver” void, especially with limited production from the slot.
• Other Running Backs:
  • James Peoples: Looking more decisive on outside zone runs and appears to be adapting to the college game.
  • CJ Donaldson: Struggling to break tackles and live up to his reputation as a power back—he’s not meeting expected missed tackle/broken tackle rates (only 4% vs. 14–15% at West Virginia, 22% for last year’s top backs).
  • Donaldson's red zone effectiveness is being questioned, especially after drives stalled due to his inability to run through contact.

"If Donaldson, who is the bigger back, who is the most experienced back, is the guy that they're going to rely upon in those situations, he's gotta run a little harder... He's got to run through tackles, he's got to stop running to contact."
— Bill Landis (13:25)

• “If those guys end up being maybe your main two [Jackson and Peoples] and Donaldson hopefully can be like a situational hammer for you, I think that's pretty good. We'll see how that materializes.” (16:08)

4. Schematics and Coaching Influence (16:30–19:15)

• Evolution of Run Game:
  • Formerly zone-heavy (“inside zone, outside zone”), now balanced with more gap schemes and variety, thanks to coaching changes (Justin Fry, Chip Kelly, new run game coordinator Tyler Bowen).
  • Encouragement in how variety and creativity have remained, but ultimate success depends on merging “ideas and execution.”
• Historical Perspective:
  • Cites previous struggles (2018, 2022), notes better offensive line and running back depth this season.
  • Core program principle now: share the workload among backs.
• Offensive Identity:
  • Make no mistake, the offense will be “pass-first”—with Julian Sayin throwing to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate—but the run game must be a credible complement.

"No one is under any disillusions that... This is very much going to be a pass first team this year and next year with Julian Sayin as a starting quarterback and Jeremiah Smith around..."
— Bill Landis (18:35)

5. The Road Ahead: Schedule & Defensive Tests (20:34–22:55)

• Upcoming Defenses:
  • Washington: solid, not elite yet.
  • Minnesota (3rd in run defense, 1.77 yds/carry), Wisconsin (5th, 1.93 yds/carry), Illinois (17th, 2.64 yds/carry)—all formidable opponents with success limiting run games.
  • By the time Ohio State faces Penn State after this stretch, fans and analysts will have a much clearer sense of the run game’s ceiling.
• Current Takeaway:
  • Positive signs in explosiveness and personnel, but efficiency, especially in the red zone and against top competition, is unproven.

"It wasn't perfect, it wasn't the most efficient thing, especially in the red zone, but it was at least explosive. And that to me almost feels like the most important thing—as an explosive complement to what Ohio State is going to be able to do throwing the football."
— Bill Landis (22:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bo Jackson as RB1:
  "To see Bo Jackson emerge, I think is a guy, in my opinion, he's RB1. I think in a lot of people's opinions he's RB1... Explosive as a ball carrier." (09:20)

• CJ Donaldson in the Red Zone:
  "His numbers in terms of breaking tackles, making guys miss are a little troubling... If Donaldson, who is the bigger back, who is the most experienced back, is the guy that they're going to rely upon in those situations, he's gotta run a little harder." (13:25)

• Run Game Must Be Complementary:
  "It's more about can the run game complement the passing game? Can it be efficient? Can you find ways to be explosive running the ball and not merely threaten teams explosively by throwing the ball..." (20:34)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:21 | Setting up the episode and outlining schedule ahead for OSU | | 03:30 | Ohio State's rushing statistics and context | | 06:30 | Bo Jackson’s emergence as RB1; running back rotation | | 09:24 | Bo Jackson’s receiving abilities | | 11:21 | Deep dive on James Peoples and CJ Donaldson | | 13:25 | Issues with Donaldson’s broken tackle rate; red zone challenges | | 16:30 | Scheme variety; history of OSU run game; adjusting expectations | | 18:35 | “Pass first” offensive identity with Sayin, Smith, and Tate | | 20:34 | Upcoming run defenses and projection for the next stretch of games | | 22:45 | Summary of current state: explosive yet unproven against tougher foes |

Conclusion

Bill Landis provides a thorough walk-through of the Buckeyes' run game, balancing cautious optimism with realism as Big Ten play begins. The backs, led by a surging Bo Jackson, have flashed promise, but questions linger about efficiency and physicality—most notably in the red zone and versus elite defenses. The coming four-game stretch will define just how ready Ohio State truly is to run the ball in the Big Ten, and whether the run game can be the necessary counterpart to one of college football’s most dynamic passing attacks.

For more detailed breakdowns on scheme, red zone issues, and defensive analysis, the hosts encourage listeners to check out supplementary episodes and their Substack.