Podcast Summary: "Julian Sayin and Dante Moore are college football's best new starting QBs for title contenders"

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Host: Doug Lesmerises (Blue Wire)
Date: September 9, 2025

Overview of Episode Theme

This episode dives deep into the performances of college football’s newest starting quarterbacks on teams with national title aspirations. Host Doug Lesmerises analyzes eight quarterbacks from preseason Top 15 teams, comparing their development, team impact, and likelihood of elevating their programs this season. Central to the episode: Why Julian Sayin (Ohio State) and Dante Moore (Oregon) have distinguished themselves above their peers, and how the landscape of college football is shifting as these high-profile QBs settle into their debut seasons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The “First-Year Starter” Landscape (01:20)

• 8 of the Top 15 teams are starting QBs with no more than 7 career starts.
• Doug categorizes these QBs into five performance tiers after two weeks of the season.

“There’s a lot with these eight quarterbacks where the coaching staffs are keeping them in a box a little bit right now... Ohio State has probably managed this the best so far.” – Doug (02:34)

The Five Tiers

1. Ready to contend for a title
2. On their way, but not fully there
3. Mostly fine, but something feels off
4. Significant concerns
5. True freshman, just needs time

Top Tier: The Standouts – Julian Sayin & Dante Moore (03:10)

Julian Sayin (Ohio State)

• Stats: 36-51 (71%), 432 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT, 0 sacks
• Managed carefully in high-leverage situations (e.g., win vs. Texas)
• Opened up playbook more in Week 2 (vs. Grambling State)
• Impressive downfield passing: 4-4 on 20+ yard throws, 3 TDs
• Strength: quick release, poise, not putting the ball in harm’s way.

“The difference for Julian Sayin is that Ohio State beat the number one team in the country while easing Julian Sayin in. Everybody knows, we thought Julian Sayin showed a lot of poise.” – Doug (04:08)

Dante Moore (Oregon)

• Stats: 34-44 (77%), 479 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INT, 0 sacks
• Slightly more experienced (5 career starts at UCLA, backup at Oregon last year)
• Praised for natural arm talent, ability to go through progressions

“The arm talent’s obvious with Dante Moore. He’s smooth out of the pocket. He’s smooth in the pocket... let’s be on alert for Oregon.” – Doug (06:36)

• Emergence of freshman WR Decorian Moore provides offensive spark
• Hasn’t been fully tested by elite opponents yet, but upcoming schedule will provide more clarity (e.g., vs. Penn State at end of September)

Tier 2: Close but Needs More – CJ Carr (Notre Dame) (08:58)

• Stats: 19-30 (63%), 221 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 3 sacks
• Tough early schedule (Miami, Texas A&M)
• Gradual easing into the offense, but with ability to “bomb the ball down the field every play” if allowed
• Coaching emphasis: balance risk vs. protecting a new starter, maximize running back usage

“CJ can execute the entire game plan, the entire playbook. He’s a special player so they kept him in a box a little bit.” – Doug (09:42)

• Doug expects Carr to develop quickly as the season goes on, especially against demanding upcoming opponents

Tier 3: Something’s Not Right – Arch Manning (Texas) & DJ Lagway (Florida) (12:39)

Arch Manning (Texas)

• Stats: 36-60 (60%), 465 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 2 sacks
• Efficient on short passes (14-14 behind the line), but less consistent downfield (7-14 on 20+ yard throws)
• Physical concerns: injury rumors, questions about true health status
• Not dominating, and doesn’t inspire the same confidence as Sayin or Moore

“It’s kind of weird. He got a little overly defensive, it felt like…But, Arch Manning is not dominating college football right now.” – Doug (13:50)

DJ Lagway (Florida)

• Stats: 38-51 (75%), 342 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
• Missed much of offseason with injury, showing rust
• Florida lost to South Florida – season and expectations may be slipping
• Shows promise, but inconsistency and timing are challenges

“When he’s on, you see it. Like, the good is good, the good is good... But, he was kind of a get-on-the-bandwagon-now guy and they just lost to South Florida.” – Doug (12:58)

Tier 4: Raised Eyebrows – Gunner Stockton (Georgia) & Ty Simpson (Alabama) (14:15)

• Both QBs in Year 4 at powerhouse programs, finally getting shot as starters

Gunner Stockton (Georgia)

• Stats: 40-58 (69%), 417 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 0 sacks, most runs among group (15)
• Checkdowns and conservative play-calling
• Head coach Kirby Smart: “I want to see in games what he shows in practice.”
  (15:11)

Ty Simpson (Alabama)

• Stats: Rough opener vs. FSU (17/17 completions last week vs. Monroe, sets school record)
• Competition from backup Austin Mack, true freshman Keyland Russell lurking
• OC Ryan Grubb on Simpson: “I thought maybe I wasn’t hard enough on Ty...”
  (16:23)

“I just think it’s not panic mode but it is raised eyebrow mode at both of these schools.” – Doug (15:43)

• Doug questions whether either will finish the season as the primary starter given competition and inconsistency

Tier 5: Freshman Factor – Bryce Underwood (Michigan) (18:21)

• Only true freshman starter among this group
• Stats: 2-7 on deep throws (20+ yards)
• Michigan offensive staff is being protective, limiting designed runs
• Shows flashes but also clear moments of inexperience and mechanical inconsistency.

“So Underwood looks good on the move sometimes, but he missed some throws. So that’s the one where we, I think, you just might have to acknowledge he’s a true freshman and it’s just not a common thing.” – Doug (19:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ohio State and Oregon’s QB advantage:
  “The conclusion… is Ohio State and Oregon absolutely in the national title race with young first year quarterbacks who you absolutely believe can do it.” – Doug (20:45)
• On the difference experience makes:
  “Dante Moore, this is his third season of college football. Julian Sayin, it’s his second… the next two guys are in the questionable category. It’s their fourth year each and it’s Gunner Stockton at Georgia and Ty Simpson at Alabama … they’ve been waiting a long time.” – Doug (14:34)
• On what’s next for QB battles:
  “I would not bet for sure that Ty Simpson ends the season as the starting quarterback at Alabama … both these guys, Stockton and Simpson, you just are watching them and wondering in a way that you’re not with anybody else.” – Doug (17:00)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 01:20 — Introduction to “first-year starter” theme and QB tier framework
• 03:10 — Analysis of Julian Sayin (OSU) and Dante Moore (Oregon)
• 08:58 — Evaluation of CJ Carr (Notre Dame)
• 12:39 — Discussion of Arch Manning (Texas) and DJ Lagway (Florida)
• 14:15 — Addressing Gunner Stockton (Georgia) & Ty Simpson (Alabama)
• 18:21 — Reflection on Bryce Underwood (Michigan)
• 20:45 — Concluding thoughts on national title implications

Conclusion

Doug closes by reiterating that fast QB development is re-shaping the college football playoff race. Ohio State and Oregon boast the most promising new starters, while Notre Dame is close. Established SEC powers (Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama) could be held back by QB inconsistencies. Fans are encouraged to watch upcoming matchups to see how these narratives evolve.

“Oregon and Ohio State are in great shape.” – Doug (20:55)

This episode is an essential, insightful breakdown for any college football fan tracking the sport’s next wave of game-changing quarterbacks, especially as the playoff picture starts to take shape.