The Bill and Doug Show: College Football Picks and Previews

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Host: Blue Wire
Date: September 5, 2025
Episode Theme: Week 2 National College Football Picks – Michigan-Oklahoma, Iowa State-Iowa, Illinois-Duke, Oregon-Oklahoma State, Michigan State-Boston College, Kansas-Missouri
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis

Episode Overview

This episode is the first of the 2025 season’s Friday national picks shows from veteran college football writers Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis. While the duo’s primary focus is Ohio State, here, they preview a slate of six high-profile or intriguing college football matchups across the country, analyze storylines, coach narratives, and quarterback play, and make their picks against the spread. The tone is expert yet playful, filled with inside jokes, friendly ribbing, and sharp, accessible analysis for fans of the Big Ten and national college football scene.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Michigan at Oklahoma (7:30pm, ABC)

Game Context & Importance

• National Implications: Seen as a critical game for both Big Ten and SEC narratives—each team is a leading power just below the blue chip tier in their new conferences.
• Coach/Player Storylines: Michigan’s OC Sherrone Moore (a former Oklahoma player) is suspended for this game, which adds emotional weight.
• Quarterback Focus: Emerging star Bryce Underwood (Michigan, true freshman) against John Matiere (Oklahoma, transfer QB often described as "risky but fun").

Analysis

• Big Ten vs. SEC Dynamics:
  "Oklahoma is to the SEC as Michigan is to the Big Ten…A healthy Big Ten wants a healthy Michigan and a healthy SEC wants a healthy Oklahoma.” – Doug (05:02)
• On Underwood’s Ceiling:
  "There was a lot of good from Bryce Underwood, but it was not the full Bryce Underwood.” – Bill (09:32)
• Running Game Questions & Offensive Lines:
  Noted Michigan ran well in their opener while Oklahoma did not—potential key to the outcome.

Picks & Predictions

• Bill: Michigan 20-14
• Doug: Oklahoma 24-21 (Michigan covers, Oklahoma wins)

Notable Quotes

• "If Michigan can win this on the road with a true freshman quarterback making his second career start, that says something about the Big Ten. But now I feel like, now look at us. This is exactly how the SEC does it." – Bill (16:26)

2. Iowa at Iowa State – The CyHawk Game (Noon, FOX)

Game Context & History

• Tradition: One of college football’s chippier and most prideful rivalries.
• Coaching Records: Matt Campbell (Iowa State) is 2-6 in rivalry; Kirk Ferentz (Iowa) is 14-11.

Analysis

• State of Each Team:
  • Iowa State: Off to a flying start, possibly facing letdown after early overseas game.
  • Iowa: QB Mark Gronowski disappointed in his debut; offensive struggles flagged as possible concern.
• Quarterback Humor:
  "It's like Mission Impossible. It's like Mark Gronowski rips his face off and he's Deacon Hill." – Bill (23:04)

Picks

• Bill: Iowa 19-17
• Doug: Iowa State 21-20 (Iowa covers)

3. Illinois at Duke (Noon, ESPN)

Game Narrative

• Bill’s Bias: Big Blue Devil backer due to his playoff prediction; stands by Duke, powered by new QB Darian Mensah (Tulane transfer).
• Duke Weaknesses: Youth on the O-line, will be tested by Illinois DL star Gabe Akis.
• Illinois Weapons: Strong run game (Aidan Lofre, Kaden Fagan), depth at receiver, experience at QB, both lines superior.

Picks

• Doug: Duke 27, Illinois 24 (holds to preseason pledge, but admits: “Bet your house…you'd take Illinois.” – 28:39)
• Bill: Illinois 33, Duke 21

4. Oregon vs. Oklahoma State (3:30pm, CBS)

Off-field Narrative

• Mike Gundy’s Complaints: Oklahoma State coach bemoans Oregon's superior resources, essentially laying the groundwork for a blowout and excusing his team's shortcomings.
• Coaches’ Quotes:
  "We spend to win. Some people save to have an excuse for why they don’t." – Dan Lanning, Oregon HC (30:43)

Analysis

• Oklahoma State Issues: Down to the backup QB (Zane Flores), weak running game.
• Oregon’s Motivation: Gundy’s comments likely fuel Lanning to run up the score.

Picks

• Doug: Oregon 49, Oklahoma State 14
• Bill: Oregon 52, Oklahoma State 13

5. Boston College at Michigan State (7:30pm, NBC)

QB Matchup

• Dylan Lonergan (BC): Alabama transfer, Bill O’Brien offense, looked sharp in opener.
• Aiden Childs (MSU): High-ceiling, growing into role, solid but not spectacular start.

Analysis

• BC’s Rushing Struggles: BC unable to run against Fordham, a possible red flag against MSU’s stronger defense.
• Comparison to past transfer QBs and offensive fits (Holstein/Castellanos switchovers).

Picks

• Doug: Michigan State 28, Boston College 21
• Bill: Michigan State 21, Boston College 16

6. Kansas at Missouri (3:30pm, ESPN2) – The Border War

Context

• Historic Rivalry: Resumed after a long hiatus, both teams with dynamic QBs known for making plays on the ground and through the air.

Analysis

• Kansas' Jalon Daniels: Healthy, in form, limiting turnovers—poised for a big game.
• Missouri’s Bo Pribula (Penn State transfer): Offense thrown off after a planned two-QB system imploded due to injury.
• Both hosts unconvinced by Missouri’s edge as favorites.
  "That spread seems a little much given what Kansas has done." – Bill (41:53)

Picks

• Doug: Kansas 31, Missouri 27
• Bill: Kansas 27, Missouri 24

Notable and Memorable Moments

• Pronunciation Corner: Extended, playful riff on learning to pronounce Cal quarterback Jaren Sanga Pulatelli’s name and the avoidance tactics of announcers.
  "They were calling the breakout freshman star of college football 'hey' the whole game because they didn’t exactly want to say his name. And they're the professional announcers who are paid to do it." – Doug (08:27)
• Resource Inequality Riff: Gundy's power-ranking jealousy inspires a passionate, sarcastic response about "having a guy."
  "T. Boone Pickens walked so Phil Knight could strap on those Nikes and run, baby." – Bill (31:12)
• Self-Awareness on Conference Narratives:
  "Now look at us. This is exactly how the SEC does it…If Michigan wins, it’s a giant statement…if Oklahoma wins, it’s not great. We've done it. We've done it." – Bill (16:26)
• QB Impersonations:
  "It's like Mission Impossible. It's like Mark Gronowski rips his face off and he's Deacon Hill." – Bill (23:04)
• On Bet Consistency:
  "Bet your house. No priors. You'd take Illinois." – Doug (28:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:21] – Show opens, format explained
• [03:06] – Recapping last week’s picks, transparency in success and failures
• [04:07] – Michigan vs Oklahoma in-depth preview
• [09:06] – Cal QB name pronunciation bit
• [11:08] – Analysis of Michigan’s new offensive look with Underwood
• [13:27] – Underwood’s best throws and first impressions
• [14:48] – Picks for Michigan-Oklahoma
• [17:06] – Note: Michigan LB JayShawn Barham out first half (targeting)
• [19:08] – Iowa-Iowa State (Cyhawk) preview
• [22:01] – Iowa QB concerns (Gronowski)
• [25:12] – Illinois-Duke breakdown
• [29:00] – Oregon-Oklahoma State, Gundy’s comments dissected
• [30:43] – Lanning’s “spend to win” quote
• [35:04] – Boston College-Michigan State preview
• [38:18] – Bill O’Brien’s fit at BC and Castellanos’ storyline
• [40:25] – Kansas-Missouri rivalry history and breakdown
• [42:52] – Quick summary and review of all picks

Episode Tone & Vibe

• Playful, honest, and occasionally irreverent.
• Both hosts mix expertise with banter, self-deprecation, and clear conference biases (with an explicit “Northern football” emphasis).
• Listeners get analytical breakdowns, context, and commentary not just on Xs and Os, but also big-picture storylines that resonate with college football’s shifting landscape.

Conclusion

This episode delivers comprehensive, insightful, and entertaining previews and predictions for Week 2’s key college football matchups. It balances humor, expertise, and a Northern football perspective, providing listeners with great context, memorable lines, and actionable knowledge for enjoying Saturday’s games.

For Ohio State fans, northern football backers, and general CFB diehards — The Bill and Doug Show hits its stride with these insightful, high-energy pick ‘em Fridays.