The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Notre Dame vs. the Big Ten; Indiana respect; 4 perfect conference champs? College Football Playoff
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis
Podcast Network: Blue Wire

Episode Overview

Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis break down the evolving landscape of college football’s playoff race in 2025, focusing on the Big Ten’s playoff contenders, Notre Dame’s positioning, increased parity (outside of Ohio State’s dominance), the possibility of four undefeated conference champions, and the chaos/wildcard potential introduced by the expanded 12-team playoff format. The conversation is lively, analytical, and occasionally sardonic, with a persistent focus on the implications for Ohio State and its fans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The New Playoff Reality: “Play-In Games” Everywhere

[02:49–04:53]

• Doug and Bill emphasize how, with the expanded 12-team playoff, many regular season games effectively become de facto “play-in games,” with contenders at risk of missing out each week.
• Doug: “I just feel like there are many playoff play-in games all the time now… the fight for spot number two through spot 22—and only 12 get in—is a weekly thing… and I think is enticing.”
• Only Ohio State feels locked in—the rest of the nation is fighting weekly for inclusion.

2. The Ohio State Exception, Indiana’s Big Test & the Big Ten Picture

[04:00–05:42; 20:15–25:45]

• Ohio State stands alone as the only team virtually guaranteed a playoff spot, given its dominance.
• Indiana may be enjoying a uniquely forgiving season schedule; Landis points out: “You could look at maybe Indiana and… the back half of Indiana’s schedule… but Indiana’s not going to be in that position every year.” [04:53]
• Indiana’s transformation into a true playoff contender, absorbing the “mojo” once reserved for Oregon, is discussed. Doug: “It feels like Indiana has absorbed most of the Oregon mojo. People are talking about Indiana as a national title contender.” [20:15]
• There’s a nuanced conversation about whether Indiana, if it goes undefeated but loses the Big Ten title game, would have the same playoff respect as Oregon last year [21:06–22:27].
• Discussion of how important “transitive property” games are—how Indiana’s win over Illinois, and then Illinois’ subsequent results, may influence playoff narrative and seeding.

3. Paths to Four Undefeated Conference Champs?

[05:42–10:38]

• Both hosts game out the possibility of having four undefeated Power Conference champions (Ohio State, Miami, Texas A&M, Texas Tech).
• Bill: “I don’t know if we’ll have four undefeated conference champs, but I think we can have four undefeated teams in the regular season—Ohio State, Indiana, Miami, and Texas Tech.” [06:56]
• There’s back-and-forth about the difficulty of running the SEC table, especially for Texas A&M.
• Intrigue exists in the Big 12: Texas Tech could go 12–0 in the regular season but lose the conference title game and still make the playoff. The idea of “bid stealers” emerges: runner-up teams gaining playoff spots, impacting SEC/Big Ten at-large hopes.

4. The “Bid Stealer” Concept & Crazy Conference Title Scenarios

[10:38–12:36]

• Doug: “If Texas Tech gets upset in the Big 12 title game, you’re out… that is like a giant chunk of the Big Ten and SEC [at risk]… which is great.” [10:38]
• Bill suggests similar chaos in the ACC, with teams lurking behind Miami possibly pulling an upset and disrupting the playoff picture: “If Miami gets to the ACC title game even 11-1 and loses, I probably think they’re still in too.” [10:44]
• Intrigue with rising teams like Georgia Tech in the ACC, and the value of games like Georgia Tech–Duke under the new playoff model.

5. Bracket Reveal: Doug’s & Bill’s Updated Top 12 Playoff Picks

[12:59–15:38] Doug’s Reveal [17:05–19:18]

Bill’s Top 12:

1. Ohio State
2. Miami
3. Indiana
4. Texas Tech
5. Alabama (“I’m back in… I think they’re pretty good” [13:29])
6. Texas
7. Texas A&M
8. Oregon
9. Oklahoma
10. Notre Dame
11. Georgia
12. South Florida

Doug’s Top 12:

1. Ohio State
2. Miami
3. Texas A&M
4. Texas Tech
5. Indiana
6. Alabama
7. Georgia Tech
8. Oregon
9. Notre Dame
10. Washington
11. Texas
12. South Florida

• Both note the shifting perceptions and new “tiers” in college football—Ohio State above all; a “super-competitive” middle with many possible playoff entries.

6. The Notre Dame Factor: Playoff Fate Riding On USC

[28:56–30:54; 34:34–37:14]

• Both agree that Notre Dame, with only two losses to top-five teams (Miami, Texas A&M) and a chance to beat USC, could all but secure a playoff spot at 10–2.
• Doug: “Are we at a point now where 10–2 Notre Dame is definitely in?” [30:00]
• Bill: “If Notre Dame beats USC, and then USC beats Michigan or Oregon, that further elevates Notre Dame’s resume.” [34:34–35:18]
• Notre Dame’s schedule is discussed as “opportunity, not roadblock”—its current path is precisely what it needs for maximum playoff consideration.

7. SEC Critique: Exposing the “Ponzi Scheme”

[17:05–19:18; 24:00–25:45]

• Doug criticizes SEC rankings, suggesting many teams are propped up “on themselves with not actually a lot to it… I am believing more in the idea of the SEC being a bunch of frauds.” [17:05]
• Doug & Bill challenge why teams like Ole Miss and Vanderbilt are ranked so high with subpar resumes, while teams like Washington (with better resumes) are undervalued.

8. Other Notable Storylines & What-Ifs

[25:45–27:56; 39:05–41:55]

• Potential for chaos from “spoiler” teams: UCLA and Northwestern discussed as new teams post-coaching changes.
• Group of Five playoff bid is briefly explored: South Florida is in the hosts’ playoff brackets, but the Mountain West (UNLV, Boise, San Diego State) could still play a part.
• The importance of remaining G5 matchups, including Boise State–UNLV, South Florida–Memphis, and Temple–Navy (with Navy pulling a notable comeback win).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On expanded playoff chaos:
  • Doug: “The fight for spot number two through spot 22—and only 12 get in—is a weekly thing… and I think is enticing.” [04:50]
• On Indiana absorbing “Oregon Mojo”:
  • Doug: “It feels like Indiana has absorbed most of the Oregon mojo. People are talking about Indiana as a national title contender.” [20:15]
• On SEC being overrated:
  • Doug: “I am believing more in the idea of the SEC being a bunch of frauds, but also beating themselves up.” [17:05]
• On Notre Dame’s playoff hopes:
  • Doug: “Are we at a point now where 10–2 Notre Dame is definitely in?” [30:00]
  • Bill: “If Notre Dame beats USC, they vault to the top of that list of 10–2 teams that would get in.” [35:18]
• On Ohio State’s value as best win:
  • Doug: “If you beat Ohio State right now, it's the best win in college football. So if you're a 10–2 team with the best win in the sport, you're like the six seed.” [37:03]
• On the value of expanded playoff:
  • Doug: “All these games absolutely matter every week to shake that out. Georgia Tech, Duke matters for that. I think this is better.” [38:26]
  • Bill: “I think this is better.” [39:05]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Playoff “play-in” games discussion: [02:49–04:53]
• SEC critique and rankings debate: [17:05–19:18; 24:00–25:45]
• Indiana’s rise and transitive win effect: [20:15–25:45]
• Brackets reveal & analysis: [12:59–19:18]
• Notre Dame playoff calculus: [28:56–30:54; 34:34–37:14]
• Spoiler teams and Group of Five race: [25:45–27:56; 39:05–41:55]

Episode Takeaways

• With a clear gap between Ohio State and the rest, the race for playoff spots is wide open and fiercely contested.
• Indiana has become a playoff darling, filling the void left by Oregon’s downturn.
• Notre Dame’s fate hinges on a critical game vs. USC; at 10–2 with quality losses and at least one win over a contender, they likely make the cut.
• Both hosts highly value “quality losses” and transitive victories, while casting doubt on several SEC teams’ lofty rankings.
• Expanded playoff has delivered: greater intrigue, more meaningful midseason games, and an ever-shifting pecking order.

For listeners looking to understand the current College Football Playoff landscape, especially from an Ohio State and Big Ten perspective, this episode is an essential, engaging, and critical listen.