Podcast Summary: The Bill and Doug Show – "Ohio State Around the Shoe: Buckeyes Most Pleasant Surprises; What Should QB Julian Sayin Do Next?"

Date: September 30, 2025
Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk (Blue Wire)
Guests: Chuck (Juck on Bucks), Eric Boggs (The Ohio Podcast)
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises, Bill Landis

Overview

This episode of "Around the Shoe" brings together long-time Ohio State football voices Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis, joined by guest podcasters Chuck (Juck on Bucks) and Eric Boggs (The Ohio Podcast). The discussion is centered around two central themes:

• The most pleasant surprises on the Ohio State football roster this season.
• The development, role, and “what’s next” for starting quarterback Julian Sayin. Additionally, the hosts and guests take a step back to consider the evolving relationship between Ohio State media coverage and the fan experience, with personal reflections from both professional reporters and passionate fan-podcasters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Most Pleasant Surprise on the Ohio State Roster

(Start: 04:43)

Chuck’s Pick: Philip Daniels (Offensive Tackle)

• Daniels, a transfer from Minnesota and Ohio native, “has been downright nasty to the point where he was fighting teammates in practice.”
• Quote: “I’m beating them so bad, they want to fight me after the play.” (Chuck quoting Daniels, 05:39)
• Praised for his edge and intensity, which brings needed aggression to the offensive line.

Eric’s Picks: Kaden Curry (Defensive Lineman) & "Iggy" Davis Igbenosin (Defensive Back)

• Curry’s leap has put him on NFL radars and earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
• “He’s quickly making a name for himself… a lot of money in and around NFL circles.” (Eric, 06:36)
• Igbenosin’s improved technique and discipline, thanks in part to an inventive coaching approach (boxing gloves to curb penalties), has made him “a catalyst.”

Bill’s Pick: Will Smith Jr. (Defensive Tackle)

• Largely unheralded recruit with legacy ties (son of late Buckeye great Will Smith, Sr.).
• “I think he’s been their second-best defensive tackle… and a guy who’s got much more potential than I even realized when Ohio State signed him.” (Bill, 08:07)
• Bill and Chuck agree Smith now regularly delivers against the run and has exceeded expectations after an injury-plagued start.

Doug’s Pick: Austin Siereveld (Left Tackle)

• Underrated local prospect who became the only Big Ten tackle not to allow a single pressure this year.
• “All the tackles in the Big Ten… Siereveld is the only one who has not given up a pressure the entire year.” (Doug, 12:02)

Notable Quote:
“He isn’t he the quintessential Ohio kid? Goes to Ohio State, slightly balding, becomes an offensive lineman, and everybody loves them.” (Eric, 12:53)

Key Segment:

• [04:43 – 14:24]
• All four panelists reflect on each other's choices, highlighting the diversity of this season's “surprise” contributors and how roster turnover can foster new excitement and optimism.

2. What Should QB Julian Sayin Do Next?

(Start: 14:24)

Eric: “Continue Doing What He’s Doing”

• Trust Ryan Day’s quarterback development and controlled rollout for Sayin.
• “Trust the process… I have so much faith in Ryan Day and his development of quarterbacks.” (Eric, 14:53)
• Expresses hopes for incremental responsibility leading to elite play when it matters most.

Bill: “Let His Personality Out a Little More”

• Encourages Sayin to show more of his playful, competitive edge:
  • “Let your hair down some… he’s got a little fire to him.” (Bill, 17:23)
  • Cites specific in-game moments, like a fist pump after a sideline throw, as hints of Sayin’s moxie.

Doug: Embrace a Signature Quirk

• Jokes about Sayin adopting a touchdown celebration (the “money sign”), searching for a branding/nickname angle to raise his Heisman profile.
• Suggests Ohio State’s video team get creative around Sayin’s Maroon 5-related nickname.

Chuck: Use His Athleticism More

• “I want to see him continue to use those wheels… he is a good athlete.” (Chuck, 19:40)
• Points to Sayin’s open-field speed and potential as a red-zone runner, suggesting the offense could benefit from designed QB runs if Ryan Day “gives permission.”

Memorable Exchange:

• [19:17 – 21:18]
• The group riffs on the “moves like Jagger” running joke, linking Sayin’s play style to needing a memorable on-field persona.

3. Reactions to Slow Start vs. Washington

(Start: 22:24)

Bill: “Calm … I’ve Seen This Movie Before”

• Despite Ohio State trailing early, Bill stayed calm and confident:
  • “As much as a team can be in control of a game that it’s losing three nothing, Ohio State was.” (Bill, 22:48)

Doug: "It’s Fine. No, It’s Not Fine. Why Are They Doing This?”

• Doug’s playfully anxious mindset mirrors fan uncertainty and restlessness during methodical starts.

Chuck: “Befuddled”

• “I was befuddled for several reasons… going back to immediately following the Texas game…” (Chuck, 24:45)
• Critiques Ryan Day for a conservative game plan that seemingly contradicted earlier lessons learned.
• Frustrated with limited possessions, player usage (CJ Donaldson in short yardage), and special teams miscues.

Eric: “Strangely Calm”

• Eric shares he was “so calm I actually… went to get my sweater vest” (27:36).
• Echoes Tressel-era confidence that the defense and slow-burn offense would prevail.

4. Coverage of Ohio State: Then and Now

(Start: 29:04)

Chuck: Initially Felt Distant from Fan Concerns

• Critique of certain media outlets:
  • “It just always… a tinge of, I know more than you because I’m around this team… There was a lot of it I didn’t like, to be quite honest. It’s kind of why I got into it.” (Chuck, 29:04)

Eric: Selective Consumption and the Importance of Enjoyment

• “The more you dive into this arena… I’ve become even more selective.” (Eric, 30:05)
• Urges fans to cultivate joy by choosing sources that enhance the experience.

Bill & Doug: Fan Perspective is Now Integral

• Bill: “There’s a lot of sports media just generally that is totally dismissive of fan passion and even knowledge… You guys know Ohio State better than I do and I’m secure enough to admit that.” (Bill, 32:54)
• Doug: Admits to an evolution — from “talking at fans” to “talking with fans.” Emphasizes the value of having media diversity and community.

On Media “Brow-Beating” and Fan Passion

• Chuck:
  • “The thing that bothered me the most was telling fans how they are supposed to feel, how they should feel about a certain situation… put your argument out there… but the brow beating… because you feel a certain way, has always bothered me.” (Chuck, 35:03)
• Eric: Champions open, passionate, respectful community and the importance of active dialogue over dictation.

5. The Value of Fan-Driven Coverage & Community

(Start: 40:19)

Chuck: Avoiding Cheerleading; Pursuing Realism

• Relates that an honest, critical fan voice can alienate some but “cemented a whole lot of people who thought, ‘this is great… real sports talk from somebody who has the same kind of passion that I have.’” (Chuck, 41:19)

Eric: Community and True Connection

• “It connects them to people… I now know people and have friendships I never would have had… to me that’s invaluable in my life personally.” (Eric, 41:27)

Bill: Ohio State’s Remarkable and Unique Fan Media Universe

• “There are not many teams, professional or otherwise, that have as many people who care enough about this team to want to share their thoughts, whether it’s YouTube, audio, or writing your own blog… I can’t imagine there are many like Ohio State.” (Bill, 42:16)

Doug: Diversity of Perspectives is Best for Fans

• “It is best served by having people from different perspectives and different experiences… more outlets for people that they didn’t have. I can remember when Eleven Warriors started and it was like, what is this? Fans are doing a blog?… It’s much more sophisticated than that. I think it’s good for Ohio State fans.” (Doug, 45:36)

• Chuck notes the breadth and depth of Ohio State fan media compared to other schools:

  • “It’s usually like an eighth of the size, an eighth of the options… It also gives an outsized voice to just a couple of people, and that can’t… be good.” (Chuck, 46:40)

• Eric references the "College Huddle," uniting podcasts from 86 schools, and marvels at Ohio State’s fan media "luxury."

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Chuck (on Philip Daniels): “He is downright nasty to the point where he was fighting teammates in practice and… his answer was, ‘I’m beating them so bad, they want to fight me after the play.’” (05:48)
• Eric (on classic Ohio State linemen): “Goes to Ohio State, slightly balding, becomes the offensive lineman, and everybody loves them.” (12:53)
• Bill (on Will Smith Jr.): “He was a total unknown… and he gets on the field and is a pretty important part of the defense now.” (08:07)
• Doug (on fan media evolution): “I certainly believe I started out talking at fans and now you have to be talking with fans.” (34:21)
• Chuck (on traditional coverage): “Telling fans how they are supposed to feel… has always bothered me and probably always will.” (35:03)
• Eric (on community): “The creation of community, that’s why it’s really, really important to get connected… have debate, have conversation.” (39:55)
• Bill (on the OSU fan media landscape): “There are not many teams, pro or otherwise, that have as many people who care enough about this team to want to share their thoughts… for Ohio State, a lot of it frankly is very good.” (42:16)

Key Timestamps

• 04:43 – 14:24: Most pleasant surprise players (Daniels, Curry, Igbenosin, Smith Jr., Siereveld)
• 14:24 – 22:24: Julian Sayin: What should he do next? (Process, personality, QB runs)
• 22:24 – 27:39: First half vs. Washington: Calm, anxiety, and befuddlement
• 29:04 – 39:55: The evolution of Ohio State media coverage, fan media, and passion
• 40:19 – 48:06: The impact of fan media on the Ohio State community

Final Thoughts

This episode highlights how a championship-contending season creates unexpected stars and stirs larger questions about identity, leadership, and culture—in the locker room and in the broader Buckeye community. The conversation weaves together insider analysis, fan excitement, and self-reflection about the nature of sports coverage, all grounded in warmth, candor, and humor unique to Ohio State football culture.

Where to Follow the Guests:

• Eric Boggs (The Ohio Podcast): YouTube, dohiopodcast.com
• Chuck (Juck on Bucks/Buckeye Huddle): Buckeye Huddle YouTube, Juck on Bucks YouTube, buckeyehuddle.com

(End of summary)