Podcast Summary: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Ohio State Around the Shoe: Jeremiah Smith's Usage, Julian Sayin's Potential, Alabama's Failures
Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Blue Wire
Panel: Doug Lesmerises (Host), Bill Landis (Co-host), Tony Gerdeman (Buckeye Huddle), Stephen Means (cleveland.com/Buckeye Talk)

Episode Overview

The inaugural "Around the Shoe" episode gathers Ohio State reporting veterans Doug Lesmerises, Bill Landis, Tony Gerdeman, and Stephen Means to break down the Buckeyes’ season-opening win over Texas. The group dives into five essential Buckeye topics: the early returns on quarterback Julian Sayin, the usage of star receiver Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s impact, the unfolding chaos at Alabama, and a fun hypothetical Royal Rumble among OSU beat writers. Analysis is candid, deep, and punctuated with playful banter reflecting the Buckeye media world. The show’s tone is lighthearted, yet knowledgeable—the pod both educates and entertains.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Julian Sayin’s Debut vs. Texas: How Much Did We Really See?

[03:27–09:37]

• Consensus: The crew agrees the Texas game plan was extremely conservative, designed to ease Sayin into his first start—and we only saw about “20–25%” of his potential.
• Breakdown:
  • Sayin’s stat line (13/22, 126 yds, 1 TD) belied a short passing attack, with half his throws under four yards.
  • The plan was to not “ask Julian Sayin to be Superman in Week One” the way CJ Stroud was thrown in.
  • Defensive looks from Texas took away deep shots.
  • Bill Landis [05:57]: “If the rushing rate is 60% or above in any other game... I’ll eat one of my shoes.”
  • Doug Lesmerises [08:41]: “Poise is going to be... a primary component... you could just see a guy not get rattled.”
• Notable discussion: Fun ribbing about shoe-eating promises and Savvy PFF stats comparisons to Arch Manning—“Arch Manning kicked Julian Sayin’s butt.”
  • Poise and decision-making shown, but not a downfield showcase.
  • All agree: Expect a much broader Sayin experience as the season unfolds.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Landis [05:57]: “If the rushing rate is above 60% in any other game... I’ll eat one of my shoes, because I just don’t think that’s the way this offense is going to operate anymore.”

2. Was Jeremiah Smith Used Well Enough Against Texas?

[10:20–16:45]

• Discussion: Smith led the team with 10 targets and 6 receptions, but didn’t explode. The panel debates whether the game plan truly maximized him.
• Stephen Means: Praises Smith’s versatility in the set, being moved around to challenge Texas’ defense, but notes the short passing plan and some drops limited the impact. “Your best player... maybe you need to fight through” PI calls more, but it’s early. “I think the way they used him was great.” [10:49]
• Bill Landis: Reminds that the “revenge play” on the opening drive was drawn up for Smith, it just didn’t materialize. Also highlights how Texas “hack-a-Shaq’d” Smith, grabbing him constantly—testing the refs.
• Tony Gerdeman: The conservative game plan (and Smith drops) limited the statline—“Did you drive the Lamborghini successfully through the school zone? Yes... Does it look great? I mean, it’s 20 mph.” [15:15]
• Consensus: Yes, in design and intent, but limited by circumstances; expect a bigger role in coming weeks, especially against weaker competition.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Landis [12:17]: “Texas was deploying the hack-a-Shaq method with Jeremiah Smith—believing... they’re not going to call pass interference on every play.”
  • Gerdeman [15:15]: “I think both Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, they don’t want to be fed, they want to hunt like a T. Rex. This game did not necessarily allow them to hunt.”

3. First Impressions: Matt Patricia as OSU Defensive Coordinator

[17:46–26:46]

• Preseason skepticism: Most panelists gave the hire a “2” or “4” out of 10 on announcement—questioning fit, NCAA saavy, and recruiting ability.
  • Means [24:41]: “I really hated this hire... I don’t think Ryan Day could have made a hire like this 12 months ago before he had a ring... But I’m at an 8 now.”
• Post-Texas reaction: Everyone has moved up to an “8”—citing clarity of game plan, player buy-in, Patricia’s energy at practice, and the defense’s ability to execute a complex plan immediately.
  • Landis [18:01]: “I think the one thing that I want to keep in mind is how much time he had to devise the Texas game plan...”
  • Gerdeman [22:37]: “Everything he’s done at practice, he is having a ball... It’s a lot like what Chip Kelly, you know, last year.”
  • Means [24:41]: “I also want to see what things look like now that we have film... how do better teams on the schedule adapt?”
• Caution: Need to see if Patricia can sustain schematic advantage as opponents gather film and Big Ten play begins. Some concern about run defense (Texas ran for 4.5 ypc, 166 yards).
• Memorable Quote:
  • Landis [18:01]: “It never felt like Patricia was on the back foot... Sark seemed like he was on the back foot a lot throughout that game.”

4. What Should OSU Fans Make of Alabama’s Downturn? ("Culture Fit" Debate)

[27:21–36:41]

• Doug’s segment setup: Frames DeBoer’s struggles as a “culture fit” misfire. “This is Rich Rodriguez at Michigan... it means he was always the wrong hire at Alabama. I am zero percent surprised by this.” [27:21]
• Tony Gerdeman: Alabama has returned to pre-Saban form—“nine, ten wins here and there.” One legend does not a dynasty make: “What they were with Nick Saban, that’s Nick Saban. What they are without him, that’s Alabama.” [28:43]
• Stephen Means: Alabama should have teed up a successor internally—“Sometimes having the guy in your building might just be the new era of college football... especially with a legendary head coach who’s 70, not 17.”
  • Posits OSU and Ryan Day are positioned to fill CFB’s leadership vacuum: “There’s an empty seat... with a crown in it, and maybe somebody can take that. I’m wondering if Ohio State, where Ryan Day has this program now... if he can figure out Michigan, if he’s best suited to go sit in that seat.” [30:46]
• Landis: OSU’s strength is steadfastness, continuity—no collapse with coaching transitions. “The longevity of success remains remarkable... it should just be further enforced by what’s happening in Alabama right now.” [34:43]
• Notable Banter: Amusing tangent on Dennis Francione vs. Dennis Franz and NYPD Blue’s Sipowicz leading Alabama. [33:12]
• Memorable Quote:
  • Means [30:46]: “There’s an empty seat in college football with a crown in it, and maybe someone can take that... I’m wondering if Ohio State... can go sit in that seat.”

5. The Royal Rumble: Who Wins Among Buckeye Media?

[37:01–42:47]

• Prompt: Who would win a (pro wrestling-style) Royal Rumble of Ohio State beat writers?
• Tony Gerdeman: Not always the biggest guy—“Of 38 Royal Rumbles, only two have been won by the biggest guy.” Thinks Stephen Means could win: “He’s quick, he’s sneaky. Everyone talks about it on the beat.”
• Means: “Yes, I am cocky—I would win. The big guys don’t always win, everyone always goes for them first. I’d play it smart.”
• Landis: Nominates Andy Anders from 11 Warriors: “He’s a maniac. He’s... the man tank, your winner.”
• Doug Lesmerises: Wildcard vote for Jerry Emig, OSU SID—“He’s got some Minnesota guns to go with that Minnesota Nice. That man can fill out a golf shirt and I don’t want to mess with him... He’s been long-conning us for 20 years.” [42:04]
• Fun Banter: Analytics on Royal Rumbles. Jokes about SIDs pulling “Vince McMahon” style underdog victories.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with timestamps)

• Julian Sayin’s showcase:
  • Landis [05:57]: “If the rushing rate is 60% or above in any other game... I’ll eat one of my shoes.”
  • Lesmerises [08:41]: “Poise... will be a primary component... you could just see a guy not get rattled.”
• Jeremiah Smith’s usage:
  • Landis [12:17]: “Texas was deploying the hack-a-Shaq method with Jeremiah Smith...”
  • Gerdeman [15:15]: “They don’t want to be fed, they want to hunt like a T. Rex. This game did not allow them to hunt.”
• Patricia on defense:
  • Landis [18:01]: “It never felt like Patricia was on the back foot... Sark seemed like he was...”
  • Means [24:41]: “I was at a one. I really, really hated this hire... Now I’m at an 8.”
• Alabama/OSU comparison:
  • Gerdeman [28:43]: “What they were with Nick Saban, that’s Nick Saban. What they are without him, that’s Alabama.”
  • Means [30:46]: “There’s an empty seat in college football with a crown in it, and maybe someone can take that.”
  • Landis [34:43]: “The longevity of success... should just be further enforced by what's happening in Alabama right now.”
• Royal Rumble analytics:
  • Gerdeman [41:19]: “Of 38 Royal Rumbles, only two have been won by the biggest guy.”
  • Doug [42:04]: “He’s got some Minnesota guns... he’s been long-conning us for 20 years.”

Other Memorable Banter

• PFF and stats humor: Doug gently mocks PFF subscription plans and overreliance on numbers.
• Shoe-eating promises: Landis feigns confidence the OSU offense won’t stay hyper-conservative.
• Playful shots at South Carolina fans’ dislike of Means, inside jokes about “culture fit,” and NYPD Blue.
• The wrestling segment is both absurd and delightful, using deep-cut beat writer knowledge.

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |------------------------|---------------|---------------| | Julian Sayin analysis | 03:27 | 09:37 | | Jeremiah Smith usage | 10:20 | 16:45 | | Matt Patricia defense | 17:46 | 26:46 | | Alabama’s downturn | 27:21 | 36:41 | | Royal Rumble | 37:01 | 42:47 |

Summary

The debut of "Around the Shoe" is lively, Ohio State-insider football talk at its best. Panelists analyze, debate, and crack wise about the Buckeyes’ first big test of 2025 and what it means moving forward. Conservative playcalling, dynamic talent utilization, defensive game-planning, and the dizzying world of blue-blood coaching transitions are all put under the microscope, with plenty of wit, wisdom, and in-jokes for diehard fans. The show closes on an irreverent, community-building note, proving why Ohio State’s beat is the gold standard in college football.