The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Beats Michigan 27–9

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk (Blue Wire)
Episode: Ohio State beats Michigan 27-9 as Buckeyes throw deep, control clock on ground to win The Game
Date: November 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this post-game episode, Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis dissect Ohio State’s convincing 27–9 victory over Michigan in “The Game,” breaking a four-game rivalry losing streak and rewriting the narrative for coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. The discussion focuses on the game’s signature moments, player grit, strategic decisions, and the shifting legacy of the rivalry, all through the eyes of two seasoned Ohio State reporters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Significance of the Win & Historical Context

• Immediate Legacy: The win is framed as not just a single victory but a pivotal moment that could change the tone and direction of the rivalry.
  • "This game has been over for half an hour and it’s already in the history books." (Doug, 01:06)
• Breaking the Streak: OSU avoided a five-game losing streak to Michigan—a stretch not seen since the 1920s.

2. Ohio State’s Resilience and Routine

• Rough Start, Right Response: The Buckeyes recovered from a disastrous opening sequence (early interception & long run allowed) and a recurring red zone failure.
  • "They screwed up at the beginning and they overcame it...to put that mistake immediately in the rear view mirror and to then go about your business." (Doug, 06:56)
• Prepared for Adversity: Emphasis on mental resilience forged throughout the program’s undefeated campaign, responding to adversity without panic.

3. Star Wide Receivers Play Through Injury—Questions of Motivation, NIL, and Legacy

• Jeremiah Smith & Carnell Tate: Both played and starred despite injury concerns—addressing doubts about whether modern top players with NFL futures “care” as much about the rivalry.
  • "Two future millionaires who were hurt and we didn’t know put it on the line…for their family, their teammates, their coaches, and for you." (Doug, 11:40)
• Game-Changing Plays: Both Tate (50-yard TD) and Smith (35-yard TD) delivered kill shots to Michigan’s defense.
• Stats: Combined, the duo had 11 targets, 8 catches, 122 yards, and 2 TDs.

4. Ryan Day’s Philosophical Shift and the “Humility” Statement

• Win With Humility: Rather than engage in taunting or symbolic flag-planting, Day asserted a new ethos for the rivalry.
  • "He says it on the field right after the game, and he says...we’re gonna win with humility...And as many people noted post game, on the field...there’s Jermaine Matthews...carrying his belt...His name is Humility." (Doug, 16:29, 37:47)
• Inward Focus: Moving away from “hate” and external noise—Day has re-centered the program around routine and love for teammates rather than distraction and animosity.

5. Tactical Analysis: Deep Passing, Defensive Brilliance, and Late-Game Physicality

• Two-Pronged Offense:
  • Quick-strike: Deep TDs to star receivers (Third quarter kill-shot to Carnell Tate, 50 yards, 41:05; first half, 35-yard strike to Smith)
  • Methodical control: A 20-play, 81-yard, nearly 12-minute drive in the 4th quarter to ice the game.
  • "That drive…practically a quarter of the game that Ohio State took up." (Doug, 42:28)
• Run Game Finisher, Not Foundation: The toughness narrative was proven at the end rather than the start.
  • "Toughness follows the explosion." (Doug, 43:18)
• Defensive Dominance: OSU held Michigan to 163 total yards; Michigan’s passing attack was stifled (Andrew Marsh, their top WR, had zero catches/targets).
  • "Andrew Marsh was targeted unofficially that one time on the pass interference, but that’s a penalty. So in the books, no targets, no catches, no yards…a remarkable failure by Michigan." (Doug, 56:52)

6. Notable Performances & Key Stats

• Freshman RB Bo Jackson: 22 carries, 117 yards (including a pivotal 36-yard run), plus key receptions, totaling 166 yards from scrimmage.
  • "That goes in the lore a little bit... that's certainly one of the early highlights and that felt like a momentum shifter, didn't it?" (Doug, 49:33)
• Offensive Line Improvement: Particularly right guard Tegra Tshabola’s performance solidified the blocking unit—a season-long area of concern became a strength.
• Defensive Adjustments: Both Arvell Reese (DL) and Caleb Downs (DB) made subtle but crucial impacts, with Reese’s "gravity" as a spy disrupting Michigan’s offense.

7. Michigan's Conservative Plan and Game Mismanagement

• Michigan’s coaching and play-calling were questioned for being unexpectedly conservative and unimaginative, quickly waving "the white flag."
  • "I thought they waved the white flag a little bit like a little early." (Bill, 84:20)

8. Atmosphere and Postgame Vibes

• Weather & Crowd: Atrocious, snowy conditions dampened the in-person scene, even as Buckeye fans and families celebrated.
• Players’ Composure: The OSU sideline and tunnel behavior was described as excited but not excessive—emphasizing “businesslike” humility.

9. Program-Fan Relationship Renewal

• Post-Spat Connection: Doug highlighted that OSU’s approach—celebrating with its own fans rather than taunting Michigan—signals a healed, matured relationship between program and fanbase.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

On the Moment & Legacy

• "This game has been over for half an hour and it's already in the history books."
  — Doug (01:06)

On Star Receivers Playing Through Injury

• "Two future millionaires who were hurt...put it on the line...for you. So every time we have this discussion going forward...you won’t forget this. Well, Carnell played. Jeremiah played."
  — Doug (11:40)

On Winning With Humility

• "Ryan Day says, ‘We're going to win with humility.’ And now that goes in the lore."
  — Doug (16:29)

Bill Landis’ Scene-Setting from Ann Arbor

• “Vibes are good...Kaden McDonald walking out of the tunnel back to the buses holding an 'Ohio Against The World' flag...very high spirits...still, pretty muted just because the weather is pretty crappy right now.”
  — Bill (30:01)

After Early Mistakes, Team Resilience

• "In that moment, felt like the ghosts of the last four years still had a little bit of fight left in them."
  — Bill (31:24)

• "You could have blown it before it even started and you didn't allow that to happen."
  — Doug (36:00)

On Offensive Diversity

• "The ability to be quick strike and...also be methodical, to kill people with the passing game, but then also control the game with the run game..."
  — Doug (41:05)

• "That drive was Ohio State flipping four years of ‘you're soft’ back on Michigan, even though it didn’t end with a touchdown."
  — Bill (41:44)

On Ryan Day’s Postgame Message

• "He said, 'We’re going to win with humility'...telling you that Michigan, he feels Michigan has not won with humility the last four years, and they're going to do that."
  — Bill (37:56)

Important Timestamps

• 00:06–06:56: Doug’s postgame monologue on the win’s historic weight and the need to “take back the rivalry.”
• 11:00–17:30: Deep reflection on player sacrifices, NIL era, and what commitment to The Game truly means.
• 29:41–34:43: Bill joins live from Ann Arbor—scene setting, early game nerves, OSU’s recovery from early errors.
• 41:05–43:18: Quick-strike TD drives vs. 12-minute ground-and-pound—what this says about Day’s philosophy.
• 56:40–59:00: Discussion on taking away Michigan’s top WR and defensive gameplan.
• 70:14–72:00: Defensive performances, Reese’s impact, fullback/Kaden McDonald formation moments.
• 74:14–75:39: Explosive plays as an essential offensive muscle and sign of evolution.
• 83:56–84:36: Bill’s critique—Michigan’s coaching, lack of urgency, possibly yielding too quickly.

Flow & Tone

Doug and Bill maintain their conversational, fan-inclusive, and slightly irreverent tone throughout. There’s an honest mix of tactical football breakdowns, emotional reactions, listener shoutouts, and light ribbing—especially around long-standing themes like “The Game's” mythology, Midwestern pride, and college football’s changing landscape.

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Ohio State’s win isn’t just a result; it’s a new chapter in the rivalry and the program’s identity.
• Star players’ grit and Day’s focused humility will be remembered as defining elements for years to come.
• Tactical flexibility—throwing deep, then finishing physically—marks the “new” Ohio State.
• Michigan’s lack of adjustment and conservative play enhance OSU’s achievement but raise questions for the Wolverines.
• Above all, the episode underscores Ohio State’s deep connection with its fanbase, a reset for Day’s legacy, and renewed confidence heading into the postseason.

For Buckeyes fans and college football enthusiasts, this episode is both an essential recap of a watershed win and a thoughtful conversation about what makes this rivalry, this team, and this moment unique.