The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Ohio State Blows Out Grambling State: Postgame reaction as Julian Sayin is on target
Date: September 7, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis (Blue Wire)

Episode Overview

Doug and Bill break down Ohio State’s commanding 70–0 victory over Grambling State. They dig into quarterback Julian Sayin’s near-perfect performance, discuss the emergence of freshman running back Bo Jackson, ponder Heisman candidacies, and explore both the offense’s evolution and defensive scheme changes. The duo keeps things lively with sharp analysis and trademark banter, with a special focus on how the Buckeyes’ stars—and future stars—are shaping up two weeks into the season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ohio State's Dominant Win (01:20–02:48)

• Score: 70–0 over Grambling State, exceeding both hosts’ predicted shutout of 63–0.
• Plan for Analysis: Focus on "stars and studs" today, with deeper dives on young backups (like Riley Pettijohn, Devin Sanchez) reserved for their Substack show.

2. Julian Sayin’s Stellar Quarterback Play (02:50–14:06)

• Stat Line: 18/19, 306 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT.
• Began the game 16/16, narrowly missing the all-time OSU single-game completion record.
• Context: Grambling State was significantly overmatched, leading to plenty of open receivers.

Key Analysis:

• Arm Talent & Poise: “He’s just not going to miss open guys, right? … He’s made one bad throw in two games and it happened to be an interception on the goal line in this game today.”
  — Bill Landis, 03:32

• Variety on Throws: Sayin demonstrated layered throws, touch, and velocity—adjusting pace as needed.

• Comparisons: Early references to C.J. Stroud’s accuracy and poise, though noting it’s very early for direct comparison.

  • “He feels like he’s on track for that... That’s a heck of a name to try to live up to here.”
    — Bill Landis, 07:24

• Next Step—Toughness:
  “He’s already, I feel like eight or nine pieces into this two games in... now it’s just about surviving in the meat grinder, because they protected him a little bit. ... He’s going to get hit—he’s going to have to run on third and three. And that is the final piece of a Ryan Day quarterback.”
  — Doug Lesmerises, 10:25

• How defenses may respond: Teams may begin blitzing heavily, testing Sayin’s ability to make plays under pressure and outside the pocket.

  • “He’s going to have to answer when Ohio State needs him to. But in terms of the throws he’s able to make, the way he sees things, I get why C.J. Stroud’s name comes up.” — Bill Landis, 07:24

3. Jeremiah Smith—Emerging Star Receiver (14:06–19:47)

• Stat Line: 5 rec, 119 yds, 2 TDs; mostly uncovered due to Grambling’s defensive lapses.

• “You just wanted to see him score a couple touchdowns and he did. ... It was fine. ... Nice to see him be productive.”
  — Bill Landis, 14:58

• Discussion on whether Ohio State needs to pump up Smith’s stats for Heisman purposes; both agree his fame and opportunity are enough.

4. Heisman Hype: Sayin or Smith? (19:47–21:02)

• Both players immediately entered top-10 odds postgame (per FanDuel, 20:1).
• Bill leans Smith: “Jeremiah Smith. Still, I think there’s a pathway to it being Julian, but I would still say it’s Jeremiah Smith.”
  — Bill Landis, 20:28
• Doug: Both could end up in New York as finalists.

5. Honoring the Grambling Band (21:02–22:51)

• Discussion of the limited time and spotlight given to Grambling’s world-famous band due to logistics and other Ohio State traditions (e.g., alumni band day). Both wish the band had an even larger showcase.
  • “It is also kind of a special thing when you have a band that’s like this famous and well, world renowned in some respects, maybe could have been showcased a little more.” — Bill Landis, 21:31

6. Running Backs: Bo Jackson Breaks Out (23:47–31:47)

• Official Stats:
  • Bo Jackson: 9 for 108 yds, 1 TD (long 51)
  • James Peoples: 8 for 59
  • C.J. Donaldson: 5 for 45, 1 TD
  • Isaiah West: 8 for 42, 1 TD

Bo Jackson: Alabama-Like Back?

• Doug: “Bo Jackson almost looked like a Bama running back to me... It just looked a little bit more like a Trent Richardson or Darren Henry or some of those Bama backs...” — Doug Lesmerises, 25:44

• Landis: “If you just go by vision and burst and the way he was finishing runs—like running through people—he looked better on his nine carries than any other running back has looked this season.” — Bill Landis, 26:47

• Fumbling issue addressed, but both agree it shouldn’t hinder his future opportunities.

Will Bo Jackson Start?

• Landis: It’s likely a three-way split vs. Ohio next week; wouldn’t expect Jackson to start at Washington, but sees him emerging as RB1 by midseason, due to his explosive potential.

Importance of Pass Protection:

• “Maybe that’s not the most important thing because if they feel like...to be able to do that, we’ve got to protect Julian Sayin.”
  — Doug Lesmerises, 33:04

7. Tight Ends & Passing Game Versatility (37:15–41:43)

• Stats:

  • Will Kacsmarick: 2 for 55 yds, 1 TD
  • Jelani Thurman: 3 for 44 yds, 1 TD
  • Max Clare: 1 for 7 yds
  • Bennett Christian: 1 for 1 yd

• Doug: Expected Max Clare to be a major receiving threat, but Will Kacsmarick and Jelani Thurman have both flourished.

  • “I’m not sure [Clare is] going to be their leading tight end at the moment.” — Doug Lesmerises, 38:06

• Bill: Not backing off expectations for Clare; Thurman’s emergence a positive.

  • “He is [their] best route running tight end. ... After the catch...he’s the best on the team at that too.” — Bill Landis, 39:59

8. Running Game Schemes—The “Counter” Play (41:43–43:17)

• Key run play is now counter, forming the offensive base.
  • “So I would say that they’re kind of like a counter-based offense and you can run a lot of cool play action stuff off of that.” — Bill Landis, 42:02

9. Defensive Adjustments: The Disappearance of the “Rushmen” (43:17–48:11)

• New defensive fronts led by Matt Patricia: More 3-man lines on passing downs, with Arvell Reese used as a pass rusher.
  • “Are we just never going to see four defensive linemen in the game for Ohio State on a passing down ever again?” — Doug Lesmerises, 43:17
  • “Probably not...the personnel is different...If they had Jack and JT or whatever, Chase Young and whoever was with him...I think you would see more Rushmen package but they don’t have that.” — Bill Landis, 46:39

10. Other Personnel Notes & Shoutouts (48:11–51:45)

• Podcast & Substack logistics covered.
• “The South can still cram it” energy maintained (old “cram it” running gag).
• Bryson Rodgers (backup PR and WR) looked “explosive” and may deserve a longer look at WR.
  • “[Bryson Rodgers] kind of looked explosive from the moment he stepped on the field today … I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a little more involved.” — Bill Landis, 50:08

Memorable Quotes

• On Julian Sayin’s ceiling:
  “If you had a vision coming into the year of what you thought Julian Sayin should look like, if you were going to be really excited about it, he’s looked like that through two games.”
  — Bill Landis, 09:02

• On Bo Jackson’s upside:
  “He looked better on his nine carries than any other running back has looked this season. So, like, I don’t know any other way to say it than that.”
  — Bill Landis, 26:47

• On defensive shifts:
  “I think Ohio State’s going to be a defense that is more often varying its fronts than it has for the last, I don’t know, 100 years.”
  — Bill Landis, 47:49

• Band moment:
  “It is also kind of a special thing when you have a band that’s like this famous...maybe could have been showcased a little more.”
  — Bill Landis, 21:31

Notable Timestamps

• Julian Sayin’s near-perfect game: 02:50–14:06
• Jeremiah Smith's big day: 14:06–19:47
• Running backs breakdown & Bo Jackson hype: 23:47–31:47
• Tight ends update: 37:15–41:43
• Defense and scheme changes: 43:17–48:11
• Quick hits on youngsters (Bryson Rodgers): 50:08–50:57

Podcast Tone & Vibe

Balance of sharp, in-depth analysis and casual, playful banter aimed at serving Ohio State’s passionate fanbase. Both hosts blend their “football nerd” takes with humor (“the South can still cram it!”), band insights, and a deep appreciation for both X’s and O’s and the stories around the program.

Summary Takeaways

• Julian Sayin is living up to sky-high expectations early—his command, accuracy, and poise have drawn C.J. Stroud comparisons, though major tests remain.
• Jeremiah Smith further cements his status as a top receiver, and both he and Sayin are already generating Heisman buzz.
• Bo Jackson flashed RB1 potential, but experience and pass-protection needs could keep the carries rotating for now.
• Ohio State’s offensive versatility was on display—playing to strengths rather than tradition at both TE and RB.
• Defensively, OSU’s schematic evolution continues, with Matt Patricia’s influence and a move away from legacy four-man “Rushmen” fronts.

For more Buckeye breakdowns and community chats, check out the Bill & Doug Substack or join in live after each game!