Podcast Summary: Ohio State Drops Big Ten Title Game to Indiana – Live Postgame Reaction

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis
Episode Date: December 7, 2025
Episode Context: Live postgame reaction from Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, following Ohio State’s narrow 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers real-time, in-depth analysis and emotional reaction from seasoned Ohio State reporters Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis in the aftermath of the Buckeyes’ 13-10 loss to Indiana for the Big Ten Championship. The hosts break down what went wrong, implications for the College Football Playoff, key moments, and frustrations in execution and coaching, all while recognizing that Ohio State's season isn’t over and they remain a top national contender.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction: Two Years, Same Score (01:36)

• For the second year in a row, Ohio State loses the Big Ten title game by the same score (13-10), once again heading into the College Football Playoff on a disappointing note.
• Doug calls it “remarkable” how history repeated itself, while Bill notes the game featured familiar failings, especially in the red zone and short-yardage situations.

Doug (01:35): “Two years in a row, Ohio State goes into the College football playoff a 13 to 10 loser. Remarkable, Bill, that it shook down this way.”

2. Playoff Seeding Scenarios (02:20 – 04:30)

• Ohio State is likely to be seeded #3 (possibly #2) in the playoff but almost certainly won’t fall to #4.
• Their likely semifinal path: Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl, depending on the committee’s seeding choices.
• The majority expectation is that Indiana goes to the Rose Bowl, Georgia to the Sugar Bowl.

3. National Championship Outlook (04:46 – 06:16)

• Both hosts believe Ohio State and Indiana are the two best teams in the country, despite the low score.
• Betting odds still favor Ohio State as national title favorites.
• A rematch between Ohio State and Indiana in the national title game is seen as plausible.

Doug (05:34): “Ohio State remains the favorite to win the national championship at +240. Indiana +280. Georgia +750. So these are the two teams that we just watched here...that are the odds on favorites.”

4. Persistent Red Zone and Short Yardage Troubles (06:33 – 16:58)

• The biggest frustration: repeated red zone execution failures and a missed short field goal (“These are things we’ve talked about all year that are kind of lingering and...it did,”—Doug, 07:13).
• Specific complaints about:
  • Play-calling, especially one-dimensional rollout plays in key moments
  • Overreliance on sneak plays in high-leverage situations
  • Not fully utilizing top weapons (Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate) in creative ways
  • Offensive line regression from a strong showing vs. Michigan
  • Pass protection allowing five sacks after allowing only six all season up until this game

Bill (16:11): “They got into the red zone plenty enough to win the game and had like no good ideas when they got down there. There was nothing new, there was nothing creative.”

5. Play Calling and Staff Dynamics (08:10 – 11:39)

• The coaching staff’s play-calling process was impacted by OC Brian Hartline’s new job at South Florida; Ryan Day did not confirm everything was as usual.
• There is confusion and concern about the lack of flow and creativity in the play selections.
• Debate if Ryan Day should take back more control of the offense for the playoff.
• Doug highlights precedent for mid-playoff staff turnover affecting play-calling (Lane Kiffin/Alabama).

Bill (09:58): “It felt like Ohio State was in that a little bit...especially at the start of the second half...weren’t calling within a flow.”

6. Special Teams & Short-Range Field Goals: A Recurring Nightmare (21:11 – 24:32)

• Another short field goal missed by Jaden Fielding in a high-stakes, low-scoring game (missed three total in two key 13-10 losses).
• Hosts agree: in future playoff contests, they cannot trust Fielding for game-deciding kicks.
• Possible consideration for a kicking change, but backup lacks experience.

Doug (23:11): “You cannot put Jaden Fielding on the field with the game on the line. I’m sorry, you cannot do it.”

7. Aggressiveness, Pace, and Late-Half Game Management (30:44 – 38:58)

• Ohio State played a low-possession, slow-paced game and showed a lack of urgency near the end of the first half despite having timeouts and the ball.
• Both hosts debate whether conservative game management was warranted or a tactical misstep.
• Arguments that Ryan Day’s mindset was shaped by struggles on third down and respect for Indiana’s defense.

Bill (34:34): “There are opportunities that present themselves to seize momentum...I think they turned one down there.”

8. Julian Sayin’s Performance: Late Resilience, Early Struggles (39:00 – 46:23)

• QB Julian Sayin started shaky (early pick, sped up by pressure), but engineered two long, potential game-winning drives in the fourth quarter.
• Drives were ultimately wasted by failed execution in the red zone.
• Hosts agree he played better late; doesn’t "shrink from the moment," but also didn’t capitalize on opportunities.

Bill (45:45): “For as overwhelmed as I thought he looked...I didn’t think he looked overwhelmed at all in the fourth quarter...he didn’t quite get it done in the end.”

9. Offensive Line Questions: Time for a Change at Right Guard? (26:46 – 30:35)

• Right guard Tegra Tshabola played inconsistently; replaced late in the game by Gabe VanSickle, who performed well.
• Likelihood that VanSickle starts in the playoffs if he continues to progress in practice.

Doug (28:19): “That’s not rotation. And Ryan Day said that’s what was needed tonight to put Gabe Van Sickle in the game...My guess, three and a half weeks from now, is that Gabe Van Sickles, the starting right guard.”

10. Defensive Reflections: Good but Not Perfect (53:37 – 60:31)

• Defense allowed only 13 points, stood strong on short fields, but Indiana’s key weapons made timely, big throws and catches.
• Defensive play-calling second-guessed in tight moments; rare to see the defense exposed or out-schemed this season.
• Use of Arvell Reese as a hybrid defender discussed—should he be unleashed more as a pass rusher?

Bill (55:17): “They kind of made three monster throws and I don’t know that he [Indiana QB] did a whole lot else but when he had to make the monster throws, he made three of them.”

11. Is This the Buckeye’s Fatal Flaw or Just a Setback? (48:15 – 53:37)

• Compared to last year’s 13-10 loss (which led to internal questioning and a players’ meeting), the hosts agree this isn’t a "fundamental breakdown" but more issues of execution and adapting after OC staff transition.
• Emphasis on using this loss as a possible galvanizing force for the playoff run.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On red zone malaise:

  “I think they need to...reevaluate their red zone philosophy and like the grouping of plays that they have in their red zone package right now. Not a tear down but a fresh look.” —Doug (68:43)

• On kicker trust:

  “I think he should think of it like his kicker is hurt. Not hurt that he can't play, but...he isn't full health. Normally if the kicker is full go, we would kick a 37 yard field goal...but he's not, he's hurt. So we're going to go for it on 4th and 4 instead...” —Doug (70:46)

• On Indiana’s defense:

  “Yeah. With that defense? Absolutely [they can win a national title].” —Bill (64:44)

• On the quality of play compared to SEC:

  “It wasn’t perfect football, but I thought it was a pretty high level game. I thought it was a higher level game than what the SEC put out there.” —Doug (74:44)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Game Recap & Initial Reaction: 01:35–04:46
• Playoff Seeding Scenarios: 02:20–04:30
• National Championship Odds/Rematch Discussion: 04:46–06:16
• Red Zone Problems & Play Calling: 06:33–16:58
• Offensive Line & Personnel Decisions: 26:46–30:35
• Game Management Debate (End 1st Half): 30:44–38:58
• QB Julian Sayin Analysis: 39:00–46:23
• Special Teams Concerns: 21:11–24:32
• Defensive Review: 53:37–60:31
• What Ohio State Must Fix: 67:40–70:46

What Ohio State Must Fix Pre-Playoff

1. Resolve the right guard situation, likely committing to either VanSickle or Tshabola and building chemistry over the next month.
2. Red zone and short-yardage planning — overhaul situational packages inside the 10-yard line.
3. Clarify offensive staff hierarchy and responsibilities in light of Brian Hartline’s departure.
4. Get receivers (Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate) healthy.
5. Evaluate and adapt their kicking strategy—avoid putting games on Fielding’s foot in high-leverage situations.
6. Consider more pace/urgency, especially at end-of-half or when trailing.
7. Self-scout for tendency breakers and more creativity in play sequencing, especially against top defenses.

Bill (68:43): “Probably the more obvious one is...what's the hierarchy for the offensive staff? It's probably the most important thing.”

Final Thoughts

Doug and Bill paint a nuanced, fan-centered yet critical portrait of a wounded but dangerous Buckeyes team. The loss exposed lingering flaws—above all, red zone play, offensive identity under pressure, and personnel decisions—but didn't diminish the hosts' (and Vegas’s) faith that Ohio State can regroup and contend. They urge a balance between acknowledging frustration and appreciating that the team’s path to a national title remains open—provided they make the right fixes.

End of summary.