Podcast Summary: "Ohio State handles Penn State, Jim Knowles: Live Postgame Show"

The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Host: Blue Wire
Date: November 2, 2025

Episode Overview

Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis, veterans of Ohio State coverage, dive into the Buckeyes’ emphatic 38-14 win over Penn State in Ohio Stadium. This episode is a live postgame breakdown focused on what separates this Ohio State team—particularly its blend of passing-game efficiency and explosiveness. Doug and Bill analyze the state of the Buckeyes’ offense and defense, the symbolic postgame handling of former OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and what the performance means for both programs, especially the struggling Nittany Lions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ohio State’s ‘Mid-Busters’ and Explosiveness (02:37–09:51)

• "Mid Busters": Doug coins the nickname for Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, referencing their ability to “bust” the notion that Ohio State is “mid” (mediocre) the moment there’s doubt.
  • “When you need it, you throw consecutive 57 yard passes on back to back drives and immediately snap out of it, that’s not mid. That’s like you had kind of a screwy half. But when you’re pushed, when you’re tested, when you need it, you can dial up something to instantaneously break a game open.” (03:33–04:02, Doug)
• Bill pushes back on the idea that OSU ever felt "mid,” pointing out their offensive consistency:
  • “Offense went 89 yards, touchdown, 71 yards, field goal, 75 yards, touchdown…” (04:01–04:41, Bill)

2. Ohio State Offense: Efficiency AND Explosion (06:20–13:16)

• Explosiveness is their separator—the Buckeyes are never in true danger against lesser teams.
  • “Efficiency is like, I think, sort of the indication of your floor, right? And in Ohio State’s is incredibly high. But then…how about a little Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate and Marvel Reese…You have them both, pretty tough to beat.” (06:20–07:23, Bill)
• Doug and Bill discuss the challenge of maintaining both efficiency and explosive potential.
  • “I just think this passing game...guarantees passing game explosiveness about as much as anybody could. Because to me, if like, if Julian Saying, Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith can’t do it in a game, it can’t be done.” (10:29–12:04, Doug)

3. In-Game Examples & Deep Ball Mastery (12:04–20:25)

• Bill highlights Julian Sayin’s passing numbers and OSU’s deep-ball perfection on display.
  • “Julian Sayin was 20 of 23…4 for 4 today on passes of 20 yards or more down the field.” (19:13–20:25, Bill)
• Key quote: “It’s like he’s handing the ball off. You’re not supposed to be that good at it.” (19:13–19:29, Bill)

4. Formational Creativity & Offensive Playcalling (20:25–28:00)

• Doug and Bill analyze Ohio State’s creative opening drive, notably using four tight ends (“14 personnel”), suggesting it’s testing both the opponent and putting stuff on tape for Michigan.
• Discussion on Brian Hartline’s continued evolution as a play-caller and how scripting helped early rhythm:
  • “It was maybe the most impressive drive they’ve had all year. Not, like, if you stop and really think about it…” (27:07–28:00, Bill)

5. Ryan Day’s QB Legacy & “QBU” (29:07–33:00)

• Doug reflects on a key Ryan Day quote about intentionally transforming OSU into “QBU” (Quarterback University).
  • “I want to make Ohio State QBU because that’s the position I coach. And that’s what I think this place deserves.” (30:23–31:34, Doug)
• Discussion on how Day’s approach has fundamentally changed the identity of Ohio State football.

6. Julian Sayin’s Grit: The Offense Goes Beyond the Arm (34:53–37:48)

• The hosts and Ryan Day highlight the QB’s toughness:
  • Bill: “On a day where Julian Sayin threw like three perfect 40-plus yard deep balls, the best play was like a seven yard scramble.”
  • Doug: “He wants to recruit guys to the new QBU and then he wants to run them through a Marine obstacle course...Do you have…tremendous processing? Get down in the mud.” (36:44–37:48, Doug)

7. Buckeyes’ Efficiency: The Nation Doesn’t Appreciate It Enough (37:48–39:26)

• Doug: “I just think Ohio State fans…have a real handle on their team. And people who don’t watch Ohio State every day don’t have the same handle.”
• Discussion on outsiders misinterpreting OSU’s methodical (and lethal) style as “low-possession” or “boring.”

8. Jim Knowles Returns: Fan and Stadium Reactions (39:35–45:32)

• Bill reports on Knowles’ quiet, almost indifferent reception as a visiting head coach.
  • “Jim Knowles walked into Ohio Stadium for the first time as an opposing head coach to, like, silence, which…I was just not anticipating.” (39:51–41:13, Bill)
• The scoreboard crew’s persistent cutting to Knowles and Matt Patricia in the fourth quarter becomes a running joke/fan thing.
  • “They cut to Knowles five times…By the end…players around Patricia were pointing at him being like, yeah, yeah, this guy, because they understood what was going on.” (42:36–44:10, Doug)

9. State of Penn State: A Program in Transition (45:43–50:25)

• OSU's win is described as a “bottoming out” for Penn State, signaling major Roster turnover is coming.
  • “It’ll be an unrecognizable program possibly from where it is right now, and Penn State hopes for the better.” (47:31–48:18, Doug)
• Bill notes, “Ohio State had 8.7 yards per play...it’s the most that a Knowles defense has given up since the Peach Bowl against Georgia in 2022…there’s no one that has come close to putting that number up on Penn State [since at least 2016].” (48:18–49:02, Bill)

10. Buckeyes' Red Zone, Run Game, and Defensive Assessment (29:00–64:21)

• Both hosts praise the improved red-zone efficiency, but note areas for future focus—right tackle rotations, running game, and occasional defensive lapses against the run.
  • “Penn State did have that drive, probably the best drive anyone’s had…But…aside from [that], Penn State did not cross the 50 again until the fourth quarter…” (62:50–64:08, Bill)
• Bill plans deeper defensive analysis, especially around tempo issues.

11. Caleb Downs’ “Targeting” Near Miss (57:36–60:43)

• The hosts discuss the non-call on a controversial play, with Downs joking, “I guess God had my back on that one. He showed mercy on me.” (57:36–58:10, Bill quoting Downs)
• Offers perspective on reviewing targeting and the difficulty of officiating intent vs. action.

12. Looking Ahead: Next Stretch & Big Picture (53:11–56:20)

• Three “cruise control” games before Michigan—UCLA, Purdue, and Rutgers—with focus on fine-tuning over the next few weeks.
  • “[It’s] an opportunity to work on some stuff, I think. The next three weeks…stay healthy and work on your flaws a little bit.” (55:20–56:03, Bill)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Doug on OSU’s passing attack:
  “If Julian Sayin, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith can’t do it in a game, it can’t be done.” (12:01)

• Bill on deep balls:
  "It’s like he’s handing the ball off." (19:13)

• Ryan Day (via Doug):
  “When you go to a place, your position should become that position. And when I came here as the Ohio State quarterbacks coach, that’s what I was thinking.” (30:23)

• Doug on being a Penn State fan:
  “Wouldn’t it be crazy if Ohio State had Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate and just a quarterback who was just missing them constantly? People would be jumping out of the C deck, man. Come on.” (32:51)

• Caleb Downs on his would-be ejection:
  “I guess God had my back on that one. He showed mercy on me.” (57:36)

• Bill on Penn State’s fate:
  “This was like a real low point…to give up those deep balls…This is going to be a brand new Penn State next year.” (47:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening joke and “mid-busters” nickname: 02:26–04:41
• Explosiveness as a differentiator: 06:20–13:16
• Deep ball discussion & numbers: 12:04–20:25
• Offensive creativity/14 personnel: 20:25–28:00
• Brian Hartline’s play calling evolution: 23:58–28:00
• Ryan Day and “QBU” (Quarterback U) legacy: 29:07–33:00
• Julian Sayin’s key scramble (Ryan Day’s favorite play): 34:53–37:48
• Fan understanding vs. national perception: 37:48–39:26
• Jim Knowles’ stadium experience: 39:51–45:32
• Penn State post-mortem/“bottoming out”: 45:43–50:25
• Red zone/run game focus, defense: 29:00–64:21
• Caleb Downs and targeting review: 57:36–60:43
• Looking ahead to Michigan and Big Ten stretch: 53:11–56:20

Tone and Style

• Casual, candid, and slightly irreverent, Doug and Bill bounce between deep football analysis and offbeat asides (from eating Kaniack combos to clowning the video board operators).
• They speak directly as fans and to fans, balancing technical insights with relatable humor and long-view perspective.

Conclusion

This episode paints a vivid picture of Ohio State’s unique blend of efficiency and explosiveness—an offense that rarely needs to hit the panic button but has it at the ready. Doug and Bill contrast this with the crumbling situation at Penn State and reflect on the high standards—and high floors—Ryan Day and his staff have set for OSU. The hosts preview a low-stress stretch ahead for the Buckeyes, as all eyes turn toward the looming Michigan showdown. The combination of sharp analysis, moments of levity, and personality make it a quintessential Bill and Doug Show postgame.