The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State-Michigan Matchup, Big Ten in the Playoff & Fighting SEC Homerism

Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis | Guest: Jake Butt (BTN)
Podcast: Blue Wire

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the upcoming Ohio State-Michigan matchup, the national playoff landscape, and persistent college football conference bias—especially the overhyped reputation of the SEC. Doug, Bill, and guest Jake Butt from the Big Ten Network bring a mix of insider analysis, big-picture perspective, and passionate defense of the Big Ten. The episode also explores psychological dynamics in rivalries, the broadcast profession, and why dominance should never be held against a team.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. BTN Jake Butt’s Role & Reputation

Timestamp: 01:31–02:16

• Jake reflects on being associated with Ohio State blowouts as a commentator, joking that Buckeye fans might think he’s good luck.
  • "Maybe they just like my voice because they associate it with Ohio State dominating their opponents." (Jake Butt, 01:53)

2. Battling SEC Bias and Evaluating the Big Ten’s Playoff Case

Timestamp: 02:17–05:54

• Bill and Jake vent about the “SEC gets too much credit” narrative:
  • Jake is irked by media takes that dismiss the Big Ten’s recent dominance:
    • "The last two national champions are Big Ten teams...Now that the rules are equal for everybody, the talent is dispersed and look who's dominating college football." (Jake Butt, 03:39)
• SEC respect is acknowledged, but double standards are called out for “quality wins” and lack of context:
  • "When Indiana squeaks by Penn State...But when any SEC team struggles with Florida, that's a good win because Florida has talent...I hate illogical arguments, and it's so illogical." (Jake Butt, 05:11)

3. Big Ten Championship Preview: Ohio State vs. Indiana

Timestamp: 07:08–09:48

• Jake dissects the two likely Big Ten title contenders: Ohio State and Indiana.
  • Notes rise of top-tier Big Ten QB play (Julian Sayin vs. Fernando Mendoza).
  • "Maybe they'll just do the Heisman ceremony after the Big Ten championship game, you know, for those two guys." (Jake Butt, 07:43)
• Ohio State’s offensive weapons are a tier above, but he trusts Indiana’s run game more currently.
• On defense, OSU’s Matt Patricia brings NFL-caliber scheme and hides yet-unseen defensive calls.
  • "I don't think Patricia's shown...another 20% of defensive calls that he could get to that he just hasn't needed to call yet." (Jake Butt, 09:19)

4. The “Tested” Debate: Dominance vs. Schedule Strength

Timestamp: 09:58–12:27

• Comparison to 2023 Michigan’s title run; were they “tested” enough?
• Jake dismisses the narrative that dominating easy opponents means less:
  • "All your answers about the Ohio State football team can be solved by just watching the film. They're not accidentally dominating teams. They're dominating teams because they're talented and they're better." (Jake Butt, 11:24)
  • Ridicules the concept of "quality losses" being valued over winning with authority (12:21).

5. OSU-Michigan Matchup: Trajectory and Key Factors

Timestamp: 13:35–16:38

• Jake argues Ohio State comes in as clear favorite:
  • Cites OSU’s superior quarterback play, level of talent, and defensive soundness.
  • Michigan’s blueprint for beating OSU? Run the ball, control time, force turnovers.
  • Michigan’s special teams described as a “major issue”—could be their undoing.
• Psychological factor for Michigan QB Underwood: - "It's been a very volatile year for him...much better at home." (Jake Butt, 15:15)
• But: "I don't see Ohio State losing this game. Michigan's going to really have to play their best game." (Jake Butt, 16:23)

6. The Psychology & Intangibles of Rivalry

Timestamp: 16:38–21:27

• Rivalry games have unique psychological weight—Jake offers personal examples:
  • Even the best players can “get the yips” under pressure.
  • 2016 Michigan loss: "How do you fumble the snap? Because it's Ohio State-Michigan and you understand the gravity of the moment." (Jake Butt, 18:18)
  • Attributes Ohio State's 2024 loss as much to mental fragility as Xs and Os.
• Do expanded playoffs change rivalry stress?
  • "That game is the season. It's almost like more important than the season...the national championship feels good, but it stings that Ohio State lost that game." (Jake Butt, 20:38)
  • For Michigan, it’s truly win-and-in.

7. Rivalry Cycles: Will OSU-Michigan Return to Parity?

Timestamp: 21:27–23:13

• Jake predicts we’ll see a more even OSU-Michigan rivalry in the future, due to structural investments and recruiting.
  • Foresees possible three-match seasons with expanded playoff: “That’s going to be really, really strange…How do you emotionally— I can't even imagine having to play Ohio State again right after playing that and maybe meet again…” (Jake Butt, 22:36)

8. National Playoff Race: USC-Oregon and Beyond

Timestamp: 24:16–27:21

• USC’s playoff hopes discussed—Jake credits Lincoln Riley for evolving his program:
  • Calls win in a hostile Nebraska environment and physical running game evidence of improvement.
  • Oregon’s offensive line and running attack praised as "perhaps the best in the nation".
  • "Dan Lanning...that team is about physicality first. That is a physical, physical offensive line… their running back room is extremely, extremely deep." (Jake Butt, 26:19)

9. Perspective on Broadcasting and Allegiance

Timestamp: 27:21–29:47

• Jake on broadcasting as a Michigan alum:
  • "No one would believe me if I said anything other than I love my alma mater...But as an analyst, I'm gonna do my best to be as prepared as possible...I'll give you my genuine, honest belief of what I'm seeing." (Jake Butt, 28:14)
  • He rejects accusations of bias and simply tries to honestly assess what he sees:
    • "When Michigan was 15-0 and won the national championship...[they were] dominating everybody. This is the best team that Jim Harbaugh's had. I'm just giving you my genuine belief." (Jake Butt, 29:25)

10. Jake Butt’s BTN Schedule & Engagement

Timestamp: 30:23–31:15

• Jake is most visible on Big Ten Network’s “Big Ten Today” (Tuesdays/Thursdays).
• Will call Michigan-Maryland as his last game this season—significant as Michigan’s final tune-up before OSU.

Notable Quotes

• On SEC Bias:
  • "I hate illogical arguments, and it's so illogical." (Jake Butt, 05:11)
• On Psychological Pressure:
  • "That game is the season. It's almost more important than the season." (Jake Butt, 20:35)
• On Dominance and Scheduling Narratives:
  • "They're not accidentally dominating teams. They're dominating teams because they're talented and they're better." (Jake Butt, 11:24)
• On Objectivity as a Broadcaster:
  • "Just be prepared. Try to be as honest as possible and just talk about the game through that light." (Jake Butt, 29:38)

Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Genuine Big Ten Fire:
  • Jake’s passionate defense of the Big Ten’s recent success and how parity and NIL have shifted the college football landscape. (03:07–04:36)
• OSU-Michigan Emotion:
  • Personal storytelling from 2016 and the psychological effects of rivalry pressure. (17:21–19:50)
• Meta-Musings:
  • The trio ponders an era where OSU and Michigan could play up to three times in a season due to the expanded playoff. (22:16–23:13)
• Jake On Love of the Game:
  • “I just love the game of football…It's a beautiful sport.” (Jake Butt, 30:14)

Important Timestamps At a Glance

| Segment | Time | |------------------------------------|-----------| | Jake Butt Intro / Broadcaster Banter | 01:31 | | SEC Bias & Big Ten’s Playoff Chances | 02:17 | | OSU vs. Indiana Analysis | 07:08 | | Schedule Strength / Dominance Debate | 09:58 | | OSU-Michigan Matchup Preview | 13:35 | | Rivalry Psychology | 16:38 | | Parity in OSU-Michigan Rivalry | 21:27 | | Playoff Race: USC-Oregon | 24:16 | | Broadcasting Objectivity | 27:21 | | Jake Butt BTN Plans / Wrap | 30:23 |

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for Big Ten fans, especially those invested in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry or skeptical of SEC media narratives. Jake Butt provides an insider’s passion, honest analysis, and a window into both the physical and psychological game. The show ends with hearty appreciation for Butt’s candor and love for the sport.