The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Offensive Line Grades

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis
Date: December 15, 2025
Episode Theme:
In this episode, Doug and Bill deliver a deep dive into the Ohio State Buckeyes’ offensive line performance during their 2025 national championship defense season. They methodically compare this year’s line to past units, break down individual performances, debate the persistent right guard question, and predict what’s coming for the line in the College Football Playoff and beyond. Throughout, the tone is analytical yet playful, focused on empowering Ohio State fans with clear-eyed context and metrics.

Main Theme and Purpose

The hosts set out to analyze and grade the 2025 Buckeye offensive line, debating whether this year’s starting five is an upgrade over prior seasons, evaluating individual player performance, and discussing the complicated right guard scenario. The broader purpose: give fans an honest, nuanced, and data-informed sense of where the O-line stands as the playoffs approach, and forecast the future of the room.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Comparing This Year’s Offensive Line to Past Years

• Immediate Question: Doug asks if Bill would take this year’s offensive line over last year's playoff unit (01:51). Bill quickly answers, “This year’s,” citing continuity and experience.
• Rationale:
  • Last year, the line was patched together with players out of position and lacked cohesion.
  • “Ohio State goes into the playoff with a starting five that started 12 of 13 games. That’s pretty good.” — Bill Landis (03:10)
• Wider Historical Context:
  • They compare the 2025 line to previous lines (2023, 2022), ultimately concluding that while the 2022 line with multiple future NFL players was better, this year’s line is clearly ahead of the previous two years (16:24–18:46).
  • “Even against the best comparison for Ohio State is always itself. This is actually probably where we are right now.” – Doug Lesmerises (17:48)

2. Overall 2025 Offensive Line Performance: The Good and the Bad

• Pass Protection Strength:
  • “They have not given up a ton of sacks…there’s a pro football focus pass blocking efficiency grade, they’re 19th. They’ve been better in past years, but 19th is still pretty good.” — Bill Landis (04:10)
  • The issues rarely stem from consistent one-on-one defeats (“not a game where you feel like pass rushers are bludgeoning guys in individual matchups”) but instead show up in isolated breakdowns or schematic confusion (06:22–07:19).
• Inconsistency, Especially in the Run Game:
  • Run blocking is a “complicated” subject, marked by technical and communication breakdowns, especially versus movement-heavy defensive fronts.
  • “Sometimes they look like they play like they don’t know what they’re seeing from a defensive front when they’re trying to run the ball.” — Bill Landis (11:55)
  • The line’s season lacked a linear upward trajectory; they played their best against Michigan, but struggled notably against Indiana due to the latter’s scheming (09:15–10:05).

3. Individual Player Evaluations (Ratings Out of 20)

Doug and Bill grade each starter, generally agreeing on scores:

• Austin Siereveld (LT): 19/20 — “The best guy. He’s kind of the rock.” – Doug (21:06)
• Luke Montgomery (LG): 17/20 (Bill suggests 15–17) – “A touch more consistent” than center Carson Hinsman (23:01).
• Carson Hinsman (C): 16/20 — “Probably about the same place” as Montgomery (22:49).
• Phillip Daniels (RT): 14/20 (Bill suggests maybe 13–14).
• Right Guard (Tegra Tshabola/others): 8/20 — clear weak spot, regardless of starter (23:43–23:47).

Team Score: Doug totals 74/100; Bill lands at 70–71/100 (24:43).

4. Right Guard Situation: Ongoing Concerns and Future Options

• Uncertainty: Right guard is the “problem spot.” Whether they stick with Tshabola, try Josh Padilla, or go with Gabe Van Sickle, there’s no guarantee of an upgrade.
  • “My concerns don’t change all that much” if there is a change. “I would just caution people about running too far with how much better you perceive the other right guards to be than Tigger.” — Bill Landis (26:38–27:51)
• Snaps and Experience: Van Sickle (136 snaps) and Padilla (86) are both lightly experienced (27:51).
• Hope for Growth: Bill and Doug point out that sometimes, young linemen become ready late in their second year (28:53).

5. Portal Lessons and Positional Flexibility

• Portal Misses: They discuss the failed attempt to land a starting tackle (Ethan Onianwa) and note the inherent riskiness of O-line recruiting via the portal.
  • “I think the portal is just a treacherous place to be shopping for offensive linemen.” — Bill Landis (30:14)
• Siereveld’s Value: Siereveld is celebrated as the unsung check on disaster: “Where would they be without that guy?” (33:27)
• Future O-Line Outlook:
  • The room is “the healthiest I’ve seen it” (34:31), with real in-house talent and depth.
  • “All 5 of the O-line starters are already on the roster. Which is a remarkable difference from a year ago.” — Bill (39:17)
  • Potential for a ceiling-raising shuffle next year (Carter Lowe, Ian Moore), even if all five are eligible to return (35:44).
  • Siereveld as a key “portal retain” NIL candidate: “Give all that money to Austin Siereveld next year… just keep a second– or third–round pick out of the draft.” (37:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Offensive Line Growth:
  • “It hasn’t been linear, it hasn’t been a progression where it was like, oh, they started off a little slow, then they got better and better and better.” – Doug (08:56)
• On Playoff Ceiling:
  • “The floor is higher than it was last year and…I think the ceiling could be a little higher than it was last year in the postseason.” – Bill (14:01)
• Portal Philosophy:
  • “I think the point is, even if these guys [portal transfers] aren’t blowing people away… a couple of them have played well enough to be a starting tackle at Ohio State, which then would have maybe gotten you to Siereveld at guard. Which is probably your best version of your line.” – Doug (32:36)
• Looking Ahead:
  • “I think the line should be even… next year’s line should be better, because it’ll either be the same guys more experienced or guys who have beaten out the current guys, which means they’re even better.” – Doug (36:46)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• (01:51) – Would you take this year’s O-line over last year’s?
• (04:10) – Pass protection and PFF grades breakdown
• (06:22–07:19) – Analysis of individual vs. schematic breakdowns
• (08:56) – “It’s complicated”: the erratic season arc
• (11:55) – Run game concerns and technical/schematic issues
• (14:01) – Can the line “elevate” in the postseason?
• (16:24–18:46) – Historical comparison: 2025 line vs 2023 and 2022
• (20:41–24:43) – Individual player grades and consensus scoring
• (25:28–27:51) – Deep dive on the right guard situation
• (30:14–33:14) – Portal lessons, the Onianwa miss, and O-line contingency
• (34:31–36:46) – Next year’s O-line and spring battles
• (37:45) – Siereveld’s NFL potential and NIL decisions
• (38:54–39:17) – Projecting 2026: No portal starters needed
• (39:57–40:41) – Closing thoughts and additional written content promo

Tone and Overall Takeaways

Doug and Bill balance in-depth, data-driven breakdowns with banter and accessible analogies (e.g., “Mac Nasty” for O-line attitude, running jokes about Substack perks and prized memorabilia). Technical enough for diehard fans yet inviting for the casual listener, their mutual respect for the fluidity and challenges of O-line play comes through.

Summary:
The 2025 Ohio State offensive line is the best Buckeye line in three years, with considerable individual growth, a key star in Austin Siereveld, and only one glaring question mark at right guard. The overall unit is positioned to be even better in 2026, thanks to strong recruiting, development, and a deepening room—no portal heroes needed. Their postseason ceiling is higher than past years; now it all comes down to execution, health, and that final piece at right guard.

(For even more position breakdowns, subscribe to Bill and Doug’s Substack for written analyses and premium audio.)