The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State vs Minnesota Picks and Preview

Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis
Presented by: Blue Wire

Episode Overview

In this episode, Doug and Bill dive deep into the Ohio State Buckeyes' upcoming home night game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They analyze both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, preview key matchups on both sides of the ball, discuss betting lines, and make their official game picks. Listeners are treated to seasoned insight, banter, and analysis that puts Ohio State’s national championship aspirations in broader context, all while highlighting Minnesota’s emerging talent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene

• First Home Big Ten Night Game Since 2023
  Ohio State returns to primetime at Ohio Stadium, a setting Bill and Doug agree will energize both players and fans.

  • “This is like, it's exciting. Like, I think it'll be exciting…Minnesota is enough. I think Minnesota is good enough to be excited for.” — Bill (01:52)

• Game Spread & Stakes

  • Ohio State favored by 23.5 points; over/under set at 44.5 (02:18)
  • Both hosts note: Big spread for a game they're projecting as low-possession.

Minnesota’s Offense vs Ohio State’s Defense

Drake Lindsay: Minnesota's New QB to Watch

• Profile:
  Drake Lindsay, 6'5" pocket passer, first-year starter, strong arm, not a runner (“one scramble the entire season”).

• Performance:

  • Demonstrated poise and arm strength against Rutgers, especially after a slow start.
  • “He has made some impressive throws, especially in that Rutgers game…best game so far this year.” — Doug (04:31)
  • Only two turnover-worthy plays, five big-time throws (02:56).

• Offensive Evolution:

  • Minnesota shifting from run-first to a pass-heavy approach (throwing 54% of the time—unusual for PJ Fleck's Gophers).
  • Wide receiver room improved with transfer additions.
  • “They're putting it on Drake Lindsay and I think more and more each week…he's an exciting young quarterback in the Big Ten for sure.” — Doug (04:31)

• Limitations and Pressure Points:

  • Offensive line has issues, especially on the right side—susceptible to pass rush (09:31).
  • Lindsay not mobile, likely to face relentless pressure from Ohio State’s defense.
  • “I think they're going to be hounded on pretty good in this game, and he's not elusive…He's gonna get hit probably more than he's been hit in any game so far this year.” — Doug (11:00)

Run Game Woes

• Backup RB out for the year; Darius Taylor (top RB) banged up and status questionable (11:12).
• Minnesota likely to be one-dimensional, even if Taylor plays.
• “If he doesn't play, they're one dimensional and even if he does, they might have to be one dimensional.” — Bill (11:10)
• If healthy, Taylor could factor in as receiver out of the slot, setting up interesting matchups versus OSU’s linebackers (12:08).

Ohio State’s Offense vs Minnesota’s Defense

Minnesota's Defensive Strengths

• Pass Rush:

  • 3.5 sacks per game (tied for 6th nationally), 7.5 tackles for loss per game (15:15).
  • Anthony Smith (rush end): 16 pressures, 7 in Rutgers game.
  • “Anthony Smith is an All-Big Ten candidate…a tough guy to try to block.” — Bill (15:15)

• Defensive Play Calling:

  • Danny Collins (first year DC, longtime PJ Fleck assistant) praised for smart, situationally aggressive playcalling (15:42).

• Blitz Tendencies:

  • Blitze 50% of the time vs Rutgers; Minnesota may be hesitant to blitz Ohio State as heavily due to OSU’s elite playmakers (16:54).
  • “It's a tough proposition when you decide you want to try to blitz Ohio State because…you throw a two-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith and that can happen.” — Doug (16:54)

Secondary & Key Players

• Koi Perich (safety, return specialist):

  • Electric athlete; first team All-Big Ten as a freshman.
  • “When he's right, he's a top 10 defensive player in the Big Ten and a…top 20 defensive player in the country.” — Doug (19:04)
  • Inconsistent; struggle with missed tackles and coverage lapses noted, but coming off his best game vs Rutgers (18:05).

• Other Secondary Notes:

  • Cary Brown (nickel safety): recent interception, smart coverage play (20:01).
  • John Nester (CB, Iowa transfer) – solid play, strong grades.

• Defensive Vulnerabilities:

  • Secondary can be vulnerable, especially in early game scripts.
  • Gave up big passing numbers early to Rutgers before adjusting.
  • “23 minutes there where Ethan Kaliak Manis was absolutely picking them apart. And Julian Saying absolutely has a chance to do the same thing.” — Doug (21:51)

Anticipating Ohio State's Offensive Approach

• Opportunity for QB Julian Sayin to have breakout numbers.
  • “This might be the exact right kind of opponent at home under the lights…for a 29 of 34 for 336 yards and four touchdowns kind of game.” — Bill (22:57)
• Buckeyes likely to air it out more than in prior weeks, tapping into explosive passing attack.
  • “Here's a little red meat for you…we’re going to toss it around the yard here.” — Doug (24:17)
• Both agree: Expect some fireworks from Ohio State’s offense under the lights.

Special Teams Watch

• Koi Perich (Minnesota):
  • Electric but volatile as return specialist—had a key muffed punt in Cal loss and a 56-yard kickoff return vs Rutgers (26:32-28:02).
  • “He’s more boom than Brandon Ennis, because he’s a very good athlete. But there’s a lot of bust both ways here.” — Doug (28:02)
• Both teams could produce a big (or disastrous) special teams play.
• Doug predicts a special teams turnover in this game.

Broader Context, Coaching, and Program Trajectory

• PJ Fleck's Place in the Big Ten:

  • Ninth season at Minnesota (61-40); earns respect for program-building despite evident talent gap vs OSU (29:03).
  • Middle-tier Big Ten team, but depth and overall roster ceiling restricts major upsets.

• Character Building for Minnesota:

  • Longer-term optimism about Drake Lindsay and Koi Perich as cornerstones.
  • Not equipped to truly threaten this Ohio State team yet.
  • “Getting their doors blown off by Ohio State in 2025 is a step on that journey [to contention in ‘27].” — Bill (35:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Minnesota’s New Identity:
  “They're putting it on Drake Lindsay and I think like more and more each week…he's an exciting young quarterback in the Big Ten for sure.” — Doug (04:31)

• On the Likely Game Flow:
  “This is going to be a baptism by fire for [Drake Lindsay] in Ohio Stadium.” — Bill (13:20)

• On Koi Perich:
  "When he's right, he is a top 10 defensive player in the Big Ten…and like, a top 20 defensive player in the country." — Doug (19:04)

• On OSU's Offensive Opportunity:
  “You want to see the number one team in the country at home under the lights, putting on a primetime show. I think you got a shot at it.” — Bill (23:50)

• On PJ Fleck's Philosophy:
  “I think he's keeping Drake Lindsay and the first team offensive line in there, down 30…to give them reps against Ohio State's backups or whatever, to try to, like, this is Drake Lindsay. Drake Lindsay needs to know what this is because in two years…Minnesota wants to make a playoff run.” — Bill (35:17)

Picks and Predictions

• Doug’s Pick:
  Ohio State 35, Minnesota 7
  • “I'm not going absurd…I'm going 35-7. I could see it's 35-0 and Drake Lindsay throws a bomb in the fourth quarter to make it 35-7.” (33:40)
• Bill’s Pick:
  Ohio State 35, Minnesota 13
  Thinks it’s a little much to cover 23.5-points spread in a low-possession game; takes Minnesota +23.5.
  • “I just think there might be just like enough…in a low-possession game. That 23.5 is a lot to cover.” (34:41)

Betting Insights

• The low over/under (44.5) points to limited scoring from Minnesota.
• Stats suggest both teams start slow offensively (“Ohio State in the first quarter…three points against three FBS teams…Minnesota zero points.” — Doug, 30:03)
• Both teams rank top-5 nationally in fewest plays of 20+ yards allowed (32:09).
• Hosts disagree on the spread—one on OSU, the other takes points with Minnesota.

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 01:21 | Show open, setting up OSU-Minnesota, night game hype | | 02:18 | Vegas Odds, initial breakdown starts | | 03:00-06:30| Minnesota’s new pass-first offense, Drake Lindsay | | 09:30 | Minnesota offensive line weaknesses | | 11:06 | RB Darius Taylor’s injury, one-dimensional offense | | 15:15 | Minnesota’s pass rush (Anthony Smith, Danny Collins DC)| | 18:01 | Koi Perich deep-dive | | 21:51 | Early defensive struggles against Rutgers | | 22:57 | Potential breakout game for OSU passing offense | | 26:32 | Special teams (Koi Perich) chaos | | 29:03 | PJ Fleck’s Minnesota tenure and program status | | 33:40 | Official Score Predictions | | 35:26 | Minnesota’s long-term plan, “character building” | | 38:02 | Doug, on possible OSU offensive breakout |

Conclusion

Doug and Bill provide a comprehensive, nuanced preview of Ohio State vs Minnesota, combining Xs and Os analysis, humor, and a sense of the larger stakes for both programs. They expect a decisive but measured Buckeye win in front of an energized home-night crowd, marking another step for OSU’s title defense and for Minnesota as an up-and-coming—but not yet dangerous—Big Ten challenger. The episode is essential listening for Ohio State fans, betting enthusiasts, and anyone tracking the evolving Big Ten landscape.