The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State vs. Penn State Beat Writer Breakdown – Detailed Summary

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Episode: Ohio State vs. Penn State beat writer breakdown: Nittany Lions were targeting Buckeyes for months
Host: Blue Wire
Date: October 29, 2025
Guests: Audrey Snyder (Nittany Dispatch), Bill Landis, Doug Lesmerises

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep-dive roundtable into the current states of Ohio State and Penn State football, with a particular focus on the fallout from Penn State's coaching situation and how both programs have been eyeing their rivalry matchup for months. The discussion, featuring Penn State beat writer Audrey Snyder, explores coaching hires, the psychological impact of the Ohio State rivalry, in-depth run-game analysis, talent evaluations, and strategic adjustments heading into their next meeting. The show’s tone is candid, playful, and rich with insider anecdotes.

Major Topics and Discussion Points

1. Penn State’s Coaching Search and James Franklin’s Departure

Timestamps: [01:31] – [05:50]

• Penn State’s Timeline: Audrey predicts the new head coach hire will happen late Nov/early Dec, balancing timing with potential playoff implications for candidates ([01:35]).
• Top Candidates:
  • Matt Rhule is heavily linked due to his close relationship with Penn State AD Pat Kraft—“these guys are super tight buds… vacation together” ([01:49]).
  • Other potential names: Matt Campbell, with Audrey dismissing Lane Kiffin as a “six month entertainment” fit and making clear Brian Kelly is not in the mix ([02:58]).
• Fan Sentiment: There is skepticism about Matt Rhule’s record in big games; alumni reactions have been negative, especially during Nebraska losses ([03:57]).
• Context: This is the first “normal” head coaching search at Penn State since 1966.

Memorable Quote:
“As one source told me, Lane Kiffin coming here would be entertaining for six months, but after that, not so much.”
— Audrey Snyder [02:58]

2. Ohio State’s Psychological “Loom” Over Penn State

Timestamps: [05:33] – [09:12]

• Rivalry Impact: The panel explores whether Penn State measures itself by Ohio State—and Audrey affirms they absolutely do ([06:31]).
• Offseason Focus: Penn State “spent so much time looking into how they were going to beat Ohio State.” Jim Knowles even conducted film sessions with PSU’s staff ([06:31]).
• Self-Scouting and Oregon Impact: Extensive prep for Ohio State and Oregon arguably “broke” the team after a tough double-OT loss to the Ducks ([07:53]).
• Aspirational Benchmarking: Penn State looks to mimic Ohio State in programming, even down to media access standards.

Memorable Quote:
“Penn State this offseason spent so much time looking into how they were going to beat Ohio State… I think that’s part of what broke this team.”
— Audrey Snyder [06:31, 07:53]

3. Can Penn State’s Months of Preparation Pay Off This Week?

Timestamps: [11:11] – [13:25]

• Run-Game Setbacks: Injuries, particularly to linebacker Tony Rojas, exposed the defense despite offseason efforts ([11:11]).
• Dude Count: Despite NFL-level talent on the roster, individual Penn State “dudes” haven’t played up to expectations ([12:46]).
• Talent vs. Output: Upcoming draft success will contrast with what’s likely to be a disappointing win total ([13:25]).

4. Key Questions and Position-by-Position Previews

Timestamps: [13:55] – [39:17]

A. Run Game: Ohio State

• Freshman Surge: Isaiah West and Bo Jackson (both true freshmen) lead the way in “elusiveness” and missed tackles forced, outperforming older RBs like CJ Donaldson or James Peoples ([14:34]).
• Efficiency, Not Explosiveness: The Buckeyes’ rushing attack is “good, not great” per Landis ([16:50]).
• Strategic Shifts: Ohio State may increasingly rely on freshmen for big plays.

B. Run Game: Penn State

• Singleton Struggles: Nick Singleton’s regression is spotlighted—he’s “overthinking everything,” with coaching and staff turnover compounding issues. Katron Allen has outperformed him ([17:35]).
• Coaching Changes: Loss of RBs coach J’Wuan Sider and arrival of Stan Drayton (ex-OSU assistant) has muddied position room stability ([18:30]).
• Penn State’s Dilemma: James Franklin’s “loyal to a fault” approach hurts backfield optimization ([19:52]).

Memorable Quotes:
“Nick Singleton looks like a shell of himself. Katron Allen has been the better back, but James Franklin wouldn’t commit to K. Tron Allen because… ‘I’m loyal. Loyal to a fault.’”
— Audrey Snyder [18:32, 19:52]

C. Where Does Penn State Have an Edge?

• Special Teams: Snyder highlights punt-blocking, notably Deny Dennis-Sutton’s blocks, as PSU’s clearest area of advantage—“that could be the thing” ([20:37]).
• Caveat: Special teams being the best unit is more a sign of offensive/defensive struggle.

D. Where Does Ohio State Have an Edge?

• Pass Defense: “Ohio State’s pass defense is just going to render Penn State one dimensional,” says Landis ([22:19]).
• Penn State’s QB Challenge: Ethan Grunkemeyer, in just his second start and under major pressure, faces a daunting OSU secondary ([22:35]).

Memorable Quote:
“No one's really been able to throw it on Ohio State yet… It's a tough spot for Ethan Grunkmeyer.”
— Bill Landis [22:19, 22:35]

E. Quarterback and Offensive Player Development

• OSU’s Quick Hook: Ohio State moved on from “not good enough” QB play (e.g. McCord) quickly. Penn State stuck with average starters (Clifford, Aller) for years ([27:24], [28:21]).
• Franklin’s Downfall: “James Franklin never really seemed to… swallow your pride and correct your mistakes,” Landis argues ([28:35]).
• Recruiting in Ohio: Penn State’s last three starting QBs all Ohio natives; part proximity, part philosophy ([26:20]).

F. Matchups to Watch and Individual X-Factors

Ohio State:

• Right Side OL: Phil Daniels (RT), Josh Padilla/Tegra Tshabola (RG) against Deny Dennis-Sutton–Chaz Coleman–Zane Durant. Audrey notes PSU may “stack one side” ([33:50]).
• DL Focus: Tackle Edric Houston and his duel with top PSU guard Vega Ioane ([37:56], [38:41]).

Penn State:

• Defensive Standouts: CB A.J. Harris gets a shot at redemption after a mid-season benching ([36:21]).
• Emerging Talent: Chaz Coleman (DE), the “Chazmanian Devil,” is a true freshman phenom with big internal hype ([34:28]).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Years-Long QB Issues at Penn State:
  “The last time Penn State had a quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL draft… Kerry Collins in 1995.”
  — Doug Lesmerises [30:07]

• On Penn State’s Player Development:
  “This was supposed to be your guy, like, Drew Aller was supposed to be the guy. And like this was your chance to stick it to Ohio State… and then you cycle through OCs.”
  — Audrey Snyder [30:30]

• On Expectations vs. Reality:
  “I do think we probably will see this team set a record for most Penn State NFL draft picks in April. And then we’ll all sit there and say… I don’t think they’re going to win six games this year. So like, how did, like, how did this happen, you know?”
  — Audrey Snyder [13:25]

• Special Teams as Penn State’s Saving Grace:
  “I think the edge here is that Penn State’s been really good at blocking punts this year. And it’s bizarre that when I point to that as, like, that could be the thing…”
  — Audrey Snyder [20:37]

Additional Themes and Conversation Dynamics

• Big Picture: Hosts consistently tie Penn State’s situation to larger college football trends—especially the coaching carousel and increased willingness to cut ties with high-profile coaches ([39:59]–[41:23]).
• Coaching Carousel Impact: Doug notes, “When you have three of the top 15 teams from the preseason firing their coaches, it’s some indication of where we are in the sport” ([39:59]).
• Insider Banter: The panel jokes about vodka bottles, loyalties, and “non-stop yappers,” underlining the easy rapport and experience shared among the trio ([25:34], [39:23]).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Penn State Coaching Search: [01:31]–[05:50]
• Penn State’s Psychological Hurdle vs. OSU: [06:31]
• All-in Penn State Offseason Prep for OSU: [06:31]–[08:12]
• Run Game Deep Dive (both teams): [13:55]–[20:03]
• Special Teams Edge: [20:37]
• QB/Development Philosophy (Franklin vs. Day): [27:24]–[30:52]
• Key Matchups (OL/DL): [33:50]–[38:42]
• Emerging Defensive Stars: [34:28], [36:21]

Closing Thoughts

Audrey Snyder’s reporting offers a trenchant look at where Penn State is faltering—loyalty over pragmatism, underperforming talent, and the psychological impact of chasing Ohio State’s standard. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s adaptability and recent championship success are credited to their willingness to self-correct swiftly.

The episode conveys—often with humor and candor—that the OSU-PSU rivalry is as much about identity and aspirational benchmarking as it is about Xs and Os. Fans leave with clear context for the coming game, a nuanced understanding of each program’s state, and several factors to watch for—ranging from trench matchups to the fallout from years of “quarterback loyalty.”

For More:

• Audrey Snyder: Inside the Lions Substack and [Nittany Dispatch Podcast]
• Bill and Doug Show: Subscribe and follow on YouTube and podcast platforms for further postgame and national picks coverage.