The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State vs. Washington Beat Writer Breakdown

Episode Theme:
A detailed cross-examination of the upcoming Ohio State vs. Washington showdown, spotlighting the teams' key trios, under-the-radar playmakers, injuries, home atmosphere, and coaching transitions. Hosts Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis (Ohio State experts) are joined by Washington insider Christian Capel for a rapid-fire, five-topic preview geared to inform fans of both programs in advance of this massive early-season clash.

Main Discussion Points

1. Under-the-Radar Players to Watch

Washington:

• Alex McLaughlin (Safety, #22; Transfer, Northern Arizona)
  • Standout FCS All-American and now a "super productive, box safety" for Washington's defense.
  • Noted for returning a 47-yard interception for a touchdown in the Apple Cup and high activity near the line of scrimmage.
  • "He was kind of their player of the game defensively... very active safety playing down closer to line of scrimmage a lot of times."
    — Christian Capel (01:37)

Ohio State:

• Arvell Reese (Linebacker, #15; Junior)
  • Not a 2024 starter but has emerged as possibly OSU’s best defender through three games, vying with star safety Caleb Downs.
  • Utilized uniquely by new DC Matt Patricia—“used both on the ball and off the ball and is as disruptive or equally disruptive in both roles.”
  • Described as OSU’s potential spy and top pass rusher against Demond Williams Jr.
    — Bill Landis (03:20)
  • "For a guy who's as big and long as he is, he runs incredibly well."
    — Bill Landis (04:03)

2. Transfer Portal Strategy & Roster Building

• Washington previously filled holes in year one under Jet Fish but, this year, landed proven FBS talent across positions. McLaughlin is the rare FCS jump-up.
  • “They really targeted guys who had played [at FBS]. McLaughlin...kind of the exception...They identified: hey, this guy’s a really good player.”
    — Christian Capel (05:26)

3. Key Injuries & Health Updates

Washington:

• Takario Davis (CB): Critical for secondary, status “give him until Saturday”—true game-time call. His absence impacts marquee WR/DB matchups.
• Buddha Alukta (MLB): High-snap leader at linebacker, out for the game and beyond.
• Rasheed Williams (WR2): Out with collarbone surgery, forcing reliance on true freshmen in the receiving corps.
  "They're playing without their number two receiver...two true freshmen at receiver. There's not a lot of experience there."
  — Christian Capel (09:04)

Ohio State:

• Bennett Christian (TE3): Expected back, but depth matters for multi-TE sets.
• Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Nickel): Uncertain. If out, true freshman Devin Sanchez could be pressed into a major road role at corner.
  • "If he has to start on the road...that'd be a heck of a task for him."
    — Bill Landis (11:07)

4. Offensive Skill Trios: Who’s Better?

Ohio State:

• Julian Sayin (QB), Jeremiah Smith (WR1), Carnell Tate (WR2)
  • “I think [Jeremiah Smith is] the best player in college football.”
    — Bill Landis (12:23)
  • Tate has made a “significant jump” this year and, like Smith, has thrived on deep balls—OSU is 9/9 on throws 20+ yards to these WRs.
  • “They're a tremendous resource for a basically true freshman quarterback.”
    — Bill Landis (14:09)

Washington:

• Demond Williams Jr (QB), Jonah Coleman (RB), Denzel Boston (WR1)
  • Big plays from each; Boston “looks markedly better” and has become a dominant red zone target.
  • Coleman improved speed/body composition; Williams Jr. compared to Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson for dynamic dual-threat ability.
  • “He truly is the kind of athlete that I don't...think they've ever quite had that whole package at the position before.”
    — Christian Capel (18:48)

Notable Quote

“Denzel Boston had a pretty good season last year… He looks like the potential first rounder. I mean, he’s a go-to guy…”
— Christian Capel (17:19)

5. Home Field Advantage at Husky Stadium

• Washington:
  • 22 straight home wins (six vs. ranked opponents).
  • Atmosphere “consistently louder than people are expecting...way louder than I was anticipating.”
    — Christian Capel (23:23)
  • Unique tradition: local fans and students strongly prefer 12:30 p.m. local kicks to night games (unlike Big Ten culture).
• Ohio State:
  • Well-acquainted with raucous settings; went through the crucible at Oregon last year.
  • “I don't know that Ohio State's a team that's going to be shocked necessarily by a loud environment. But...new quarterback, new play caller, a couple of new starters...”
    — Bill Landis (26:10)

6. Coaching / Coordinator Changes

Ohio State:

• Matt Patricia (Defensive Coordinator):

  • Praised for confusing Texas’s Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning in opener; more schematically flexible and creative than Jim Knowles.
  • “It would be difficult to have a more challenging opener...and just had [Texas] on the back foot the entire time.”
    — Bill Landis (27:55)

• Brian Hartline (Offensive Coordinator):

  • Still adjusting but shows confidence; “so far so Good on offense and I would say borderline excellent so far on defense.”
    — Bill Landis (29:18)

Washington:

• Offense:
  • Jed Fish calls plays; seamless synergy with new OC (Jimmy Dougherty, QB coach and Fish’s longtime confidant).
• Defense:
  • Ryan Walters (ex-Purdue HC/DC) is “the best hire they could have made” after losing Steve Belichick.
  • Defense has been somewhat "vanilla" early but "they've not faced a super dynamic offense yet." This week will be the true test.
    — Christian Capel (32:13)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Bill Landis on Jeremiah Smith:
  • “He’s the best player in college football.” (12:23)
• Christian Capel on Husky Stadium:
  • “It is, I think, pretty consistently louder than people are expecting...That was way louder than I was anticipating.” (23:23)
• Christian Capel on Washington’s skill trio:
  • “He [Denzel Boston] looks markedly better...He looks like the potential first rounder. I mean, he's the go-to guy.” (17:19)
• On Demond Williams Jr.:
  • “He truly is the kind of athlete that I don’t...think they’ve ever quite had that whole package at the position before.” (18:48)
• Christian Capel on Demond Williams/Kyler Murray comps:
  • “Yeah, I mean that’s a name that’s been kicking around…Jed Fish has been at the very top of the list of people kind of shouting from the rooftops how good he can be.” (19:27)

Key Timestamps

• 01:37: Christian Capel highlights Alex McLaughlin as Washington’s under-the-radar defender.
• 03:20: Bill Landis details the emergence of Arvell Reese for Ohio State’s defense.
• 07:57: Washington’s injury rundown—Davis, Alukta, Williams Jr.
• 11:07: Ohio State’s depth/injury story, especially among DBs and TEs.
• 12:23 – 19:11: In-depth comparison of skill trios for both teams, with scouting notes and player comp discussion.
• 22:34: Examining Husky Stadium home field and its truly loud reputation.
• 27:45: Coordinator discussion—OSU’s changes on both sides, Washington’s new DC/offensive structure.
• 32:13: Christian on how vanilla the UW defense has been to date—and what’s (likely) coming against Ohio State.

Summary Takeaway

This episode serves as an expert-level, high-energy matchup primer, rolling through every factor serious fans care about: emerging stars, how each program builds its roster, injuries that could change the outcome, high-wattage offensive trios, home atmosphere, and how new coordinators shape both teams’ identities. Listeners learn just how evenly matched—and nationally significant—this non-conference battle is, and why it has the potential to be one of the best games of the year.

Further Information

• More from Bill & Doug: Bill and Doug Show on Substack
• More Washington coverage: onmontlake.com (Christian Capel)