The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State vs. Washington Big Game Breakdown

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis (Blue Wire)
Date: September 25, 2025
Episode Theme: A deep-dive preview and breakdown of the highly anticipated Ohio State at Washington matchup, with analysis of both sides of the ball, Vegas odds, personnel, coaching philosophies, and big-picture context. The episode concludes with the fan-favorite "Whatcha Watching, Eating and Thinking" lifestyle segment.

Episode Overview

Doug and Bill deliver a comprehensive, hour-plus breakdown of the Ohio State vs. Washington football game, highlighting why this cross-continental tilt is one of the most fascinating of the season. Listeners are treated to insightful Xs and Os, player-to-watch spotlights, strategic musings, data-driven analysis, and plenty of banter – all with a Buckeyes-centric, but respectful, lens.

The episode is divided into three major sections:

1. Series background and national context
2. Deep-dive analysis on both the Ohio State offense vs. Washington defense and Washington offense vs. Ohio State defense
3. Picks and preview, followed by the "Whatcha" pop culture/lifestyle segment

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical & Program Context (00:33–05:35)

• History: This is the 13th meeting between the programs. Ohio State leads the all-time series 9–3.
• Last Meeting: 2019 Rose Bowl (Urban Meyer's last college game, the symbolic passing of the torch to Ryan Day).
  • "[That was] kind of like... Urban Meyer capping off [his] historic career in Rose Bowl against opponent X. No offense to Washington." – Doug (03:15)
• Washington Program Growth: Doug and Bill assert Washington has “moved beyond where they were in 2018,” crediting the Chris Petersen era and lauding Washington’s continued relevance post-DeBoer.
• Playoff Pedigree: Washington is among the short list of non-bluebloods to have made the Playoff in the past decade.

2. Betting Line & Perception (05:35–07:26)

• Line Moves: The spread has dropped from 14 points in the offseason to around 8–8.5 as of Thursday morning.
• Why?
  • Ohio State’s offensive stats don’t look elite (discounted for Grambling FCS stats; struggles to finish drives).
  • Washington’s offense has looked unstoppable against weak competition.
• Quote:
  “Ohio State’s offense does not look, compared to its past success... [as] where it normally is.” – Bill (06:23)

3. Coaching Philosophies & Head Coach Comparison (07:26–10:41)

• Ryan Day vs. Jedd (Jed) Fisch: Both offensively minded, with NFL backgrounds, and share Florida Gator roots.
  • “Jed Fisch is not a terrible comparison for Ryan Day.” – Doug (09:09)
  • Notably, Fisch never played football (he was a tennis player), but followed a similar OC-to-HC path.
• Offensive Similarities: Both favor pro-style concepts, play-action deep shots, condensed formations, and multiple TE sets.

4. Key Player Styles & Matchup Chess (10:41–14:43)

Quarterbacks Who Hold the Ball

• Washington's Demond Williams Jr. draws frequent Justin Fields parallels:
  • Pocket patience, will “stand back there and throw it 60 yards…or take off and run for 17 yards.” – Doug (11:01)
  • “Washington basically has scored every time it has had the ball.” – Doug (07:20)
• Quarterback Tradeoffs: Discussion of the “triangle of big play touchdowns, sacks and interceptions.”
  • Bill: “Taking a sack is certainly better than giving the ball to the other team.” (12:53)
  • They value big-play ability over hyper-cautiousness, despite higher sack rates.

Unit Strengths

• "Strength vs. Strength": The best units in the game are the Washington offense and the Ohio State defense.

5. Ohio State Offense vs. Washington Defense (15:00–43:35)

Assessment of Both Units

• Ohio State Offense:
  • Efficient and explosive at times but questions about finishing drives and consistency.
  • Strength of schedule caveats: Texas game the only real data point; Grambling stats are ignored by advanced metrics.
  • Julian Sayin (OSU QB) was solid against Texas for a first start; bright future.
• Washington Defense:
  • Clearly the “fourth-best unit in this game.”
  • Aggressive, plays man coverage heavily, which Ohio State’s receivers may exploit.
  • Previous opponents have all been weaker than Ohio (Colorado State, UC Davis, Washington State).

Line Play & Pressure

• Washington’s Edge Rushers: Zach Durfee notched 11 pressures in one game but overall strength of schedule still an open question.
• D-line Depth: "Top five guys at DT average 316 pounds," notably Samote Pepa at 350 lbs.
• Ohio State’s Offensive Tempo: National slowest pace (29:26) – likely by strategic design to limit players’ wear and keep the opposing offense off the field.

Crowd & Procedural Worries

• Husky Stadium is loud. Expectation of "a false start or two" from OSU’s inexperienced offensive line (31:43).
• OSU will use silent counts. The coaching staff is determined not to let crowd noise be an excuse for sloppiness.

How Does Ohio State Attack?

• Run Game: Bo Jackson (RB) expected to lead in carries; OSU wants to “weather the initial loud storm” with veterans.
  • “Bo Jackson’s yards after contact are, like, 9 yards per carry or something.” – Doug (35:19)
• Passing Game: If Washington’s top CB Takario Davis doesn’t play, OSU could feast through the air. Washington’s man coverage could yield “some opportunities for Ohio State to hit some big plays.” (23:54)
• Slot Receiver: Potential for Brandon Inniss to have a bigger day if big CBs occupy Tate & Smith.

Red Zone Issues

• Washington’s Red Zone Defense: “Washington’s opponents have scored points on all 8 red zone trips this year, with six TDs.” – Bill (43:13)

6. Washington Offense vs. Ohio State Defense (43:45–83:13)

Skill Talent Assessment

• Williams Jr., RB Jonah Coleman, WR Denzel Boston – “even better than you think they are” (44:05)
  • Boston: Possible WR1 in 2026 NFL Draft.
  • Coleman: Doug calls him the best RB in the Big Ten; “Tackle breaker and breakaway speed, inside and outside.” (45:56)
  • Williams Jr.: “A nut, man. Called runs, scrambles, deep shots, …does not turn it over.”
• Supporting Cast is Thin: All three carry the load – backup RB Adam Muhammad is next best option; WR corps is very thin after Boston.

Offensive Line

• Much Improved, but Not Elite: “Five ‘real dudes’, but also five or six breakdowns a game.” (48:46)
  • Doug: “Not a great O-line…but [they] do not get overwhelmed. But don’t overrate them.” (49:56)

Demond Williams Jr.’s Style, Pressure Plan

• Holds onto the ball, will stand tall for big plays or scramble dangerously.
• OSU likely to “spy” him often with elite athletes (Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs).
  • “If you’re just pinning your ears back, you might give up five huge plays.” – Doug (53:29)

Deep Shots & Boston’s Role

• Denzel Boston commands a massive target share, primarily down the field and frequently in 1-on-1s.
  • “They know where their bread is buttered.” – Doug (73:04)
• OSU’s corners (Matthews, Igbinosun) could be attacked for size mismatches.

Third Down & Red Zone Mastery

• Washington’s Offense: Best in the Country on Third Down
  • “They convert 75% of their third downs...first in the country.” – Doug (62:43)
  • Williams Jr. passer rating on third down: 404.04 (65:55)
  • “They're never really out of it…” – Bill (65:25)

Designed QB Runs

• Heavy, creative use of called runs and scrambles for Williams Jr., often to the boundary and with motion.
  • “He gets to the edge quick and turns it upfield.” – Doug (67:19)
  • Both Williams and Coleman are “ankle breakers” in open space – causing concern for OSU's discipline and tackling.

Bill’s Take on OSU Defense

• OSU’s linebacker and safety corps (Reese, Styles, Downs): “Best second level in college football” – (79:54)
• Confident that these athletes will keep Williams Jr. and Coleman in check, and that OSU can limit Boston.
  • “I don’t think Boston’s going to go out there and torch Ohio State’s corners” – Bill (77:57)

7. Special Teams & Field Position (81:43–83:13)

• Kicking matchup is roughly even, but Washington has field position edge all season.
• "You don’t want to be in this environment routinely starting drives inside your own 15.” – Bill (83:13)

8. Game Script, Picks & Closing Thoughts (86:13–91:34)

Predicted Scores

• Bill: Ohio State 28, Washington 24 (“low possession game...both teams play slow...defenses will force punts”)
• Doug: Ohio State 38, Washington 28 (“I think Washington’s offense is going to put some pressure on Ohio State, but I can’t pick Washington to score 40.”)
• On Washington’s Chance:
  “If Julian Sayin throws an early pick, Washington gets up by two scores at home...that could tip the game.” – Doug (88:00)
• Both agree on OSU win, but see viable paths to a Washington upset.
  • “I don’t think the spread is weird at all. Washington could win.” – Bill (89:38)
  • “There's no secrets about Washington right now.” – Doug (90:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Washington basically has scored every time it has had the ball.” – Doug (07:20)
• “Taking a sack is certainly better than giving the ball to the other team.” – Bill (12:53)
• “You can blitz [Williams Jr.] into a 27 yard run, if you're not careful.” – Doug (57:23)
• “Denzel Boston...may be in contention to be the first receiver off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.” – Doug (45:21)
• On Washington’s run game weapon: “He's going to break tackles. Good contact balance. …a little bit of a bowling ball. Low to the ground, hard to tackle.” – Doug on Jonah Coleman (74:41)
• “I buy by no stretch do I think it’s going to be a shootout.” – Bill (78:01)
• “Ohio State has erasers who can erase the Washington erasers.” – Doug (79:54)
• “Julian Sayin has only seen cover one eight times in three games...that's about to change.” – Bill (39:00)

Important Timestamps

• Historical/Ryan Day/Urban Meyer context: 02:14–05:03
• Coaching Philosophies and Comparisons: 07:26–10:41
• Unit Strengths & Key Matchups: 14:42–15:56
• Ohio State Offense vs. Washington Defense (scheme/players): 15:00–43:41
• Washington Offense vs. Ohio State Defense (scheme/players): 43:45–83:13
• Red Zone & Third Down: 62:43–66:06
• Culminating Game Picks: 86:13–91:34
• ‘Whatcha Watching, Eating, Thinking’ Lifestyle Segment: 94:37–114:20

“Whatcha Watching, Eating, Thinking” Segment

Lighthearted, personality-driven recommendations and rants from both hosts.

• Watching:
  • Bill praises Joe Davis (Fox NFL) for radio-friendly TV play-by-play style. (94:37)
  • Doug reviews HBO’s “Task,” focusing on the authenticity (and excess) of Philadelphia accents. (98:02)
• Eating:
  • Bill raves about a "cannoli cupcake" and a Sri Lankan chicken tikka masala wrap on paratha bread from his brother’s wedding (103:12).
  • Doug delivers a “squash PSA,” recommending the seasonal delicata squash (105:25).
• Thinking:
  • Bill advocates for Friday weddings (“Nice to have two days to recover.”) (107:11)
  • Doug shares life-hack wisdom about getting eyebrows trimmed and tucking your undershirt into your boxers for superior shirt-tucking success (109:54).

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Informative, approachable, occasionally irreverent: Bill and Doug’s banter makes high-level Xs and Os actionable for casual and die-hard fans alike.
• Respect for Washington: Both hosts warn OSU fans not to underestimate the Huskies; this will not be a cakewalk.
• OSU Confidence but No Overconfidence: Both pick Ohio State, but by modest margins, acknowledging the real weapons and coaching on the other side.
• Philosophy: “Strength-on-strength” (OSU defense vs. Washington offense) will likely decide the game.

Bottom Line

A must-listen breakdown for any Ohio State or college football fan, packed with matchup analysis, schematic nuance, player breakdowns, and big-picture insight – all blending deep expertise with fun, accessible radio.

Both hosts pick an Ohio State win, in high-level, competitive, but not “track meet” fashion, while underlining the national stakes and warning against Husky underestimation.

End of Summary