The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State's Rushing Attack—How Much Better Can It Get? Does It Matter?

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Host: Bill Landis (solo)
Date: November 4, 2025
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into Ohio State’s much-debated run game: has it turned a corner? What does improvement really mean considering upcoming weak defenses—and does it even matter, given OSU’s elite passing and defensive units? Bill Landis breaks down the latest game, key stats, the running back rotation, the state of the offensive line, and strategic context as the Buckeyes build toward Michigan and a title defense.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Rushing Attack (01:31)

• Bill frames the episode’s focus: assessing Ohio State’s progress in the run game after the Penn State win, set against a three-game ramp-up before Michigan.
• The run game and offensive line are intertwined, but today’s episode zeroes in on the ground game.

“We're having this ongoing conversation right about two things...Ohio State's rushing attack, Ohio State's offensive line.” (01:38)

2. Statistical Progress & Schedule Context (04:56–08:52)

• OSU’s performance vs. Penn State: 5.13 yards per carry, first time since September OSU crested 5.0 YPC.
• Contextualizing that: Penn State isn’t a great run defense (now 63rd nationally), but recent opponents (Wisconsin, Illinois) are also middling, and OSU struggled more there.
• Next three defenses—Purdue (81st), UCLA (128th), Rutgers (136th)—could make OSU’s run game look “fixed,” but Bill cautions against reading too much into stat boosts against the nation’s worst run defenses.

“If Ohio State runs it really well and they rip off these explosive runs against these teams, that’s great, but I don’t want to assume automatically that it is indicative of like, it's fixed and they're fine…” (09:55)

3. Running Back Usage and Rotation (10:55–16:10)

• Bo Jackson is cemented as RB1.
• Isaiah West, the other promising freshman, seemed RB2 after Wisconsin, but possibly missed a key pass-protection assignment vs. Penn State, leading to limited snaps.
• Pass protection miscues by RBs have real consequences in staff decisions.
• C.J. Donaldson's role: Short-yardage/goal line back; a costly fumble vs. PSU, but staff isn’t likely to bench him for it.
• Competition for RB2 continues between West and James Peoples; Peoples “maybe had his best game” vs. PSU.
• Explosive plays are lacking: Only five runs of 20+ yards all season (well below OSU’s historical norms).

“I think those are the kind of things that are going to impact running back decisions, right? You can’t be getting your quarterback hit like that.” (12:36)

“They only have five carries of 20 yards or more on the season, which is just really low and kind of out of character for Ohio State.” (15:47)

4. Offensive Line Performance (16:12–20:28)

• O-Line is ‘work in progress,’ especially in pass protection vs. PSU, but made some progress for the run game.
• Tiger Shabola (RG) and Josh Padilla both played; no clear winner at that right guard spot.
• O-Line “probably is what it is” at this point in the season.
• The overall run-game scheme has been pared down; fewer experimental looks, more sticking to plays that fit this group.
• Scheme-wise, Bill sees improvement and praises the run designs and personnel tweaks (“the influence of Tyler Bowen” is noticeable).

“I think you have seen it get pared down a little bit here lately...I’ve not really had much issue with the run scheme to be honest because I separate sort of like play calling and play design. Play design I think has been by and large not bad.” (18:31)

5. How Good Does the Rushing Game Have to Be? (21:50–28:28)

• Ohio State’s passing attack and defense are elite—the best or one of the best in the country.
• The run game only needs to be “good enough” to complement those strengths.
• OSU is now close to a 50/50 run-pass split, shifting to a pass-first identity.
• Bears comparison to recent national champions: This team is ahead or in the same ballpark as 2023 Michigan (national champ with weaker run stats), and miles ahead of several playoff contenders like Alabama in 2025.
• Historical note: 2019 LSU (explosive offense, OK running game) is a model.

“If your passing attack’s the best in the country and your defense is going to be the best in the country, how good does your running game really need to be?” (24:48)

• Bill is “not bullish” that the run game gets great, but sees “good enough” as within reach; against PSU, the run was solid: efficient, a little more explosive, only 2 negative runs, and reliable inside the five.

6. Key Quote & Episode Conclusion (26:07–29:30)

“I don’t know that I look at the run game as something that could be Ohio State’s undoing. Maybe those will be famous last words…” (26:07)

• The upcoming three games should be used to “work on it, continue building confidence, especially reps for young running backs.”
• Big-picture: This is a pass-first, defense-oriented team, and while OSU fans might want more from the run game, the current structure can win a title if other strengths hold.

Memorable Moments & Selected Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 01:38 | “We're having this ongoing conversation right about two things...Ohio State's rushing attack, Ohio State's offensive line.” | Bill Landis | | 09:55 | “If Ohio State runs it really well and they rip off these explosive runs against these teams, that’s great, but I don’t want to assume automatically that it is indicative of like, it's fixed and they're fine…” | Bill Landis | | 12:36 | “I think those are the kind of things that are going to impact running back decisions, right? You can’t be getting your quarterback hit like that.” | Bill Landis | | 15:47 | “They only have five carries of 20 yards or more on the season, which is just really low and kind of out of character for Ohio State.” | Bill Landis | | 18:31 | “I think you have seen it get pared down a little bit here lately...I’ve not really had much issue with the run scheme to be honest because I separate sort of like play calling and play design. Play design I think has been by and large not bad.” | Bill Landis | | 24:48 | “If your passing attack’s the best in the country and your defense is going to be the best in the country, how good does your running game really need to be?” | Bill Landis | | 26:07 | “I don’t know that I look at the run game as something that could be Ohio State’s undoing. Maybe those will be famous last words…” | Bill Landis |

Key Timestamps

• 01:31 — Episode focus introduction: State of the rushing game
• 04:56–08:52 — Stat trends, context of recent opponents and previews of weak upcoming defenses
• 10:55–16:10 — Running back rotation, roles, and explosive run issues
• 16:12–20:28 — Offensive line developments, scheme tweaks, and play design analysis
• 21:50–28:28 — Broader context: How ‘good’ does running game need to be given OSU strengths; comparison to recent national champs
• 26:07 — Key “famous last words” quote about the running game being “good enough”
• 29:30 — Conclusion, future content previews

Summary Takeaways

• The run game is improving (statistically and in subtle ways), but underlying issues remain—especially against quality defenses.
• Bo Jackson is the top RB, but the 2nd spot is up for grabs; young backs need more reps for evaluation.
• Explosive runs are rare this season, which is highly unusual for OSU and a lingering concern.
• OL is settling in, but “is what it is”—not overpowering, but making small gains with simpler schemes.
• Big picture: With an elite pass attack and defense, OSU doesn’t need a dominant run game—just something that’s efficient and keeps defenses honest.
• Next three games may offer a confidence boost, but fans/media are cautioned not to overreact to stat bumps against very poor run defenses.
• Championship precedent: Teams have won titles with average ground games when everything else is elite.

Final Thought:
Bill Landis finds optimism but stays realistic: Ohio State’s run game may not ever be great in 2025, but with the best defense and passing attack in the nation, it doesn’t have to be. If the Buckeyes can replicate their Penn State performance—efficient, explosive enough, and error-free in key moments—that’s “good enough” to chase another national title.