The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Penn State vs. Oregon, Alabama vs. Georgia: Picking a loaded college football slate
Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises (A) and Bill Landis (B)

Episode Overview

In this national picks edition, Bill and Doug break down the biggest college football matchups of the week—including the high-stakes Penn State vs. Oregon Big Ten showdown, the marquee Alabama vs. Georgia battle in the SEC, and several other key games across the nation. With characteristic blend of analysis and banter, they talk narratives, player matchups, and perception, offering unique insight into what these games mean for the conferences, playoff race, and their own reputations as football prognosticators.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oregon at Penn State (Game of the Week)

• Significance of the Matchup ([00:00]-[01:34])

  • Bill: “I think as long as both teams look like the top 10 teams they are, it’s kind of a can’t lose situation for the Big Ten. But it would be great if they both went out there and just sort of had a juggernaut kind of slugfest.” ([00:37])
  • Conference perception and national respect are on the line, but blowouts could damage the Big Ten's image.
  • Both coaches (Dan Lanning at Oregon, James Franklin at Penn State) face heat about performing in big games.

• Simultaneous Marquee Matchups: SEC and Big Ten ([01:34]-[05:35])

  • Doug notes the oddity and opportunity of Oregon-Penn State and Alabama-Georgia being aired at the same time—framing it as "Round Two" after Texas-Ohio State earlier in the year.
  • “Quality sometimes is in the eye of the beholder… SEC gets credit for both slugfests and shootouts.” ([01:56])
  • Touches on SEC "perception management" after last year’s wild Alabama-Georgia finish.

• On-Field Matchups: Skill Players and Offenses ([05:35]-[10:03])

  • Extensive rundown of offensive weapons: Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Luke Reynolds for Penn State; Decorian Moore, Malik Benson for Oregon, and Kenya Sadiq at TE.
  • Both teams have talent on defense; expectation is for a well-played, competitive game.
  • Focus on Penn State QB Drew Aller’s struggles throwing deep and whether he can unlock the offense this week. “Drew Aller…is 2 of 8 on throws of 20 yards down the field this season, which is by far the least in the Big Ten.” ([08:36])

• Concerns About Penn State's Offense & Drew Aller ([10:03]-[15:44])

  • Bill: “The biggest problem with Drew Aller is his footwork…Maybe the sloppiest footwork of any quarterback who is considered good in college football. And it’s like never improved.” ([13:09])
  • Both question whether Penn State’s offense under Aller can keep pace with Oregon.
  • Discussion of Penn State possibly hiding ("slow-playing") elements of their offense for this game.

• Penn State Run Game & X-Factors ([14:59]-[17:40])

  • Bill: Recalls Penn State’s 300-yard rushing performance vs. Oregon last year. “Potentially, Penn State could just kind of ride its rushing attack to a win if Drew Aller is not great.” ([14:59])
  • Shoutout to Chaz Coleman, true freshman defensive end, as “the most interesting guy in the Big Ten right now.” ([15:44])

• Oregon’s Road Test and Defensive Battle ([17:40]-[20:10])

  • Doug: “Dante Moore…hasn’t faced a defense like Penn State.” ([17:23])
  • Oregon’s offensive line has improved, but playing in Penn State’s Whiteout is a huge challenge.
  • Bill projects a lower scoring, more physical contest due to strong defensive units and pass rushes on both sides.
  • The chess match: Will Stein (Oregon OC) vs. Jim Knowles (Penn State DC; formerly of Ohio State).

• Picks

  • Bill picks Penn State 28-27. “I think the run game is what gets them there” ([20:38])
  • Doug picks Oregon 27-26. “All the offseason momentum Oregon seized…and I went back and checked, and my fears about Penn State are warranted…He’s just missing throws.” ([20:44])

2. Notre Dame at Arkansas (Noon Game) ([25:41]-[29:20])

• Surprisingly Close Spread and Matchup Intrigue

  • Notre Dame favored by only 4.5 despite Arkansas’ two losses, due in part to Arkansas QB Taylor Green’s dual-threat ability.
  • Both express concern about Notre Dame's “messy” defense: “Notre Dame has not really shown an ability to stop anyone other than Purdue.” – Bill ([27:03])
  • Doug ribs: “Congratulations to the Fighting Irish for everything working against them this year.” ([27:57])
  • Coach drama: Bobby Petrino possibly staging a “coup” at Arkansas, said tongue-in-cheek.

• Picks

  • Doug: Notre Dame 30-24 ([29:15])
  • Bill: Notre Dame 38-31 ([29:15])

3. USC at Illinois ([29:20]-[34:54])

• Illinois’ Bad Loss and Road to Redemption
  • Illinois blown out by Indiana last week but getting healthier in the secondary.
  • Discussion about whether “the blitz” was situational or indicative of deeper issues.
  • Bill highlights the challenge for USC with a noon kickoff (9 AM Pacific): “That’s what the money’s for, but…it could matter.” ([31:52])
• Picks
  • Doug: Illinois 26-24 ([33:56])
  • Bill: Illinois 24-20 ([34:00])

4. Rutgers at Minnesota ([35:00]-[37:46])

• Rutgers’ Offensive Revolution
  • Rutgers flipped identity: “Second worst defense in the Big Ten by yards per play and the third best passing offense at 304 yards per game.” ([35:55])
  • Bill picks an upset: Rutgers 35-31 ([36:58])
  • Doug: Minnesota 31-24 ([37:00])
  • Rutgers’ receivers dominate Big Ten target rankings—they’re “like a 2008 Big 12 team.” ([37:32])

5. Indiana at Iowa ([37:46]-[41:30])

• Belief in Phil Parker’s Iowa Defense Splits the Room
  • Doug trusts Phil Parker, Bill does not: “Phil Parker needs dudes and Phil Parker don't got dudes this year. I think that this is a bad, bad Iowa defense.” ([38:36])
  • Shadows of Iowa’s struggles against ranked teams, lingering belief in Indiana’s new offense.
• Picks
  • Bill: Indiana 30-14 ([40:24])
  • Doug: Indiana 27-20, but Iowa covers ([40:25])
  • “I don’t think Indiana is a team that gets overconfident to its own detriment…just the right amount of confident.” – Bill, on Indiana’s psyche ([40:54])

6. Alabama at Georgia (Marquee SEC Tilt) ([44:49]-[51:14])

• What to Make of These Teams and Their Coaches

  • Both question whether either team is truly “elite” this year. “Who’s good? I actually think they’re both good. Who’s better? I’m not entirely sure.” – Bill ([45:57])
  • Discussion of Kirby Smart’s 1-6 record vs. Bama, and the “Kirby Centric” talking points if he loses again ([46:16])
  • Debate on whether Bama is “fixed”—some faith in their health and Ty Simpson at QB. “Perhaps we were a little too spicy with what we were saying about Alabama after week one.” – Bill ([47:11])
  • Doug: Georgia should have lost to Tennessee; doesn’t trust either team entirely.

• Picks

  • Bill: Bama 42-41 (“in a shootout,” referencing their famous “magic score” from a previous OSU-UGA playoff) ([49:21])
  • Doug: Georgia 35-31 (“There’s not one part of either of these teams that I believe in.”) ([51:07])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perception and Bias:
  • “Sometimes when the SEC is playing 4-2 slug fests, they can make everybody think that defense is what makes great teams, and then when nobody can play defense, they’re making a ton of mistakes and…somehow persuade everybody that scoring and big-time offense is the way to go.” – Doug ([01:46])
• On Social Media Reactions:
  • “We’ll just take Ari’s phone away from him and then he won’t be able to tweet about it.” – Bill, on wild national takes ([07:15])
• On Quarterback Play:
  • “Drew Aller…has maybe the sloppiest footwork of any quarterback who is considered good in college football. And it’s like never improved.” – Bill ([13:09])
• On Coaching Tendencies:
  • “Kurt Signetti is like the Terminator of Big Ten football. He’s just like, ‘Go beat the opponent. I don’t care about anything.’” – Doug ([40:54])
• Doug’s Self-awareness:
  • “If I’m making my own picks and betting my own $2, I will strap myself to my prior and throw it in the deepest part of the ocean and go down with my prior.” ([43:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Oregon at Penn State: stakes and narrative
• 05:35 – Comparing Oregon-Penn State and Alabama-Georgia as simultaneous primetime games
• 10:03 – Drew Aller’s struggles and Penn State offense's readiness
• 15:44 – Chaz Coleman’s emergence on Penn State’s defense
• 17:40 – Dante Moore’s first elite road test for Oregon
• 20:10 – Picks for Oregon vs. Penn State
• 25:41 – Notre Dame at Arkansas preview and pick
• 29:20 – USC at Illinois: health, perception, body clock, and pick
• 35:00 – Rutgers at Minnesota: Rutgers’ new identity and picks
• 37:46 – Indiana at Iowa: divergent opinions on defenses and picks
• 44:49 – Alabama at Georgia analysis, coaching legacies, and picks

Episode Takeaways

• Big Ten and SEC perceptions are at stake with the dueling primetime showdowns.
• Penn State-Oregon is seen as perhaps the more “well-played” game than Alabama-Georgia, provided both teams avoid mistakes and showcase their defenses.
• Many top teams have key questions at quarterback (Drew Aller, Ty Simpson, Gunner Stockton)—upper-tier success may depend on one finally breaking through under pressure.
• The hosts stress not to use their picks for gambling purposes—their record is “decidedly average,” and analysis is more about “talking ball” than batting averages.
• The tone is thoughtful, honest, and playful, with jabs at coaching foibles, schematic trends, and even themselves as analysts.

For Fans Who Missed It

This episode is an essential listen for college football fans invested in the playoff race, conference reputation, and the continuing evolution of both Big Ten and SEC football. You’ll find sharp analysis, keen perspective on national narratives, and enough humor to remind you: no matter how the games turn out, it’s all for the love of the sport.