The Bill and Doug Show: College Football Rivalry & Upset Picks

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis (Blue Wire)
Episode Date: November 27, 2025
Main Episode Theme:
A rapid-fire, insight-packed Thanksgiving-week episode as Doug and Bill cover 13 college football rivalry and marquee games, focusing on upsets, playoff implications, SEC “mid” teams, and coaching rumor mill—while keeping a Buckeye-centric, anti-SEC bias and plenty of humor.

Episode Overview

This special rivalry week episode has the hosts:

• Aiming for fun and vibe-driven picks (since Bill leads Doug by 10 in the season standings against the spread; 01:24)
• Breaking down 13 of the week's juiciest matchups, covering SEC, Big Ten, and national playoff stakes
• Exploring major storylines: coaches on the move, fading defenses, QB drama, and upsets that could recalibrate the playoff landscape
• Bantering irreverently on rivalries, coaching egos, and fan narratives

Key Discussion Points & Game Summaries

1. Approach to Rivalry Week Picks

• Doug admits to going “all vibes” and letting his SEC-rooting interests shape some underdog picks.
  “Usually my interests are for the SEC to burn to the ground.” — Doug [01:24]
• Bill, in hot pursuit in their season-long contest, is happy to go with whatever the moment inspires.

2. Friday Rivalry Slate: Highlight Games

Iowa at Nebraska

• Background:
  • Newer Big Ten rivalry with Iowa owning the series lately ([9 of last 10], [04:09]).
  • QB Dylan Raiola's Nebraska future is a subplot; both hosts think he’ll move on.
  • "I actually just all on vibes... would bet Dylan Raiola is not at Nebraska next season." — Bill [07:09]
• Spread: Nebraska +5.5; total 38.5 (noted for rock-bottom scoring possibilities)
• Hosts’ Picks:
  • Both pick Nebraska to cover (Iowa wins, but margin <5.5).
  • Score predictions: Doug: 17–13 Iowa; Bill: 23–20 Iowa (09:21)

Egg Bowl — Ole Miss at Mississippi State

• Storylines:
  • Lane Kiffin’s coaching rumors distract Ole Miss; possible LSU move.
  • “My guess is Lane Kiffin is the head coach at LSU next year.” — Bill [11:17]
  • Bill notes media picks on Kiffin's future vary widely.
• Spread: Ole Miss -7.5 at Mississippi State.
• Hosts’ Picks:
  • Doug calls for the outright upset: Mississippi State 28–24; Bill sticks with Rebels 30–20 (12:51).
• “I don’t think Ole Miss is that good, but they might be good enough to just do this.” — Bill

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (@ Mercedes Benz Stadium)

• Rivalry Note:
  • Doug has rooted for Georgia Tech all season but reluctantly concedes their leaky defense (FEI #94) can’t keep up.
  • "Their horrible, horrible, horrible defense murdered them against Pitt.” — Doug [15:19]
• Spread: Georgia -13.5
• Hosts’ Picks:
  • Both take Georgia Tech +13.5 for the cover, Georgia with the win.
  • Predicted scores: Doug: 33–28 Georgia; Bill: 38–20 Georgia (16:57)

Texas at Texas A&M

• Matchup:
  • Texas A&M, the only undefeated SEC team, is just a slight home favorite (-2.5) despite some narrow escapes versus a soft schedule.
  • Doug notes Texas QB Arch Manning’s recent improvement, but both hosts question A&M's strength of schedule.
    “Even playing an easy SEC schedule, they’ve still had some scares.” — Doug [19:27]
• Hosts’ Picks:
  • Doug: Texas 24–21 (straight-up win and cover);
  • Bill: Texas A&M 27–24.

3. Saturday Showdowns (Selected Games)

Miami at Pitt

• Backdrop:
  • Miami fans are up in arms about playoff disrespect, but both hosts are skeptical.
  • “I am not mad at Miami. I am mad at the conversation about Miami… it has been weird that this team somehow has become this rallying cry.” — Doug [23:44]
• Weather: COLD—feels like 30s in Pittsburgh (24:02)
• Historical Note: Mario Cristobal just 8–8 outside Florida as Miami coach.
• Hosts’ Picks:
  • Both pick Pitt to cover +6.5 and win outright.
  • Predicted scores: Doug: 31–28; Bill: 28–21 (24:44)

Oregon at Washington

• Context:
  • Oregon is battered (especially on OL & WR), but their defense still rates among the elite.
  • Washington much stronger at home; Michael Penix has no picks and elite efficiency there.
• Injury Watch:
  • Key Washington skill players “should play more” after recent injuries.
• Analytical Notes:
  • Both raise concerns about Washington against top defenses (e.g., Ohio State, Michigan), and trust Oregon’s resilience.
  • “Washington’s not good on the road. I’m not sure it’s indicative of who they are…” — Bill [28:05]
• Spread: Washington +6.5
• Picks:
  • Both pick Oregon to win and cover.
  • Doug: 28–20 Oregon; Bill: 28–21 Oregon (29:21)

Penn State at Rutgers

• Subplots:
  • Penn State’s coaching search likened to a “mystery candidate”; wild speculation about names like Kalen DeBoer or, jokingly, Dabo Swinney (as “W.C. Sweeney”; 33:42).
  • Doug shares a stat on post-Ohio State game struggles: teams vs. OSU are 2-6-1 ATS next week (34:43).
• Spread: Rutgers +13.5
• Picks:
  • Both pick Penn State to win and cover.
  • Bill: 38–21 PSU; Doug: 27–10 PSU.

Wisconsin at Minnesota

• Series: Most-played FBS rivalry (135th meeting). Line flips midweek, now Wisconsin -1.5.
• Minnesota’s Defense: Not stopping anyone; coaching shakeup (lost DC to Miami).
• Vibes: “Far, far better” on the Wisconsin side after administration’s vote of confidence.
• Picks:
  • Both pick Wisconsin. Doug: 17–13; Bill: 27–23.

Oklahoma vs. LSU

• Rivalry Manufactured by SEC: Both hosts mock the forced scheduling.
• LSU as Spoiler: Both want the chaos but question if LSU can score enough with freshman QB.
• Picks:
  • Doug: 13–10 LSU (upset!);
  • Bill: 17–16 LSU, also for the chaos (43:24).

Vanderbilt at Tennessee

• Playoff Stakes: Vandy can move up with a win; both teams known for “loose” games.
• Picks:
  • Doug: 45–42 Vanderbilt (upset!);
  • Bill: 37–31 Tennessee (46:14)

Northwestern at Illinois

• Surprise/Disappointment meter:
  • Illinois seen as one of season’s biggest letdowns; Northwestern “overachieved.”
  • Both believe Northwestern might be the better team, despite being a 6.5-point dog.
• Picks:
  • Doug: 24–21 Northwestern;
  • Bill: 26–24 Northwestern (49:54)

Iron Bowl: Alabama at Auburn

• Saban Shade:
  • Doug mocks Saban for dismissing rivalry importance versus national titles.
  • Both call for the upset: “Bama’s gonna lose!”
  • "If you believe hard enough and your heart is pure, wondrous things can happen. Like Alabama losing." — Bill [52:43]
• Ty Simpson (Alabama QB): Lately turnover-prone.
• Picks:
  • Doug: 20–17 Auburn;
  • Bill: 27–23 Auburn.

SMU at Cal

• Winner: SMU gets into ACC Championship with a win.
• Coaching Drama: Cal fired its coach midweek; interim staff.
• QB Talk:
  • Bill highlights Cal’s freshman five-star QB: “When he’s on, it is awesome… in the portal market, that guy’s going to be getting some [attention].” (55:37)
• Picks:
  • Doug: SMU 35–13;
  • Bill: Cal 30–24 (upset for the drama).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Usually my interests are for the SEC to burn to the ground.” — Doug [01:24]
• “Lane Kiffin is the head coach at LSU next year.” — Bill [11:17]
• “It has been weird that this [Miami] team… has become this rallying cry. It is driving me absolutely bonkers.” — Doug [23:44]
• On speculating Penn State’s coaching job:
  “Can you imagine … if Dabo Sweeney took the Penn State job and said Dabo’s dead. Bill Sweeney is the new coach?” — Bill & Doug [33:57]
• “Far, far better vibes. Minnesota, you know, it’s unfortunate they had a… excellent defensive coordinator.. Miami stole him. Their answer… hasn't [worked].” — Doug on Wisconsin/Minnesota [40:33]
• “If you believe hard enough and your heart is pure, wondrous things can happen. Like Alabama losing.” — Bill [52:43]
• On Cal’s QB:
  “That guy can just help us get at least, at least something different from the ACC. I’m not saying something good, but something different.” — Bill [54:24]

Timestamps For Key Segments

• Rivalry Week Picking Vibes: [01:18 – 02:57]
• Iowa-Nebraska Analysis: [04:09 – 09:21]
• Egg Bowl/Lane Kiffin Soap Opera: [09:51 – 12:51]
• Georgia-Georgia Tech Big Picture: [13:12 – 16:57]
• Texas-Texas A&M Critique: [17:59 – 22:07]
• Miami-Pitt & ACC Craziness: [22:08 – 24:48]
• Oregon-Washington Deep Dive: [27:12 – 29:21]
• Penn State Coaching Search Parody: [31:20 – 33:42]
• Oklahoma-LSU Rant on Rivalries: [41:32 – 44:05]
• Iron Bowl: Saban & Turner: [50:34 – 53:07]
• SMU-Cal, QB Portal Prospects: [53:07 – 56:30]

Episode Tone & Style

• Language: Satirical, irreverent, and direct—lots of inside jokes, NCAA references, and “fighting SEC bias.”
• Structure: Rapid-fire picks, focused on playoff consequences, playoff math, and the fun of college football chaos.
• Fan-oriented: Significant time spent ranting about narratives, media, and “burning the SEC to the ground.”

Quick Summary Table: Host Picks

| Game | Bill’s Pick | Doug’s Pick | |-----------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Iowa at Nebraska | Iowa 23–20, Nebraska +5.5 | Iowa 17–13, Nebraska +5.5 | | Egg Bowl | Ole Miss 30–20 | Miss St. 28–24 (Upset) | | Georgia/Georgia Tech | Georgia 38–20 | Georgia 33–28 | | Texas @ Texas A&M | A&M 27–24 | Texas 24–21 (Upset) | | Miami at Pitt | Pitt 28–21 (Upset) | Pitt 31–28 (Upset) | | Oregon at Washington | Oregon 28–21 | Oregon 28–20 | | PSU at Rutgers | PSU 38–21 | PSU 27–10 | | Wisconsin at Minnesota| Wis 27–23 | Wis 17–13 | | Oklahoma vs. LSU | LSU 17–16 (Upset) | LSU 13–10 (Upset) | | Vanderbilt at Tenn | Tenn 37–31 | Vandy 45–42 (Upset) | | N’western at Illinois | N’western 26–24 (Upset) | N’western 24–21 (Upset) | | Alabama at Auburn | Auburn 27–23 (Upset) | Auburn 20–17 (Upset) | | SMU at Cal | Cal 30–24 (Upset) | SMU 35–13 |

Bottom Line:
The episode blends sharp college football analysis with “fan first” banter, rooting for chaos, and upsets that might upend playoff projections—delivered with a side of irreverence and deep Buckeye pride.