The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Vanderbilt beating Alabama again? Nebraska & Washington tests; Cincinnati-Iowa St. banger: CFB picks
Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bill and Doug Show dives into the most intriguing college football matchups of the weekend, blending insight with humor and friendly banter. Doug and Bill review their recent pick records, break down seven key games—including a wild Vanderbilt-Alabama prediction—and offer sharp analysis on the Big Ten, SEC, and beyond. They also reflect on trends in college football, coaching quirks, and the evolving narratives around playoff contenders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekly Picks Recap and Records

• Doug and Bill celebrate an improved week in against-the-spread picks:
  • Both went 5-2 ATS, 3-0 in games they agreed on.
  • Doug: 18-17 ATS, 21-14 straight-up for the season.
  • Bill: 16-19 ATS, 20-15 straight-up.
  • Doug (01:34): “Let’s go! Alright.”
  • Bill (01:40): “We both gave the points with Notre Dame, who blow the doors off Arkansas. So good for us. You are now up against the spread for the year.”

2. Cincinnati vs. Iowa State – Surprising Big 12 Implications

[03:04–11:03]

• Cincinnati (3-1) hosts Iowa State in a key Big 12 game; both teams vastly exceeding preseason expectations.
• Cincinnati’s rise:
  • Preseason, 14th best odds to win conference; now 6th.
  • QB Brendan Sorsby’s huge jump in performance.
  • RB Tommy Walker (Wisconsin transfer) and Evan Pryor add depth.
• Iowa State details:
  • 5-0, strong season start with wins over Kansas State, South Dakota, Iowa (CyHawk), and Arizona.
  • Rocco Beck is showing leadership and consistency.
  • Injury watch: Cincinnati’s Dante Corleone and Iowa State’s Dominique Orange both questionable.
• Both pick Iowa State:
  • Bill: ISU 23-17
  • Doug: ISU 17-14 (“I have a feeling Iowa State’s going to kind of like drag them into the mud…” [08:14])

Notable quote:

• Doug (04:55): “It’s pretty cool, right? That was a really good win for Cincinnati against Kansas ... just a great Saturday of football in Nippert Stadium for everybody who cares about Cincinnati football and everybody who cares about Iowa State football, because what a way to start October.”

3. Illinois at Purdue – Big Ten Bounce-Back Spot

[12:21–17:56]

• Reviewing last year’s OT thriller (Illinois win 50-49).
• Purdue’s modest surge under coach Barriotom—competitive despite tough schedule.
• Illinois:
  • Bounced back with a wobbly win over USC after an ugly Indiana loss.
  • QB Luke Altmeyer and O-line performance under scrutiny.
• Both pick Illinois to cover:
  • Bill: Illinois 31-20
  • Doug: Illinois 28-13
    Doug (15:28): “I believe in Luke Altmeyer. I believe in Purdue probably not being built to attack Illinois’s offensive deficiency…”

4. Vanderbilt at Alabama – Upset Alert, Again?

[17:56–21:50]

• Recalling Vanderbilt’s shock win last year (40-35).
• Both deeply skeptical of Alabama—Bill calls their season an “SEC mirage.”
• Quarterback Diego Pavia for Vandy gets a humorous deep-dive.
• Picks:
  • Doug: “I swear to God, I’m not going to be surprised if Vanderbilt beats [Alabama] for the second straight year.” (19:36)
  • Bill: Vandy +10.5, Bama by one, 31-30
  • Doug: Vandy +10.5, picking the points Notable banter:
• Bill (19:36): “There’s not a single thing that Bama is doing that I believe in. Not a thing.”
• Doug (20:00): “Nor I will not be surprised either.”

5. Texas vs. Florida – Disdainful Analysis

[21:50–23:58]

• Little enthusiasm for this matchup; both mock the preseason hype.
• Harsh on both teams' offenses; dismissive of the Lagway–Arch Manning narrative.
• Picks:
  • Bill: Texas 28-10 (“Can you score negative points?” [22:05])
  • Doug: Texas 10-0

Notable quote:

• Doug (21:56): “It’s the quarterback matchup that fed families for an entire college football offseason. Show some respect.”

6. Washington at Maryland – Can the Huskies Win on the Road?

[23:58–28:22]

• Big Ten intrigue: Washington’s suspect road record vs. “October Maryland, king of starting 4-0 and losing every game in October.”
• Excitement around QB battle: Demond Williams Jr. (Washington) vs. Malik Washington (Maryland).
• Injury note: Maryland CB Takario Davis’s status uncertain.
• Picks:
  • Doug: Maryland 28-24 (“I think Maryland is a good enough team to like pounce if there are opportunities presented.” [27:53])
  • Bill: Washington 38-20

7. Nebraska vs. Michigan State – Who Rises in the Big Ten Middle?

[28:22–33:11]

• Nebraska favored by 11.5, both coming off idle weeks.
• Michigan State now competitive; Aiden Childs shows flashes.
• Nebraska’s defense praised as “pretty good”; offense could soon break through.
• Picks:
  • Doug: Nebraska 31-17
  • Bill: Nebraska 35-17
    Bill (30:02): “This is where the Blackshirts just need to assert some dominance. I think this is the kind of team Nebraska needs to get healthy against.”

Meta Segment:

Discussion on Nebraska coach Matt Rhule having a podcast ([33:11–36:32]):

• Doug: “What’s your opinion on Matt Rhule having a podcast? I think it’s kind of weird.”
• Bill: Mixed feelings—okay if winning, otherwise “leave the talking to the talkers and the ball to the ballers.”

8. Miami vs. Florida State – Renewal or Unraveling?

[36:42–40:02]

• Matchup lacks its former gravitas, but still compelling.
• Florida State labeled fraudulent; Miami praised for line play.
• Bill: Miami 37-16
• Doug: Miami 38-31

Doug (38:18): “Miami, they’re the best, I think, offensive/defensive line combo in the country. I don’t think Florida State can hang in the trenches with Miami.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Doug (09:08, on Iowa State): “I thought sort of continued expectations for Iowa State...I was like, I don't know. And here they are five and oh, but Matt Campbell's as good as it gets.”
• Bill (19:36, Alabama skepticism): “There’s not a single thing that Bama is doing that I believe in. Not a thing.”
• Doug (21:56, on Texas-Florida game hype): “It's the quarterback matchup that fed families for an entire college football offseason. Show some respect.”
• Doug (37:13, on Miami-FSU): “I think it's fun. No, these teams are good and playing each other.”
• Bill (33:11, on Matt Rhule's podcast): “He shouldn’t spend more than three minutes thinking about it, other than the time he’s yakking in to the microphone.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:04] – Cincinnati-Iowa State Big 12 banger preview
• [12:21] – Illinois at Purdue breakdown
• [17:56] – Vanderbilt at Alabama bold predictions
• [21:50] – Texas vs. Florida roasting
• [23:58] – Washington at Maryland competitive matchup
• [28:22] – Nebraska-Michigan State and the Big Ten “middle”
• [33:11] – Matt Rhule podcast meta-discussion
• [36:42] – Miami vs. Florida State analysis and picks

Summary Table of Picks

| Game | Doug's Pick | Bill's Pick | |------------------------|---------------------|-----------------------| | Cincinnati-Iowa State | Iowa State 17-14 | Iowa State 23-17 | | Illinois-Purdue | Illinois 28-13 | Illinois 31-20 | | Vanderbilt-Alabama | Vandy +10.5, Bama | Vandy +10.5, Bama | | Texas-Florida | Texas 10-0 | Texas 28-10 | | Washington-Maryland | Maryland 28-24 | Washington 38-20 | | Nebraska-Michigan St | Nebraska 31-17 | Nebraska 35-17 | | Miami–Florida State | Miami 38-31 | Miami 37-16 |

Closing Remarks

Doug and Bill blend veteran insight with authentic fan energy, pushing back on media narratives and Southern football dominance. The episode offers not just picks but a window into the quirks of college football—coaching personalities, program trajectories, rivalry flavor, and the heartache and hilarity of picking against the odds.

For Ohio State fans or any college football follower, this episode coats sharp analysis with self-aware humor and real passion for the game.