Podcast Summary: The Bill and Doug Show – Why the Penn State job is better than LSU; the SEC is actually mid; don't get Ole Miss smug: Rants

Podcast: The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk
Host: Blue Wire (Doug Lesmerises solo)
Date: October 27, 2025
Episode Focus: Doug delivers a series of college football rants, centering on why Penn State is a better job than LSU, why the SEC is “mid,” and cautioning against Ole Miss playoff overconfidence.

Overview:

Doug Lesmerises hosts a solo rant-focused episode, breaking down coaching changes and job perceptions at LSU and Penn State, debunking the SEC’s air of superiority, and skewering hasty playoff projections for Ole Miss. With signature bluntness and Midwest pride, Doug challenges prevailing narratives, especially those from Southern football media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LSU vs. Penn State: Which is the Better Job?

(Begins ~00:52)

• Backdrop:
  Both LSU and Penn State fire their head coaches (Brian Kelly at LSU; James Franklin at Penn State), sparking debate on which program is more desirable.
• Media Narrative:
  Doug critiques the near-universal consensus that LSU is the superior job, referencing rankings like Shahan Jeyarajah at CBS Sports placing LSU #1 and Penn State #3.
• Performance Stats (last 10 years):
  • Penn State: 90–34 (9th best nationally)
  • LSU: 87–37 (11th best)
  • Top 10 finishes: Penn State (5), LSU (2)
  • Penn State often outperforms LSU in consistency and AP Poll finishes

Quote [02:37]:

“Why are we so sure that LSU is a better job than Penn State?...Last 10 years, Penn State 90 and 34. LSU 87 and 37.”
— Doug Lesmerises

• Nature of Each Program:
  • LSU: Defined by dramatic highs and lows (“peak and valley”), with frequent turmoil but national titles under three straight coaches pre-Kelly.
  • Penn State: Marked by steadiness and “being in the mix” every year. Plateau of solid success but with fewer peaks (no recent titles), yet also without deep valleys.
• Brian Kelly’s Tenure Moves:
  Doug notes Kelly left a stable, “James Franklin-like” situation at Notre Dame for LSU’s chaos, which exposed him as a poor cultural fit; he failed to replicate the prior three coaches’ title runs.
• The Value of Consistency:
  Doug stresses, especially in the new 12-team playoff era, being consistently in contention is more valuable than wild oscillations.

Quote [07:38]:

“I do not think LSU is going to stop being chaotic…I think at LSU you have to assume there are going to be some valleys. You hope there are some peaks. Penn State has been a plateau of success without the peaks, but also without the valleys.”
— Doug Lesmerises

• Opportunity for Penn State:
  • James Franklin may have been a “bridge coach”; new hire could elevate Nittany Lions onto the national title level that Marcus Freeman is bringing back to Notre Dame.
  • Penn State’s investment (via NIL, paying Jim Knowles, etc.) shows commitment; the right hire could rally fans and boost recruiting.

Quote [09:56]:

“I just think there is such tremendous opportunity at Penn State…and I think you have to look at the last 10 years.”
— Doug Lesmerises

• Caution on ‘Fallen Coaches’:
  Doug warns Big Ten schools against hiring Brian Kelly just because of past glories (re: possible interest from Wisconsin, Maryland, or Michigan State).
  • Kelly’s age (64) and trajectory make him less appealing for future cycles.

2. Rant: Is the SEC Just ‘Mid’?

(Begins ~13:57)

• Trolling or Real?
  Doug gleefully admits he enjoys trolling SEC fans but insists he genuinely believes the conference is overrated this season.
• AP Preseason Top 25 Breakdown:
  • Doug delivers a team-by-team review, labeling many Southern teams as “mid” (middle of the pack).
  • Notable “mid” or underperformers include Georgia, Alabama, LSU (coach fired), Florida (coach fired), Ole Miss, Tennessee, etc.
  • Only Ohio State comes in as “good” by his standards; Penn State and LSU both fired their coaches.
• Joy in SEC Trolling:
  • Doug points out Paul Finebaum often mocks northern fans—he’s just turning the tables.

Quote [17:21]:

“Somebody has to tell the South to cram it. Somebody has to tell the SEC that they're puffed up and not as good as they think. And I'm happy to do it.”
— Doug Lesmerises

• Alabama as the Epitome of ‘Mid’:
  • Breaks down Alabama’s near-loss to South Carolina: multiple punts, a fluky pick-six, and lucky breaks; not dominant champions.
• Predictions:
  • Boldly predicts the playoff semifinals will NOT include an SEC team:
    • Believes Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Notre Dame (or some combo) will fill the semifinal spots.

Memorable Moment [21:52]:

“Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana and Notre Dame. If the bracket allows it, three of the four semifinalists are coming from those four teams…Will not be surprised if there's no SEC team in the semis.” — Doug Lesmerises

• Admits Exaggeration for Effect:
  When accused of being a troll, Doug says he amps things up to antagonize SEC diehards “because that brings me great personal joy”—but insists the root argument is honest.

3. Don’t Get Smug About Ole Miss

(Begins ~24:51)

• Critique of Ole Miss Playoff Buzz:
  • Andy Staples (Andy and Ari Show) calls Ole Miss a “Sharpie” (guaranteed) playoff team after their road win at Oklahoma. Doug isn’t buying it.
• Ole Miss’s Fragility:
  • Recent close wins over bad-to-average teams (Kentucky, Arkansas, Washington State).
  • Remaining schedule features “middling” teams (South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi State) capable of upsets.
  • Recalls last year’s bad losses to middling teams as proof of potential collapse.
• Lane Kiffin’s Future:
  • Playfully speculates on Kiffin’s next move (LSU? Florida? Penn State?) but doubts anyone should lock in Ole Miss as playoff-bound.

Quote [25:34]:

“You're sure an Ole Miss team that last year lost to 5 and 5…You're saying Sharpie, you're putting Ole Miss in the playoff in Sharpie? You're sure?...I would not go Sharpie. Don't get smug about Ole Miss.”
— Doug Lesmerises

• Signature Nicknames:
  • Jokingly brainstorms on Oklahoma QB John Mateer nicknames: “John Mid Tier” or “Baker Midfield” to troll over-hyped transfer QBs.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• [02:37] “Why are we so sure that LSU is a better job than Penn State?...Penn State 90 and 34. LSU 87 and 37.”
• [07:38] “I do not think LSU is going to stop being chaotic…I think at LSU you have to assume there are going to be some valleys. You hope there are some peaks. Penn State has been a plateau of success without the peaks, but also without the valleys.”
• [09:56] “I just think there is such tremendous opportunity at Penn State…and I think you have to look at the last 10 years.”
• [17:21] “Somebody has to tell the South to cram it. Somebody has to tell the SEC that they're puffed up and not as good as they think. And I'm happy to do it.”
• [21:52] “Will not be surprised if there's no SEC team in the semis…Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana and Notre Dame. If the bracket allows it, three of the four semifinalists are coming from those four teams.”
• [25:34] “You're sure an Ole Miss team…You're saying Sharpie, you're putting Ole Miss in the playoff in Sharpie? You're sure?...I would not go Sharpie. Don't get smug about Ole Miss.”

Segment Timestamps

• LSU vs. Penn State Job Debate: 00:52 – 13:26
• Rant: SEC is Mid: 13:57 – 24:21
• Ole Miss Playoff Smugness: 24:51 – 28:51

Final Thoughts

Doug pulls no punches in this episode, combining statistical analysis with biting humor. He’s ardently pro-Big Ten, skeptical of SEC hype, and bullish on Penn State’s future with the right hire. The episode is both a troll and a heartfelt plea for nuanced college football debate—delivered with contagious energy and plenty for fans to talk about.

To hear more unfiltered CFB rants and whole-Buckeye energy:

• Subscribe to The Bill and Doug Show and check their national coverage on billanddugosu.substack.com.
• Next episode: More College Football Playoff bracket talk, plus Ohio State and Penn State coverage coming up.