The Ohio State Buckeyes are the most interesting team in college football, and Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis love talking ball and having fun with the fans of the defending national champions. Doug and Bill combine for more than three decades of on-the-ground experience covering Ohio State, and they've been talking Buckeyes on podcasts since 2015. On The Bill and Doug Show, the goal is to have a good time, provide insight, look at the big picture of college football, put fans first and fight Southern CFB bias. Thanks for riding with us.
Ohio State football opens preseason camp Thursday and Around the Shoe is here to preview it. Joining Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises are two outstanding Ohio State media members -- Brandon Beam of 97.1 The Fan and The Buckeye Show, and Pat Murphy of Bucknuts.com and also the Buckeye Show. The topics covered are: • The offensive player you'll be watching when camp starts • The defensive player you'll be watching when camp starts • The wildest prediction to make for the OSU opener that could come true • Will the Protect College Sports Act help Ohio State • The Buckeyes are the betting favorite to win the national championship -- should they be? For more Ohio State coverage, visit billanddougshow.com. And don't miss the next stops on The Bill and Doug Show world tour of Ohio State trivia. Come hang out and answer OSU trivia questions: • Friday, Aug. 7, TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, 7-9 PM • Thursday, Aug. 20, RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, 7-9 PM • Thursday, Aug. 27, Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, 8-10 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Big Ten Media Days wrapped up Thursday, and the conference should leave Chicago feeling like it is beating the SEC in perception after beating the SEC on the field on the way to the last three national titles. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti was more forceful in taking on the SEC and making a case for his league, and on this episode, Doug Lesmerises, Bill Landis and Matt Fortuna gave their final thoughts on this continuing battle between the leagues. The five main topics covered: • The Big Ten not being afraid to promote itself as a football power • The 24-team playoff discussion is proof of the Big Ten's growing strength • Are the Big Ten and SEC friends, enemies or frenemies? Doug asked the commissioner. • Petitti correctly pushed back on the idea that the depth in the SEC is better than the depth in the Big Ten • In a 24-team playoff, the Big Ten is ready to give up on conference championship games, which would hurt the SEC more Thanks for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, visit billanddougshow.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Bill and Doug are joined by Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, defensive back Jaylen McClain, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith during Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Tune in for the latest from the Buckeyes as they prepare for the start of the season and hear their perspective on the rest of the conference going to another year where they are picked to win the Big Ten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ohio State just beat out Oregon as the choice to win the Big Ten in 2026 in a poll of 46 writers and analysts conduced by The Bill and Doug Show. On this episode of Around the Shoe, Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis are joined by Matt Fortuna of Theinsidezonemf.com and Audrey Snyder of Insidethelions.substack.com to break down the results of the full poll. 1. What does everyone think of the Buckeyes as the slight conference favorites, followed by Oregon, Indiana and USC? The full 1-18 poll is also revealed. 2. What team outside the Top 3 is most intriguing? 3. What do we think of a pretty even split of voters picking three or four Big Ten teams to make the playoff? 4. What did the voting for Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, won for the second straight season by Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, tell us? 5. What the voting for Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, with Oregon's A'mauri Washington edging Minnesota's Anthony Smith and Oregon's Koe Perich, tell us? Thanks as always for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, check out billanddougshow.com. And prepare for even more Big Ten coverage this season from this group. More information will be coming soon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Our Ohio State opponent previews come to an end on The Bill and Doug Show with a look at the last Buckeye foe of the regular season. It's the Week 13 matchup in Ohio Stadium against the Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 28. Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises did not invite an opposing beat writer to join the conversation for this episode because you may have noticed that Michigan reporters have been pretty busy covering the changes and problems in the UM athletic department. So Bill and Doug broke down the Wolverines themselves, discussing QB Bryce Underwood, a veteran offensive line, running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter, a revamped defense and the new coaching staff of head coach Kyle Whittingham, offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Plus they address a new question for a new era with the remnants of the Jim Harbaugh era (like Sherrone Moore) now gone: Will Ohio State personally hate the people of Michigan a little less? And what might that mean for The Game? Thanks for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, visit billanddougshow.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It's five more Ohio State football topics on Around the Shoe after we took last week off. Two outstanding reporters covering the Buckeyes join the show as Bobby Gorbett of Buckeye Sports Bulletin and Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch stop by. They join Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises to discuss: • Whether Ohio State had a better national title shot last year or has it this year • Describing Ohio State's defensive line recruiting • Would you rather have an elite left tackle or elite defensive end? • What will the Buckeyes' defensive line rotation look like this season? • Anything you want to say about the World Cup, the Michigan situation, the start of SEC Media Days or the Odyssey Thanks for joining Around the Shoe on The Bill and Doug Show. To get more coverage of the Buckeyes, visit billanddougshow.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What will make the difference between an Ohio State season in which the Buckeyes are a true national championship threat and a season in which Ohio State is good but loses a couple games and gets punted out of the playoffs early? This question came in from a subscriber at billanddougshow.com and on this episode of The Bill and Doug Show, Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises dove into both scenarios. First they each gave three things that will go right for the Buckeyes if they are a true natty threat. Then they each gave three things that could hold the Buckeyes back if they wind up as a good team but not one that is competing in the top echelon of the sport this season. For more Ohio State coverage, check out billanddougshow.com. And don't forget to catch Bill and Doug on their Ohio State trivia world tour, making these five stops on these five dates: July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Bill and Doug Show checks in on the latest at Michigan, where a board of regents meeting on Thursday did not discuss the future of Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel. Between an $11 million independent report, not yet released, that was commissioned by the university, and a lawsuit filed by a fired former assistant coach alleging a coverup at the university, the Michigan athletic department continues to be a mess. Once upon a time, a 12-0 Ohio State football season in 2012 led by Urban Meyer pulled Ohio State out of its troubled times. Is there any chance new coach Kyle Whittingham could do the same for Michigan this season? Thanks as always for joining The Bill and Doug Show. Visit billanddougshow.com for more coverage of the Buckeyes. And come see Bill and Doug host Ohio State football trivia live at one of five locations this summer, starting this Friday in Columbus. July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It's Game 11 and Week 12 of our Ohio State opponent preview as we dig into the Buckeyes' trip to Lincoln on Nov. 21. It's a look at Nebraska of this episode of The Bill and Doug Show, as Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises are joined by Josh Peterson of the I-80 Club (https://www.youtube.com/@i80club) and other Nebraska-themed endeavors. The discussion runs from Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule, to the QB transfer of Dylan Raiola and addition of Anthony Colandrea, to the problems with the Nebraska run defense, to the future of the program and QB recruit Trae Taylor, a player the Buckeyes have liked. Thanks for Josh for his time and expertise. Make sure you catch up on all our Opponent Previews by clicking on that playlist. For more Ohio State content, visit billanddougshow.com. And we hope to see some of you this Friday at Endeavor Brewing in Columbus as the kickoff our Ohio State Trivia World Tour. Here are all the dates. July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ohio State will host Northwestern on Nov. 14 in the 10th regular season game for the Buckeyes. It'll be a return to Ohio Stadium for new Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who won a national title as Ohio State's offensive coordinator in 2024. On this latest opponent preview on The Bill and Doug Show, Matthew Shelton of Wildcat Report in the On3 network shares his expertise on the Wildcats. How much of an impact will Kelly have? What should be expected of Michigan State transfer and new QB Aiden Chiles? How good might the skill positions be, led by receiver Griffin Wilde? What will be the effect of a new stadium on the Northwestern program? It's all that and more on the 10th opponent breakdown of the offseason. Thanks to Matt for his time and insight and thanks to you for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, visit billanddougshow.com. Also check out Bill and Doug on their Ohio State Trivia World Tour on the following dates at locations around Ohio and in Chicago. July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The NCAA changed its eligibility rules, ending the era of 6- and 7-year college football players, but opening everyone up to 5 full years of playing, with no more redshirts. On this Around the Shoe episode of The Bill and Doug Show, two great members of the Ohio State media join Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises to discuss this switch. It's Blake Biscardi and Marcus Hartman checking in on: • Overall thoughts on the rule change • The effect on Ohio State roster building • A player of the past we wish had 5 full years of eligibility • The current offensive player who will benefit most from the change • The current defensive player who will benefit Thanks to Marcus and Blake for their time and expertise. Thanks to you for joining Around the Shoe on The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, visit billanddougshow.com. And check out Bill and Doug on their Ohio State Trivia World Tour on the following dates at locations around Ohio and in Chicago. July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It's a college football draft of the best coordinator combos in the power four conferences, as Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis look at the best offensive-defensive mind melds in the nation. Honestly ... it was kind of hard to find 10 great combinations. This way of looking at things has a major impact on your view of the national title race. Where do Ohio State, Indiana, Notre Dame, Georgia, Miami and other natty contenders fit in the coordinator mix? Thanks as always for joining The Bill and Doug Show. Visit billanddougshow.com for more Ohio State coverage. Also, come see Bill and Doug live on their Ohio State Trivia Tour: July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jett Harrison, a 5-star receiver in the Class of 2028 and the younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr. has committed to Ohio State, and Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis are here to discuss it. What does this say about the job Cortez Hankton is doing as the replacement for Brian Hartline at receivers coach? What does this mean for the future of Ohio State receiver recruiting? And who's up for a 2028 Ohio State starting lineup of three 5-star receivers? Thanks for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage from Bill and Doug, visit billanddougshow.com. And check out Bill and Doug on their Ohio State Trivia World Tour on the following dates at locations around Ohio and in Chicago. July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
With the commitment of Top 50 recruit Marcus Fakatou, Ohio State has built an elite defensive line in its 2027 recruiting class, with another major addition potentially on the horizon. In this episode, Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises delve into the Buckeyes' strategy, how this D-line group compares to the Buckeyes' 2021 D-line crop, whether this is a trend or a one-year change, and how they would make a pie chart of luck, resources and Larry Johnson to describe why this group has come together. Thanks as always, and visit billanddougshow.com for more Ohio State coverage. Also, come see Bill and Doug live on their Ohio State Trivia Tour: July 17: Endeavor Brewing, Columbus, OH -- 7 PM July 28: The Butcher's Tap, Chicago, IL -- 7 PM Aug. 7: TJ Chumps, Huber Heights, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 20: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, Cincinnati, OH -- 7 PM Aug. 27: Panini's Bar & Grill, Brunswick, OH -- 8 PM Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The preview of Ohio State football opponents marches on as The Bill and Doug Show gets to game No. 9 and Week 10 on Nov. 7 against the Oregon Ducks. The Buckeyes and Ducks are both in the top tier of national title contenders, and there are some things about Oregon -- including the idea of several veterans putting off the NFL to stay for one more season -- that reminds you of 2024. On this episode, Tyson Alger of https://lookouteugene-springfield.com joins to share his knowledge as a reporter who has covered Oregon for more than a decade. From Dan Lanning to quarterback Dante Moore to lots of interesting skill players to maybe the best defensive line in the country to two new coordinators, there's a lot to cover with the Ducks before they get to the Shoe. Thanks for joining The Bill and Doug Show. Check out their writing and more of their subscriber exclusive podcasts at billanddougshow.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Around the Shoe is back talking five college football topics, but with a bit of a betting angle this week. Joining Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises are one old friend and one new friend from TShoeIndex.com, as Tyler Shoemaker (old) and Zak Biggs (new) share their insight. Exciting news -- get ready for TShoe to be joining The Bill and Doug Show on a weekly basis in the fall. For now, the topics discussed were: • Our descriptions of Ohio State's win total of 9.5 • A team that stands out among the seven national title favorites -- Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, Oregon and Miami • A Big Ten team we like to go over its win total • A Big Ten ten we like to go over under its total • One more national win total bet we like, over or under Thanks as always for joining Around the Shoe. Check out more Ohio State coverage from Bill and Doug at https://billanddougosu.substack.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork met with reporters on Thursday morning, and The Bill and Doug Show is here to distill and discuss what Bjork said on two fronts. First, it's the big-picture look at the sport, Ohio State's need to look out for itself, where it might draw the line on Congress pushing things too far, and what the future of paying players looks like. Then it's a look at what is happening at Ohio State when it comes to renovating the football practice facility, other athletic facilities and, potentially, Ohio Stadium. Thanks as always for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Buckeye content from Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises, check out billanddougosu.substack.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The latest Ohio State opponent preview takes The Bill and Doug Show to the eighth game of the season in Week 9, as the Buckeyes will be coming off their only off week. Following a roadtrip to Indiana and that break, Ohio State will head to the West Coast to visit the USC Trojans on Oct. 31. Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times joined Bill and Doug to discuss Riley's status; USC's No. 1 recruiting class for for 2026 and how much those freshman will play; new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson; replacing star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane; and Heisman candidate quarterback Jayden Maiava. Thanks to Ryan for his time and expertise, and thanks to you for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more OSU coverage from Bill and Doug, check out https://billanddougosu.substack.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We are back talking five Ohio State football topics on Around the Shoe. Sorry we didn't have an episode last week. As always, Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis are joined by two outstanding media members. This time it's two hosts from The Ohio Podcast in Eric Boggs and Chris Wilds. The questions answered by Eric, Chris, Bill and Doug were: • What's the biggest reason to be optimistic about Ohio State's football future? • What's a reason to be concerned about Ohio State's football future? • What is Ohio State's toughest regular season game for 2026? • Ohio State's tough schedule -- like it or not? • How interested are you in the congressional discussion around college football? Thanks as always for joining Around the Shoe on The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, visit https://billanddougosu.substack.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This episode is a look at which college football programs are best positioned to be winning two years from now. Adam Rittenberg wrote a story for ESPN.com last week ranking all 68 power conference teams two years out, and on this episode of The Bill and Doug Show, he joins Doug Lesmerises to debate the Top 10. Adam spent five months on his list, while Doug spent five minutes on his. So who is right? Adam said the top spot came down to Notre Dame vs. Ohio State -- what are the pros and cons for each side? Plus discussion on Indiana, Clemson, Texas Tech, Michigan, Texas and other major CFB teams and where they will be two years from now. Thanks for joining The Bill and Doug Show. For more Ohio State coverage, check out https://billanddougosu.substack.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
