The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk · Blue Wire

Ohio State Cotton Bowl media day: News from Brian Hartline, Gabe VanSickle, Carnell Tate and more

December 29, 2025·20 min·1 clip

Doug and Bill reveal their knot-in-stomach anxiety over Ohio State's rushed 45-minute media day at the Cotton Bowl.

This episode captures Ohio State football reporters Bill Landis and Doug LaMaurice discussing their experiences and key interviews from the team's Cotton Bowl media day at AT&T Stadium. The hosts, both seasoned Ohio State beat writers, provide immediate on-site reactions and insights gathered from the event. They focus on the logistical challenges and emotional weight of covering this particular media session. The media day lasted only 45 minutes, creating a rushed environment for interviews with players and coaches. Landis specifically mentions speaking with wide receivers coach Brian Hartline for 10-12 minutes during the session. He also notes the presence of coaches James Laurinaitis, Matt Guerrieri, and Tim Walton, whom he wished he could have interviewed. Landis spent additional time talking with offensive line coach Tyler Bowen, which he found valuable but time-consuming. A central topic was the future role of Brian Hartline, a subject Landis had previously asked head coach Ryan Day about in Columbus. Hartline is coaching his final three games with the Buckeyes, adding significance to the media day conversations. Landis describes feeling a "knot in [his] stomach" before, during, and after the event due to the time constraints and high stakes. He expresses frustration and guilt over not being able to speak with every coach he wanted to, calling the experience "torturous." The hosts reflect on the unique pressure of this media day, calling it a "fraught situation" that impacted their reporting approach. They acknowledge that while they didn't get to talk to everyone, they still gathered good and interesting information. The conversation has a candid, behind-the-scenes tone focused on the realities of sports journalism. The style is conversational and anecdotal, driven by the hosts' personal experiences and immediate reactions. This episode is ideal for Ohio State football fans seeking raw, unfiltered insight into the team's bowl preparation and media dynamics. Listeners who prefer only game analysis or polished interviews might find the focus on reporter logistics less engaging.

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