See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Alabama-Georgia, Oregon-Penn State, Ohio State-Washington INSTANT REACTION | CFB Week 5
Date: September 28, 2025
Host: David Pollack
(Special guest analyst, Brett Rollins joins for discussion in parts)

Episode Overview

In this action-packed Week 5 instant reaction episode, David Pollack dives into the major storylines, plays, and turning points from the marquee college football matchups: Alabama vs. Georgia, Oregon vs. Penn State, and Ohio State vs. Washington. He shares insights on coaching decisions, player performances, key stats, and what these outcomes mean for the College Football Playoff picture. Throughout the episode, Pollack is joined by Brett Rollins for deeper analysis, and the conversation is driven by candid, passionate takes and some lively debate, maintaining a fun and authentic college football fan atmosphere.

Key Matchups and Takeaways

1. Alabama vs. Georgia

(Starts ~01:45)

• Recurring Nightmare for Georgia: Georgia falls to Alabama once again, making it seven losses to the Tide under Kirby Smart—“Georgia loses to Alabama again and I bet you dog fans are a little bit ticked off.” (01:58)

  • “Seven losses have been to Alabama. And the slow start thing is really weird. It’s getting really weird for Georgia.” (02:19)
  • Georgia's last early lead vs. a Power 4 team was Texas, last October.

• Alabama’s Smart Start:

  • Two 14-play drives to open the game set the tone.
  • “Bama’s creativity was really good too…threw a pass to the tackle…on a third and short they go reverse…” (02:56)

• Key Moments & Missed Opportunities for Georgia:

  • “The big drop late in the football game to take the lead…red zone opportunity…fourth and one, Gunner has a scramble, debatable spot, go for it and absolutely get shut down.” (03:59)
  • “Georgia made mistakes…fumble gave Alabama a field goal, dropped a touchdown pass…” (05:00)

• Player Highlights:

  • Ty Simpson of Bama praised for calm and decision-making—“He’s good when he’s got his feet set and he sees it and he pulls the trigger. He’s really good, really elite.” (03:18)
  • Chauncey Bowens emerging as “the best running back for Georgia…he was toting the rock.” (03:44)

• Georgia Defensive Issues:

  • “How do we get a pass rush? How do we affect the quarterback?” (05:40)
  • Coverage in the secondary not as lockdown as in recent years.

• Quote:

  • “Alabama took advantage…Georgia made mistakes.” (05:16)

2. Oregon vs. Penn State

(Starts ~06:47)

• Penn State’s Offensive Struggles:

  • Pollack candid about his doubts: “I was out…I was done. I was ready to bury Penn State and just their offense, man.” (06:55)
  • Lack of rhythm or explosiveness in the passing game: “What is it? It’s very frustrating…no rhythm, no rhyme.” (07:11)
  • Few turnovers until overtime, both sides played it clean until the end.

• Comeback Attempt:

  • “Penn State’s down 14…over, it looked like. Devonte Ross got cooking, made some plays…got it to OT when it looked like it was over.” (08:08)

• Oregon’s Poise and Playmaking:

  • Dante Moore shines: “He’s cool as it gets. He’s not rattled. Third and short, used him in the QB draw game a ton…” (08:37)
  • Damian Hill (Oregon RB) lauded: “He’s going to be a problem. That dude’s a freshman…he’s going to be a bad mother—shut your mouth.” (08:59)

• Late Drama:

  • Several clutch plays by the Penn State receivers.
  • Penn State must improve airborne attack: “Aller’s legs are going to have to continue to be a huge part…” (10:10)

• Perspective:

  • “Penn State fans, it’s not the end of the season…Ohio State lost to Oregon last year and then won a national championship.” (10:34)

3. LSU vs. Ole Miss

(Starts ~13:03)

• QB Spotlight:

  • Trinidad Chambliss emerges as a star QB for Ole Miss.
  • “Ole Miss, they found their guy at qb, and it’s his slipperiness, it’s his quickness, it’s the ball getting out of his hands quickly.” (13:17)
  • “Trinidad goes for right at 300, rushes for another almost 70. Name me a better player in the country.” (14:08)

• Ole Miss Offensive Explosion:

  • Nearly 500 total yards; consistently outpacing LSU.
  • LSU offense disappoints with just 254 yards: “That’s crazy. LSU definitely got to be better on offense. There’s too much talent.” (14:52)

• Key Play-Calling and Coaching Tactics:

  • Lane Kiffin uses Brian Kelly’s pre-game quotes on social media as motivation.

4. Ohio State vs. Washington

(Starts ~18:42)

• Statement Defense:

  • Pollack: “Ohio State has the best defense in the country. And that's bold.” (18:52)

• QB Development:

  • “The way they get their QBs comfortable, the way they coach the QB position, the way they coach offense…Ohio State got the ball out of their hands quick.” (19:48)
  • Julian Sayin: “15 of 17 with the ball with 2.5 seconds or less for two touchdowns.” (20:09)

• Washington’s Missed Red Zone Opportunities:

  • “Washington, 16 trips in the red zone, 15 touchdowns… today, two straight trips, they get six points [instead of touchdowns].” (20:44)

• Critique on Penalties/Referees:

  • “Let's put quarterbacks in bubble wrap, for God's sakes. Like, what the freak are we doing?” (23:18)

5. Texas A&M vs. Auburn

(Starts ~23:28)

• “This was boring. Like, you got to say that.” (23:29)
• A&M defense steps up big, but Auburn’s offensive futility is highlighted.
• “Auburn’s a struggle bus on offense.” (24:36)
• “Auburn should have got it rolling…their offense has got to get better, man.” (25:21)

6. Notable Quick Hits and Analysis

(27:49 and onward)

- Mississippi State vs. Tennessee

- “Mississippi State’s one of the most improved teams in the country.” (29:49)
- Tennessee defense wins a game in which their offense gave up three key turnovers.

- USC vs. Illinois

- Illinois finds its run game; attacks the weak middle of USC’s defense.
- Innovative red zone play-calling praised (“Philly Special” appearance).
- Pollack and Rollins discuss analytics for two-point conversions:  
    - “If you’re wanting to win the game in regulation, you go for two there … It’s about information.” (34:08 - 34:41)

- Georgia Tech vs. Wake Forest

- Georgia Tech comes back after trailing 20-3; discussion of missed referee calls.
- “All you’re supposed to do is go win the game. That’s all that matters.” (38:18)

- Notre Dame Recap

- “How about this? 42 points, 420 yards of offense, car 16 of 22 for 292, four touchdowns. Jeremiah Love, four touchdowns. That was the first half.” (41:15)

- Florida State Upset

- “Friday night: weird things happen. Florida State got down quick, turned the football over … continued to make their own mistakes.” (44:10)
- “Virginia, this is their first top 10 win since 2005.” (45:03)

- Arizona State vs. TCU

- Arizona State comes back from down 17-0; late field goal wins it.
- “This is a season where you just got to win. … As long as you win some games, you know, towards the end, as long as you’re in that playoff hunt, that’s what matters.” (47:21)

Guest Analyst Segment — Penn State & Playoff Picture

(48:45 and onward)

• Brett Rollins on Penn State:

  • “You can’t call [Penn State's staff] the best OC/DC combo anymore, they’re just not productive.” (49:08)
  • “It lacks a pro passing element to it...it still looks a lot like Gus Malzahn's offense…” (49:33)
  • Oregon, Ohio State, and Miami “can pretty much be written into the playoff right now. But Penn State...not in pen...with the schedule they have left.” (50:01)

• On Oregon:

  • “Oregon had all the best players. They were flying around the field, more physical for most of the game.” (51:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Seven losses have been to Alabama. And the slow start thing is really weird. It’s getting really weird for Georgia.” (Pollack, 02:19)
• “Bama’s creativity was really good too...They threw a pass to the tackle...That was interesting on third and short…” (Pollack, 02:56)
• “Penn State’s down 14...devonte Ross got cooking, made some plays...got it to OT when it looked like it was over.” (Pollack, 08:08)
• “Ohio State has the best defense in the country. And that's bold.” (Pollack, 18:52)
• “Mississippi State’s one of the most improved teams in the country. Like, they have to be, right?” (Pollack, 29:49)
• “If you’re wanting to win the game in regulation, you go for two there because now you have the information that, you know, you need the two point conversion later.” (Rollins on analytics, 34:41)

Segment Timestamps (Approximate)

• Alabama vs. Georgia: 01:45 – 06:47
• Oregon vs. Penn State: 06:47 – 13:03
• LSU vs. Ole Miss: 13:03 – 18:42
• Ohio State vs. Washington: 18:42 – 23:28
• Texas A&M vs. Auburn: 23:28 – 27:49
• Mississippi State vs. Tennessee: 29:49 – 32:00
• USC vs. Illinois: 32:00 – 38:00
• Georgia Tech vs. Wake Forest: 38:00 – 41:15
• Notre Dame, Florida State, Arizona State: 41:15 – 48:45
• Rollins/Penn State/Playoff Outlook: 48:45 – 56:10
• Wrap-up: 56:10 – End

Final Thoughts & Recap

• Alabama remains Georgia’s nemesis; key mistakes and slow offensive starts doom the Dawgs.
• Oregon outlasts Penn State on the road behind clutch players and a quarterback unfazed by big moments.
• Ole Miss finds a star in Trinidad Chambliss; LSU flounders despite their reputation.
• Ohio State's defense is championship-caliber, stifling a potent Washington off their home streak.
• Several upsets and survival acts (Georgia Tech, Arizona State) underline the season’s chaotic nature.
• Coaching analytics and decision-making trends (especially 2-point conversions) are increasingly impactful and debated.

This episode delivers characteristic, high-energy Pollack analysis with direct, passionate takes, stats, and storytelling. Whether you missed the games or want deeper X's and O's insight, this is a must-listen for diehard college football fans.