Podcast Summary: "Big 12 Previews: Arizona State | Baylor | Iowa State | TCU | BYU | Houston | Oklahoma State | UCF"

Title: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Host: David Pollack
Episode: Big 12 Previews: Arizona State | Baylor | Iowa State | TCU | BYU | Houston | Oklahoma State | UCF
Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "See Ball Get Ball," David Pollack teams up with Brent to provide an in-depth preview of the upcoming Big 12 college football season. They delve into the strengths, weaknesses, and prospects of eight key teams: Arizona State, Baylor, Iowa State, TCU, BYU, Houston, Oklahoma State, and UCF. The conversation is enriched with personal anecdotes, expert analysis, and notable quotes, offering listeners a comprehensive overview regardless of their familiarity with the league.

Opening Remarks and Personal Updates

David begins by welcoming listeners and highlighting the podcast's recent focus on other conferences, such as the SEC and Big Ten. He mentions ongoing projects, including filming a documentary and meeting influential figures, setting the stage for an informed and passionate discussion.

David Pollack [00:00]:
"It's fun time of year. Now down to our last conference."

Brent shares a personal moment, having recently returned from West Virginia to mourn a family loss, which adds a human touch to the conversation.

Overview of the Big 12 Conference

The hosts emphasize the competitiveness of the Big 12, arguing that it offers more consistently thrilling and competitive games compared to other conferences. They challenge the notion that a conference's quality is solely determined by the number of national championship contenders.

David Pollack [05:00]:
"I believe the Big 12 delivers more competitive games on average than everybody else. It's probably the most competitive conference, top to bottom."

Brent concurs, citing the high percentage of one-score games and the balanced strength across teams as evidence of the conference's depth.

Team Previews

1. Arizona State

David expresses strong confidence in Arizona State's potential, highlighting their experienced roster and effective coaching. He points out the significant contributions of key players and the strategic prowess of their offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo.

David Pollack [06:42]:
"Kenny Dillinghan's a stud. He's just, he's a stud. He's young. This is a guy that is at his place, he's at his home."

He discusses the offense's creativity and resilience, citing their performance against Texas as a testament to their capability.

David Pollack [08:43]:
"They put up 31 against Texas. Nobody put up 30 over 30 against Texas."

On defense, while acknowledging last year's struggles in the secondary, David remains optimistic about the additions and improvements made in the offseason.

2. Baylor

Baylor emerges as Brent's favorite team, primarily due to their promising quarterback, Sawyer Robertson, and the strategic acumen of defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.

Brent [15:13]:
"Sawyer Robertson has a chance to be one of the best guys in this conference."

David echoes this sentiment, praising Baylor's balanced offense and strengthened defense, which includes significant additions from experienced transfers.

David Pollack [16:14]:
"I think Baylor's in the conversation for getting to the Big 12 championship game."

3. Iowa State

The discussion shifts to Iowa State, where David admires their historical consistency under coach Matt Campbell and the development of standout players like Dominic Orange.

David Pollack [21:03]:
"Matt Campbell's culture is old school—holding people accountable, development, overcoming adversity."

Brent highlights the team's challenging schedule, including a notable opening game in Ireland against Kansas State, raising questions about their early-season performance.

4. TCU

TCU is lauded for their undervalued quarterback and the defensive improvements under new coach Andy Avalos. David particularly points out the potential impact of transfer players like Bud Clark and Ansool Dinbu.

David Pollack [26:43]:
"Ansool Dinbu is a good player... he's going to be one of those guys that we're talking about next year."

Brent notes the team's strong defensive prospects despite previous inconsistencies, emphasizing their smooth hiring of new coaching staff.

5. BYU

BYU's challenges are discussed, focusing on quarterback uncertainties following Jake Red Sloff's departure to the NFL. Both hosts express skepticism about the team's ability to replicate last year's success without a stable quarterback presence.

David Pollack [30:29]:
"This is going to be an interesting team to watch because they always find guys and they're always physical."

6. Houston

Houston's outlook is cautiously pessimistic. Despite the hiring of Willie Fritz and the addition of a five-star quarterback recruit, the team struggles with a heavy reliance on transfers and declined performance from the previous season.

David Pollack [37:05]:
"They've got to get better offensively than 14 points per game from a year ago."

7. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State is briefly touched upon, with David and Brent noting the team's historical pride and potential resurgence under new leadership, though details are limited in this segment of the transcript.

8. UCF

UCF is mentioned towards the end, with reflections on their offensive prowess and the ever-present ability to scout and develop speedsters across Florida. However, specifics are sparse in the provided transcript.

Key Takeaways and Predictions

Throughout the episode, both hosts provide their predictions and expectations for the season:

• Arizona State is favored to be the top team in the Big 12, backed by a robust offense and improved defense.
• Baylor is seen as a close contender, with potential to reach the Big 12 championship backed by experienced coaching and a balanced team.
• Iowa State and TCU are considered to have solid foundations but face challenges due to tough schedules and the need for further development.
• BYU and Houston show potential but are hindered by quarterback uncertainty and heavy turnover respectively.
• Oklahoma State and UCF are acknowledged for their historical strengths and strategic plays, with Oklahoma State possibly benefiting from a coaching comeback.

David Pollack [45:16]:
"I'll probably go with Willie Fritz in the second year leap from that squad."

Conclusion

David and Brent wrap up the episode by reiterating the unpredictable nature of the Big 12 and the excitement surrounding the upcoming season. They encourage listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for further analysis as college football approaches.

David Pollack [45:28]:
"This is half of the Big 12. We'll get to the other half soon. Continue to stay tuned, do all those things you do like with the like and subscribe."

This episode offers a thorough examination of the Big 12 teams, blending statistical analysis with personal insights and predictions. Whether you're a seasoned follower of college football or a casual fan, David Pollack and Brent provide valuable perspectives to enhance your understanding of the season's potential dynamics.