Brian (2:27)

Oh for two Lombardi.

David Pollock (2:28)

Dang it.

Brian (2:29)

See, these trophies are so messed up. It's like o lineman, interior lineman.

David Pollock (2:33)

Don't nobody care about those stupid trophies. Anyway, I love the intro. I love the intro to the podcast. It made me think of like Dre like Next up next episode.

Brian (2:40)

Well, you know what's funny is I had a guy make that music for me and he goes, well, what are you looking for? I said, I want a combination of Rush Limball's intro music and Dre. And so that's what he made for me. So I felt, I felt it. Yeah. Yeah. So, so we got, we come correct with it, but we're here to talk some nerd a football with David Pollock. And you know, it's to kick things off. David, I want to talk to you a little bit about the evolution of their name program through your eyes. And if we kind of went back and, and talked about things that you've evac. You've observed with the no Name program, you know, back 2012, 15, 18, as they've kind of come along in the Brian Kelly era. And then you look at kind of how you've talked about them really going back to late last season. I want to talk about, I want to get your thoughts on where you've seen this program evolve and why you went from being. Someone said, I don't think they can compete with these SEC teams to where last year in December, you're talking about like I think this team could win at all. They were close. Didn't quite get there.

David Pollock (3:34)

Yep.

Brian (3:35)

When you look at this program, David, what's changed when you, when you look at this team, what's different on film now and in the program now from where it was, you know, a decade ago?

David Pollock (3:45)

Physicality, toughness. Just that you can see it, man. Like, it's just, it's on a, it's on a different level. The strain is on a different level. Like this, These are, but listen, I know recruiting is, is picking up as well. Like recruiting is, is definitely on the rise too, but it's just a different, you know, you've always had guys that were in the trenches that were, that were pretty good. But like now I see a bunch of guys flying all over the field that play with an edge, that play with some toughness. And I think it comes from Marcus Freeman. Like, I think Marcus is, he's an absolute stud. I had him on our podcast not too long ago. Just because I just. The human being is just hard not to love. Like, he's just a, he's just such a good dude and he's got, he's got a good heart. He's. But, but he's made of all the right stuff, man. Like a defensive minded linebacker. Like, just grimy, dirty. Like that's just what we are. Right. Like That's. That's why. That's why I love it, because that's what I played. So I just think there's a different level of toughness along with belief, along with recruiting going up, that it's just this program's in a different spot than I've seen it since I've been covering.

Brian (4:49)

Is funny when you talk about the Marcus Freeman aspect, because I've told people, I was like, you meet Marcus Freeman, you talk to him, he's a very nice guy, polite guy, smart guy, family guy, strong faith and all that. I said. But this is a former Big Ten middle linebacker, y'. All. Like, this is still a guy. You get him on the football field, you see a little different side of him. And to your point, this team plays with it. I'm sure you've been on a practice field that Mike Denbrock's been on. That guy coaches with an edge, too, and Al golden was certainly that way as well. And so you. You see those type of things. Like David, when I remember back the 2012 game against Alabama, and Notre Dame's got Stefan to it, and. Yeah. And you look okay. Stefan Pu. Yeah, he matches up with everybody else. Lewis, Nicks, okay. He. And then it stopped. I mean, just. Just physically, you talk about how that team against that Bama team and just physically couldn't. Couldn't stand, you know, couldn't hold up against that team. And now you look at them now, the length, the talent, you. You do see something different. I. I think another thing that's changed, and I want to get your thoughts on this, is 10 years ago, I brought this up earlier this summer. When's the last time we went into a season where we're saying Notre Dame might have the best corner and running back in all of cock football? Like, where this team can run with people where they'd have a Jalen Smith and a Will Fuller, but again, it would always stop. Like, here's what I said about Bama in 2012. You take Notre Dame's five best players they can hold up at. Alabama's talking Stefan to it. Lewis, Nicks, Manti, Zach Martin and Tyler EIFERT. But then 8 through 30, mismatch, you know, 6 through 30, mismatch. That's what's different now. But when you watch, I remember that. So.

David Pollock (6:16)

So I remember that against. So I was there. And I remember that against Alabama. And I remember talking to one of the Alabama offensive linemen after the game, and I'm not going to mention his name, but everybody knew who he Was. He was big time. He won a bunch of awards. And I was like, man, like, y' all just took them apart. Like, you know, what did you see when you on film? He was like, when we watched him on tape, we saw Mississippi State. So, like, that gives you an idea of where it's at. Yeah. Let's put it this way. Georgia ain't saying that bull crap after last year because they physically got in that ace.

Brian (6:45)

Right?

David Pollock (6:45)

Like, so I think it's. It's just a. Yes, you're absolutely right. It's the. It's the depth of it. The linemen were always, you know, offensive linemen were always good. Like, they were always big and strong, and tight ends have always been good. Now, I think the difference last year and the biggest thing I'm curious to see this year, the competitive spirit of Riley Leonard and the athletic ability was. Was pretty unmatched, bro. Like, that guy, he's a dude now. Like, I'm drafting that sucker, like, first off the bus, like, just. Just to go if I. If I'm going to play any sport. He's one of my first picks just because of this. And I just believe in him. I trust him. And. And that was what was best about Notre Dame was the ground game, you know, being able to use him, short yardage, good fricking luck. Give it to him every single time. And it was going to be successful. So, you know, the pieces are better. The secondary and more importantly, Chris Ash coming in, because I think Al Golden. I thought Al Golden. You already mentioned the oc. I thought Al with. With Al golden paired together. I thought him and Denver were the best in the country a year ago, and now you lose that, which. That's a big deal. Now, Chris Ash, similar path, like, playing the. Or coached in the NFL was. Was an unsuccessful college coach, like, has a lot of experiences, a bunch of different conferences, like, been kind of all over the place. But that. That's a couple question marks that I'll say though, moving forward is, do you place Riley Leonard, his competitive spirit, his toughness and physicality? Because that dude was physical and his makeup was really, really good. And then on the defensive side of the football. And. And here's the thing. It ain't like you got time to figure this out. Like, right, your first two games might be the hardest games of the season, like, on the whole schedule. Now, thank God you got a bye week in between them. But, like, you're gonna have to come out the gate, know who you are, who you are at that spot. And that quarterback spot obviously is going to be a big part in determining how good Notre Dame can be.

Brian (8:40)

It, it is interesting looking at the supporting cast because last year you go into the season, you got six returning career starts in the offensive line line, got a true, true freshman left tackle. You've got a receiving core made up of sophomores and transfers. We, we knew that Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price were talented, but they were unproven players. Now all those guys are back, you bring in Malachi Fields, you bring in Will Pauling, and now you say, okay, now you don't maybe need the quarterback to carry that way, but then that puts a lot of pressure on the rest of that group. And, and then of course, you've got a defense that sets, making the adjustment. So it, it's a, it's a, it's interesting. It's a different dynamic around the quarterback this year. At the end of the day, to win a championship, you need your quarterback to deal. I mean, Will Howard's not a first round talent, but you look at him in the playoffs, I mean it's, where's the ball need to go? I'm going to get it there and I'm going to make those, those big throws and get it to the play.

David Pollock (9:28)

What was difficult to defend about Will Howard? Will Howard was difficult because Will Howard, he was experienced, he was big, he's strong. So the problem with Will Howard is he could complete those passes that would move the sticks, but third and short goal line situations, he could also run the football, break tackles and be a, be a problem. So, you know, Jeremiah Love is great and I got a bunch of flack, by the way, for that too, because I said it was the best running back room in America versus Penn State. Penn State fans were not happy with me, but it's the truth. He's a freak. He's elite. But Riley Leonard's legs took a lot of pressure off of him and allowed him not to have to do as much. Now Price obviously being able to spell him. Different brand too, because yards after contact, just physicality, toughness. And Williams in the backfield, by the way, Cali, like another one that just comes in, just, it just keeps coming and keeps getting, you know, it keeps, you don't lose anything, which is, which is really good. But that, that's where I'll say you still got some question marks to answer because, because who's it going to be? Is it going to be Carr? Is it going to be Minchi? Like, which one is it going to be? Like. And the styles are going to be dramatically different. And you can't convince me that we're not going to see both. Like, I think it's, I think we're going to see both. I don't know y', all, y' all know better than I do because of practice and stuff like that, but I wouldn't be surprised if we did.

Brian (10:42)

Well, I mean, look, David, if you look at Notre Dame's history, even if they don't want to have a two quarterbacks play, they've needed it. I mean, Dane Cris gets hurt in 2011, you bench him in or 2010, he gets benched in 2011, 2012, you've got ever Golson, he gets hurt against Stanford, you need Tommy against byu. You know, you go through the years, Tommy gets hurt against USC in 2013, they don't have a good backup and they can't move the ball in the second half. Unfortunately, Stefan do it just laid, you know, lit USC up in that second half and they couldn't score either. But you can think, hey, we just want one guy. But you're going to need, in a 16 game season, you're going to need a guy. I mean, look like Riley last year getting dinged up against Penn State. Probably should have pulled him at some point time against Northwestern because he got injured on that first drive. But I could see that. I think the question is going to be, do you if, if Kenny doesn't win the job, do you take carries away from Jeremiah Jadarian to get a package for him or is he that.

David Pollock (11:32)

Kind of runner or does that make those guys better because.

Brian (11:35)

Because again, potentially.

David Pollock (11:36)

Right, well, just remember what you get with the quarterback run game. Like with the quarterback run game, you get another guy blocking, like instead of the quarterback handing it off, now he's carrying the football. So now you've got an extra blocker on the field, which is a big time advantage for you. So I think that with coupled with Love made him so dangerous. It's what helped him get clear holes, especially early in the season. Man, like, it ain't like this passing attack was any good. The running game wasn't elite. But down the stretch now, Riley Love started clicking. Great house clicks down the stretch in the playoffs and looks like an absolute stud. And so it continued to grow and morph. I just think you don't have that luxury this year. Like out the gates. You're going to have to be really, really good. The easiest thing to me is when you have a running quarterback, I can teach you the mechanisms and I can teach you the plays and I can bring you along slowly in the passing game, but I can use what you do best. I can use your feet. I can still help the offense and move it. So that's where I say it's interesting. Unless, unless cars lighten it up, which I haven't heard that. That's not what I've heard. I've heard, you know, both sides have been doing pretty well. Like, yeah, what's, what's the quarterback play look like? Because if it's going to be close, you get, you get a big time advantage when you add wheels into the equation and when you don't.

Brian (12:53)

Let me ask, let me ask you a question. Let's say, let's say in this scenario, let's say CJ Carr wins a starting job and they're going to say, look, we're gonna, we're gonna have to have a package for Kenny Minchi because it's one of those things. Every other position, when you're deeper than your starting lineup, you say, we got to figure out a way to get that guy onto the field as a defensive player. How, how do you view the quarterback run game when they're bringing a guy in to just do that? Sort of like we saw Tyler Buckner, 20, 21, when you kind of know, hey, this is what we're going to do, does it change it or is it similar to like, okay, third and one, you know that Riley's going to run the ball. The question is, can you stop or not as a defensive player? What does that mean when the guy's being brought in and you kind of know this is what they're going to do?

David Pollock (13:30)

Well, first of all, that means you have to prepare for two guys, which means I have to prepare for two different systems, which means I have to learn a lot more and expand a lot more with what I want to do, what I want to put in, which makes me think more, which is a good thing. You want people thinking on defense. The more you make us guys think on defense, the better it ends up for you, I promise. So I think it, it gives that element. But here's the thing. You've got to be successful at whatever that is. Does anybody doubt Notre Dame is going to have a big physical offensive line, like every year check like that's going to happen. So I think now it becomes who. And Marcus is going to say this, and he said this with me, who's the one who's not making mistakes? Like not putting us in a bind, not putting us in A bad position. I think you feel pretty dang good about defensively what you are, who you are, the way you were able last year to sustain injuries of your best players and just continue to mow on like it was. It was incredibly impressive. And it's not like you don't have Drake in there running around that's going to be tackling people all over the field. It's not like you don't have great secondary play. Like, you're right, having a great corner, one of the best corners in the country that can shut down half the field. And I love, by the way, that he wasn't a five star, like just kind of a three star guy that wasn't highly recruited. But look what we found. Like we got a gym. And does the style of defense continue to play with just straight man to man most of the time. And you're getting away with that. And so does that look different now when you bring in devonte Smith from Alabama in the slot? And can you still do that? Because Clark was really good at that a year ago. So you're finding out all these things about your team. And here's the thing, how many points do I need to score, right? Like, is my defense really, really elite? Can they hold down Miami? Like these are all questions that I'm learning on the fly. But I don't get to open up with a, with a team down the stretch that I would like to open up with. I don't get to open up with a Marshall in an FIU or somebody like that.

Brian (15:17)

That we don't talk about Marshall around here, David. We don't like those home run uppers against Marshall.

David Pollock (15:22)

We don't talk about.

Brian (15:27)

Those are, those are curse words on our show, David. And we don't use curse words on our show.

David Pollock (15:31)

Hey, hey, look. Look at what happened with niu and you go to the College Football Playoff and try to win the championship. So I think, I think that will be predicated on what your team is. That that's what I would say.

Brian (15:41)

I want to say one thing. Trev's going to ask you here a question a second.

David Pollock (15:44)

But I say you're going to let Trevor talk. Good Lord.

Brian (15:48)

Every now and then I let him. I let him get a word in every now and then sometimes. But. But I like to dominate. You know, you, you mentioned the NIU loss and that's. I say you talk about things you get right, things you get wrong. That's something I got absolutely wrong in that I really felt when they went to 12 team playoff I was like, this is. This is going to hurt the. The value of the regular season. And I was completely wrong about it, because a team can lose a game like that and you still are judged on kind of who you are by the end of the year. I think to the 2016 USC team, zero chance to make a 14 playoff because they started 1 and 3 by the end of November. Nobody wanted a part of that 2016 USC team. And that's something that I think brings a lot of value. And I think that also can factor in two decisions with personnel. Because, hey, do. If it is close, do you say, okay, this guy maybe helps us win now, but we think this guy can maybe help us win in November and December. Do you take that chance in November? Whereas in 2018, Notre Dame was like, we need Brandon Wimbush to beat Michigan. After that, we'll see how things go. Because you couldn't afford to lose a game in September if you were not.

David Pollock (16:50)

Here's why I say you. Here's why I say, Brian, you can't take that chance. Because what else is really left on the schedule after the first two games? That's going to be something that people are going to go, yeah, love that. Like, I mean, Navy's not doing that for people. Like, NC State's not doing that for people. Boise is going to be straight. Like, Boise is a good one. But, like, there's not a lot of the schedule down the stretch with Pittsburgh and Syracuse, and there's just not a lot of stretch down the stretch that I'm going to go, man, that's. That's good. I believe in Notre Dame now, like, ending with Stanford. Is that going to blow anybody's socks off? Absolutely not. So I don't think it'll be rough. I do think, you know, early in the season, I think those games are pivotal because that is perception, and that will matter. Now, listen, you rattle off, you know, 10 straight or whatever, you don't have a conference championship. How does that match up? Like, there's just a lot of things that go in. You got to win one of those two games. Like, win one of those two games.

Brian (17:43)

In pretty good shape, because 11 and one they're in. The only question now is where they seated. Trev, I know you had a question that you wanted to follow up with, too. Back to when we're looking at last year.

Trevor (17:52)

Yeah, it's. The setup of the schedule is very similar. Last year, you kind of had your big marquee game against Texas A M to kick off the season, and Then behind that it was, you had Stanford, you had Navy, you had army, you had a USC team that didn't live up to expectations, and then a Florida State team that. Lord only knows what happened to them down the stretch. One of the crazier things that we've seen in college football. But when you go back to last year, were talking before the show started, you said that you were extremely high on Notre Dame early. What was that point for you where you kind of looked at this team and said, hey, I think that they could do something this year.

David Pollock (18:28)

I think it's when I started to see Riley Green and this offense understand exactly who they were. Like, I, I just remember starting to watch. Well, a couple things too. Watching watching Freeman coach and, and the fake punts and like the, the going for it, like just the, the marbles, right? Like, I loved watching the. I love watching him grow as a coach. And you could just tell, like just. And if it didn't work, it didn't work. So be it, who cares? But I think Riley understanding, like, okay, we're not throwing this ball over the yard, but I got to be efficient. I got to get the ball out quick, I got to throw it. If not, I'm going to take off and scramble. And I think you started to see that, you know, middle of the season, towards the end of the season. Again, I don't always look at the most talented teams. Like, I want to know the teams that have an identity and their idea, they know who they are, they know how they're going to beat you. They know most importantly what they aren't and they weren't. In the beginning of the season, I saw drop back passes, drop back passes for Riley Leonard. That ain't who he is. That's not who he should have been. End of the season, I didn't see that crap all the time. I saw a coach in Denbrock and that's why he's one of the better OCS in the country. Like taking the guy he has. It ain't pretty. It don't have to be pretty. I don't need it to be pretty. Like, all I need is that run that you had last year. Like, nobody cares about how pretty it is. Like nobody cares about that NIU game. Now. Nobody gives a rip because you beat Georgia at the end of the season, like you beat Penn State at the end of the season, right? Like you got to play for a national championship. So I think you know, understanding who you are and be willing to do it throughout the year and evolve and not worry about the sexiness of it.

Brian (20:02)

When you look at this Notre dame team in 2025, obviously there's projection with everybody. Where do you see this team kind of stacking up as you enter into the season? Like, have them in that top echelon with. With, you know, a lot of the perceived teams. The. The Texas is, the Ohio states, the. The Georgias, the Penn states. Do you think that there's still work to do? Where. Where do you see them? As for. If you were like to. To create, like, tiers of teams, how do you view this team coming into the season?

David Pollock (20:29)

Well, the interesting thing you say about that is, like, Texas obviously breaking in a new starter at quarterback. So there's some indecision. So does. Does that cause for Paul's. So Notre Dame, same thing, right? Does it work for Notre Dame? Well, okay, there's. There's question mark at quarterback. Do I feel the same way? Like, Texas's roster to me, is in a better spot? Like Texas to Texas takes a back seat to. To just about no. 1, I don't think in the country. I don't think anybody. Like, if you're going through their defense and you go, who's the best edge player in the country? I got a debate, who's the best linebacker in the country? I got a debate, who's the best safety in the country? I got a debate, like, Texas's defensive personnel is really, really good, man. Like, really good. Their system is the same. Everybody's back. They're not breaking in a new D.C. they're not breaking in a new quarterback. Like, there's less things that I'm worried about, like some of the traditional, like Georgia. Like, obviously, Notre Dame beat Georgia a year ago. I'm very confident with Georgia not changing much of who they are, adding a bunch of pieces. Like, I feel very confident saying they're going to be better this season. Alabama, I feel very confident saying they're going to be better this season. Like Notre Dame, I want to see them develop with their identity. Here's what I know. They're going to be in every single football game because I think their defense is really good. And I could go down the list of guys, literally, that I could write down, whether it's Drake, whether it's Leonard Moore, whether it's Devonte Smith or Shuler, like, whoever it is. Like, you got bowlers, you got playmakers. Like, I'm very confident on that side of the football, I think, without the quarterback, because this isn't a team that has the elite weapons that wide. Historically that makes like Ohio State, dude, Alabama like whoever you put in there. They're playing with a stack deck. Like it's really fun to play quarterback when you got Jeremiah Smith who you go like this air grenade shoon. All you gotta do is throw that puppy up in the air and there's a good chance he's going to come down with Ryan Williams. Good chance he's going to come down with it. Right? So I think, you know, that's where I would say there's a little bit of separations with some of those teams. Is the weapons on offense. Love is a weapon. I'm interested to see the. The breakdown of the carries this year. Does he get more carries? Because I think he should like and price is a great change up. A great change up. But like this team to me is a more. Is it even more leaning on your running backs team as opposed to your quarterback being able to run as much as he was a year ago.

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Brian (23:22)

Do you think this team can make a run similar to last year? If they do, don't become more balanced. Because look, Kenny Menchie's a good athlete. He's not Riley Leonard, you know, and CJ Cars.

David Pollock (23:34)

People don't understand it. Like, like the thing about Riley that, that always blew me away was he just. He felt holes so well and then backers who had angles, he just quickly, he quickly erased them and made moves like he's just. I don't think people understood how good he was with the full. He was another running back like and then just the toughness and the will. I'll never forget that image of him puking like basically running the ball every single play on that first drive in the national championship and just puking on the sidelines exhausted from the first. I'm like, dude, he might have 40 carries this game if they're going to win. He might have to tote that thing a lot.

Trevor (24:08)

What it started to feel like, definitely started to feel.

David Pollock (24:11)

I mean and you saw it now later in the Game, the arm picked up and great house picked up and playmaking picked up. And that's, that's the thing. If that can, if that can, what if losing Leonard in that part elevates 5 completion percentage, you know, just a little bit better on that side of the football, that would be fantastic. And that opens up some space for love. That makes it easier for the line like. But again, the short yardage when you have to run it, that's, that will be very interesting.

Brian (24:38)

Yeah. And that's why they went out and got Malachi Fields and Will Pauling to go with great House and Faison because you, you got to the point last year when Notre Dame's success throwing the ball was because they had to. They were down 10, three. They couldn't run the ball a whole lot in the first half against Penn State, they're down 317 against Ohio State. They weren't able to just come out and establish that against teams and we, they tried it against Ohio State and Riley just took them a while sometimes to get into that rhythm. They, I think Marcus Freeman knows we can't just keep repeating what we did last year because you can't assume you're going to have a Riley Leonard every year. And, and I think that is something that's going to be important. You need Malachi Fields to be everything you think he is. You need Will Pauling to look like the guy that against LSU in a bowl game a couple years ago. And you need Great House to be like, that wasn't just a, you know, four game flash in the pan. This is kind of who you are. Not that he's going to go for six or seven and over 100 every game, but like just this is the kind of guy that's, you know, that you got to contend with week after week. And I do think they're going to move him around a lot more this year. Not just have it so static where, you know where he's going to be all the time. Trev, I know you had a question you want to follow up about with him. I know David was talking a little defense. I, I have a feeling he kind of likes talking about bit of defense.

David Pollock (25:44)

Like never do I mind that.

Brian (25:46)

Yeah, yeah.

Trevor (25:47)

I think he knows a little bit of something or two about defense. Something tells me but we talked about some of where Notre Dame hasn't quite closed the gap yet on offense talent on the outside. But when you look at them on defense, you said that you're extremely confident in their abilities to. They're going to be in every game because of who their defense is, what their makeup is. So when you evaluate the talent overall, what do you see on Notre Dame's defense?

David Pollock (26:12)

Well, just like last year, led the nation in interceptions. And I see a bunch of guys. I saw a bunch of guys that were extremely. You know, here's why I say that. Here's why I'll say this. That was really hard to do because it's not like they were fooling a bunch of people. Like, they were very good at what they did and they stuck to it. And that's, that's really when you're. When you're good enough. Like the Seattle Seahawks, when they won those championships, like, everybody knew they were playing cover three, but the talent was so daggum good and they were so good at the system that they continued to find ways to be elite and to dominate football games. And I think you saw a dominant unit against the pass and can you do that again? Like, obviously, you know, listen, it ain't like you don't lose pieces as well. It ain't like that. I can't pick some guys that you go, crap that. But here's the thing. Every time last year in the, in the playoffs, when you lose your best defensive lineman, all good, not a big deal. Like, next man up. And here's what I saw about the next man. The next man was tough. The next man fought. Maybe not as talented, but they make you earn everything. That's what I love. Like, I love the scrapping, the toughness. Like, I'm going to hit you. And listen, I mentioned the names of Bowman, who's going to tackle everybody, and Moore, who's going to cover everybody, and Shuler, who will play the back end and play it great. Like, defensively, Chris Ash, is it the same system, but as long as the hunger's there. Listen, I can't teach people how to compete. Like, the only way I do that is, by the way, I bring it every single day. Like, is Ash going to be able to get the most out of these guys and maximize their talent? Because. Because they were maximized a year ago. Like, they played their brand, their style. They imposed. They imposed their style on the sec, University of Georgia team. Like, think about that. Like, end of the game, needed some first downs. Riley Leonard. Riley Leonard. First down, first down, run out the clock. Like Freeman, and I always want to say Morgan Freeman, Marcus, obviously, Marcus Freeman, the balls to call what he called down the stretch and not, quote, unquote, fake punt to draw him offsides. Knew exactly what he was doing right. Like how he's going to take that step, continue to mature the defense. I think the defense is going to be really, really good. Now. Is it going to be elite like it was a year ago? That's where Chris Ash has to, Chris Ash has to show me that like the court, the running game, is it going to be elite like it was a year ago? That's where the new quarterback, whoever it is, Carmine, whatever one that is, like, they are going to have to show me and they're going to have to prove it. Like. But I can tell you the proven things that I know is going to come out of Notre Dame. And the good thing about if I'm a Notre Dame fan, the proven's are a lot more than they used to be, man. Like, it's not just one position. It's not just, hey, that we have great tight ends at Notre Dame. Hey, Notre Dame, we put out great offensive linemen. Like that's what you want to be, you want to be a program. Like we got, we got the best corner in the country. We got the best running back in the country. Hey, we got, we got the best, one of the best offensive line in the country. A bunch of experience coming back. Hey, don't forget about our D line. Hey, we got this linebacker. Hey, we got the safety. Like that's pretty fun when you start being in the mix for all of that.

Brian (29:12)

So if I'm, if I'm reading you correctly, here's kind of my, my takeaway that Notre Dame has raised their, their bar from a talent standpoint. But the question you have, and I think this is actually a fair one, if I'm read you correctly, is what Notre Dame has to prove in 2025 is that you can reload. The way that Ohio State has proven that they can lose guys, they can lose Xavier Watts type and just reload. They can lose a Riley Leonard and reload. They can lose a Riley Mills and reload because like you said, they played hard, but there was a drop off and we saw that against Ohio State when they couldn't get any pressure on the quarterback with the front four. And, and so is that kind of what you need to see from them?

David Pollock (29:45)

I trust those teams even without knowing who their quarterbacks are because I've already seen it. They've done it year in and year out. Like it's, it's, it's like, man, this, this guy's new. This guy's new Georgia. Like there's going to be a lot of new pieces. I know they're going to be good. Like, Kirby Smart has recruited in an elite level for a long time now. They develop players at an elite level. Like, did they have a down year for Georgia standards? Absolutely. Like, they had a down year. But I also know that they have a ton of talented guys that are going to step right in. They had 12 guys drafted or something like that. Like, there's a. But there's another 12 that are going to be drafted. Like, I mean, it's just, it's to that point. Notre Dame is building to that point. Marcus Freeman is now put the world on notice. Like, this ain't this cute little leprechaun team no more. It's not the cute touchdown Jesus anymore. Like, we're going to punch you right between the face. We're going to recruit at a high level. Like, I'm going to be aggressive. That's my style of who I am, what I am. Special teams, a year ago, you could also argue wasn't great, like, get better on special teams. The squad will be better, especially field goal kicking and then making a statement like this. This isn't a flash in the pan like, we're here to stay. And that's what Irish fans want. And Irish fans are one of the best in the country and they just want that competitiveness year after year. They want to be one of the big boys. Like, they want to be that. And they've had so much success in the past and they want it to be the present year after year.

Brian (31:10)

Well, that Trevor's brought this up this summer multiple times is, look, they had the 2012 season. Great, 12, 0. And then the next year you're 9 and 4. You have the 2015 season. You follow that up with 4 and 6. You know, you have the 2018 playoff team and then the next year you go 1 and 2 against ranked teams. Your only ranked win is Navy. You know, they haven't been able to follow up the big years with another year. And, and that's the reason I wanted to ask you that question is because we, as Notre Dame people, we know this guy. This guy. We can feel how we want to feel. But nationally there's still that. Okay, we know you can have the occasional good season, but can you string it up? And like, like Texas, for example. Like, I think Texas still has a lot to prove, but it's, it's, it's in regard to can they win a championship? They're back to back Final four teams. They've been able to stack those two teams in a row. I would love to be to cover a program where your down year is when you win the SEC championship and losing the quarterfinals. That's the year where everybody's like, what happened to Georgia? You know, and, and that's where you got to get to. And I think that's why this season is so important for Notre Dame, because you have to be able, hey, we're not like we were, where we have the occasional O2 season or, oh, five season, and then it's not followed up by something comparable. You got to show that, no, we're here and we're here to stay. Because not only does that send a statement in college football and earn respect, but the, the biggest people that. That earns respect with is recruits who can say, okay, yeah, I know that I'm going to be able to continue to do that under Marcus Freeman. And I mean, you went through this as a, as a player yourself.

David Pollock (32:33)

You want to see that sustained success. You want to compete for championships. And it's just, you know, it's so crazy to think about, you know, like, Brian Kelly leaving LSU and, or leaving Notre Dame and going to LSU because he didn't think he could get those kids at Notre Dame. And now the best running back in the country, like, one of the most explosive playmakers in the country is at Notre Dame. And it's just like, you can, but you need that guy. And I think Marcus Freeman being that guy, the no nonsense, the being, like, I promise you dudes, like, he walks into every household in America and he can talk to any family, like, he can talk to anybody. Like, sit there, have an honest conversation, show his personality and who he is is enough to be great. Like, who he is is enough to get elite level recruits and, you know, having the youth on his side, like, just being able to relate to the kids a little bit more. The defensive mindset, the aggressiveness, like, he's just, he's kind of showing you, man, he's just taking those steps. And I don't know how much outside of, like, Ryan Day. Ryan Day can't win a big one. Can't win a big one. Can't win a big one. He won the big one. Like, Dan Lanning is very much on that list for the next young coach that, can he win a big one? Marcus Freeman, like, have another year again, another great season. Can he win the big one? Like, is he that next young gun? But I think everything's pointing in the right direction, and there's just reason to be optimistic about year after year, sustained success. And that's what Notre Dame fans want.

Brian (33:59)

To, I mean that's, that's. You look at no names recruiting right now. You're going down to Texas and getting Leonard Moore. You're going to St. Louis and getting a Jeremiah Love. Their, their current class, which is a top five class. You, you beat Georgia for a five star kid out of North Carolina. You beat Alabama for a D tackle out of Florida. You've got to be able to have those battles. You can't always rely on. Well, we think this three star guy is going to become a. There will be those guys. Tyler Ifert was that guy. But you can't make a living on the Jeremiah Awusu cormos. You also need to add more Jalen Smiths and, and, and you know, guys that are that high level player because it's just the margin for error on, on. And that's why we said stars don't matter in regard to. They don't define you. You don't put a star on a guy and that tells you who he's going to be. But if you're going to bring in a bunch of three stars, some of them will pan out, but a lot of them will be what three stars are. It's about the high level talent. You've got to find it in all levels. And that's where I think Notre Dame is different now. Because like, and, and my final question for you is this, David. It's like when you were there, I mean you were watching Notre Dame in Georgia. When I watched Notre Dame in the past against Georgia, it's. They could go, they could. In 17 and 19, Notre Dame could go at Georgia in the trenches. They couldn't beat them on the perimeter. They just couldn't make plays in the perimeter. That's why they lost two close games this year. They did. They could run with Georgia at linebacker. They could run with Georgia, you know, on the perimeter. Defensively, not offensively, but defensively. And, and I think that's something that makes this team a little bit different in, in my opinion. And now you just got, like you said, you got to sustain it.

David Pollock (35:26)

Well, I think it was like 26 or 24 of the first 32 picks in the draft last year were from the, were from the SEC in the Big Ten. Like that's a big number. Like that's a really, really big number. So year after year the talent is there. Like the talent is, is abundant. Like that's, that's not a, that's not a, that's not a made up thing. Right like, they have that consistently. So I think that's what you're trying to compete with. Like, can I, can I be in that realm? Five stars and four stars. They were five star or four star. Like, that's, that's the, that's the numbers. Like 20 something out of 32 first round picks were four or five stars out of high school. Like, it's not rocket science. Better players. I'm a really good coach, guys. Like, I'm a much better coach when I have a better athlete that can pick up things faster, do things better at a higher level. Like, and so there is no team in the country that is constantly at the top that doesn't recruit nationally at a high level. And that's why we're putting Texas in there. Because since nil, Texas is shot through the roof, right? Like, that's why Bama's been in there every single year. That's why Georgia's been in there every year. That's why Ohio State's in there every year. Like, go look at the recruiting. They own the recruiting. When you. That's why Clemson was there for so long, owned the recruiting, fell back a little bit. Like, Clemson's in a state now with that. Like, can you show me the receivers that you used to have? And this year they got them. Like, absolutely got them, Chris. They've also got the D lineman again that they used to have. They've got NFL talent. Not surprising guys. They've got four and five star draft picks that are now or draft guy or high school guys that are going to be draft picks. And that's. You have to. You don't have to live on the four and the five stars, but you have to compete with them. You have to grab a bunch of them every single year. And then how you coach and what your culture is and how you develop will define the rest of it. But if you can't get those guys, you're bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Brian (37:21)

Yeah, I mean, it's about that high level talent. Can you run? Can you compete size wise, physicality wise, and can you run with the best teams? I think that ultimately is what it comes down to. David, I really appreciate your time. Before we get you out of here, do me a favor. If you could let people know where they can find you. Obviously your. Your C Ball, Get Ball podcast is now on the Believe Network, but I know you also do another podcast, which I'd love for you to be able to talk about also, because I. One thing that I respect about you is you're someone who's open about your faith, which is something that we appreciate here and something that, that we like to be on our show. We have people asking for prayer and different things like that in our show. So I would like for you to be able, if you don't mind, pointing people to where they can get your other podcast as well that they can watch, which is, I don't believe is at sports related specifically. It's more about life and things like that. People know where they can find you.

David Pollock (38:10)

Yeah, it's. It's called family goals. That one's called family Goals. It's with my pastor. It's literally like me and him were talking about, like, we should. We should. We should help everybody with their. Their family goals and just set goals and set boundaries. Especially like in sports and the world of travel ball and stuff. And we ended up. All right, let's do a podcast. And so we ended up doing a podcast. We never thought anybody would listen and show enough. It actually, you know, a couple people listen besides my mom. So, yeah, Family goals of my pastor, like, teach you how to outline, you know, goals in your household. We're really. We're strong believers that believe in God and are pursuing and sharing our faults and the things we mess up. And then. C ball, get ball, man. Like, just because of my wife, you know, my wife has brain cancer and. And she's fighting and battling. And so right now, like, I'm not traveling and I'm not going to travel. And so I just. I love this sport, man. Like, I love college football. There's nothing better. And to be able to talk it and watch it, like, and listen. I love sitting on the couch all day on a Saturday. My wife can't say anything. I'm. This is my job, Evan. Like, you can't. You can't yell at me like, I gotta eat.

Brian (39:11)

Isn't that beautiful?

David Pollock (39:12)

Sit here. It's. It's so gorgeous.

Brian (39:15)

Like, I come home with the ATH on. Like, sorry, babe, I. It's for work. I have to, you know, I have.

David Pollock (39:20)

What you want me to do, baby dog.

Brian (39:23)

So that's exactly.

David Pollock (39:24)

Yeah. That is so much fun. And the name is not surprising if you know me. Like, C ball, get ball. Dumb defensive player. Like, snap the ball. It move, I move. I tackle guy with ball. Like, just. It made a lot of sense to. To call it C ball, get ball. So appreciate you. You talking about those, though.

Brian (39:39)

And. And we will certainly be praying for your wife and, and also for you as you all go through this as A family. And I know the IB community is already, already putting that in the chat that they're going to be keeping you on in your. In our prayers as well. So, David, preach that. Welcome to the Believe Network. Thank you so much for joining our show. And we'll see how the season goes. Maybe, uh, maybe at the end of the year, we'll, we'll see how things go. Another name get you back and, and talk a little bit more about, uh, about what you see from this team. And, and we'll have the answer. If Marcus Freeman can kind of keep it running. Is this, is this the new normal for Notre Dame, or is this just another one of those occasionally really good years with a gritty team, or is this just who they are?

David Pollock (40:14)

So we appreciate new normal, baby. Get used to it, baby. It's gonna be fun.

Brian (40:18)

It's good for business. And we're both Notre Dame fans, so it's gonna be fun for us, too. We think so. We think so. But we're also both. You got to show me now, guys, right? Like, oh, yeah. Good about it. But now it's time to show me. Gotta show.

David Pollock (40:28)

Nothing wrong with that. All right, Brian, Trevor, see you guys.

Brian (40:30)

Thanks, David. Take care. Well, Trev, that was it. That was David Pollock talking Notre Dame football. I, I wanted to bring him on because I remember listening to him back when he was with espn, and you'd hear his comments where he was very critical of Notre Dame, and I think a lot of times, for good reason. And so to hear him now talk about them very differently, it wasn't. It wasn't to say, hey, let's. Let's call him out. How have you. Now, you used to be wrong about Notre Dame. Now you're right, let's talk about it. But just, let's talk about someone who's not a Notre Dame person, who is an SEC type of person, and see how they view Notre Dame. And. And when you start to hear some of the things from. From him and Greg McElroy, for example, someone else who's very high on Notre Dame, you start to say, okay, like. Like people are starting to see what we see. Like, we're not the only ones. Because if it's like, we're just a bunch of Notre Dame fans talking about how much we love Notre Dame, but everybody else is like, guys, I've seen them in person, and I've seen this team in person. It ain't the same, you know? So I'm glad he. I'm glad he came on, and I'm Glad he's part of the Believe Network. And as you guys, we said you guys can find his C ball Hitball, C ball Get Ball podcast. I put a link to that in the chat just above. And then also I put a link to his family goals podcast also as he talked about. Guys, you know, we always have people in our show that are asking for prayer and different things like that. If you guys could keep David and, and his wife in your prayers and you know, I, I, you know, my wife's gonna have surgery soon and you start thinking about like, I'm stressed about that and those type of things, but his wife Lindsay's battling brain cancer. I mean it's a little bit, it's a quite a different thing. And so if you guys could keep her in your prayers and keep David in his prayers because it's, it's tough for her. But also you, you got to be that strong rock for your family at home and with, for him and his wife and his kids. And he's also coaching football this year. His, he's coaching at his son's high school team. So he's, he can now say, he can now talk about coaching. So good stuff. But Trev, just overall thoughts on that segment with David before we move on to our Big Ten conversation.

Trevor (42:25)

Yeah, man, I mean it was good to hear the outside perspective. It's, it's really easy for us to sit here and talk about, well, the national media this and the national media that thinks this of Notre Dame. And it was good to get a level headed person in here that can break down and analyze a bunch of different teams. And I know some people just think David Pollock is a Georgia alum. He's a big SEC guy. Sure spent a lot of time talking about Ohio State and the talent that they have on the perimeter. You know, he can take a look at what Notre Dame has on their roster, acknowledge what they have, but then also discuss some of the gaps that we said we're high on Notre Dame's receiving core, maybe a little bit more than some, but the questions are still there. We can point to, well, he did this at this school, at this year against these opponents and he did right this and that bowl game against this school while he was at this school. But until they put it all together, those are valid points, which I appreciated. So it was, it was cool to get him on. And then obviously from a fan standpoint, like it was, it was cool to be able to sit down and talk to him as well.

Brian (43:20)

Well, I just, I just like people that talk ball, right or wrong. As I've said, I don't agree with everything David Pollock says and I'm quite confident if he listened to our show all the time, he wouldn't agree with everything that I say. I just like people that are willing to talk ball and your opinions are about ball and, and what you see. And if I have an opinion about a team three years ago and now I see something different, I'm going to change my opinion, not just continue to like what our issue is. I don't have a problem with not everybody being bought into the rain this year. It's. But don't give me the tired, lazy takes as to why his takes were what they got to show that they can reload something they haven't proven they can do. And, and I don't know what's going to happen to quarterback. I haven't seen Notre Dame lose a CJ Stroud and go out and, and still score a lot of points or I should say lose a, you know, a, a, you know, Dwayne Haskins in the next year. You just replace him with Justin Fields and then you lose Justin Fields and replace him with C.J. stroud. I mean, you, you, those, those teams have established that Notre Dame hasn't proven that they can do that. I think those are fair concerns and fair criticisms and, and so that's why I wanted to get them on the show, to give a different perspective from an outsider who, who has lived in a world as a player and as an analyst where Notre Dame doesn't reload every year. As you've pointed out all summer, Trevor, which is this is last year was great and we think this team is going to be really good again. But they got to prove to the rest of the college football that they are that team. And that's what I'm really looking forward to for this season. So very excited to have David as part of the Believe network and, and he's going to be having his own fanduel comments here coming up. But that was really good stuff. So that's going to do it for this portion of the show. We are going to talk about Big Ten football next here with Trevor. But before we do, folks, do us a favor. Hit that like button, hit the subscribe button on our channel. Make sure that you have the notifications on. So obviously today we went at a different time because we wanted to, to work around David's schedule. We thought about going at one and then having him jumping in the middle. I just thought it'd be better to start the show with him and then we can just talk Big Ten football the rest of the show. So that was, that was fun. I thought he was every, every bit as good as I thought he was going to be. Make sure you also subscribe to David's podcast, C Ball. Get Ball. And if you want to hear him talk about just life and faith and things like that, you can also subscribe to his Family Goals podcast with Pastor Jay. So you can check that out. But as always, make sure that you are subscribed to what we have going on here at the Irish Breakdown podcast.

David Pollock (45:54)

Sam what? Sam.