See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Can UTAH Make a CFP Breakthrough? | Mike MacDonald CFB Journey | NDSU's Big Leap
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Host: David Pollack with Brent Rollins, Will, and Wesley Vaughn

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on three main stories across college football:

1. Utah’s Prospects for a College Football Playoff (CFP) Breakthrough — With an in-depth look at Utah's roster changes and coaching transition, featuring an interview with new head coach Morgan Scally.
2. The Coaching Journey of Mike MacDonald — Chronicling Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning coach’s rise from unpaid intern to NFL head coach.
3. North Dakota State’s (NDSU) Move to FBS/Mountain West — Exploring the broader implications of NDSU's jump and discussing college football’s future.

Throughout, the hosts mix X's and O's with big-picture insights and plenty of candid opinions, all in a lively, conversational tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Can Utah Finally Make a College Football Playoff Run?

Utah's Identity and Obstacles

• Historically built on a power-run game and physical offensive line play.
• Passing game — especially explosive downfield throws — was the biggest weakness last season.
• Strengths: “They ran the rock, they punched you in the mouth... Best one, two punch in all of college football [at tackle].” (David Pollack, 01:33)
• Departures: All five offensive line starters and key playmakers (plus several transferred to Michigan with former coach Kyle Whittingham).

Transfer Portal Approach & New Additions

• Utah attacked the transfer portal for under-the-radar talent, leveraging new staff ties:
  • Braden Pagan (Utah State) — ~1,000 yards receiving.
  • Kyrie Scholes (San Jose State) — ~800 yards receiving.
  • Ricky Johnson (Mississippi State, RS Freshman) — reunited with new WR coach Chad Bumpus.
• These moves signal more offensive speed and versatility, making this “the best Utah receiving group...in a long, long time.” (David Pollack, 03:08)

Coaching Transition

• New HC: Morgan Scally (promoted after years as defensive coordinator and “coach-in-waiting”).
• Outgoing HC: Kyle Whittingham — left for Michigan, taking top players and assistants.
• Cultural shift and continuity are both at play; Scally is an alum with deep program ties.

Quarterback Situation

• Devin Dampier (returning) compared statistically to top QBs—comparable numbers to Gunner Stockton (Seventh in Heisman voting).
  • “Both had 24 touchdowns, five picks, and 10 rushing touchdowns...Dampier had more big time throws, more down the field stuff.” (Will, 09:14)
  • Ficklin (backup QB) brings a dynamic wildcat package.

Biggest Concerns

• Entirely new O-line, new offensive/defensive coordinators, major player departures.
• “Too many unknowns to say they’re a playoff team...But the culture is there.” (Brent Rollins, 11:13)
• Utah projects as a middle-of-the-pack Big 12 team this year, likely an 8-9 win team unless things break exceptionally.

2. Meet Morgan Scally: Utah's New Head Coach

Personal & Emotional Transition

• “When I got the call, just elated... My wife saw me crying, and it was pretty special.” (Morgan Scally, 15:57)
• Dedication to family and loyalty to Whittingham, whom he credits as a mentor.

Program Philosophy

• “Our culture... RSMB — Relentless, Smart, Nasty Ball Hawks. That’s a culture that is going to be team wide.” (Scally, 17:07)
• Influenced by Tim Kight (culture coach at Ohio State), focusing on behavior over scheme:
  • “Culture is all about behavior producing results. I can have an A-plus scheme, C-minus behavior, and my results are going to reflect C-minus.”
• Emphasis on using strength training and conditioning as tools to reinforce on-field behaviors and performance.

Staff Building Approach

• Kept a running “Excel spreadsheet” of respected coaches and potential hires.
• Prioritized staff with schematic compatibility and ones he’s observed coaching against, including new OC Kevin McGiven (from Utah State).

Broader Program Impact

• Deep roots: Born, raised, played, and now coaching in Salt Lake City; “this is a Utah guy.”
• Uncharted territory: Promotion from within mirrors previous Urban Meyer → Whittingham succession.
• Fresh challenges: Roster losses to Michigan, increased recruiting battles, culture integration for new pieces.

3. The Fallout From Whittingham’s Departure

• Whittingham took the Michigan job and “pillaged your roster...he just took your best players.” (Brent Rollins, 23:59)
• Extended to recruiting: “All those Polynesian kids...going to Michigan. Even recruiting battles, not just the roster.” (Brent Rollins, 24:23)
• Utah faces a new kind of adversity—sustaining culture while integrating transfers and re-establishing pipelines.

4. Numbers, Previews & "Numbers Never Lie"

• Brent and Will debate Utah’s statistical profile, quarterback potential, and compare to national peers.
• Notable QB comparison: “...total touchdowns and interceptions basically the same. Devin Dampier and Gunner Stockton.” (08:41–09:20)
• Still, offensive line turnover and coaching flux overshadow optimistic skill-position stats.

5. NDSU Joins the Mountain West & College Football Realignment

North Dakota State’s “Big Leap”

• NDSU is moving to FBS and entering the Mountain West after dominating FCS (10 national titles in 15 years).
• NCAA rules bar them from playoff/bowl contention for 2 years after the jump—a move the hosts call “a very dumb rule...No, let's punish them. That makes a shoot ton of sense.” (Will/Brent, 27:23-27:41)
• Hosts agree NDSU is ready for the leap (drawing parallels to when Marshall moved up), but the overall landscape might split further into “Power 4” and “Group of 6” within 5 years.

The Future of Conference Structure

• Heated debate on playoff expansion (“It’s a peeing competition between the Big Ten and the SEC and who's got the bigger...”) (Brent Rollins, 29:23)
• Football-only membership in conferences (like NDSU and Northern Illinois in Mountain West) seen as “smart business”—saves costs for non-football sports while maximizing revenue.

NDSU Atmosphere & Memories

• “One of the coolest, absolute coolest college game days in the history of the world...Fargo was amazing.” (Brent Rollins, 32:54)

6. Mike MacDonald: Coaching Journey from Georgia to Seattle Super Bowl Winner

• MacDonald started his career as a GA at Georgia, unpaid Ravens intern at 26.
• “He reeks of humility...He’s a class stud, humility, all that stuff. A self-proclaimed introvert, not much of a talker... Becomes the Ravens D.C., then Seahawks HC. Third youngest Super Bowl winner at 38.” (Brent Rollins, 36:30–38:04)
  • Youngest SB winning coaches: Sean McVay, Mike Tomlin.
• Highlight: MacDonald’s public humility — openly discussed needing to improve with the media to model accountability for his team.
• Defensive innovation: “First defensive play caller to win a Super Bowl...makes multiple defensive calls at one time, kind of like offenses do...very, very innovative.” (Brent Rollins, 38:11)
• Built winner “not with a bunch of superstars” but young players and a strong culture.

7. Defense in Modern Football

• Reflection on NFL and college playoff teams: “If you can’t pressure the quarterback in this world, they will eventually get to you...Coaching matters so much now in this sport, even at the highest levels.” (Will, 41:55)

8. Super Bowl Recap & "Who Won the Weekend?"

• Enthusiastic Super Bowl talk: Young Patriots QB Drake May struggles; Sam Darnold praised for resilience after a career once left for dead.
  • “His experience, his low points, his ability to protect the football, to shrug people off...that’s the difference, man. That’s why they won a Super Bowl.” (Brent Rollins, 44:13–45:13)
  • “Darnold’s parents continued to believe in me. Everybody doubted me...he went to the Jets, that’s where you go to die as a quarterback.” (Brent Rollins, 45:20)
• Fun moments:
  • Super Bowl commercials (“I can tell a lot of them were aimed at us old people...Backstreet Boys, Duncan with all the 90s characters, Tom Brady and Jennifer Aniston.” (Will/Brent, 42:04–42:26)
  • Spurrier quote: “Somebody’s got to tell Dabo, there's no rules anymore.” (Wesley, 48:03)
  • Stories about ESPN’s College GameDay in Fargo and Steve Spurrier’s “slipsies” pick-six practice tale.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “They ran the rock, they punched you in the mouth...they made no bones about it.” (Pollack on Utah, 01:33)
• “I’m not gonna cry because it’s over. I'm gonna smile because it happened.” (Scally quoting Pollack, 15:08)
• “Culture is all about behavior producing results. You can have an A-plus scheme, C-minus behavior, and your results are gonna be C-minus.” (Scally, 17:30)
• “Too many unknowns to say they’re a playoff team.” (Brent Rollins, 11:13)
• “He reeks of humility...absolutely reeks of humility, reeks of class.” (Brent on Mike MacDonald, 36:36)
• “He was promoted within house and they're doing it again.” (Brent Rollins on Utah, 22:06)
• “One of the coolest, absolute coolest college game days in the history of the world. Fargo was amazing.” (Brent, 32:54)
• “His experience, his ability to protect the football, shrug people off...that’s the difference, man.” (Brent Rollins on Darnold, 45:13)
• “Somebody's got to tell Dabo, there's no rules anymore.” (Steve Spurrier, cited by Wesley, 48:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Utah’s CFP Hopes, Key Departures: 00:52 – 11:45
• Morgan Scally Interview & Culture Talk: 14:47 – 20:03
• Debate: Utah’s Place in Big 12: 22:06 – 24:38
• NDSU’s Move & College Football Realignment: 26:26 – 33:31
• Mike MacDonald’s Journey, Super Bowl Reflection: 36:30 – 41:55
• Super Bowl Recap, “Who Won the Weekend?” 44:13 – 46:56
• Fun Stories & Closing Banter: 48:02 – End

Takeaways for the Listener

• Utah’s future is in flux: A promising transfer haul at WR, but major O-line/foundation pieces lost — too many unknowns for true playoff contention in 2026, though the culture remains strong under new coach Scally.
• Morgan Scally is building his version of Utah’s identity: With a laser focus on culture, accountability, and team-wide buy-in.
• Mike MacDonald’s story is a blueprint for coaching persistence: From behind-the-scenes grinder to innovative, young champion.
• NDSU changing the FBS landscape: The FCS powerhouse joins the Mountain West, portending future shifts and possible new divides in college football.
• Fun, candid moments abound: From nostalgic GameDay tales to classic Spurrier barbs and Super Bowl breakdowns.

To hear the full Morgan Scally interview, tune in to the next episode!