See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode Title: CFB Conference Championship INSTANT REACTIONS | David Pollack Picks his CFP 12 | Heisman

Date: December 7, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

Overview of Episode Theme

In this championship weekend special, David Pollack and his co-host break down the chaos and drama from the College Football Conference Championships. They offer instant reactions to the decisive games, analyze what these results mean for the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) field, dissect standout individual performances (especially Heisman candidates), and debate the resurgence of defense across the nation. Pollack reveals his full CFP 12 rankings, spotlights coaches and players who made headlines, and brings his classic blend of passionate, straight-shooting analysis and insider knowledge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas Tech Wins Big 12 & Earns Playoff Bye

• Dominant Defense:
  • Texas Tech’s defense drew high praise as the “best defensive line in college football” ([05:18], Pollack).
  • Pollack: “You better pack a frickin’ lunch… they are going to absolutely hammer you. They can rush, they can play the run.”
• Offense Questions:
  • The offense was inconsistent but did enough; seen as similar to Oklahoma and Georgia’s offenses—“good, but can you trust them in the playoff?”
  • QB Morton played through injury (hairline fibula fracture), which limited the offense’s rhythm and explosiveness.
• BYU Struggles:
  • Suffered from early injuries & turnovers; special teams were a liability, and the fake punt was called a momentum-killer.
• Coaching & Culture:
  • Praises for coach Joey Maguire’s leadership and ability to unite transfers/new staff, highlighted as "one of the most genuine guys" ([09:36], Pollack).

Memorable Quote:

• “Texas Tech, man... best defensive line in college football. I don’t see how that’s debatable.” ([05:18], Pollack)

2. Indiana Stuns Ohio State—The Year's Biggest Turnaround

• Indiana’s Grit and Defense:
  • Overcame quarterback injury on first play.
  • Brian Haynes’ defense praised for innovative blitzes and patience-forcing, bottling up Ohio State’s offense.
  • Indiana came up clutch again: “Every big time moment when they needed a play, Mendoza made it.” ([17:50], Pollack)
• Game-Defining Calls:
  • Critique of Ohio State coaching—conservatism on key fourth downs.
  • Indiana’s aggression rewarded; the bomb on 3rd and 6 to WR Charlie B. sealed the win.
• Coach Kurt Signetti:
  • “The greatest turnaround ever, potentially.” Signetti took transfers and local talent to an undefeated season and #1 seed ([19:23], Pollack).
• Historic Feat:
  • Indiana’s first outright conference championship since 1945.

Notable Quote:

• “No one in the country has handled adversity better than Indiana.” ([22:12], Pollack)

3. Georgia Outmuscles Alabama—Defensive Clinic

• Defensive Domination:
  • Georgia’s defensive pressure (19 QB pressures) stifled Bama, holding them to −3 rush yards—a stat Pollack calls "ridiculous" ([30:42], Pollack).
• Offensive Identity:
  • Emphasizes 13-personnel sets and exploiting tight end depth.
  • Warns that Georgia’s offense is built for grinding, not shootouts, but it’s a matchup nightmare for opponents.
• Alabama Falters:
  • Bama seen as regressing, “leaking oil” down the stretch, failing to keep up physically:
  • “You got punk tonight. You got beat up tonight.” ([32:35], Pollack)
• Implications for Playoff:
  • Alabama’s finish puts their playoff spot in doubt; the loss may open doors for others (Notre Dame, Miami).

Quote:

• “If you stand in front of Georgia and want to throw blows, you’re going to get your ace knocked out... you just got knocked the blank out.” ([27:20], Pollack)

4. CFP 12 Team Seeding Debate

• Unanimous #1:
  • Indiana locked in as top seed after undefeated run.
• Who’s #2?
  • Debates between Georgia (avenging loss, strong finish) and Ohio State.
  • Texas Tech expected as final team to get a bye.
• Order to 12:
  • Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Miami, Notre Dame, Tulane all make field.
  • Pollack predicts two Group of Five teams (Tulane, likely JMU) enter, which he calls a sign that further playoff reforms are coming.
• Rematch Worries:
  • The committee might adjust seeding to avoid early repeat matchups.

Notable Ranking Snippet:
- Top 5, per Pollack: Indiana, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Oregon ([39:52], Pollack)

5. The Drunk ACC, Group of Five Rise, and Other Storylines

• Duke Upsets Virginia:
  • ACC seen as ‘drunkest conference’; Duke played “free, aggressive, nothing to lose” football—faked punts, won turnover battle.
• Group of Five Dreams:
  • Expanded playoffs let “two Group of Five teams in the College Football Playoff. That’s not getting the best teams in, in any way, shape or form.” ([55:19], Pollack)

6. Heisman Debate

• Mendoza’s Clutch Play Seals It:
  • Championship weekend is the decisive stage for the Heisman; Pollack puts Indiana’s Mendoza over the top for delivering under biggest pressure.
  • “If you took Mr. Mendoza off Indiana, they dang sure ain’t undefeated.” ([52:54], Pollack)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On Texas Tech’s Defense:
  “I think Texas Tech has the best defensive line in college football. I don’t, I don’t see how that’s debatable.” – Pollack ([05:18])
• On Indiana’s Mentality:
  “No one in the country has handled adversity better than Indiana. Nobody’s handled the big moments, the big stages. You go at Oregon and find a way to win. You go at Iowa in a clutch moment, find a way to win. Mendoza’s toughness—he gets hit, he keeps making plays, and he never flinches.” – Pollack ([22:12])
• On Georgia’s Win over Alabama:
  “If you stand in front of Georgia and you want to throw blows, you’re going to get your ace knocked out.” – Pollack ([27:20])
• On Alabama:
  “Alabama fans, you’ve had a good run, but… you got punk tonight. I mean, you got beat up tonight.” – Pollack ([32:35])
• CFP Format Frustration:
  “Two Group of Five teams in the College Football Playoff. That’s not getting the best team any way, shape or form. Last year we screwed up the how we got, gave away the byes. We fixed that, next year we’ll have to fix that now. Like, that can’t happen.” ([55:19])
• On the Heisman:
  “I think Mendoza just won a Heisman Trophy. Indiana, the number one team in the country, with a Heisman Trophy winner this year. That’s just awesome.” ([53:50])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Texas Tech vs. BYU Analysis: [01:23] – [10:20]
• Indiana vs. Ohio State Recap: [13:21] – [23:40]
• Georgia vs. Alabama Reactions: [23:50] – [34:29]
• CFP 12 Rankings Discussion: [37:55] – [44:53]
• Heisman Debate: [52:18] – [53:50]
• ACC/Other Championships Roundup and Playoff Format Talk: [45:12] – [55:19]

Closing Thoughts and Tone

The episode delivers the raw energy, authenticity, and deep football knowledge Pollack is known for. He balances critique, celebration, personal insights, and a few pointed jabs—especially at underperforming teams and playoff quirks. The overall mood is celebratory (for teams that shocked the world), incredulous (at playoff outcomes and formats), and reverential (towards programs and coaches achieving dramatic turnarounds).

Final Quote

“College freaking football, man. Like it’s drunk. It’s awesome.” – Pollack ([45:12])

For those who missed the games, Pollack’s detailed breakdown provides not just box scores but context, emotion, and explanations for every major outcome of conference championship weekend and what’s next for the playoff and Heisman chase.