See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: CFB Conference Championship PREVIEWS and PICKS | Numbers You Gotta Know
Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: David Pollack & Brent Davis

Overview

This episode is all about previewing the high-stakes Conference Championship games across college football, with an eye on the playoff implications and key coaching changes affecting major programs. Pollack and Davis blend statistical analysis, film insights, and behind-the-scenes stories to give listeners informed predictions and bold takes. They also sprinkle in classic quotables, a podium segment featuring memorable coach soundbites, and a trivia-driven "Numbers Don’t Lie" discussion to wrap up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Coaching Carousel & Its Playoff Impact

[02:21–09:24]

• Major Coaching Moves:
  • Charlie Weis returns to Ole Miss as OC for the playoffs, bolstering their offense at the most critical time, despite already accepting the LSU OC job.
  • Tosh Lupoi (Oregon DC) named Cal head coach; Oregon loses both its OC (Will Stein) and DC (Lupoi), which is described as a "huge blow" for their playoff push.
  • Jamarcus Shepherd leaves Alabama for Oregon State as head coach.
  • Brian Hartline moves from Ohio State to USF, bringing recruiting prowess.
  • Colin Klein leaves his post as A&M’s OC to return to Kansas State.
  • In the G5: John Sumrall (Tulane to Florida), Eric Morris (North Texas to Oklahoma State), Bob Chesney (JMU to UCLA).
• Pollack's Take:
  "I think Oregon is the biggest loser in all that. It's good for their coaches. But when you lose your OC and your DC, man, like, all the stuff that you have to... You have to wear two hats during this time period." (08:20)
• Penn State Lags Behind:
  • Notably, Penn State still doesn't have a coach, despite being early on the market:
    "Isn't that weird though? Like, the first one to make the move... and swinging a miss, swinging a miss." (09:34)

Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Indiana

[10:16–20:56]

• Offense vs. Defense:
  • Indiana’s defense is much improved, relying on disciplined zone schemes and heavy base personnel (three linebackers).
  • Ohio State’s Julian Sayin is on another level with ball placement:
    "Number one in the power four by 8% over Carson. The same gap between 1 and 2 as the gap between 2 and 28." (11:38, Brent Davis)
• Keys to the Game:
  • Indiana's defensive structure could be exploited by Ohio State’s 12-personnel sets.
  • Indiana must mix up pressures and exploit simulated looks.
  • Indiana’s offense is steady, but lacks explosiveness compared to last year.
  • If Indiana wants to win, QB Mendoza has to "put that Superman cape on... have the S on his chest, man. Like he gonna have to play like a bad mother..." (16:38, Brent's Co-Host)
  • Ohio State has not allowed more than 17 points all season, likely shutting down Indiana.
• Predictions:
  • Both have Ohio State by 10–14 points.
    "I got 27–17, 31–17 is what I wrote down." (18:57, 18:59)
• Injury Management:
  • With major players banged up, some debate about rest vs. risk; player perspective ("no way in hell are you getting me off the field") vs. coach perspective urging caution. (19:26–19:57)

SEC Championship: Georgia vs. Alabama

[22:56–30:19]

• Team Evolution:
  • Both teams look different from early season, with Georgia missing key OL Drew Bobo and Alabama adjusting their offensive line.
• Decisive Factors:
  • Losing Bobo crucial for Georgia:
    "If you take the top three players on their offense. Number one is Gunner Stockton. Number two is Branch. Number three is Bobo who is out. It's not a small deal. It's a huge deal." (24:33, Brent's Co-Host)
• Alabama's Edge:
  • Expecting Bama to unleash Ty Simpson and play fast. Georgia’s offense likely to struggle without Bobo.
  • "Bama's pass rush with just three or four guys have gotten so much better... and Gunner against zone has not been good."
• Predictions:
  • Co-host: "I have Bama winning this game in the rematch... 27–14." (27:10)
  • Brent: "I got Georgia 23, Alabama 20, find a way." (28:28)

Big 12 Championship: Texas Tech vs. BYU

[30:20–34:32]

• BYU Must Start Fast:
  • Critical for BYU not to get in an early hole; they adjusted well last time but were derailed early.
• Texas Tech Dominance:
  • Tech’s only loss came with a backup QB; otherwise, "11 wins by 20 plus points."
  • BYU's run game must show up, but Texas Tech’s front is a fortress.
• Prediction:
  • Texas Tech by two scores:
    "31–17 for me." (34:32)

ACC Championship: Virginia vs. Duke

[34:32–37:16]

• Background:
  • Duke has fumble/turnover issues and lost to Virginia by 17 earlier in the year.
• Game Read:
  • "Duke has a tendency to give it up, give it away like a nonprofit. Like they want to give it away like it's a tax write-off." (36:32, Brent's Co-Host)
  • Chandler Morris (Virginia QB) is a difference-maker; expect a repeat result.
• Prediction:
  • Both see Virginia by the same margin as before: "34–17, Virginia." (37:10–37:13)

Other Championship Picks & G5 Rundown

[39:23–45:56]

• AAC: North Texas at Tulane.
  • North Texas praised for balanced, explosive offense; likely to outscore Tulane.
  • "If you look at their last three common opponents... North Texas wins by 70. I got North Texas 41–34." (42:36, Brent Davis)
• Sun Belt: JMU vs. Troy
  • JMU physical, tough—expected to take care of business and wait for playoff chaos.
• Mountain West: Boise State vs. UNLV
  • Boise heavy favorite based on recent dominance.
• CUSA: Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State
  • "Kennesaw State, bro. Congratulations on a great season. You're not going to win this game, but congrats." (45:14, Brent's Co-Host)
• MAC: Miami (OH) vs. Western Michigan
  • Western Michigan backed to avenge earlier loss.
  • Tangent about the coldest game experienced: "Coldest game day I've ever been to in my life. Western Michigan, bro." (46:38, Brent's Co-Host)

Numbers You Gotta Know: State Populations & Football Success

[47:22–49:54]

• Alabama Football Talent Density:
  • Trivia on how many successful FBS programs in low-population states.
• Power 4 School with Lowest State Population:
  • West Virginia (1.7M people); Nebraska is second.
  • Co-host: "That's amazing that much talent exists in a state that's, you know, well, not, not the biggest state." (49:32)

Podium Segment: Memorable Coach Quotes

[51:31–54:06]

• Lane Kiffin (LSU Intro):
  • Mimics Ed Orgeron after driving by Tiger Stadium:
    "'This place just makes me want to talk like you right now!' ... I'm feeling him... I called Ed, I said, I don't know what's going on, man, but I'm feeling you right now. And he's like, 'Coach, you at the best place in America.'" (52:13–52:49)
• John Sumrall on Staff Loyalty:
  • "I don't hire my friends... That doesn't mean you're the right fit here." (53:01)
• Hugh Freeze (Auburn):
  • On golf rumors: "I like football more than golf." (53:59)

Signing Day Reflection & College Football Calendar

[54:11–55:27]

• Nostalgia:
  • "Remember when this used to be like Christmas for fans?... Excitement, so jacked up. What do we get this year? ... Now, let's go shopping before we know how many people leave our program."
• Transfer Portal Impact:
  • Early signing day has lost its luster, but hosts congratulate all high school signees for achieving their dreams.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Oregon’s Losses:

  • "When you lose your OC and your DC man, like, all the stuff that you have to... it's not an easy thing to do." (08:20, Pollack)

• On Indiana vs. Ohio State:

  • "Julian saying, I've talked all season about his sort of ball placement data accuracy numbers... Number one in the power four by 8% over Carson. The same gap between 1 and 2 as 2 and 28." (11:38, Brent Davis)

• On Georgia’s Drew Bobo Loss:

  • "It's not a small deal. It's a huge deal. It's the difference in picking this game." (24:33, Brent's Co-Host)

• On Duke’s Turnover Woes:

  • "Duke has a tendency to give it up, give it away like a nonprofit. Like they want to give it away like it's a tax write-off." (36:32, Brent's Co-Host)

• On West Virginia’s Unique Place:

  • "West. By God, West Virginia only has 1.7 million people... lowest state population with a powerful school." (48:58, Brent Davis)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Coaching Carousel Recap: [02:21–09:24]
• Big Ten Championship Deep Dive: [10:16–20:56]
• SEC Championship Breakdown: [22:56–30:19]
• Big 12 & G5 Preview: [30:20–34:32]
• ACC Championship Analysis: [34:32–37:16]
• Non-Power 5 Game Picks: [39:23–45:56]
• Numbers Don't Lie Trivia: [47:22–49:54]
• Podium Segment: Coach Quotes: [51:31–54:11]
• Closing Reflection on Signing Day: [54:11–55:27]

Final Thoughts

David Pollack and Brent Davis provide a packed, insight-laden episode that analyzes the playoff race from every angle—player health, statistical comparison, coaching upheaval, and more. They move seamlessly from X’s and O’s to the emotional realities inside locker rooms and among fans, leaving listeners ready for championship weekend, and armed with all the “numbers you gotta know.”