Podcast Summary: "CFB Teams MOST LIKELY to Make the CFP | SEC | Big Ten | Who Else?"
Episode Release Date: August 5, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Co-Host: Brent Rollins
1. Introduction and Weather Banter
The episode kicked off with a light-hearted discussion between David Pollack and Brent Rollins about the unseasonably cool and rainy weather in Georgia. David remarked, “[00:00] ...literally put a sweatshirt on yesterday. It's just, it's August...” highlighting the unusual temperature drop. Brent echoed the sentiment, noting, “[00:45] ...the first week of August... I’d rather it be hot. I’d 1000% rather be hot.”
2. Transition to Playoff Contenders Discussion
After the brief weather talk, the hosts seamlessly transitioned into the main topic: identifying College Football teams most likely to make the College Football Playoff (CFP). David suggested, “[02:10] I think today is cool... to have all the playoff contenders in all of college football.”
3. Analyzing Playoff Contenders by Conference
a. SEC (Southeastern Conference)
David and Brent agreed that the SEC boasts the highest number of potential CFP teams. They began by debunking some perennial powerhouses:
- Georgia, Alabama, and LSU were identified as almost guaranteed playoff spots. David emphasized their dominance with, “[12:00] Georgia has a lot of question marks that we just talked about, but there's also a lot of talent that is there... their ceilings are higher.”
Brent added depth by discussing other SEC contenders like Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida, and Missouri. He mentioned, “[20:30] I got Auburn. Yep. And I got Florida... Missouri still has a chance because I think their record will be really solid.”
b. Big Ten Conference
Moving to the Big Ten, the hosts focused on:
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Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon as must-includes for playoff contention. Brent confirmed, “[23:55] I'm putting them in,” underscoring their unquestionable talent and recruitment prowess.
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Michigan and Nebraska were discussed as emerging threats. David highlighted Michigan’s robust schedule and talent pool: “[28:34] ...they recruit elite talent... they have great defensive line play.”
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Potential Dark Horses such as Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa were also touched upon, with discussions on their offensive dynamics and key player performances.
c. Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 was identified as another competitive league with multiple teams having playoff potential. The contenders included:
- Arizona State, Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech, and Utah. Brent elaborated, “[33:22] Arizona State, Utah, Baylor, Kansas State and Texas Tech are my five that I think can win the Big 12.”
David expressed some skepticism about certain teams but remained open to surprises, particularly highlighting Arizona State's potential: “[47:06] I didn’t have either one of those [Kansas and BYU] but I can understand why... they should have [playoff contention].”
d. ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)
In discussing the ACC, the hosts focused on:
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Miami, Notre Dame, and Clemson as primary candidates. Brent noted, “[35:18] ...Notre Dame is a definitive.”
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Fringe Candidates like Duke were also discussed, though David remained critical of Vanderbilt’s potential, stating, “[23:19] ...I have no problem with that [including fringe teams]."
e. Group of 5 Conferences
The conversation broadened to include powerhouse teams from the Group of 5, such as:
- Memphis, Tulane, Navy, Boise, UNLV, San Jose State, Liberty, and JMU. David added, “[43:32] JMU’s built a culture... they put up 70 on North Carolina last year.”
Both hosts agreed that while these teams face tougher paths, their performance could still secure them a spot in the CFP under favorable circumstances.
4. Player Athleticism and Bruce Feldman's Freaks List
A significant portion of the discussion centered around Bruce Feldman’s annual "Freaks List," which highlights the most athletically gifted college football players. Brent initiated the conversation, “[03:26] Bruce Feldman's freaks list...”
Highlights included:
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Jeremiah Smith with an impressive 38-inch vertical at 6’3½” weighing 220 pounds, prompting David to state, “[04:17] 6 4 and 220 pounds is not legal. Correct.”
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Caden Proctor from Alabama demonstrated a 32-inch vertical and a 9’3” broad jump, though David remained unimpressed: “[04:49] I’m not impressed with a 32-inch vertical.”
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Amari Washington from Oregon showcased a 36-inch vertical, earning David’s praise: “[05:08] 36 is pretty good... something spectacular.”
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Dominic McKinley from LSU stood out with a 418-pound power clean, which David found "freaking impressive" and indicative of elite defensive lineman explosiveness.
Brent and David debated the merits of different athletic performances, often referencing Feldman’s stats to underscore the increasing physical prowess of current college athletes compared to past generations.
5. Team-Specific Analyses and Predictions
The hosts delved into detailed analyses of specific teams, evaluating their schedules, player strengths, and coaching strategies.
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USC's Potential: David expressed high interest in USC’s prospects under Lincoln Riley, noting their challenging schedule but emphasizing their offensive capabilities: “[25:14] ...what if you steal one... it's just a matter of how you feel about Lincoln Riley.”
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Michigan's Schedule and Talent: Discussed at length, Michigan's favorable schedule and elite talent were seen as key factors: “[28:34] ...they recruit elite talent... their offense can improve.”
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Nebraska's Improvement: Both hosts highlighted Nebraska's strides under Matt Rhule, with Brent emphasizing their first five home games as crucial: “[30:03] ...five straight home games.”
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Miami's Fragile Position: While Brent was initially hesitant about Miami's playoff chances due to past inconsistencies, David highlighted their offensive line improvements and Carson Beck’s potential: “[40:37] ...the components are there... this is the year for Miami?”
6. Group of 5 and Other Conferences
Brent and David expanded their analysis to include teams from the Mountain West, American Conference, and others, recognizing the depth and competitiveness beyond the Power Five conferences. They discussed the potential of teams like Memphis, Tulane, Navy, Boise, UNLV, San Jose State, Liberty, and JMU, each presenting unique strengths that could propel them into playoff contention under the right circumstances.
7. Future Predictions and Episode Outlook
As the episode neared its conclusion, the hosts teased future discussions, including making concrete playoff predictions based on their extensive list of 40+ teams. David mused, “[46:33] ...if I just added up my lines... I had eight,” and Brent echoed the sentiment with similar numbers from his side, highlighting mutual agreement on several key contenders.
They also contemplated discussing outright CFP winners in upcoming episodes, reflecting on the evolving landscape of college football and the increasing parity among teams.
8. Closing Remarks
The episode wrapped up with appreciation for their listeners and a promise to continue refining their playoff predictions in future episodes. David concluded, “[45:00] ...we’re getting closer to the real deal thing.”
Notable Quotes:
- David Pollack [00:00]: “...literally put a sweatshirt on yesterday. It's just, it's August...”
- Brent Rollins [04:49]: “I’m not impressed with a 32-inch vertical.”
- David Pollack [05:22]: “Dominic McKinley... that is freaky.”
- Brent Rollins [33:22]: “Arizona State, Utah, Baylor, Kansas State and Texas Tech are my five that I think can win the Big 12.”
- David Pollack [47:06]: “...I can understand why... they should have [playoff contention].”
This episode provided a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape in college football, utilizing both statistical insights and personal anecdotes. David Pollack and Brent Rollins offered nuanced perspectives on various conferences and teams, enriched by their deep understanding of player athleticism and team dynamics. Whether you're a seasoned CFB fan or new to the sport, this discussion offers valuable insights into the potential playoff contenders for the upcoming season.