See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack: CFB Week 13 Instant Reaction – USC-Oregon, Pitt-Georgia Tech, Utah-Kansas State & More

Date: November 23, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Co-Host: Brent Rollins

Episode Overview

David Pollack and Brent Rollins break down all the major college football action from Week 13, providing raw, insightful analysis on several pivotal games with playoff implications. They dissect marquee matchups like USC-Oregon, Pitt-Georgia Tech, Utah-Kansas State, and more, examining team performances, coaching decisions, playoff outlooks, and player standouts. Their trademark banter and honest takes deliver a comprehensive rundown for fans who want to stay in the know on college football’s wildest weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. USC vs. Oregon: Physicality, Discipline, and Playoff Stakes

[01:36–11:51]

• USC’s Struggles With Mistakes and Discipline

  • USC “shot themselves in the foot” repeatedly, especially on special teams (kickoff out of bounds, kick catch interference, punt return TD allowed, leaping penalty, missed field goal).
  • “There were enough [penalties] to go around... It was just dumb. So many mistakes and so much lack of discipline.” – David Pollack [02:58]

• Oregon’s Resilience and Depth

  • Despite injuries to the O-line and top three receivers, Oregon ran for over 200 yards against USC.
  • “One team lives in that element, lives tough practices. That way, their coach demands it… and one team that doesn’t.” – David [04:04]
  • Oregon’s defense “flies around... They absolutely destroy people.”

• Star Power and Breakout Players

  • Freshman Nook Hines impressed; hosts had to “look him up” due to his impact on deep plays.
  • Running backs for Oregon highlighted for their aggressive, downhill running style. “Does anybody’s backs run harder in the country?... They run angry and they fall forward.” – David [05:26]
  • Sadiq’s role as a versatile weapon: “There’s not very many positions on the field that he could not play. Like, that’s a superhuman freakazoid.” – David [07:15]

• USC’s Offense Lacks Balance Against a Physical Team

  • Couldn’t run the ball; longest carry was six yards, putting the offense in tough situations.

• Oregon’s Playoff Profile

  • Hosts agree Oregon can “win the whole thing” if injuries heal for the playoff run.
  • Questions remain if Oregon's defense is good enough on the edge, especially against elite teams.

2. ACC Craziness – Pittsburgh vs. Georgia Tech, SMU on the Rise

[14:34–24:19]

• Pitt Upends Tech in “Spin the Wheel” ACC

  • Pitt jumps up 28–0 on Georgia Tech, showing energy and “playing with swag.”
  • Game momentum flips after a taunting penalty lets Tech score twice before halftime.
  • “They were friggin’ ready for Georgia Tech. They were spitting nails... flying around.” – David [14:34]

• Key Moments

  • 100-yard pick-six from Pitt’s Loveless “was the game, man,” changing Tech’s comeback hopes. [17:10]
  • Pitt’s fake punt late nearly gives Tech a shot, but Pitt’s defense clamps down—only 27 yards allowed in the second half before the final drive.

• Coaching and Season Impact

  • “Narduzzi, man, like just year after year, like really, really good football coach.” – David [17:44]
  • Georgia Tech’s defensive woes and look-ahead to the Georgia game likely played a role in the loss.

• SMU’s Statement Win

  • Mentioned as a team to watch after a “heck of a day,” with QB Jennings playing lights-out.

3. Notre Dame-Syracuse, Utah-Kansas State: Ugly Wins and Playoff Questions

[22:37–30:24]

Notre Dame Blows Out Syracuse

• Scored 21 points before their offense took a snap.
• “Notre Dame absolutely came out and boat raced them... there’s nothing for them to do whatsoever.” – David [23:21]

Utah Survives Kansas State: A Defensive Collapse

• Utah wins 51–47 but gives up 476 rushing yards – “That was grotesque... Kansas State’s never rushed in the history of their school for more yards.” – David [24:44]
• Playoff committee scrutiny expected: “If the playoff committee is going to tell me Alabama struggling to rush the football... then I want to hear that from Utah this week.” [25:41]
• Utah’s injuries (especially Daily and Fano) could hurt them deeply.
• “This doesn’t look like a playoff team to me. I’m sorry.” – David [26:38]

4. Oklahoma Survives Missouri, Playoff Implications

[30:30–37:45]

• Oklahoma defense stymies Missouri (zero rushing yards in second half).
• Offense winning “old school” with great defense and timely offense.
• “Their defense is super good. Prabula comes back, he was actually moving better than I thought.” – David [32:00]
• “Missouri’s been in every game. Their defense is super good. Offense continues to be a hot mess.” – David [32:25]
• Missouri settles for too many field goals, hurting upset chances.
• Oklahoma becomes the only team in CFB with four wins over currently ranked teams.
• Concerns remain: “Three freshmen on that offensive line... too many good teams out there that you can play great D and try to win a playoff.” [36:56]

5. Quick Hits: Texas-Arkansas, Vanderbilt Surge, Malachi Toney’s Brilliance, SMU’s QB

[40:57–48:22]

• Texas’s Defense Faltering
  • “Texas gave up 37 to Arkansas... That defense is not [elite].” – David [41:53]
• Vanderbilt’s Historic Season
  • 9 wins for first time since 1915; Diego Pavia’s monster stats in last three games.
  • “He’s back on this sucker... going to another level.” – David [43:40]
• Miami: Malachi Toney, Versatility King
  • “He is the most versatile piece in all of college football. There is none more versatile than him.” – David [45:31]
  • Concerns about Miami’s run defense and secondary injuries.
  • On late TD: “That’s called the committee’s watching... committee talks about numbers and talks about run defense. So I don’t care if you do it.” – David [47:02]
• SMU: Kevin Jennings’ Fun, Risky Play Style
  • “Jennings continues to do this... four touchdown passes... This offense looks really, really good.” – David [48:22]
  • Brent: “Kevin Jennings is just fun to watch because of the way he moves... backyard ball.” [48:51]

6. Big Picture: Playoff, Scheduling, Rants, and Program Observations

[49:17–55:51]

• Dan Lanning vs. Ohio State Scheduling Debate

  • David targets Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s comments: “Let’s not look at your schedule and look at other schedules and say it’s comparable, because it’s not, it’s not comparable.” [51:02]
  • Ohio State able to rest top receivers due to weak late schedule.

• Are Buckeye Fans Bored?

  • “Winning’s freaking fun. I think they’re bored.” – David [52:02]
  • Brent highlights how Ohio State still shows freakish talent, but lacking “fun” games.
  • Injuries could derail a “coin flip” playoff if key OSU talents are out.

• SEC, LSU, and Playoff Landscape

  • The SEC’s weekly grind vs. rest-of-country scheduling.
  • Lane Kiffin possibly LSU-bound as Brian Kelly’s seat gets hotter.
  • “...Going to have like 10 of the 12 best teams in the playoff, barring some true craziness next weekend.” – Brent [54:33]

• Shoutouts:

  • Tennessee’s first win at Florida since 2003.
  • Auburn’s improving offense; speculation on using Deuce Knight.

• Coaching Carousel Oddities

  • Virginia Tech’s new coach Franklin is already on the sideline before the current season ends. “It’s strange. It’s very strange... But being around the players, evaluating... I think it’s a good thing.” – David [57:44]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• USC-Oregon Special Teams Chaos:
  "It was a competitive game in the house in the first half for special teams purposes for USC. … So you need things to go your way and you need to win the margins… That’s something that USC consistently doesn’t do.”
  – David [02:04]

• Oregon’s Running Backs:
  “They run with some piss and vinegar. Like, they freaking come... every single time... they run angry and they fall forward.”
  – David [05:26]

• Pitt’s Defensive Stand:
  “The defense started the day awful… Defense helped Pitt in the second half to 27 yards. 27. Like, they really locked it in.”
  – David [17:44]

• Utah’s Defensive Disaster:
  “That wasn’t ugly. That was grotesque. That was pathetic. That was… Kansas State’s never rushed in the history of their school for more yards.”
  – David [24:48]

• Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia:
  “He’s back on this sucker... going to another level.”
  – David [43:40]

• Malachi Toney (Miami):
  “He is the most versatile piece in all of college football. There is none more versatile than him.”
  – David [45:31]

• On Playoff Selection Debates:
  “You know what’s nice? It’s a nice luxury, Dan. When Ohio State can rest their top two receivers… They don’t have to worry about surviving every game, because they’re not tested that much.”
  – David [51:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-------------------------------------------|-----------| | 1 | USC-Oregon breakdown & Oregon’s edge | 01:36–11:51 | | 2 | Pitt-Georgia Tech, ACC/SMU implications | 14:34–24:19 | | 3 | Notre Dame-Syracuse, Utah-Kansas State | 22:37–30:24 | | 4 | Oklahoma-Missouri, playoff stakes | 30:30–37:45 | | 5 | Quick hits: Texas, Vandy, Miami, SMU | 40:57–48:22 | | 6 | Playoff rants, sched debates, SEC notes | 49:17–55:51 | | 7 | Closing: Coaching moves, playoff outlook | 57:44–end |

Closing Thoughts

David Pollack and Brent Rollins provide a week’s worth of watercooler fuel—raw, passionate, and data-driven. Their discussions hit the game-changing plays (good and bad), call out playoff pretenders, and celebrate the underdogs making history. Listeners come away understanding not just what happened across college football in Week 13, but where the sport’s playoff race and storylines are heading next.

“We’re getting closing time, man, last week of the season, last regular season week. So get everything locked in. Talk about all the games that really matter for playoff contention.” – David [60:04]

For more in-depth analysis and regular updates, tune in to “See Ball Get Ball” weekly!