See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: "CFP Final Rankings INSTANT REACTION"

Date: December 7, 2025
Host: David Pollack

Episode Overview

In this CFP Final Rankings Instant Reaction episode, David Pollack and his co-host (Brent) break down the final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. The episode is charged with honest, passionate, and often blunt analysis of the selections, seeding controversies, and what the committee got right and wrong. Expect in-depth discussion of the Miami-Notre Dame-Alabama debate, system frustrations, and a forward-looking perspective on how the playoff format will (and should) continue to evolve.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Playoff Selections Drama: Miami, Notre Dame, Alabama (01:42 - 04:37)

• The main drama of Selection Day hinged on which team among Miami, Notre Dame, and Alabama would make the playoff, and who would be left out.
  • David's take:

    "I felt more comfortable about putting Miami in than anybody because Miami beat Notre Dame head to head. Miami beating FSU at their place... it really felt like Miami had a distinct advantage." (01:59)

• The challenge of penalizing teams for playing tough schedules, early-season losses, and brand power all contributed to the controversy.
• There’s no “right answer” and the system is scrutinized, especially with JMU and Tulane occupying playoff spots.

2. Critique of the System: Group of Five (G5) Inclusions (03:21 - 04:37, 23:34 - 24:46)

• The panel is highly critical of G5 teams JMU and Tulane making the playoff over stronger programs:

  • "It's a travesty for the sport that you have Tulane and you have JMU in. It's good for them... But that's not how this is supposed to be set up." (03:31)

  • "We need to have a true playoff system like the NFL does, where we're getting the best teams in the playoffs." (24:46)

3. Discrepancies in Rankings & Questionable Committee Decisions (04:37 - 05:25, 29:50 - 30:45)

• Alabama didn’t drop at all after a bad loss, whereas other teams have been punished for less.

  • "Alabama got destroyed yesterday and didn't move a millimeter. Same spot." (04:57)

• Committee’s inertia and inconsistency throughout the season—why didn’t they “fix” obvious ranking issues earlier?

4. Impact of Championship Games on Seeding (06:45 - 07:45, 24:46 - 26:26)

• Georgia stays at #3 after a close championship battle. Panel feels some of these games “meant nothing” regarding seeding except for Indiana/Ohio State.
• Discussion of how the conference championship games seem to lose relevance under the current system.

  • “It meant nothing. It meant the one seed now. Yeah. They flipped and then, you know, if you want to debate two and three, I think it’s debatable, but it’s not criminal.” (07:01)

• Host predicts potential changes in future playoff/championship structure.

5. Strength and Prospects of the Big Ten (08:10 - 09:24)

• David asserts this could be another year for a Big Ten champion, praising Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon as “three of the top five seeds.”

  • “Back-to-back champs have been from the Big Ten and I think there’s a way higher chance of it happening again.” (08:24)

• They agree the Big Ten is stronger at the top than the SEC, despite the SEC getting more teams in.

6. Notre Dame’s Omission & Potential (09:24 - 11:55)

• Pollack considers Notre Dame one of the most dangerous teams left out:

  • “I absolutely agree. I think this Notre Dame team is scarier than last year's Notre Dame team... If you asked me to pick... I would absolutely pick Notre Dame.” (10:24)

• Panel debates how head-to-head wins and timing of games can sometimes unfairly knock out excellent teams.

7. First-Round Matchups & Game Previews (17:03 - 22:40)

• Recap of playoff bracket:
  • 1 Indiana, 2 Ohio State, 3 Georgia, 4 Texas Tech (byes).
  • 8 Oklahoma vs. 9 Alabama
  • 7 Texas A&M vs. 10 Miami
  • 6 Ole Miss vs. 11 Tulane
  • 5 Oregon vs. 12 JMU
• Most anticipated first-round game: A&M vs. Miami.

  • “I think that’ll be the Friday night game... the bar none choice is that A&M-Miami is the most exciting of these first round games.” (19:59)

• Advantages of playing at home, motivation, and key injuries.

8. Team-Specific Commentaries and Outlooks

• Alabama: Needs major offensive improvement. Noted for being resilient after tough losses. (20:25-21:20)
• Oklahoma: Extra rest may be an advantage, but “rest can become rust.” (21:20)
• Vanderbilt: Best 10-2 team not in the playoff—a sign of the system’s limits. (23:00)
• Indiana: Surprise #1 seed, undefeated after beating top teams on the road, potential for Heisman-winning QB. (26:46-28:45)

9. Predictions, Player Spotlights, and Awards (26:55 - 28:45)

• Indiana’s quarterback is tipped as the likely Heisman winner.

  • “His toughness is unquestioned. And, and, and when he sees you playing man to man coverage, he’s going to attack you and I think NFL teams are going to love that.” (28:06)

• Praise for Signetti, the Indiana coach, for changing the program and college football landscape.
• Expectation for “elite football games” in the playoff’s second round, likened to the NCAA basketball Elite Eight. (29:08)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Miami-Notre Dame-Alabama Drama:

  “Miami beating Notre Dame head to head. Miami beating FSU at their place... it really felt like Miami had a distinct advantage.” – David Pollack (01:59)

• On Committee Process:

  “Alabama got destroyed yesterday and didn’t move a millimeter. Same spot... That doesn’t mean I agreed with it.” – Brent & David (04:57-05:01)

• On The System’s Flaws:

  “We need to have a true playoff system like the NFL does, where we're getting the best teams in the playoffs.” – David Pollack (24:46)

• On Big Ten Power:

  “Back-to-back champs have been from the Big Ten and I think there's a way higher chance of it happening again.” – David Pollack (08:24)

• On Notre Dame as an Omitted Contender:

  “I think this Notre Dame team is scarier than last year's Notre Dame team. If you asked me to pick... I would absolutely pick Notre Dame.” – David Pollack (10:24)

• On Indiana’s Magical Season:

  “Not only are they the one seed undefeated, they went and beat Oregon at Oregon and beat Penn State at Penn State, Iowa at Iowa and then Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game... That season is absolutely magical.” – Brent & David (26:55-27:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Remarks & Playoff Drama: 01:42 – 04:37
• System Flaws and G5 Critique: 03:21 – 04:37, 23:34 – 24:46
• Rankings/Committee Decisions: 04:37 – 05:25
• Championship Games & Seeding Impact: 06:45 – 07:45, 24:46 – 26:26
• Big Ten’s Strength: 08:10 – 09:24
• Notre Dame Analysis: 09:24 – 11:55
• Bracket Recap & Matchups: 17:03 – 22:40
• Vanderbilt & Edge Cases: 23:00 – 23:34
• Playoff System Evolution: 23:34 – 26:26
• Indiana's Dream Season & Heisman Talk: 26:46 – 28:45
• Outlook for Playoff Games: 29:08 – 29:50

Final Thoughts

• The episode ends with a sense of anticipation for the playoff games and a promise for further analysis with players and coaches. David and Brent urge the evolution of the playoff system, emphasizing both fairness and excitement.
• The main takeaway: the CFP system still produces drama and debate, now about spots #12-14 rather than #4-5, but structural improvements and rewarding the best teams remain pressing issues.