See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: CFP Numbers You GOTTA KNOW | Kyle Whittingham's Fresh Start | Can Miami Beat Ohio State?
Date: December 30, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Co-Host/Analyst: Brent Rollins

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the major tectonic shifts in college football, highlighting coaching shakeups—most notably, Kyle Whittingham’s surprise move to Michigan—as well as detailed College Football Playoff (CFP) breakdowns. David Pollack and Brent Rollins dissect what Whittingham brings to the Wolverines, Clemson's crossroads under Dabo Swinney, and provide a granular preview of the much-anticipated Miami vs. Ohio State CFP matchup, including key numbers and positional battles.

The tone is conversational, energetic, and no-nonsense—honest analysis mixed with classic college football banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Catch-up & Setting the Scene

[01:48 – 05:55]

• David and Brent exchange holiday stories, family time, and Christmas gifts, setting a light and personable tone.
  • Pollack: “I got my 20-ounce heated coffee cup... this dad gum thing works.” (03:32)
  • Friendly teasing about family, gifts, and the “could care less” vs. “couldn’t care less” grammar debate.

2. Kyle Whittingham to Michigan – A Program Reset

[05:55 – 14:29]

The Hire

• Pollack is emphatic: Michigan nailed the hire by bringing in Whittingham, long-tenured, highly respected coach from Utah.
  • Pollack: “They hired a real coach… a first-class dude who ran a first-class program… built on toughness, discipline, development for 21-plus years.” (06:22)
• Reflects on the messy Michigan context: Harbaugh's exit under NCAA violations; Sharon Moore’s even messier departure.
• Praises Michigan for seeking stability and high-caliber leadership. Ward Manuel went for “as many checks as you can get.”

Whittingham’s Fit & Upside

• Whittingham excelled at Utah (with fewer resources), now inherits massive Michigan resources and recruiting power.
  • Pollack: “He’s been at Utah. He hasn’t had resources like he’s going to have at Michigan, he hasn’t had players like he’s going to have at Michigan.” (09:06)
• Compares Whittingham to Bill Snyder (Kansas State): “If he went [to a bigger job], he would have won national championships.”

Only Concern: Age & Modern CFB

• Only “ding” on Whittingham: Age (66), question marks around adapting to new-age, portal-driven college football.
  • Pollack: “…that’s the only thing that I’ll really listen to when it comes to that.” (10:32)
• Brent: “I do wonder about who’s coming with him [for staff], especially coordinator spots… The hires will be just as important as him and his culture.” (11:18)

The Big Ten Coaching Landscape

• Half the Big Ten/SEC teams will have had coaching changes in 3 years (10/34 teams in 2026).
• Longest-tenured: Only Kirby Smart and Kirk Ferentz.

3. Clemson State of the Program & Dabo’s Prove-It Year

[17:58 – 26:08]

Decline and Identity Crisis

• Clemson suffered most losses in a season since 2010.
  • Pollack: “That’s the second year Dabo took over… First time they’ve lost more than four in a season since 2010.” (19:51)

Offensive Concerns

• Pollack critical of Clemson’s offensive stagnation: lack of creativity, failure to layer plays or adapt.
  • Pollack: “I gotta be honest, I don’t see a lot of that with Clemson. I want to see more creativity.” (21:41)
  • Uses “Shrek” onions metaphor to drive home the lack of layers in their offense.

Roster & Portal Issues

• Brent points to roster upheaval: Many offensive linemen graduating, questions at QB, reluctance to use the portal biting them.
  • Brent: “Is it on the roster because of the lack of portal going…?” (22:55)
• Pollack: Returnees only matter if they're good; need more physicality and “nasty” in the locker room.

Prove-it Year for Dabo

• Both agree it’s a crucial season—a “prove it” year.
  • Pollack: “It’s a prove-it year, man.” (23:50)

4. NIL Era: Parity, Portal, and New Dynamics

[26:44 – 29:03]

• Excitement that players like Connor Wegman are staying in college, thanks to NIL opportunities.
  • Pollack: “There’s so many more players that are staying in college football because they’re getting paid.” (26:50)
• Parity is increasing; even the “have-nots” can buy in now.
• Discussion on bowl season meaning less for predicting next year, given today’s roster volatility.

5. CFP Numbers & Key Matchups: Ohio State vs. Miami

[31:08 – 49:22]

The Line of Scrimmage Debate

• Miami’s O-line and D-line both get high marks, per PFF grades and eye test.
  • Brent: “Bell [Miami OT] 83.8 pass plot [block] grade… zero pressures allowed in 9 out of 13 games.” (38:08)
• Reuben Bain and Jahfari Harvey (Miami’s pass rushers) vs. Ohio State’s OTs Curry and Jackson.
  • Miami rushers have more snaps and splash plays, but OSU edge guys efficient in limited reps.
  • Pollack: “Bane and Mezador, to me… they can wreck a game.” (39:40)

Weaknesses & X-Factors

• Pollack: The biggest mismatch may not be trench play, but Miami’s secondary against OSU’s WRs.

Scheme and Coaching Adjustments

• OSU uses heavy tight end sets (55% of plays)—will Ryan Day switch it up and get the ball out fast, given Miami’s quick pressure?
  • Pollack: “Ryan Day, the vertical passing game…He wants to stretch you sideline to sideline… That’s how you got to beat Miami.” (43:12)

Miami Offensive Tempo

• Miami should use tempo to stress OSU’s defense (which has played fewer snaps than any peer).
  • Brent: “Do we see more [tempo]? Especially if they get consecutive first downs… let’s test the conditioning…” (45:16)

OSU Defense: Strength & Conditioning

• OSU D is elite, especially in the Red Zone. Miami’s Red Zone offense has struggled and must be creative (sweeps, Wildcat).
  • Pollack: “Ohio State’s red zone defense is absolutely stupid… Can’t score touchdowns against it.” (47:39)

Turnovers & Physicality

• Physicality and trench battles will likely decide the outcome.
  • “Ohio State’s going to win faster on the outside… Miami’s going to have to dominate the line of scrimmage and make plays and make Sayin [OSU QB] uncomfortable.” (41:59)

OSU’s Schedule & Playoff Readiness

• Pollack: OSU’s weak schedule makes it hard to gauge, but now they’ll face a physical test.
  • “Your schedule’s not been very good… It’s hard, it’s been hard to get a gauge.” (49:22)

6. Playoff Matchup Quick Hits

[50:35 – 53:00]

• Alabama’s rushing offense is either going to go off or flop vs. Indiana’s defense—no in-between.
• For Georgia, watch for returning key receivers (Kobe Young, Evan Stewart) to potentially swing games.

7. Who Won the Week?

[53:12 – 54:51]

• Pollack: Virginia Cavaliers—historic 11-win season, ground out a gritty bowl victory over Missouri.
• Brent: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors—Timmy Chang’s squad comes back for a nine-win season, returning pride to the islands.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “They hired a real coach… a first-class dude who ran a first-class program… built on toughness, discipline, development for 21-plus years.” — David Pollack on Whittingham to Michigan (06:22)
• “If you want to put that [age] in there, that’s the only thing that I’ll really listen to.” — Pollack (10:32)
• “Both programs should be happy, at least for now. And then a year or two from now they might not be happy. Who knows?” – Brent Rollins (11:18)
• “There’s so many more players that are staying in college football because they’re getting paid…” — Pollack on NIL (26:50)
• “I gotta be honest, I don’t see a lot of that with Clemson. I want to see more creativity.” — Pollack (21:41)
• “Bane and Mezador, to me… they can wreck a game.” — Pollack, Miami pass rush (39:40)
• “Ryan Day, the vertical passing game…He wants to stretch you sideline to sideline… That’s how you got to beat Miami.” — Pollack (43:12)
• “Ohio State’s red zone defense is absolutely stupid… Can’t score touchdowns against it.” — Pollack (47:39)
• “Miami’s going to have to dominate the line of scrimmage and make plays and make Sayin uncomfortable or else they’re going to give up big plays and they’re going to lose.” — Pollack (41:59)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Kyle Whittingham to Michigan: 05:55 – 14:29
• Clemson’s Stagnation & Dabo’s Pressure: 17:58 – 26:08
• NIL and Parity: 26:44 – 29:03
• Miami-Ohio State Trench Battles: 31:08 – 42:09
• Miami’s Tempo vs. OSU Defense: 45:16 – 48:56
• Bowl Season Impact & Misc. Playoff Matchups: 50:35 – 53:00
• Who Won the Week: 53:12 – 54:51

Summary Takeaways

• Whittingham's Move: Michigan makes a home-run, culture-resetting hire after years of off-field drama. Whittingham’s track record and discipline may finally bring consistent stability.
• Clemson’s Crossroads: As the PED of their championship era fades, Dabo faces a pivotal year—time to adapt or risk falling behind.
• CFP Matchup: Miami’s edge lies at the line of scrimmage, but OSU’s offensive explosiveness, depth, and defensive red zone prowess create a razor-tight matchup rich with X’s and O’s intrigue.
• NIL Effect: The landscape is shifting—college football now benefits from more veteran stars sticking around, and the “have nots” can buy in.
• Physicality & Adjustments: Playoff football comes down to which teams can win the physical battles and adjust best—especially as roster volatility reigns in the NIL/portal era.
• Who Won the Week: Programs like Virginia and Hawaii making historic strides and re-energizing their fanbases.

For fans, this episode offers a masterclass in off-field storylines and on-field tactical analysis—truly reflecting the chaotic, ever-adapting world of college football.