See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: CFP Semifinals PREVIEWS and PICKS: Miami-Ole Miss | Oregon-Indiana
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: David Pollack
Guests/Co-Hosts: Brent Rollins, Wesley (segment winner discussion)

Episode Overview

David Pollack and Brent Rollins break down the College Football Playoff semifinals, featuring matchups between Miami vs. Ole Miss and Oregon vs. Indiana. The episode blends Pollack's hallmark blend of deep scheme analysis, candid opinions, and storytelling, focusing on team identities, transfer portal shifts, key players, and coaching evolutions. Interactive and insightful, this special preview episode is rich with context for each team’s journey, standout personalities, and bold predictions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Transfer Portal Chaos and Shifting College Football Landscape

• Portal Palooza: Over 4,500 players are in the transfer portal, representing 30%+ of college football athletes ([01:35]).

• Why so many? Some chase opportunity and NIL money, but many are being nudged to leave by coaches.

• “That era of putting a fence around your state...that’s gone.” – David ([04:40])

• Quarterback Market: The portal centers on QBs and skill players. Names like Sorsby, Lagway, Riola, and Hoover shape several playoff teams’ futures.

  “The transfer portal is going to make or break a lot of these teams… that era of college football… that’s gone.” — David ([04:15])

• New GM Role: Many colleges now hire “general managers” from NFL backgrounds to manage recruiting and roster construction like NFL teams ([07:33]).

2. Reflection on Player Legacy in the Portal Era

• Who’s Home? With so much player movement, creating a legacy at one school becomes nebulous.
• Quinn Ewers Example: He turned down portal offers to stay "a Texas Longhorns QB" for life ([11:00]).
• David’s Experience:

  “If you go to two or three schools...where's home?” — David ([10:15])

3. CFP Semifinal Preview: Miami vs. Ole Miss

Styles Make Fights

• Contrast: Miami = old-school, body-blow physicality; Ole Miss = tempo, space, and efficient QB play ([12:07]).

  "It's literally two different types of boxers... Ole Miss is the jab, Miami is body blows." — David ([12:07])

Miami Defense vs. Ole Miss Offense

• Miami D-line weapons: Bane, Mezador, Moton, Scott—play fast and physical, excelled vs. Ohio State and Texas A&M ([13:15]).

• Jennings and Trinidad:

  • Jennings’ quick reads and distribution neutralize pass rush — “the consummate point guard” ([13:55]).
  • His Division II experience translates to composure under pressure.

• Tempo Problem:

  • Fast pace can tire Miami’s D-line, as seen in two-minute drills ([15:44]).

Ole Miss Defense and Miami’s Run Game

• Key for Miami: Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB) and Tony (pass game, blocking) give Miami's offense much-needed balance.
• Ole Miss Defensive Standouts: Harris (#52) and Eccles (#51) enable effective run defense.

“To me this feels more like a Tony game… Ole Miss’ biggest weakness is out wide.” — David ([19:24])

Pollack and Brent’s Picks

• David: Picks Miami. Cites Miami’s evolving run game, physical edge, and growing confidence:

  “It feels like Miami’s season. Give me the Canes, 27–21.” — David ([23:53])

• Brent: Leans Miami for similar reasons; expects a fourth quarter shift as fatigue mounts ([24:51]).

Notable Moments

• Coaching Growth: Pollack praises Mario Cristobal’s evolution in game management:

  “The evolution of Cristobal has been really fun to watch… more buttoned up, better closing games.” — David ([25:25])

• High Stakes: If Miami wins, they play a championship at home; if Ole Miss wins, it’s poetic given their coaching changes ([26:27]).

4. CFP Semifinal Preview: Oregon vs. Indiana

Their First Natty… For Real?

• None of these teams have ever won a national championship; both Indiana and Ole Miss are aiming for their first title game appearance ([28:55]).

Indiana Offense vs. Oregon Defense

• Indiana: Death by a thousand cuts—well-coached O-line, balanced attack, three legit WRs (Becker, Cooper, Surratt), and a tough, mobile QB (Mendoza).
• Key Point:

  “If you name the top three receivers in this ball game, they’re all on Indiana’s squad.” — David ([33:03])

• Oregon D-line: Alexander (#1) and Washington (#52) disrupt up front but Indiana finds solutions through QB runs and outside throws.

Oregon Offense vs. Indiana Defense

• Oregon’s improvement:
  • Dante Moore (QB) — “Top-10 NFL pick talent” ([37:00])
  • Jamari Johnson (TE): Now a 12-personnel nightmare (blocking plus pass-catching). Usage up from 25 to 38+ snaps/game ([39:21]).
• Oregon Receivers: Injuries led to a more physical, tight-end-centered attack, which may help vs. Indiana's base defense.

Rematch Dynamics

• Pollack argues the loser of the first matchup gains the “pissed off factor” — but chooses Indiana anyway ([40:37]).

  “There’s something special about this Indiana team… betting against them I just don’t think is a smart move.” — David ([41:34])

• Brent’s Pick: Indiana, 23–20; cites their coaching, discipline, knack for getting the most out of their talent ([44:04]).

• Coaching Contrast:

  • Lanning (Oregon): Aggressive, sometimes reckless on fourth down.
  • Signetti (Indiana): Conservative but calculated ([43:00]).

5. Winners of the Weekend Segment ([46:08])

• Wesley: Picks Ole Miss—“Hottie Toddy”—highlighting their Superdome takeover, Trinidad Shambliss’ rise, and the team’s underdog journey ([46:30]).
• Brent: Goes with University of Wisconsin River Falls—celebrating D3 championship, QB Caleb Blaha’s record-setting year ([48:43]).
• David: Indiana Hoosiers, for their dominant win over Alabama, proof of concept for their program, and their role as heartwarming disruptors:

  “They buried a dynasty in Bama and they're creating their own… proof of concept. It's not a flash in the pan.” — David ([50:00])

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “The transfer portal is going to make or break a lot of these teams… that era of college football… that’s gone.” — David ([04:15])
• “It's literally two different types of boxers... Ole Miss is the jab, Miami is body blows.” — David ([12:07])
• “If you name the top three receivers in this ball game, they’re all on Indiana’s squad.” — David ([33:03])
• “Dante Moore… top-10 pick in the NFL… the arm talent, the poise, it's really, really good.” — David ([37:00])
• “There’s something special about this Indiana team… betting against them I just don’t think is a smart move.” — David ([41:34])
• “They buried a dynasty in Bama and they're creating their own… proof of concept. It's not a flash in the pan.” — David ([50:00])

Notable Segments and Timestamps

• Transfer Portal & NIL: [00:48] – [08:50]
• Player Legacy & Portal Era: [09:09] – [11:24]
• Miami-Ole Miss Preview: [12:00] – [27:01]
• Oregon-Indiana Preview: [27:01] – [45:10]
• Predictions & Rematch Psychology: [40:18] – [44:39]
• Winners of the Weekend: [46:08] – [50:00]

Episode Tone and Style

Pollack and Rollins are conversational, energetic, and passionate. Deep dives are balanced by playful banter:

• “Styles make this so much fun. It’s really old school football versus new school football.” — David ([23:11])
• “I want to be the loser [in the rematch]… the pissed off factor goes up…” — David ([40:37])

The show oscillates between X’s-and-O’s strategy, meta-level college football shifts, and down-to-earth commentary about personalities, traditions, and program building.

Summary for Non-Listeners

In this episode, David Pollack and Brent Rollins preview the 2026 College Football Playoff semifinals with a special emphasis on how the transfer portal, NIL money, and modern roster management have utterly changed the landscape. They break down each matchup by scheme, key players, and coaching strengths/weaknesses, making insightful picks (both favor Miami and Indiana). The conversation is peppered with stories, playful arguments, and genuine excitement for a Final Four without the “blue blood” classes of recent years. According to Pollack, no matter the outcome, fans are set for “instant classics” that usher in a new era of college football.