See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Episode: CFP Shakeup: David Pollack's 12 if the College Football Playoff Started TODAY
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Guests/Co-hosts: Brent, Wesley
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the current state of college football as regular season play wraps up, focusing heavily on debates surrounding conference strength (specifically the SEC vs. Big Ten), the impact of the 9-game conference schedule, key coaching decisions (notably at FSU), and a fresh look at how the College Football Playoff (CFP) top 12 would shake out if it were selected today. The crew breaks down all the major matchups for rivalry week, shares candid thoughts on committee transparency, playoff chaos scenarios, and sprinkles in stats, banter, and the usual fan-driven energy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. SEC vs. Big Ten: Who Reigns Supreme?
(02:00–09:30)
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Back-and-Forth with Top Coach:
- David recounts a spirited text and phone debate with a “top 10 coach out west,” focusing on the Big Ten vs. SEC debate—a discussion that “invokes the most vitriol in college football.”
- Notable recent Big Ten wins over SEC teams were listed, and both sides compared team numbers, talent spread, and atmospheres.
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Nine-Game Conference Schedule Debate:
- David (echoing the coach):
“The SEC will regret going to a nine game schedule because the debate at the end of the season now is going to be 10 and 4.” (04:40)
- SEC could cannibalize itself, harming playoff chances.
- David (echoing the coach):
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Atmosphere & Draft Talent:
- SEC’s “crazy night games” highlighted as game-changers with massive crowds (“90 plus thousand people that are psychotic, crazy”) compared to some less intense Big Ten venues.
- Talent stats: SEC – 79 draft picks, 10 teams with at least 4 draftees; Big Ten – 71, but with two more schools.
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Quote – David Pollack:
“The Big Ten has back-to-back championships. They hold that crown ... and the gap’s continued to close with NIL.” (06:00)
2. Coaching Carousel & FSU’s Mike Norvell Decision
(11:52–14:50)
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FSU Keeps Norvell:
- David questions whether FSU has settled or made a smart, long-term move; discusses program investment (new facilities, staff spending rather than just player NIL).
- Describes FSU’s recent rollercoaster: bowl-less years, a strong 23–4 run, and fans’ divided feelings on the future.
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Polling an Opposing Coach:
- Quote from a Hall of Fame coach on Norvell:
“He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a good communicator, he has good integrity. I think they were smart to give him another year. Who can they hire that’s better?” (14:12)
- Quote from a Hall of Fame coach on Norvell:
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Long-Term Contracts Woes:
“Every school stop paying these coaches all these long contracts...Give them big bucks, but don’t give them 10 years, man.” (15:55)
3. CFP: Pollack’s Top 12 – November Rankings and Debates
(16:00–21:45)
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David’s Current Top 12 (in order):
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Texas A&M
- Georgia
- Texas Tech
- Ole Miss
- Oregon
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- Virginia
- Georgia Tech (but “Georgia Tech is out,” see below)
“We do it every week, baby, the top 12 ... this is as if the playoff rankings were done and we’re releasing them to you.” (15:50)
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On Georgia Tech & Eliminator:
- “It’s over, man. It was a great season ... Still a chance to play spoiler ... but they’re not going to playoff.” (21:45)
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Debates on Oregon’s ranking and trajectory in the CFP after beating USC.
4. Playoff Committee Transparency & Selection Process
(23:26–25:38)
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David’s Take:
“I want people on the committee that are all football people...coaches, players, people who have been in football a long time...We want healthy debate in the room.” (23:26)
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Fan Demand for Transparency:
- Brent:
“Just show it on TV.” (24:19)
- The idea of a “committee under the hood” show:
“That would be mother freaking glorious.” (24:19)
- Brent:
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Predictions:
- If Texas Tech wins out, David thinks they should be top four:
“If they win their conference championship, potentially even higher.” (26:02)
- Hypothetical scenarios for Indiana, ACC teams, and Group of 5 interlopers.
- If Texas Tech wins out, David thinks they should be top four:
5. ACC Chaos & G5 Playoff Pathways
(27:45–29:56)
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ACC “Win and You’re In” Scenarios:
- Virginia, SMU control their destiny. Winner of Miami/Pitt could sneak in with help.
- David:
“The ACC's kind of been like our Group of Five team, which you see Navy ... We’re going to put every group of five team that’s even remotely in the mix in that spot at least one time.” (31:33)
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Wild scenario conversations: G5 teams (Tulane, JMU, Navy) possibly outranking a weak ACC champ.
6. Stat Deep Dive & Heisman-Level Merits
(35:35–37:24)
- Underdog Potential – Diego Pavia (New Mexico State):
- “Number 2 in overall passing grade, number one in big time throw percentage, number one in yards per attempt ... who also has over 700 yards rushing and 8 TDs.” (Brent, 36:32)
- Pollack:
“The 700 rushing gave it away. But the nuclear last three weeks ... we gonna get nasty here.” (36:46)
7. Rivalry Week Key Matchups – Analysis & Upset Watches
(37:24–52:03)
Ohio State vs. Michigan “The Game”
- Historic Trend:
“For 20+ years in a row, the team who’s rushed for the most yards has won this football game. That’s asinine, bro.” (37:39, David)
- Debate on the causal meaning of this (does running more cause wins or vice versa?).
- Michigan’s offense “not humming”; QB run game could be the difference.
Alabama at Auburn (Iron Bowl)
- “Can Auburn score enough? ... I think it’s more of a blip.” (43:42)
- David advocates getting “the Deuce loose” (Deuce, backup QB).
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (Clean Old-Fashioned Hate)
- Georgia’s Growth:
“There’s nobody who realistically looked at Georgia and thought they were gonna be what they turned out to be. Credit to coaching, development.” (44:43)
- Stockton: 10th highest graded QB in P4, strong under blitz and pressure.
- Tech’s Only Hope:
“If I’m Georgia Tech, I want to keep the football and run it with Haynes King ... If he needs to carry it 65 times, so be it.” (46:22–46:50)
Texas A&M at Texas
- “Does this game matter for the playoff? No ... unless we have some absolute madness, some stupid craziness.” (48:28)
- Bragging rights still matter.
Others with Upset Potential
- Oklahoma at LSU:
“I think Oklahoma can lose that game ... Oklahoma’s offense, it should scare the piss out of you ... [but] back to back weeks against really good teams?” (50:18)
- Road = risk: “Road is always different.” (51:40)
8. Who Won the Weekend?
(52:21–55:14)
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Pollack’s Pick: Catron Allen, Penn State’s new all-time leading rusher (3,554 yards):
“Stayed for his senior year. Continue to run like an absolute demon even when the team technically had nothing to play for.” (52:21)
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Brent’s Pick: Pat Narduzzi, Pitt coach, for backing up his bold comments and winning a must-win.
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Wesley’s Pick: Mercer Bears, SoCon champs, heading to FCS Playoffs, despite a blowout loss to Auburn.
9. Banter & Memorable Moments
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Pollack’s personal quirks:
- “I bring my own chips to the Mexican restaurant when I go eat queso. If I’m going to eat queso...they’re mine, they’re good chips. You can make fun of me if you want to, Wesley.” (30:14)
- This cracked up the crew.
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Committee Reality Show Dream:
- “Could you imagine what number that would do on a network to have all—they’d be mother freaking glorious.” (24:19)
Notable Quotes
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On the SEC/Big Ten gap:
“The gap’s continued to close with NIL. Best players come from all over ... Champs matter. 79 draft picks for the SEC last year, 71 for the Big Ten.” [06:00]
-
On Mike Norvell:
“He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a good communicator, he has good integrity. I think they were smart to give him another year. Who can they hire that’s better?” (Hall of Fame coach, relayed by David, 14:12)
-
On Committee Transparency:
“I want people on the committee that are all football people ... we want healthy debate in the room.” [23:26]
Timestamps – Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|-------------| | SEC vs. Big Ten debate with coach | 02:00–09:30 | | FSU, Mike Norvell decision | 11:52–14:50 | | CFP Top 12 discussion | 16:00–21:45 | | Committee process, TV transparency | 23:26–25:38 | | ACC chaos scenarios / G5 discussions | 27:45–29:56 | | Diego Pavia’s Heisman stats | 35:35–37:24 | | Rivalry week breakdowns | 37:24–52:03 | | Who won the weekend | 52:21–55:14 |
Final Thoughts
- David and the crew delivered an opinionated, statistically-grounded episode, sparking college football’s hottest debates—conference supremacy, playoff chaos scenarios, and what “matters most” come Selection Sunday.
- Predictions for Rivalry Week and CFP were both bold and candid, with ongoing calls for more transparency and football logic on the playoff committee.
- Listener engagement is encouraged (“Hit the chat up ... Would you drive [Norvell] to the airport?”)—and the crew promises continued live coverage through Thanksgiving and beyond.
For those who missed the episode, this summary delivers both the substance and spirit: sharp, playful, and endlessly passionate about college football’s biggest questions.