← See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
College Football Playoff BRACKET PREDICTIONS | Notre Dame 2026 Deep Dive
00:49:04
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- [00:00]
A
What up, dudes? Welcome on in the C ball. Get ball. New real estate today. We blurred the background because we're not allowed to show the greatness that is in the background. But came down to to Florida to visit my homeboy Reese Davis for the NIL documentary. Had a little travel trouble. Little. He was trying to come in, couldn't get in when he wanted to. So I'm staying in this big house by myself. It's fantastic. Like, it's amazing. So until Reese gets here, some of y' all in the area might get an alert for a party. But it's August 10th, so nothing says August 10th. Like, let's put out some playoff predictions. And so going to go through our brackets today. I think it's interesting. I want to pick Brent's brain, too, on how confident he felt in some of these. But playoff teams, brackets, how to handle Notre Dame, how to handle conference championships, all that stuff. So I think we'll jump right in. Like, get to it. Brent. I think yours is going to be different than mine, but here's the bracket. So these are the teams that's the national champion in the middle, which should make a certain team extremely happy. Should make a certain conference extremely happy. There's a couple of themes in my bracket that you'll. That you'll absolutely like. But I think one thing that I started with was the most confident teams that I thought would be that would make it. And if I'm doing that list, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Texas Tech, Indiana and Georgia. I had six teams that I felt the most confident, the most confidence in. Now, listen, why is that? That's because of their schedules, who they have that. That makes a big difference, obviously, of when they're playing them. And so going through all the different schedules, there's going to be other teams that you could put in here. I think because of their schedule, I went with more of. I think the knowns and the teams that I thought were going to be really, really good. But, like, if you're looking at a team like Texas Tech, we've already talked about them. If you missed the Big 12 preview, like, they got a chance to really run the table, man. Like, they're in a great spot. Like, they do not play byu. They do not play Utah. Other teams that we're talking about being in this playoff conversation, they don't play. Brent, I got. I had those six teams. I'd be willing to bet most people have seven when it comes to guarantees or things that they want to put in pen. How many did you Have.
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B
So I had seven. Mainly because I think Ohio State's going to be the seventh and get to the Big Ten championship game. But given that's what I think. Put it in pen part that you're.
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A
We always joke.
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B
Put it in Sharpie. Their schedule is one that we've talked about where brutal. Brutal and where maybe one or two injuries put them in a position that you don't want to be in. But I just think they're too talented. They're too talented not to even do possibly even extremely well with their schedule. And. But I think they're in the Big Ten championship, which I think that's where they're going to be. They were actually my 7 seed, if looking at it. But Notre Dame is the one seed, I think is something that you got because we're going to get to Notre Dame a little bit later, but we're
- [03:09]
A
going to get to their preview because we've done all the previews. So we're going to tack Notre Dames onto this one. Obviously, we did all the power fours, but I think what Brent said is important because here's the thing. Ohio State schedule isn't, like, difficult for their standards. This is one of the most difficult schedules in all of the country, period. Like, so when you challenge yourself and you go at Texas, who is on this list at a very high level, arguably the most talented team in the country. Like, we could have that debate of being the most talented team with. With Texas in the country. They go at Texas, they go at Iowa, they go at Indiana, they go at usc, they go at Nebraska. Like, that's how far down the list at home. And still get Oregon at home, Michigan at home, Illinois. You act like Illinois is a scrub. They ain't no scrub either. Like, so th. This is a schedule with Ohio State, man, that like, there's just a lot of landmines. And so when I looked at them, I can't say in the past, man, it's like, put them in. Put them in. Put them in a pen. Put them in a Sharpie every year. Dude, we did that with the 14 playoff. Like, but now to look at this schedule, that's what gave me calls for pause. And can we please be honest about who they're replacing? Like, they're not replacing good players, they're replacing bad. Mother, shut your mouse. Like, they're replacing, like, you're talking about like, number two, number seven, number 11 in the draft, number 35. Like that. You go down the list, man, like, they were. And I know they have talent but that's a lot to ask of them. But that Ohio State, Texas game early is going to be awesome because we're going to be comparing them and seeding them. I see to them appropriately, too. Right. Like, see them who I think is going to win. And so you know, that's going to be a comparison you have. You look at Texas, obviously Texas has to play Ohio State. That's really, really tough. That's not fun. Like, but they host Ohio State, they host Ole Miss. They got to go out.
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B
Oh, you.
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A
They got to go at Tennessee, they got to go at lsu, they got to. They got to go at A and M. But when I look at Texas, is there going to be some, some. Is there going to be some blemishes? Sure. I think there's going to be blemishes on every SEC team, by the way. I don't think any of them are going to feel extremely confident about who they are, but I definitely put Texas in that next group of teams that I feel pretty confident about, even though last year playing Ohio State kept them out of the playoff. Here's. Here's my thing, too, Brent, before. And then you go after it. How about last year, Texas got penalized for playing Ohio State out of conference. You can spin it any way you want. Ohio State might be in the same boat this year. What if they're in that same boat of being nine and three and there's other teams out there that have a better record, like byu. BYU might have a better record because of who they play. Guess what? If that's the case, I can still tell you, and I could still probably definitively tell you Ohio State's better. That's where it's going to get crazy. And, and the SEC's talked about that and people make fun of them. The Big 12 might. Or the Big 10 might be talking about that this year and it might be consequential.
- [06:04]
B
So those first six that you mentioned, so you said Notre Dame, Oregon, Georgia, Miami, Texas Tech, Indiana, Indiana, those were the same first six that I had as well in terms of seeds, a little bit different in terms of the seating, but the same first six. So let's look at the championship games of the conferences. So you got Oregon and Georgia as your Big Ten and SEC champ highlighted in gold on the.
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A
Yes.
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B
On the bracket there. Who are they playing in those championship games, do you think?
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A
I think Oregon's going to play Indiana. When I look at Indiana, they host Ohio State, which is obviously good. They played them a year ago. They did pretty well, didn't they. They host usc. They don't play Oregon in the regular season. They go at UM and at Washington. But I think that schedule is beautiful for Indiana. Like where, where are you really concerned about them tripping up and losing three or four? Will they trip up and lose one? Yeah, I, I think they'll lose one. Will they lose two? They, they might lose two. But, but I think Indiana, if I'm looking at. I think Indiana is going to be really, really good. I know exactly who they are. I know what they are. So. And they have such an easier schedule that I'll bet on them and Oregon being there because Oregon at Ohio State, which is tough, obviously at usc and then they host you, Michigan, like. But I feel pretty good about those. I feel really good about them winning two out of the three of those. Like, I think Oregon's gonna listen the Ducks, man, I got him winning the championship, but these guys all came back for a reason, man. And these are, these are some adults. Like you're gonna leave the Oregon game this year black and blue like for some grownups. And I think how that offensive line matures will be a big deal and how they come along. But, but I think Oregon's going to be just fine in the end, obviously, in another Big Ten champion, a fourth team in four years.
- [07:54]
B
In the biggest picture of your bracket, what you just said is the take home point. You have the Big Ten champ for the fourth consecutive year, but you also had again five SEC teams in your bracket and that and Bama in there as the 11 seed.
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A
So that was, that was my, that was my hardest. That was my hardest pick.
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B
Are they a 9 and 3, 11 seed?
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A
I think here's the thing that, here's the reason Bama's in this versus lsu, who I very much contemplated in the, in this spot. Lsu, absolutely. Penn State could be a team you put in this place. BYU is a team that could be in this. When I look at Bama, here's what I really. First of all, there's some question marks. Can they run the football? Is the offensive line better than we've seen? Because we have to have that, the quarterback play. I'm not as worried as everybody else because I'm looking at Kaylin DeBoer and I think he's great. Like, I think he's. I think he's a great offensive coach. I think they'll be just fine offensively. I think they'll figure it out. But more importantly, one of the best secondaries in the country. I think this I think this defense will keep him in it. But here's the biggest thing for Bama to keep in mind. Their first six games, man, like fsu, South Carolina, Georgia, obviously before that, they got ecu, they got Kentucky, they got Mississippi State. Like, I think it worse. They're 5 and 1. Like, I think they have a chance to ease into their schedule, break their quarterback in. Is their offensive line good enough? Is their defensive lines good enough? Here's what I'll tell you about, like, in Rachel Rhys Davis's palatial estate right here, like, while we're doing it, because. Because I'm stuck here, right. Like, talking to him about going to Alabama. He was just at Alabama and he was like, the biggest difference between the Saban era and now, he was like, the size of the guys are totally different. They're not as big. They're not as physical. On the lines of scrimmage. Are those lines of scrimmage better? We know they've got some playmakers. The quarterback spot. I think they're going to have two guys they can play. I don't think they're going to have one. I think now that you could argue that means they might not have any. Right. Like, if you're. If you're debating that if you have two, you have none. A lot of times I just think that Bama's schedule sets up pretty good. Then they go at Tennessee. They have at.
- [10:10]
B
So do you think they win LSU then on November 7th and see, that'd be an exciting game.
- [10:15]
A
It could 100% be. And listen, Bama's owned LSU. Bama's absolutely owned them. Like, you know, listen, here's the thing. I feel good about the Georgia game. Bama's also done a great job against Georgia. Now the SEC championship game, flip. But Kaylin DeBoer is two and one against Georgia.
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B
Like, especially the first time playing them in the season.
- [10:32]
A
He's doing. He's doing just fine. So I look at Alabama's schedule, I think their schedule says to me, like, they're. They're going to lose a few games. Yeah. But they're also going to beat a few teams that they are going to be pretty highly ranked. It gives them that opportunity. So them versus a byu. I think they'll have a little more on their resume than a byu. BYU is going to have a better record. I'll tell you that right now. Like, and the debate for me, and I would be willing to bet, knowing you, because you're smart as crud. Like, you went computer analytics and you go. Okay, if I'm looking at byu, let me, let me get this right, Brent. Utah State, Arizona, Colorado State, tcu, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Utah, Baylor, Kansas and uc.
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B
I think you may have just nailed that.
- [11:20]
A
Okay, let's confirm this anyways. Close enough, close enough. But here's the thing. I look at byu, Brent, they're going to have a better record than several teams. Does that mean that they deserve to be in the college football player? Listen, two things. One, how do they look if Bear Bachmeyer is throwing the football and they've got weapons and they're scoring way more points? Absolutely. Like, we have this debate and then it will be a debate. But if they're finding ways to win and it's just barely enough against that kind of a schedule, like, and then go play Texas Tech. Now here's the thing. The problem is, and this is what's going to happen when you go play a championship game. Everybody's going to say you can't get penalized because you had to play an extra game. Right. Alabama last year got destroyed by Georgia. Right. And they still played still in the playoff. BYU got beat. They did not get that opportunity to play in the playoff. How they play against Texas Tech, maybe, man, I just look at that schedule and I, and I look at this roster and I think, do they have enough playmakers out wide? Is the passing game explosive enough? Like, I think BYU is going to be awesome, I think Bears awesome, but I think they're just going to miss out because I think Bama is going to have a few quality wins that are better.
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B
So in the Big 12, I think we both think then that Texas Tech is still just a level above to me, especially defensively. They just got to be too good defense. And now I did, I actually did have BYU in as the 11 seed
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A
just because it makes sense. It absolutely makes sense.
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B
And they have, they do have the game against Notre Dame. What? Like what? Yeah, like you said in schedule, that's a one score game that, you know, Notre Dame wins it late or even they beat, you know, they beat Notre Dame. I think that there's a trump card that they have, but it's still that. That's the one thing with the five SEC teams and then also the Big Ten champion. And then when you look at your list, nine of the 12 are the same from last year. The only ones that you've added are Boise, as The, as the G6 rep, Texas, Notre Dame and then Notre Dame.
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A
Yeah.
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B
And that was one of the things as I'm going through and looking at this season and sort of college football now, are we getting closer and closer to a world where we have 15 to 20 halves and everybody else is a have not?
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A
Yes. And it makes sense why, like Brennan. It also, it made sense in the past too because in the what were you able to do? You were able to stack roster on top of roster on top of roster. So now you go, okay, that's the case. Well, now here's the thing. You might have not have the pedigree a la Indiana, a la Texas Tech, but you got the cash. Like, so you have one of the two. You need the pedigree, obviously, because then you can get people at a discount. Like, look at Georgia, man. Georgia can literally point to their defense from a couple of years ago in 2022 when they won a championship. He goes, hey guys, just look at the income of all the guys on there. They're all like, on average they're making $50 million, $60 million in contracts. That's a powerful thing to be able to say. Like, and then you also have these two leagues that are also willing to spend, like the Texas schools are willing to spend, Oregon's willing to spend the other ones. The margin for heirs just aren't going to be as good. So yes, there's going to be a drop off. But like we, but, but in the past, here's the thing, it's okay to say that and it's also okay to say this. It's better than it used to be because it used to be two or three schools.
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B
So that's.
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A
So now, now we expanded at least to where you've got more teams that can compete in this thing and win it.
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B
And that's sort of the thought process is that in the 14 playoff world, it was six to eight, nine, maybe 10 teams that had the resources from a recruiting perspective and the talented rosters to get to that realm. Now that list is expanded, but it's still an exclusive club in a way with, with where you are. Are you, are you mentioned Georgia sec? Are they playing Texas in the SEC championship game and winning that game based on your bracket here?
- [15:19]
A
Yeah. And I didn't even, I didn't even know, which is amazing. Like, literally I was like, okay, you can pick any of these schools, like literally you can pick any of them and do it. But Georgia, Texas Rep beat Rematch from two years ago would be good. It's not going to be Alabama. And then I, I thought maybe it could be Ole Miss in a rematch. But Texas and Georgia don't play in the regular season. So that's what I would like to see. I'd like to see must champ versus Kirby, Georgia versus Texas. That would be really, really fun. Must see television. So yeah, I got, I got Georgia
- [15:54]
B
and Texas and Texas and Oklahoma here. Rematching matchup would be a rematch at Texas, like so not in Dallas like they normally play.
- [16:04]
A
How cool would that be? Like, hey, okay, so who did you. So, so when you look at my bracket when. Here's what, here's what I had trouble doing and I want to know how you handled this. I have Texas, I have Ole Miss. I, I have. Or I have Oklahoma, I have Bama, I have byu. I have all these teams, man, that are right there that I think are going to be, I think Penn State. If you look at their schedule, man, they are. It's a gift from the gods. It's beautiful. I have lsu. Like, how did you decide between those two? I was looking at SMU as well. I thought SMU was kind of in that category of like, I could give them the nod. How did you end up saying differentiating? Because I don't think five SEC teams are going to get in, but of those five, I feel very confident that three of them will get in. Maybe four of them will get in. All five probably won't get in.
- [16:57]
B
LSU is one where it just, just felt, it felt like nine and three. It didn't feel like it would just perfectly all come together and just go to the playoff. Now Lane, in terms of his history is shown otherwise in terms of first year success. But the other one in that list, for me, that was probably the hardest one was usc.
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A
Yes.
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B
Because can they be. They, they get all the big three. They get Indiana, they get Ohio State, they get Oregon. Can they beat one of the big three and then also can they take care of their business elsewhere? And that was the part for me with USC where it's like, okay, they might get one of those three. You know, maybe they get Oregon at home early. Maybe they get, you know, Ohio State at home later in the season.
- [17:46]
A
They have to get two of the three and not stumble. That's the problem. That's what's. That's the only thing I looked at with usc. I'm like, dude, I know they're going to be really good. But I also know one thing about usc. They're going to be very young. Like, very, very young. And when you're really, really young, what happens is that one slip up, that one game you shouldn't lose and Then you're looking at your record going, man, like. And they've already had an injury to the offensive line, which I hate to see. And they had a bunch of those a year ago. Now you're. Now you go, okay, that's another man down, like. And again, that's why this. These situations will be fluid and why people wait till closer to the season than doing it right now. It's a lot smarter of an exercise than doing it right now. But I'm with you on usc. I almost pulled the trigger and put them in, but it was just the youth and. But I do think Lincoln Riley's got this thing going in the right direction. The way they recruited, they've got experience across the board. You saw young guys play in big spots. The offensive line all coming back was awesome. And then you get one injury, obviously. But I think they're going to be really, really good. I just think they'll slip up and a young team and do what a young team does and mess around and lose one.
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B
That was why I wanted to put them out. Like, hey, there might. They might get one of those teams and then just stumble elsewhere. And now they.
- [19:04]
A
You know, I didn't put LSU in because lsu, man, when I looked at lsu, I wonder. I think the receiving core is going to be good, just like Lane Kiffin's had across the board. Like, they're always good. I don't know who's elite on the outside side. I know Green is going to be really good, but man, oh, man, you got Clemson at home, A and M at home, Texas at home and Bama at home. Like, that's really, really good. Right? Like, that's the good part. But then you got to go at Ole Miss, at Auburn, at Tennessee. Like, I don't think. I think they're going to be a really good football team. I think that draw is terrible. Like, even Clemson, I don't think Clemson is going to be a great team. Clemson could beat you, especially when you're breaking. Especially when you're breaking in a bunch of new things and new faces and new places. Like to look at that schedule for lsu. They're going to be better than they were. They're going to beat somebody that's going to surprise you. They're going to be in. They're going to be more competitive than they've been. They're going to have moments where they look like one of the best teams in the country. But when you see all of that, man, like, God Almighty. That's why, like, that's Why I couldn't put them in. It's just. I see all that, man. There's got to be carnage and things that happen along the way where they're just. They're just not going to win all those games and put them together.
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B
All right, let's go to the top of your bracket. You had Notre Dame 1, Miami 2. So I take it you're. You're going. I think that's right. Did I see that right?
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A
Yes, you're right. Yeah.
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B
You're going Notre Dame to take care of business at home, and then that be Miami's only blemish, and they're a 12 and one ACC champ at number two.
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A
And listen, both these teams are going to be great. And I think. I think you're going to look at both of these teams. When we start talking about point differential and who dominated games the most will probably point to these two teams. I think. I think the conference obviously lends it to that. The schedule lends it to that. But, man, if. If you think this is one of those, oh, everybody loves Notre Dame thing, can you please tell me what Notre Dame is missing? Because we're going to go through them in a little bit. Like, here's the thing about CJ Carr. I saw special last year with CJ Carr. They didn't ask CJ Carr to do it all. And to be the main man. He can. Yeah, he absolutely can. And I think he'll show that. You know, this year, I look at the schedule, man, it sets up absolutely beautiful. I think it's. It's spaced out nicely. I think there's a pissed off factor, like last year, like, hey, we got left out of the playoffs that, that you guys get to use. And I just think, man, across the board, if I look at their D line, really good O line, really good linebackers, really good secondary, really good, like, receivers, really good quarterback, really good running back might be the only area, I don't know, but, like, there's not a. There's not a hole in this roster that I point to and I go, man, that's going to hold them back. Like, I think there's a lot of rosters that do that. You pair that with the schedule, Notre Dame's got a great chance to go and defeat it.
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B
So I have that same outcome. But to me, with Miami schedule being what it is and not necessarily having another marquee, like, I. I see them being slotted behind, say, an undefeated Texas Tech, a Big Ten champ of 12 and one SEC champ. So to me, Miami comes in at the five seed gets Notre Dame rematch as the one five matchup and and flips that script and takes care of business. There's so yeah so I have Oregon in the national championship as well. Hey Miami and the U25 years later anniversary of their last title getting getting the dub and bringing home being one sort of short improving at quarterback. I think they're going to be well
- [22:51]
A
and what you want for me and what you just said I like about what you said because here's the thing. Here's what we know about Miami. We don't care if they're ranked 5 if their ranks we just saw them do it like we just saw them eke into the playoffs into the back half and go okay, we'll take care of Ohio State. We gave Indiana a heck of a game. Like I think the listen the questions with Miami are very clear. The offensive line how good does it get? But me and you both know one thing. When you've got a quarterback that can throw it like he can and now you add the passing element and all and there's receivers that they're going to have out wide like it's going to be an extreme. It's going to be a harder offense to stop because you got a better qb. The offensive line might take a few steps back but the balance will be better. The secondary for Miami is will be interesting to me. Can they be good in the back end? Losing some key pieces but I think Miami set up like you got to feel great if you're Miami.
- [23:46]
B
All right, so this other piece. Teams that are currently. Two other questions. Teams that are currently outside the coaches poll top 15 that you would think sort of would be maybe the most likely to make the College Football Playoff. I'll give you four. Michigan, Tennessee, Washington, smu. Which of those four would you pick that are sort of currently outside the top 15 in the coaches bowl?
- [24:10]
A
I would. I would roll with SMU off the top of my lid because I got Kevin Jennings who's super experienced. I know my offense is going to be really good. If you don't know their offensive line is freaking awesome, like really, really good. I know they're going to score points. I know their tempo is going to bother the heck out of people. They don't play Miami in the regular season which is very clearly a good thing. If we have them Miami going to the playoffs very, very deep. That's very good for SMU defensively. If I knew their DC was there from last year and it was the same system, I might would Put them in the playoff. But because of that, man, it really does. It scares me just a little bit. I think they might take a considerable step backwards in that avenue, and because of that trip up, maybe not win as many games. But remember, they're 14 and 2 in the ACC in the last two years. Like, they're doing just fine. They have the best record in the ACC since they've entered the last two years. So I would go SMU.
- [25:06]
B
Okay. SEC teams in the current top 11 that made the College Football Playoff last year the top 11 in the coaches poll, the only one that's been released who would not be in the playoff. And I think you've already kind of given the answer to that question. But A and M, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Alabama, you had A and M not in your playoff.
- [25:25]
A
Yeah, I think last year I had them in, and I think this year I think they're going to have weapons. The offensive line is a question mark for me. Like, they're. And listen, I've read some good stuff. I've read where Elko said, we're deeper than we've been. I think they could be deeper. Are they better defensively? Can they. Can they hit lightning in a bottle again? I think their secondary is going to be really, really good. I just. I don't know that. I feel like, across the board that they're. Where is the area where Texas A and where I feel great about them being dominant. Like, when I'm looking at Ole Miss, man, I know exactly what they're off, what their offense is going to be like. I know Trinidad is going to spin it. I know he's going to score points. I know Lacy is nasty. I know Oklahoma's defense is going to be elite. I know John Matier can be elite and is surrounded by more pieces than he's been, like, been surrounded by. So, like, that, to me, you know, edges them over a little bit. Texas, we already talked about them. Some most talent in the country, like, some of the most talent. So to me, it's like, okay, are you talking about LSU, A&M, Alabama? Does everybody forget that? Like. Like, Alabama's like, they're not that far removed from. Like, are they the worst team on the planet? Like, I think, like, watching Caitlin. Caitlin DeBoer is, like, really chill, a really cool cat. Watching him the other day, he was. He was, like, noticeably pissed off. Like, you could see it in his face. Like, they were asking him questions about, how do you feel about having, like, being outside the playoff? And have you seen it? And he Was like, he was nodding his head and I was like, I like that fire.
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B
He's got a little.
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A
I like that a lot. Here's the one thing. If you're around Kaylin DeBoer, that, that's probably the knock, right? He's not that guy. He's not Nick. When it comes to I'm going to get in your ace. Like, he's not Kirby, he's not Signetti. He's got a little of that, you know, just chill in him if, if that cranks up a little bit and that. And that eases off or that rubs off on his team. And because of that schedule, you know, A and M schedule did them zero favors. Like, zero favors. That is a miserable schedule that they have to face.
- [27:34]
B
I do think, like, just as you go through this exercise now and this is the third year for just gets harder and harder because, you know, you're projecting, you know, a semifinal matchup and you're just, you haven't seen a play all year. It's tough. It's just, it's flipping coins, basically, and it's awesome. And in the end, like, when you think about Oregon, they got probably the best, potentially the best NFL quarterback, NFL level quarterback. The team that had that last year and had the number one pick won the title. So just make it simple.
- [28:05]
A
He's got, he's got experience, he's got a defensive line that is, I mean, who's going to block Oregon's defensive line like Georgia and then match up? Like, how sexy is that, by the way? Like, two teams that, like, hang their hat on identity and that got them in the playoffs, like, they both hang their hat on who they are and what they are. And last time they met up, it did not go well for Dan Lanning, but that was the start of his tenure. The only thing I told you, the only thing I worry about, the Ducks man, is new oc, new DC does that, how long does that take? But I know one thing I, I can call plays with that defensive line. I can be like, give me, give me, give me the place. Yeah. Okay. We good up front?
- [28:44]
B
A lot of the Oregon fans in the comments of the, of the YouTube channel have been, they're kind of okay with coordinators that aren't there anymore, interestingly enough.
- [28:55]
A
I, I don't, don't agree.
- [28:57]
B
Last.
- [28:57]
A
I don't agree.
- [28:58]
B
Yeah. Last spot of the playoff that we have to talk about is the 12 spot, because it's different this year. It's not. So it's a group of six. It's not the champion. It's the highest ranked group of six teams. You had Boise State. I went UNLV because I think it'd just be fitting that Dan Mullen gets in the playoff before Florida does.
- [29:18]
A
Did you see his comment the other day, by the way? It was so awesome. Like he literally, Dan Mullen was like, yeah, you know, like if we had a 12 team playoff, like several of those years, we'd have been in the playoff and might have looked a little bit different now. And he's absolutely right. Like the way you look at coaches, first of all, they would love to be in that era again because Dan Mullen was winning nine games, 10 games, like he could do that. But it was, it was coming off. The timing was not good because of what they were coming off. But I think the, I think the group of six is, is always interesting. I think it's also, it's, it's new because the shift to the group of six, the. It's not the group of five anymore, y' all that love football. Like the Pac 12 that went to the two pack. Oregon State and Washington State. Now they add to that to the conference now. Yeah, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State. So they join Oregon State and Washington State. So a lot of states. And then. So that, that's, that's a new one. Which is. By the way, that's not bad. And I like that they're taking the highest seated team. I don't, I don't mind that at all. Like, I don't care if you win your conference championship. Like, I want the best team. Here's the thing. I got Boise State and the QB back, Spencer Daniel back. Like, I love the team, I love what they got. I just hope they don't get annihilated so bad where they don't recover from week one because they play Oregon and a couple years ago, remember when Oregon was undefeated in the regular season, they almost beat them and it was because of special teams. But obviously the pedigree for Boise State, you know, having your QB with so much Mad Dog, with so much experience at that helm, they always find, they always find great obviously running backs, that's a staple at Boise State. So I, I trust in them the most. But, but obviously ranked piece.
- [31:13]
B
If they go and play Oregon tough again, that's all you have to do. That's going to help that element, I think with the, from the ranking perspective. All right, let's get to the top team because we've previewed basically all the contenders for the playoff and the conference championships, seemingly every ACC team and almost Big 12 team. And now we haven't get left to. Or we're left with one that we want to really take a deep dive into, and that's Notre Dame. So.
- [31:39]
A
And I think, obviously, if you're looking at our poll, you're feeling really good about the Irish. And here's the thing. I get it. I understand all you folks out there that are gonna be like, y' all do this every year. You hype up Notre Dame, listen, they've built this program. And I'm not going to go Butch Jones and go brick by brick. But, like, you see it with Marcus Freeman, like, this is not old Notre Dame. Like, I'm not pointing to the back and what it used to be and what they haven't done. Like, it was a couple years ago when they were beating Georgia and playing for the national championship. And I know last year, they didn't last year. Lost their first two games by a total of four points, replacing CJ Carr. Clearly had the training wheels on early. But, you know the one thing I loved about CJ Carr, I love the way he kept fighting. He was so good in the moments. It wasn't too big for him. Even though they played against great teams, A and M, the ball wasn't in his hands at the end of the game. Miami, he was battling back. It was just too little, too late. But if you're looking at this program, remember, they finished in. They finished just on the outside looking in. They chose not to go to a bowl game, which was interesting. I didn't love that. I wish they would have played, but they said they put it to a vote. But what's the biggest strength? It's C.J. carr. And I'm going to say that to you guys. And I want you to understand, this is why he was on my top five quarterbacks in all college football. It was only 2700 yards. That's very mediocre, pedestrian. It was 24 touchdowns. It was six interceptions. That's not elite. Like, but they returned 77% of their production. And if you looked at the passing camp, the Manning passing camp, and you heard everybody talking about what they were doing there, C.J. carr was the MVP, and they said it wasn't close. Like, timing, rhythm, touch. Everything about him, like, is better and better and better. And you look at him gaining experience a year ago with the supporting cast, that's really, really good. Like a secondary that has the best player in the country, like Leonard Moore. In the back end. Like the best corner in the country. Excuse me. Like, dude can. Dude's played against Jeremiah Smith a couple times. He done all right. If you want to go check the numbers, he don't give up much to him. So the biggest addition to them is weapons for CJ Carr. Like those guys that they added, they added. They added a pair of guys from the outside from Columbus with Quincy Porter and Milan Graham. Like Porter, six four elite, you know, he, by the way, huge wingspan, like 69 wingspan. I'm not exaggerating, by the way, but he's a field stretching, you know, he's the guy that's into the boundary like. And then Graham's a former consensus five star, you know, through the roof guy, explosive fluid. Two guys on the outside from Ohio State. Listen, if I'm going in the portal and I can get guys from Ohio State, they typically do a pretty good job finding receivers, don't they? Like, it's kind of like the next one, the next one, the next one. They had a couple of guys that were good that it was hard to get on the field. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, they said, all right, we'll take two of those. We like our odds of what Ohio State usually is and I wouldn't, I wouldn't bet against them. Defensive reinforcements, I think again, they were already good, but now upgrading the defensive line, they get massive in the middle with Tianni Gray from Oregon, like massive.336. Oregon's defensive line, if you're watching them, extremely well coached, extremely physical, extremely tough. That's fun to put him in there. And then they get all ACC honorable mention guy in Francis Brew from Pitt. Like they pair him with former five star recruit Keon Keeley, who's an edge rusher from Alabama. With all that they've been recruiting and all that they've been developing, like this is not. They didn't. They added to what they already had. They already had some of the most guys or some of the most productive guys in the country coming back. So just like understand there's a lot of substance here. What could hold them back? What am I most curious about? They just lost two first round picks to the NFL at running back. Two. And if you're seeing Jadarian Price, everybody talking about him, the dude's an absolute baller stud. Obviously Jeremiah Love was, was what he was. You can't replace those guys. And Anas Williams is going to come in and get the. Probably get the start. We've seen him as a third down back the last couple years and wasn't healthy in the spring. But I think, you know, how does the running back spot work? I don't. They're. They're not going to be what they were. There's no shot that they'll be what they were. Can they be somewhat close with the passing game? Better with the offensive line, more experience from a year ago? That will decide it because CJ Carr is going to do exactly what we're talking about with Darren Mensah. Like he's going to make this offense more balanced. More ways to beat you Schedule. Get to the schedule, Brent. Because I think we, we both feel pretty good about Notre Dame also both
- [36:37]
B
matters the one seat. So we both think they're going undefeated.
- [36:39]
A
We feel pretty good about what they are in their schedule and starts with Wisconsin.
- [36:44]
B
Yeah. But I will say the game at BYU on October 17th. So you go Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, at Purdue, at UNC and Stanford. Prior to that, you might not have to break a sweat. You should be okay at all first five games and then now you're in that environment and it's tough. And you just never know at that
- [37:05]
A
point like, like not only not break a sweat like you a. You ain't been on the treadmill. Like you were just eating ice cream. Like it's not like you were walking to get loose and maybe on a little incline. Like they were. They were just. They were chilling in the ac eating some ice cream.
- [37:18]
B
So at BYU and then they get Navy at home, Miami at home, Boston College at home, SMU at home.
- [37:26]
A
The last, the last one's sneaky at Syracuse. Syracuse is sneaky. Like Fran is former quarterback Fran Brown and Jelly, if he is healthy, will be. Will be great for, for Syracuse. That's kind of a sneaky one. But I, but that's kind of the point of their schedule. And we're going like, hey, the Syracuse is kind of sneaky, you know, like that's. But. But here's the thing. I think the thing about Notre Dame that I think makes them different than the past. I think their defensive line is going to be a handful. And I think that like we've seen them have a good front seven and not have the secondary to go with it. And then I'm talking about like was that long time ago in 2012, right? Like with. With Manta Teo and his fake girlfriend, right? Like we saw that years and years and years ago. Like, but. But this, this group man across the front. The defensive line is going to be big. It's going to be strong. They've got a variety of everything. That's what I like. I like when you got the big dude that can stuff the run. I like when you got long pass rushers at 6, 7 that are, that are twitchy. I like when you have kind of an undersized defensive tackle and brew that like is hyperactive, that gets, that makes plays. They kind of got a little bit of everything to help them be really disruptive. Along with one of the best linebacking cores in the country, along with one of the best secondaries in the country. Like, I just think this defense is going to keep them in every single game. I think the mentality with Freeman, I think it's different. Like last year I was. Or two years ago I had Notre Dame down the stretch and I was believing in and believing and believing because what I saw and I, I just can't underestimate enough like Marcus Freeman. This isn't the same squad it used to be. When you're judging all these Notre Dame teams against him, that's just not.
- [39:07]
B
This is.
- [39:08]
A
This team is equipped to handle whatever comes their way.
- [39:10]
B
And when you look at additions, adding DJ McKinney on the outside of corner from Colorado and now moving Christian Gray into the slot, who. That's where he had both of his interceptions. He was one of the nation's leaders in terms of getting past interference buildings often gets picked on like crazy because of being on the opposite side of Leonard Moore. Well, D.J. mcKinney two years ago got picked on like crazy at Colorado because he was on the opposite side of Travis Hunter. So he's kind of used to that role. And I think that makes their secondary that much better. The, the part about the running backs that is, it wasn't just, hey, these are great running backs. It's the explosive plays galore. 50 plus yard touchdowns, two kick returns with price. So I look, they had 345 touches last year between the two of them, 36 touchdowns. That includes the kick returns, 38 runs of 15 plus yards. That's where it's like, okay, can you. I think they're going to be explosive in a passing game, but that's still something that you have to overcome. Maybe that you don't necessarily get. Oh, all of a sudden we got, you know, seven more points on the board because Love broke three tackles and took it 60.
- [40:19]
A
And two years ago, two years ago, how did they, how did they do it? It was a running quarterback. When they were in the, when they were in the national championship game, it was that physicality. Running quarterback down your throat. Long drives. Remember Ohio State, like Riley Leonard's puking on the sideline of the national championship and they go like 75 plays for 367 minutes. That felt like, it felt like eternity. Right. They had the football.
- [40:44]
B
Yeah.
- [40:45]
A
And, and so I do think, I do think it looks different, but I also think it has a chance to be more explosive.
- [40:52]
B
Yes.
- [40:52]
A
In the, in the passing game, which makes, which puts a little more fear in you. And I think I, I just don't think people understand. If you just look at. It's. It's kind of like my Cam Coleman comment that I made the other day on social media. And so many people came at me, I'm like, what you don't understand is Cam Coleman's about to go ham on college football. He's about to go ham and, and you're about to realize that he's a lot closer to Jeremiah Smith than you ever thought he was. Why? Good quarterback, good system. Good quarterback, good system. It will make him better. CJ Carr is really good. Really good, like really elite. Good system. Notre Dame is always tough up front like this. They're going to give plenty of people problems and Notre Dame's just, you know, just it's your own apparel. Tell them that they've never done anything because I think this year is going to change some people's minds.
- [41:52]
B
But we also both don't have them being in the national championship game.
- [41:55]
A
But that's not a, that's not a
- [41:57]
B
knock because here, here's why for me, if they, they go 12 and oh or 111 whatever they are and they are a top four seed, they don't happen. And the, the bowl tie ins I think this year are not the same. So the conferences and where they go and all the. You just kind of get. The teams get to pick or the boat. They get to pick. Somehow it's different like versus the sec, going to the Sugar bowl, all that kind of thing. The layoff between last game and New Year's Day, 34 days.
- [42:27]
A
That's crazy.
- [42:29]
B
That's not, that's an eternity. I just, I don't think you can play the game and it might be great and they might handle it just fine. And it's bothered. Not bothered some, but bothered others. But that's just a enormous amount of time to well in that grind and then not play and then have to go play the biggest game of your season.
- [42:45]
A
Well and then, but also keep in mind they, they trip and they lose one, which I'm not guaranteeing. Notre Dame is going to go undefeated. There's a good chance they'll lose a game like that could absolutely happen. And then it will be interesting to start measuring them versus conference champions and how the conference championship weighs. You know, if Texas Tech is in a similar spot with a conference championship, if Miami won a conference championship but lost to Notre Dame, but played an extra week and won a champ, won a conference championship game. And then you have Georgia, if they want a conference champion or they won a championship and like, you start stacking them up against all these other teams that are conference champions. How do they get ranked? Is that something that they get nicked? And Notre Dame fans, that might not be the worst thing in the world because we've seen teams with a buy in the playoffs are one in seven. One in seven. Like, it has not been good for teams. So you're adding more of a layoff to it, which you listen one side, you go, I can get healthier. But timing and rhythm is a real thing.
- [43:45]
B
Feel like 5 seed might be the sweet spot again.
- [43:48]
A
Might not be a bad thing. Yes. Might not be a bad thing whatsoever.
- [43:54]
B
Yeah. So obviously we've, and we've done this with every team. We've looked at strength, addition, biggest question marks, things like that. We've also looked at ceiling floor. So ceiling is undefeated in national championship.
- [44:04]
A
Yeah. By the way, just say that out loud. Notre Dame fans, like, that's, that's got to make you feel good, man. Like, yes, it is the ceiling. Like, they, they could, they could absolutely win a national championship. Like, that's awesome. If you're an Irish fan. And it's got to take you back a long ways because we haven't entered a season saying that. And I don't know how long. I, I can't remember the last Lou Holtz. Reese has got a bunch of pictures with Lou Holtz in there. He's probably of those days. The last time we said something like
- [44:32]
B
that, I do think the floor is 10 and 2 and them being like the 12th ranked team and then creating some sort of massive debate because they get in because they're 12th and somebody who's ahead of them doesn't.
- [44:44]
A
Well, and you, and, and you realize, you realize, guys, why that matters because Brent's talking about the new rule because remember, Notre Dame got left out. And, and listen, I'm, I'm praising Notre Dame a lot. Notre Dame also took their ball and ran like they were like, okay, you're going to leave us out. Like, I'm taking my ball. I'm not playing the postseason. Right. Like, I didn't love that. I'm sorry. Didn't love it. But now if Notre Dame's in the top 12, period, they're in. They're in the College Football Playoff. Like, that's. That's their rule. Like, that's the Notre Dame rule. So it's a fortunate thing to have because you know, what happened last year. Listen, I thought they had a good argument to be in last year. Like, again, they lost by four points to two really good playoff teams. Yeah.
- [45:27]
B
I actually went. I wanted to make sure exactly how that was worded, so I even looked at the College Football playoffs website, and it's. The University of Notre Dame will be included in the playoff if it is ranked among the top 12 teams in the final College Football Playoff rankings. So don't forget that when we get to it. I want to. I was thinking about who won the weekend. Like, did you win the weekend? Because you just get to go hang out at Reese's Pad and buy your lonesome and I mean, master party type style here.
- [45:55]
A
It's pretty solid, man. Like, you. You win the weekend when you get to go to come to Reese's, by the way. So just to let y' all in on a few secrets, too. I mean, access to the vehicles. I told him. I was like, yep, The. The rover's getting driven. Yep. I'm taking that. I figured we already went in the pantry. The first thing we did was go in the pantry, go in the kitchen. By the way, strong choices. Reese Davis Lee, thank you for being very good and being healthy. A lot of strong choices. Not surprising. Diet, Dr. Pepper Palooza. Like, that is Reese's absolute go to. We were going to do it in his office. I thought about taking over his office where he had his, you know, his Emmys and his normal behind him, but space. Yeah. And again, listen, I wasn't supposed to. We were supposed to interview him. I was supposed to be home, go do the pod. Reese's flights got delayed.
- [46:43]
B
He.
- [46:44]
A
So I'm just here, and I'm looking for all kinds of. I'm gonna find all kinds of things to get into. And Reese can't say a word about it.
- [46:53]
B
I think that's an overwhelming winner.
- [46:55]
A
Winner, dub.
- [46:57]
B
So one thing I thought about that we should do maybe Wednesday when we come back, is kind of after you're releasing the bracket, getting feedback and. Or just thinking about it two days later. Hey, is there anything you change two days later? Like, is there a second chance bracket that you could maybe think or Oh, I wish I would have done that instead. That might be.
- [47:16]
A
And talking about so, so, so let's do that. And you guys have at it. Like, rip us to shreds.
- [47:22]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [47:23]
A
Tell us why we're stupid. Tell us who's going to make it. But again, I would urge you to sit down and do this exercise because it ain't as easy as you think. Like, when you have to take in mind schedules and conferences and all this stuff. Like, you're starting to go, okay, what is the. What is. What is the most important thing to me? How am I going to differentiate one from the other? Who am I going to pick to win this whole thing? Like, there's a lot that goes into it. It's hard. Tell us why we suck. Tell us what we need to change. We'll read some of those, especially some funny ones. I love some of the funny ones.
- [47:56]
B
I learned something today that folks are not really happy when you use AI graphics. I took my notes that I had written it out. I wrote it on a bracket on the iPad and I was like, okay, hey, make an AI. Make some sort of graphic that makes this look presentable.
- [48:10]
A
Why didn't they like it? What's wrong with that?
- [48:12]
B
Because maybe the helmets were a little off, I guess. Ah, so very. We're very particular about that. And I get it. I get that. So I just like that I posted the iPad handwriting, chicken scratch version.
- [48:27]
A
Okay, well, you know what? Here's the thing. We ain't got that much more time, and we gonna have all the football to talk about. We'll be here doing it. We appreciate y'. All. Y' all do that. Like that rate that subscribe thing. Leave a comment. Tell us why we're booger readers and we shouldn't do this. That's fine. It ain't gonna hurt our feelings. We'll be back Wednesday. We'll share some of Yalls comments. Maybe a few things that we'd have done different. Here's another thing, too. There'll be some more news, right? Like, it's camp season. Like, people are getting unfortunately injured. Things change. The season will continue to morph. But one thing that is true, we will be here whether you like it or not. Some of y' all really, really like that. Some of y' all don't. But we appreciate y' all here on C. Ball. Get ball. Peace.