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College Football Week 1 PICKS: David Pollack Picks Texas-Ohio State, LSU-Clemson & Notre Dame-Miami
00:20:22
College Football Week 1 PICKS: David Pollack Picks Texas-Ohio State, LSU-Clemson & Notre Dame-Miami
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- [00:00]
A
Welcome everybody back in. We've already locked in some picks here on Seaball. Get ball with Brent Rollins. I'm David Pollock. But this week is just, it's just different. Fowler kind of set the table for us Yesterday, but like three top 10 matchups deserves its own show. It deserves its own breakdown. It's the best we've seen and it's why we're all excited. So Brett, let's fire away, man. Let's give some in depth picks on who we're taking in up bench to see how we differ, how we, how we maybe see the same thing and see if you got that all in tattoo on your back too. That'll be, that'll be fun to see.
- [00:36]
B
Speaking of Fowler, one, he was awesome. But two, did, did what he said change your mind in any way? Like where he was kind of swayed a little bit by the coaches. You're just like, no, it doesn't not going to sway me at all.
- [00:50]
A
Brent, I can't tell you how many times I've met with coaches before the game. And we do it every week and we just have these conversations and if you went judged on that based on that, you'd be wrong. A lot. A lot.
- [01:01]
B
Everybody's also, everybody feels great about their team, right?
- [01:04]
A
Well. And some sell harder than others. And let me tell you something, I'll give you this. The best ever. Jimbo Fisher. I've never, I've never left a conversation with Jimbo Fisher not thinking that the player he has playing receiver or quarterback or running back is the best he's ever had because he just, he loved him so much. He sold them so much. So you kind of, you kind of learn to listen with kind of half your ear open. And then some things you. But, but you make up your own minds by watching tape and seeing things. And so where are we going first? What game do we want to hit first?
- [01:35]
B
Let's go there first since, since, you know, we had Fowler on and it's, it's the night game, it's the prime time game. We'll kind of save the best for last, which is the first. But LSU at Clemson, Clemson's a three and a half point favorite. You're looking at. To me, this is more about the questions on one side versus the knowns on the other side. What little questions you have of Quint Clemson, I. E. Can Gideon Davidson, the five star true freshman, can he hold on the football? Can he run? Like, how good is he as a running back? New defensive coordinator. Does the system change? Does it elevate the individual talent. Like those questions are minute compared to the questions on the LSU side for me.
- [02:14]
A
Well, but those are questions because I think the, the reason people aren't buying Clemson is because Clemson last year, you know, they had a couple of opportunities to kind of prove themselves against great competition and they didn't. You know, they were, you know, like Fowler mentioned, they were 0 and 3 against the SEC last year. And that's, you know, can they play the big boy, physical style of football and can they match up the running game for Clemson will be interesting to me. I don't, I don't expect it to be great. Like club Nick adds the element because he's such a good athlete. Like he can run it as well. But you know, how. How well do they run it? How much do they even want to run it? Can they be good down, you know, when they need to run it on short yardage or in those situations that that'll be, that'll go a long way in deciding the season for Clemson and what we really think of them in the long term. But, but LSU just needs to prove some defense to me, man. Like, I need to see it, man. I need to see, like this is a team that we call DBU for a while because of the amount of players in the secondary that just kept rolling through and the names. And you're just like every year, the next guy, the next guy, the next guy. Their secondary has been bad and you're playing against one of the best passing offenses. That doesn't need to take a lot of time, I think, to get in sync. This is a QB that's played with these receivers like their experience. They're not breaking in a bunch of new things around them. The, the same oc, same qb, same wide receivers. So I expect a lot out of the Clemson offense. To me, it's LSU's defense. They got a Harold Perkins Jr. And Whit Weeks. They got to be ballers. They got to get pressure on the quarterback. They got to make club Nick uncomfortable. They got to make them one dimensional and they got to prove in the back end that they can get stops. Like they can't get in shootouts week in and week out. That, that's what they did a year ago. So I want to see that. And then the other side, you know, I got a lot I'm looking forward to too, but I'll let you go first.
- [04:07]
B
Well, so in terms. So by the way, the other side of you, meaning LSU's offense. Yeah. Because they have a, you know, kind of a new offensive line. They lost four of the five starters. Now, some of those guys that are playing are there, but you know, you lose Will Campbell, you lose the Jones kid, the right tackle that, you know, those kind of players that all got.
- [04:26]
A
Drafted and one was a top five.
- [04:28]
B
Pick, and now you're playing against Peter woods and TJ Parker, like on the road. So that's a, that's a, that's question number one of this game to me is, does LSU's new offensive line hold up and can they run the football? Like Chris Fowler mentioned that, you know, they were talking about how they think they're going to be able to run the football better, but can they actually.
- [04:49]
A
Run a year ago, like, they didn't even try. And that's the part that, that's probably the most confusing. Like, they need balance. They've got, they've got stars at wide receiver, they got a star at quarterback. But when you know it's a pass every single time, you know how hard that makes it on your offensive line, especially on the road. Like, I get to pin my ears back. I don't have to be balanced. I don't have to like the, the hard part defensively, the hard offenses are the ones that it could be run, it could be pass. I'm guessing, like, those are the ones that are next to impossible to stop. Like the Joe Burrow offense that he had, like, it was ridiculous. They could run it, they could throw it at any point and take advantage of it. So the, they've got to have the ability to run the football. Durham looked good as a freshman, man, like, he looked like a dude. He looked like a dude that could break tackles. He looked like a guy that, he made stuff happen when it was there or when it wasn't there. He could catch it out of the backfield, built like most of these guys nowadays, shorter, but, but can make but bowling balls type stature. And then it opens it up for, for that. And then Clemson on the other side too. Brent, you know, the system, the new style. Tom Allen coming in. Like, I, I am the person who's been saying it's not players, it wasn't players, it wasn't players. Well, now we got a chance to see it because Tom Allen knows what he's doing. He knows how to change defenses. He's done it in the past. He changes them very quickly, too. Gives them the energy, the passion. They play fiery. They don't miss as many tackles. Like, they play better. And so, you know, somebody like me who's been buying Into Clemson because of this defensive line with two first round picks, because of the secondary with a first round corner, because of the linebacking core with Sammy Brown, who I think is an absolute freak show that can be one of the better linebackers in the country. They got an opportunity to show us something too in a big time stage.
- [06:38]
B
Yeah, and you mentioned the LS when you're talking about the LSU running game. Harlem, I think is his first name. Harlem Berry. True freshman running freshman, kid, big time recruit. They've been showing a lot of highlights of and a lot of positive vibes in terms of his ability. Maybe he gets a chance. But again, true freshman on the road. Ball security I think is one of those things. And this is one. I, I want to see this be a close game because I just want to see the QBs go back and forth late in the fourth quarter where it's just okay, which one of these guys is going to say, look, I'm the man, you know, put on the Superman, you know, the Superman cape and.
- [07:17]
A
Just show out so pissed if that's the case. Because that's what they're trying to avoid is getting in shootouts and, and then can they finish. But obviously Clemson's my national champion. I got Clemson winning this football game. They've got a lot less to break in, a lot less new. LSU's got to find themselves and I think LSU could be a playoff team in the end of the season, like if they can click. But, and listen, I know it's tr. The good thing is for them it's a bunch of transfers and I think that helps because at least they played football. But right now, this part of the year I go with a known and I have more known commodities on Clemson. So I think Clemson takes care of business and it's at home. Which is even more of a reason to pick that Tiger. The orange Tiger.
- [08:03]
B
Yeah, I would say they win by about 7. It feels like a 34 to 27ish game to me. Maybe. I, I don't know though I do think we get into the 30s there. But by the way, that's a season altering win. If LSU goes in and gets that W big time, like Clemson loses, it's, it's like, okay, and Chris Fowler talked about it, you know, they still got to go through the acc. They're the heavy favorite there. But LSU wins that game, that's season altering. That's puts them smacking the playoff.
- [08:30]
A
I hear you, I and I hear you. But, but what about the people that will be talking If Clemson loses. Oh, they can't win the big games. Can't be the ratings interesting getting a buy now because you have to earn it with being a top four seed. So this will go a long way. Like it's awesome because we get playoff games week one. Like this is, this is fantastic. All right, let's go to, let's go to at Miami now. Let's go to the Irish Hurricanes and the Irish because you know what? Because I didn't say this. Irish fans. So don't try to at me but like SAS baby still ain't she. That's what Marcus, your coach said, right? Your coach has got that on the sleeves like something to prove. Can Notre Dame back it up in another season where they went to the national championship? Can they put a great performance together? It's going to have to start out the gates against Miami at Miami with a new qb. Brent.
- [09:24]
B
Yeah, and it's one where I still think even looking at last year's draft that Carson Beck is the best in structure quarterback in the country. I think it was that going into last season. I still think he is that. And it's a hey play is there, you know, hit the back foot balls out, accurate, that sort of thing. It's when it's not in structure and when we get to sort of pressure or sort of things that are different that he becomes a different quarterback.
- [09:51]
A
You don't like freestyle Carson. You like, you like. Yeah, you like it in play.
- [09:54]
B
I like instructor Carson and with their offensive line, I think there's a potential for that to be a lot. But when you look at the totality of this game for me, the talent on Notre Dame, barring the new qb absolutely wetting the bed like we talked about previously, I, I think if they get sort of average quarterback play from C.J. carr and he doesn't turn it over two or three times, I think the totality of the talent of Notre Dame wins the game.
- [10:20]
A
You like the Irish.
- [10:22]
B
I do like the Irish.
- [10:23]
A
Okay.
- [10:23]
B
And by the way, also one other thing, one big thing I think that is ginormous in this game. If it's a fourth quarter game and it's a tight fourth quarter game, which by the way, it's a two and a half point spread. So it's supposed to be. Who do you trust from a coaching and decision making standpoint? I trust Marcus Freeman more so than I trust Mario Crystal Ball.
- [10:42]
A
Well and I think that's a. You know, you've seen Town the last couple years with Miami and you see people like Me hesitant to pull the trigger because I haven't seen it done yet with crystal ball. Like, I still want to see them make the right decisions. And obviously that comes to mind a couple years ago is the, is the Georgia Tech game and just finishing out a game that, you know, you had won. I think Miami, they can change their perception in week one. Like, they have a good opportunity to change their perception. The physicality, the offensive line, I think can set the tone with that. You know, can they be the team that's the ground and pound team that they want to be? Because if they are, then it allows Carson Beck to be Carson Beck. Like, you're exactly right. It puts him in a great opportunity to be successful. I think their defensive line with Bane, like, that guy's a baller. Like, he's really, really good. Mazador, like, they got some five stars that they've recruited really well the last several years. Like, I think their defensive line could be good. There's last year, dude, their defense was atrocious. Look like they had the number one pick in the draft and they couldn't stop a nosebleed. I think they have to be better this year.
- [11:51]
B
But. But the secondary is all new.
- [11:53]
A
Yeah, but the biggest thing, honestly that, that I'm worried about in this football game is Carson Beck has a bunch of new weapons. He was off for a while with his elbow injury, getting healthy. And it's not like you're going to ease into this thing. Like, that's the problem. Like you're going to get thrown and dropped right in to. To one of the best secondaries in the country. Like, welcome to Leonard Moore and Christian Gray. Like, they're, they're great in the secondary. It's man to man. But, but I'm going Miami and I know this is, this is a change for people to believe in Miami. It's a change for me to believe in Miami. But I do think they've got an extreme edge at quarterback. I think the line of scrimmage on both sides, I think Miami can hold up. So you're telling me that Carr has to go be the difference? Is he ready to be the difference? Week one, I might. Next week my attitude might completely change because I might watch it and see it.
- [12:47]
B
He's never played his fan bet on.
- [12:49]
A
All these guys to just be, you know, click and hit and go. And this one, man, I think Notre Dame unfortunately plays Miami Week 1. I think Notre Dame will continue to get better. I didn't. I'm not saying they're SAS or sas, I'm not saying that at all. I think they're have a great season, but I got the canes in this football game in a close one.
- [13:08]
B
The final question I wrote in this game, can I pick a new quarterback with zero career snaps on the road in this game? That's one where it's like, and you look at the whole, a lot of the theme of the weekend, home underdogs. That's a like Miami's home underdogs.
- [13:23]
A
And I can and you know me like that matters to me. That's the most important thing is playing. You play on the road, you better have a dude like you better have your guy that you know has been there, can done that, has handled things. And that's where I think it's tough. But all right, Texas, they've got that dude. According to the media, according to the media, everybody believing in Arch is Brent Rawlings Rollins believing that Texas is the number one team and that they can go here, here's something that's pretty cool. And I don't know, I don't, I don't know if this has ever been done or not. I'd be willing to bet not. Last year Texas went on the road to the defending national champions and beat them. This year they can go on the road to the defending national champions and beat them and start the year off with a bang. And the Arch Manning era. Are you buying Brent Rollins? Because I know you hadn't been an Arch all in guy yet, but are you buying him this week against one of the teams in the country?
- [14:17]
B
I'm all in on the talent. And if you told me that Texas's offensive line plays okay, then yes, I am. But I, I honest, I honestly, that's the ultimate question of this game for me is which offensive line plays better. Because it's not like, you know, and Ohio State returns guys, but it's not like they're returning D guys. They lost the really good guys, two first round picks like so you're returning just here average. And that I, in the end I might lean towards. I know that Colin Simmons is going to make an impact in this game. But then, but then you also know that Jeremiah, like there is a back and forth argument. Well, this one way, well this the other way with this game, that is.
- [15:04]
A
Well, do you want some of that wall or do you want to make a pick? I mean, come on, man.
- [15:09]
B
I, I think like I said, I think in the end I'm going to trust that Colin Simmons as an edge guy making an impact for Texas and that defense, I feel like I know that defense. I'm going to give the, give the Horns the victory on the road and do that in Columbus. But.
- [15:30]
A
And that's a hard thing to do. I get it. It's. It's a hard thing to do, but it's the right thing to do. And I say that because Texas has the more proven, better roster and more established coaches. That's the big. Like Chip Kelly's gone and that dude was elite of elite. To change the structure of what they did late last year, it was so incredible, so impressive. Jim Knowles is gone. So I think losing that one two punch to me is enough. Listen, they still got the best two players on the field and they got the best offensive player in the country and the best defensive player in the country. And that's, that's awesome. That's great. Like they, that's a great starting spot for Ohio State. But, but one thing too. Last year, Travon, Henderson, Judkins, those guys, Will Howard, the run game, those guys all had something very similar in common. They broke tackles or had home run winning speed. Now those guys, I don't know who they are yet and they don't. The offensive line is back, but it's similar. Guys that did weren't. They didn't perform at a high level a year ago. So Texas's defense is the best in the country. And Julian saying, another guy that we want to see something from. I know one thing, he's not a athlete. He's not a guy that's going to go out there and do Will Howard type things. Arch Manning can. So the difference to me, I can, I can bet on Arch Manning's wheels to make a couple of big third downs, move the sticks, make that extra play that, that's needed for Texas to go and get a huge win to start the season in a close game.
- [17:08]
B
I think the only thing that I'm certain of in this game, at least that I feel certain of in this game, is that it's going to be low scoring or especially for probably like at the first half where you're. It's like 13 to 7 at halftime or, yeah, 10 to 7 at halftime, where these teams are just kind of playing it slow, filling each other out, letting their QBs, you know, kind of have the governor a little bit on the quarterbacks and just all the things that go with that, new coaching staffs, all the things that go with that. The two biggest X factors in the game though for me are the new tight ends. Because if you look at both of these teams, and among returning tight ends, number two and number three in the country in terms of highest PFF grade is Claire for Ohio State from Purdue and then injuries from Cal. That's at Texas. Now with young QBs, who's your best friend? A really good tight end. So I think these. Those guys are going to get a lot of touches in this game.
- [18:01]
A
And. And obviously having just Jeremiah Smith out wide makes that easy. How about this? How about this stat in the last 20 years when a QB makes his first start against the number one team in the country? Owen. 18. Okay. Oh, and 18.
- [18:15]
B
Zero.
- [18:16]
A
Now zero.
- [18:17]
B
The first number was zero.
- [18:19]
A
But Ohio State hasn't lost an opener since 99. So, you know, obviously something's got to give there, but it's. It's putting your guy in a tough spot against a really good team with a lot of knowns. But this is. This is why we've been talking about it all off season, is because we've been projecting, we've been saying this, we've been saying that. Now we get to go see who gets to prove it. Like, that's the first.
- [18:38]
B
By the way, first thing of the day, noon.
- [18:41]
A
That's the best part. So big opportunity for Ohio State to say, hey, bro, it doesn't matter who coaches us. Offensive coordinator gone, defensive coordinator gone. We're still good. A great opportunity for Texas to be like, hey, we're here to stay. Two Final Fours. We're taking the next step. So you. Y' all enjoy your time on the couch. Y' all making sure.
- [19:00]
B
I got one last question for you, though.
- [19:02]
A
Okay.
- [19:03]
B
What's the headgear that Corso is putting on, man?
- [19:07]
A
I. I think because of nostalgia, you've got to finish the way you started. He's. He's going to be in Columbus Circle. That's where Brutus started. You know, Fowler talked about that, the last podcast. But that's. That's the true story. Like, Allison is a cheerleader at Ohio State. She got the. Got. Had to get Brutus, had to steal Brutus away, and then coach put it on, and the rest is history. So everybody. Everybody soaked that moment into, man, because it's an era that a lot of us that are older, like, we're going to get. And I bet you we're all going to tear up to watching the show this week because of all the thing, you know, Kirk's going to. And it's not. It's easy.
- [19:44]
B
Not definitely going to.
- [19:45]
A
Oh, it's just hard not to get emotional with coach and all he's done. So everybody get on their couches, get. Get locked in. And then Saturday night, we'll be live on YouTube. We'll be live doing all the reactions Saturday, all throughout the day, actually, because there's so many good games. And then Sunday, the recap will come out. It'll be the first to you early in the morning, Sunday morning. And then next week, back at it again, man, with more football. So thank y' all for. For making us grow here at cball. Get ball and continue to, like, subscribe, do all that fun stuff, all that stuff that continues to help us. And if you want to leave a comment and it's positive, have at it, baby. Thank you. Appreciate y' all.