See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: College Football Week 1: What We Learned by the Numbers | CFP Predictions Re-Evaluated

Date: September 2, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Co-Host/Analyst: Brent Rollins
Special Appearance: Guest Analyst (Wesley)

Episode Overview

The first week of the 2025 college football season offers a wealth of takeaways, surprises, and storylines. David Pollack and Brent Rollins dig into what stood out—not just in the stat sheets, but also in coaching dynamics, player performances, and early College Football Playoff (CFP) implications. The show combines classic “What We Learned” segments, deep-dive statistical breakdowns from PFF, and a re-evaluation of preseason CFP predictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Salvo: Honoring Lee Corso (00:00 – 02:00)

• Main Point: Lee Corso’s legacy and impact on college football, referencing his last round of picks and how “the goat goes out in style.”
• Quote:

  "Lee Corso is the goat…basically whatever Lee Corso picks every single week, go with it…that stinks like that. We’re gonna miss him."
  — David Pollack, 00:27

• Humorous Note: Brent cites you could have made a killing betting Corso’s parlay: “It was like plus 8700. So you would have made an insane amount of money.” (01:42)
• Tone: Nostalgic, celebratory

2. What Did We Learn: Early Week 1 Storylines (02:04 – 07:18)

Miami’s Defense is “Beyond Legit”

• Main Point: Miami’s edge rushers, Reuben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, are game-changers.
• Quote:

  "Reuben Bain is a game-changing, game-wrecking type player. Top-10 pick guy. His 94.4 overall PFF grade, the highest of his career..."
  — Brent Rollins, 02:26

• Sixth-year edge Mesidor’s experience noted; Miami’s pass rush depth gets high praise.

Arch Manning Not Ready—But Shows Promise

• Main Point: The much-hyped Texas QB struggled with the moment at Ohio State.
• Quote:

  "Arch Manning just wasn’t ready for the moment yet... The hype was too much. It was not his fault, but he wasn’t ready for that stage yet."
  — David Pollack, 03:02

• Despite struggles, Manning’s pressure-avoidance is highlighted.

  "He was pressured on 41 [percent] of his drop backs, only sacked once…his ability to at least handle pressure, escape, get rid of the ball, avoid sack, scramble... moving forward."
  — Brent Rollins, 04:25

Alabama’s New Era Turmoil

• Main Point: Kaylin DeBoer inherits an impossible situation and Bama is trending in the wrong direction.
• Quotes:

  "Lost three of the last four last year. Now come in...it was a bad game and you got smashed..."
  — David Pollack, 06:45
  "You never want to be the guy that replaces the goat guy. You want to be the next guy."
  — Brent Rollins, 07:38

• DeBoer’s press conference and lack of full locker room confidence are major concerns.

3. Michigan’s Emerging Passing Game & True Freshmen Quarterback Wave (09:18 – 12:38)

Michigan’s Offense Turning a Corner

• Main Point: Michigan's passing “way more formidable” than last year, highlighted by Bryce Underwood’s performance (251 yards passing).
• Quote:

  "I learned that Michigan’s passing attack is going to be way, way more formidable...I think Michigan, along with the defense...still see a bunch of playmakers."
  — David Pollack, 09:18

• Matchup Watch: Underwood vs. Jackson Mater at Oklahoma previewed as a potential classic.

Outstanding Freshman QBs

Spotlight: Cal’s JKS

• Brent gushes over Cal's new QB JKS (Jaren something), calling his debut “unreal” and describing his accuracy as “beyond belief.”

  "That kid was unreal in that game. Just accuracy beyond belief."
  — Brent Rollins, 10:43

• David underscores Cal’s uncanny ability to “just find the next guy,” despite losing players to the portal.

• Touch on the adaptability and arm talent of Underwood, with both hosts praising his ability to vary velocity and throw types.

4. By the Numbers—PFF Deep Dive (13:55 – 20:04)

How PFF Reveals Hidden Truths

• Brent explains the depth and value of Pro Football Focus (PFF) analytics: individual player abilities, pressure rates, time-to-throw splits, and adjusted completion percentages.

Standout Stats & Notables:

• Harold Perkins (LSU): Highest-graded game in 1.5 years; 4+ tackles, 0 missed tackles vs. Power 4.
• Zachariah Branch (Georgia): 91.9 grade, “elite” PFF receiver performance rarely seen under Kirby Smart.

QB Performances:

• Carson Beck (Georgia): Best under-pressure passing since early starts.

  "...third and ten touchdown in the first half. 12 seconds left in the first half. Like he made some big plays..."
  — David Pollack, 16:43

• Julian Sayin (Alabama): 88.9% adjusted completion rank, “top 7 in the country,” but limited production vs. Power 4 defense.
• C.J. Carr (Notre Dame): Low average depth of target (4.3), indicating a conservative game plan.
• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): Praised for improvisation and offensive design.

5. Early College Football Playoff (CFP) Elimination and Re-Picks (20:04 – 39:56)

LSU and Miami Surge; Questions About Alabama

• David’s CFP Insert:

  "If you’re not picking LSU in the College Football Playoff as a repick, I can’t help you."
  — David Pollack, 21:10

• Brent’s more cautious: leans Miami in over Alabama due to schedule and more favorable trendlines.

• Alabama’s Offense Issues: Ty Simpson’s pressure, Ryan Williams’ drop in production (“completely fallen… off a cliff,” Brent, 29:01), and the concerns about the O-line and offensive identity.

Group of Five Focus

• Boise State: Written off as G5 contender after a Week 1 “whooping.”
• Tulane: Emerges as the favorite, especially after a statement win over Northwestern.

Elimination Tracker—Definitive “Outs”

• Boise State (David), Toledo (Brent), Virginia Tech (David), and Alabama (Guest Analyst, Wesley): “They look like crap…230 rushing yards before they even play an SEC team.” (33:55)

• Broader CFP Reality Check: “There was nothing about that performance [from Alabama] that goes, oh, I’m buying Alabama.”
  — David Pollack, 34:02

6. Victory Formation: Who Won the Weekend? (35:39 – 42:22)

Gus Malzahn – “The Gus Bus” (Guest Analyst, 35:39)

• “Gus Malzahn, the Gus bus won the weekend…230 rushing yards…Gus is great. Bulletin board material.”

Mike Norvell (Florida State) & Brian Kelly (LSU)

• David:

  "Mike Norvell deserves to be in that conversation…new DC, new OC, new QB and then Bama came to town…huge win." (36:39) "Brian Kelly getting the dub early in the year…against a top five team…hats off, sir." (38:08)

Lee Corso and The Fans (Brent, 38:08)

• Honors Corso’s final week of celebrity picks.
• Declares college football fans as major winners: “You got football Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday…what a weekend.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You never want to be the guy that replaces the goat guy. You want to be the next guy." — Brent Rollins (07:38)
• "Carson Beck…he had a long journey and a long off season as well. So it’s good to see him playing well." — David Pollack (16:43)
• "Alabama…they look like crap, man. They look terrible out there. And they give up 230 rushing yards before they even play an SEC team." — Guest Analyst, Wesley (33:55)
• "The beauty of now playing games? We’re going to learn and our opinions are going to change and they’re going to morph." — David Pollack (00:35)
• "That zone read mesh…like right when it’s closing in on you like that’s when you make plays..." — David Pollack (25:27)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Lee Corso Tribute / Fun Betting Note | 00:00 | | What We Learned: Miami, Arch Manning, Bama | 02:04 | | Michigan/True Freshman QBs | 09:18 | | PFF Data Dive: Key Stats + QBs | 13:55 | | CFP Elimination / Re-evaluation | 20:04 | | G5/New Faces Emerging | 29:11 | | Victory Formation: Who Won the Weekend? | 35:39 | | Closing Thoughts + Fan Experience | 38:08 |

Summary Flow & Takeaways

• Strong Focus on Week 1 Surprises:

  • Miami's defensive front and Cal's breakthrough at QB.
  • True freshman QBs shine across the country.
  • Early alarms for Alabama and Boise State.

• Nuanced Analysis:

  • PFF analytics add depth to discussion of quarterback play, offensive line issues, and playmaker grades.
  • Strategic consideration of team trajectories, not just eye-test or hot takes.

• Balanced Tone:

  • David and Brent mix humor, honesty, and a coach’s perspective, with fan-centric asides and personal stories.

• For Listeners Who Missed It…

  • This episode is a “reset” for college football narratives entering the season: The lane for CFP contenders has shifted dramatically after just one week.
  • Expect recurring elimination evaluations, data-backed insights, and more stories in upcoming Monday/Wednesday shows.

End of Summary