See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: College Football Week 2 PICKS | Gus Malzahn (Sept 5, 2025)

Episode Overview

David Pollack and Brent Rollins preview the biggest stories and matchups in college football for Week 2, offering in-depth analysis, stat-based insights, and predictions for marquee games across the country. The episode also features an interview with renowned offensive coach Gus Malzahn, who breaks down his return to being an offensive coordinator, lessons from the Alabama upset, and quarterback philosophies. Throughout, Pollack and Rollins use their signature casual banter, food-based analogies, and humor to dissect the week’s most intriguing battles.

Main Segment 1: Week 2 Picks with Pollack & Rollins

Betting Themed Game Categories

• Nugget Platter: Main event games, must-watch (e.g., Oklahoma vs. Michigan)
• Heartburn Games: High-intensity, likely to be close to the wire (e.g., Kansas vs. Missouri, Illinois vs. Duke, Iowa vs. Iowa State)
• Veggie Tray: Overlooked games that are still important/good for you (e.g., Baylor vs. SMU, Arizona State vs. Mississippi State)
• Chips & Dip: Perennial fun but not marquee games (e.g., Ole Miss vs. Kentucky, USF vs. Florida)
• Cooler Game: Likely blowouts (e.g., Oklahoma State vs. Oregon)

Key Game Analyses & Insights

1. Nugget Platter: Michigan at Oklahoma

[02:26 — 06:16]

• Pollack:
  • Concerned about Michigan playing at Oklahoma due to the hostile environment and Venables' aggressive defense.
  • “Playing against one of the best defensive minds in all of college football… It's an extremely tough spot to be in as a freshman. I know Bryce Underwood's good… But on the road with the communication, I think Oklahoma gets up early. …I got 27-21 Oklahoma.” [03:15]
• Rollins:
  • Leans Oklahoma, concerned about OU run game struggles but likes OU’s defensive creativity and offensive weapons. “Probably like a 28, 20, 28 even 22, 23, something like that.” [04:51]
• Justice Haynes: Breakout potential for Michigan (“He looked like a baller week one. …Remember 22—Justice Haynes…he might could make this easy for Bryce Underwood.” – Pollack, [05:14])

2. Heartburn Games

a. Kansas at Missouri (Border War)

[06:47 — 12:12]

• Rollins:
  • Highlights Kansas misdirection offense’s high efficiency: “Jalen Daniels... 25 of 26 with a drop, five touchdowns on play action… That is perfect on his end.” [08:16]
• Pollack:
  • Sees edge for Kansas due to speed and weapons around Daniels, despite Missouri’s strong run game.
  • “Can Kansas hold up to [Missouri’s ground game]? …I went back and forth. …But give me rock chalk, Jayhawk…31-27.” [10:49]
• Rollins:
  • Picks Missouri, predicts new kicker becomes “a hero instantaneously for them.” [11:03]
• Pollack, on kickers deciding the game:
  • “I can’t stand that we play a game…so gladiator and so physical, and then it gets decided sometimes by the little guys that play soccer.” [11:13]

b. Illinois at Duke

[14:33 — 17:45]

• Rollins:
  • Picks Illinois: “The physical play of Illinois, veteran Altmire making plays… three or four point victory on the road.” [15:29]
• Pollack:
  • Picks Duke, citing home advantage and faith in QB: “Cool Hand Luke, dude. He is so good, so efficient… Give me The Dookies 24-20.” [17:08]
  • Shares personal reason for supporting Duke (wife had surgery there). [17:45]

c. Iowa at Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Trophy)

[17:45 — 20:34]

• Pollack:
  • Iowa run game injuries, doubts about new QB, but praises Iowa State’s physicality: “Rocco Beck, all the experience…both squads are going to have two tight ends on the field…old school.” Picks Iowa State 24-17. [19:23]
• Rollins:
  • Agrees, sees Cyclones with slight edge. [20:07]

3. Veggie Tray (Underrated/Under-the-Radar Games)

a. Baylor at SMU

[21:35 — 23:31]

• Rollins:
  • Picks SMU—cites dynamic QB Kevin Jennings’ mobility: “Another running quarterback that Baylor just had infinite problems with”. [21:41]
• Pollack:
  • Pushes back—not all rushing QBs are alike, highlights Baylor’s ability to bounce back against a less physical SMU front. Takes Baylor 31-30. [22:09]

b. Arizona State at Mississippi State

[23:31 — 25:20]

• Pollack:
  • Thinks Arizona State’s QB advantage (Levitt) is decisive, despite run defense disparity. ASU 31-21.
• Rollins:
  • Agrees with the pick.

c. Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech

[25:45 — 27:02]

• Pollack:
  • Leans Virginia Tech at home but is hesitant: “Drones plays better, runs the football, makes plays…give me the Hokies.” 27-24. [26:52]
• Rollins:
  • Sticks with Vandy for upset/novelty potential. [26:54]

4. Chips and Dip (Interesting but Not Headliners)

a. Ole Miss at Kentucky

[27:12 — 29:08]

• Rollins:
  • Shouts out Ole Miss DT Xavier Harris as high-impact player. [27:41]
• Pollack:
  • Ole Miss has major speed/talent edge, but questions O-line vs. Kentucky’s strong defensive front: “I got 24-13 in the revenge game. Give me the hottie Toddy.” [28:54]
• Both:
  • Expect a closer game than the spread.

b. USF at Florida

[29:08 — 31:11]

• Pollack:
  • Warns against overlooking USF and QB Byron Brown, but talent gap is too wide: “I think it’s 34-21. …But I’m taking the Gators.” [30:53]
• Rollins:
  • Agrees–but notes USF’s upset alert last week serves as warning for Florida to stay focused.

c. Oklahoma State at Oregon (Cooler Game)

[31:23 — 31:43]

• Both:
  • Predict a blowout—Oregon's dominance too much for OSU: “There’s not enough in the budget for Oklahoma State…” – Pollack [31:38]

Main Segment 2: Interview with Gus Malzahn

[33:16 — 44:22]

Themes & Highlights

• Life Perspective & Career Change

  • Malzahn reveals his wife’s illness as a key factor in stepping down from a head coaching role.
  • “About lost her. And it just kind of totally changed my perspective…We got through the season. I thought about retiring…” [33:46]
  • Chose to return to OC duties for love of play calling, proximity to family.

• QB Recruitment & Offensive Philosophy

  • Reunited with Tommy (QB he recruited to UCF):
    • “He’s such a great leader. He’s a dynamic playmaker. He made some things right Saturday when things weren’t right. And I think that’s a key to a big time quarterback.” [34:58]
  • Nick Marshall comparisons:
    • “There’s a whole lot of similarities…Nick was an unbelievable player…did the same thing. …And I was so proud of our offensive line…first time, five new starters.” [35:40]

• Alabama Game Plan

  • Threw “the book at them early” with misdirection, tempo, and counters.
    • “The goal was to take away their aggressiveness, that they would be thinking we could call anything, and then we could just line up and start going downhill at ‘em.” [37:11]
  • On QB Power Read:
    • “Cam Newton made that thing famous…when you have power read…and you can run counter tray off it…that’s a tough deal when you got a quarterback that can make it happen.” [37:44]

• Coaching Life & Enjoyment

  • Finds joy in focusing solely on the offense:
    • “It’s almost like a different profession now. …Man, I get that iPad. …It was like eye-opening for me.” [43:23]
  • Plans to stay aggressive:
    • “We’re going to throw the book at people. We’re going to play fast and see what happens, man.” [43:59]

• On QB Durability & Scrambling

  • Describes Tommy’s instincts and quickness:
    • “He can really escape. …He made a guy miss and got the first down. That was real impressive.” [42:28]

• Defensive Challenge in Practice

  • Earl Little and Tony (defensive coordinator) cause “fits” in camp via unconventional schemes. [40:05]

• Mike Norvell Appreciation

  • Praises Norvell’s work ethic and player relationships:
    • “He was the hardest working GA I’ve ever had. …Nobody works harder than him.” [42:55]

Notable Quotes

• “Playing against one of the best defensive minds in all of college football...I think it's an extremely tough spot to be in as a freshman.”
  — Pollack on Oklahoma vs. Michigan [03:15]

• “I can’t stand that we play a game…so gladiator and so physical, and then it gets decided sometimes by the little guys that play soccer.”
  — Pollack on kicker-decided games [11:13]

• “There was a lot of curiosity...11 new starters on offense that never played together...I think we have great potential.”
  — Malzahn, on revamping his offense [38:58]

• “It’s almost like a different profession now...I get that iPad. I sat down with my quarterback...it was like eye-opening for me.”
  — Malzahn, on the joys of being an OC vs Head Coach [43:23]

• “Man, we’re going to throw the book at people. We’re gonna play fast and see what happens.”
  — Malzahn [43:59]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro & Game Categories: 00:00 – 02:20
• Main Event Pick (Michigan-OU): 02:21 – 06:16
• Kansas-Missouri (Border War): 06:47 – 12:12
• Illinois-Duke: 14:33 – 17:45
• Iowa-Iowa State: 17:45 – 20:34
• Veggie Tray Games (Baylor-SMU, ASU-MSU, Vandy-VT): 21:30 – 27:00
• Chips & Dip (Ole Miss-UK, USF-FLA): 27:12 – 31:11
• Cooler Game (Ok St-Oregon): 31:23 – 31:43
• Gus Malzahn Interview: 33:16 – 44:22

Tone & Style

Pollack and Rollins maintain a loose, conversational style, laced with football jargon, jokes about tailgates and food, and honest, occasionally contrarian opinions, making for an accessible yet insightful episode for college football die-hards.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the key insights, major talking points, and best quotes from the 'See Ball Get Ball' podcast’s College Football Week 2 Picks, with special guest Gus Malzahn.