Podcast Summary: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: CFB Week 13 PICKS | CFP Rankings Reaction | USC-Oregon, Pitt-Georgia Tech and MORE

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Guest/Co-host: Brent

1. Overview of the Episode

This episode dives deep into the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings and previews the biggest Week 13 games, including playoff implications, matchup analysis, and bold picks. David Pollack, joined by his co-host Brent, dissects the committee’s decisions, discusses the gray areas in the rankings, and highlights upcoming battles—most notably USC-Oregon and Pitt-Georgia Tech. The hosts blend rigorous football analysis with their trademark candid, energetic banter.

2. College Football Playoff Rankings Breakdown

Committee Process & Transparency

• Pollack discusses the new CFP committee chair, Hunter Yurachek, and his first media appearance.
• David emphasizes the lack of transparency and specificity in the committee’s logic:

  “I wish they would do that here and be very transparent with it versus just a, hey, here it is, that sort of thing.” — Brent (06:55)

Top Tier Teams & Key Debates

• Pollack and Brent agree the top four selections (Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Georgia) were straightforward and justified.
• The main debate centers on the 7–10 spots, especially Oregon jumping to #7 as a one-loss team, and the Alabama–Notre Dame positioning.
• The perception is the committee values “fewer losses” over “strength of schedule,” which frustrates Pollack:

  “If it was Oregon wins, then Oregon would not be there. Oregon would not be at 7.” — Pollack (04:51)

Notable Rankings:

• 7. Oregon
• 8. Oklahoma
• 9. Notre Dame
• 10. Alabama
• 11. Miami
• Top Group of Five spot: Tulane (despite even their own coach doubting their Top 25 credentials)

Alabama vs. Notre Dame Debate

• Pollack sides with Notre Dame being above Alabama, due to quality of losses and resume:

  “Notre Dame is a really good football team that played two really good football teams to start the year. If they played both of them again right now…they wouldn’t lose to both.” — Pollack (08:35)

• Committee weighs "how" you lose, not just "who you beat."

Head-to-Head & Criteria Concerns

• Pollack is adamant head-to-head must matter, expressing concern the committee is sometimes too hypothetical:

  “Why are we even playing football if head-to-head doesn’t matter as the most important criterion?” — Pollack (08:58)

• Miami’s potential to rise hinges on chaos elsewhere and possible head-to-head comparison with Notre Dame.

3. Big Picture Themes & Analytical Nuggets

Strength of Schedule and Game Control

• The “game control” metric seems to influence committee rankings, but Pollack questions its value:

  “My guess is that Game Control metric has a lot of weight and that’s basically just how bad you beat…when you beat them.” — Brent (14:59)

• Some teams (Utah, BYU) are highly ranked due to perceived “dominance,” but Pollack feels some cases are unjustified based on actual performance and opponents.

Conference Championship Implications

• The hosts discuss scenarios where losing a conference championship game can actually hurt playoff chances, questioning whether it’s better to rest, avoid injury, and enter the playoff fresh:

  “As a fan of my team, I’d be like, rather not play. I still have a chance to go play for a national championship, which is the most important thing.” — Pollack (20:14)

4. Game Previews & Picks

USC at Oregon (23:14)

• Billed as a “playoff game” particularly for USC.
• Pollack likes Oregon’s physicality and home field; both hosts expect a high-scoring shootout:

  “I like the Ducks…34-28 for me, because of one reason. The pass rush for USC—I haven’t seen enough…can they pressure Dante Moore?” — Pollack (26:40)

• Both pick Oregon to win.

Pitt at Georgia Tech (28:20)

• Winner could clinch an ACC Championship Game berth.
• Georgia Tech’s Haynes King is the X-factor; both expect a shootout, but GT’s dynamic senior QB is the difference:

  “If you took Haynes King off of this team, they would have four more losses, at least…there’s not anybody doing more for their team.” — Pollack (32:02)

• Both pick Georgia Tech.

Missouri at Oklahoma (32:46)

• Freshman QB for Missouri faces the Venables defense—a tough ask.
• Oklahoma’s defense and run game seen as keys; business-like approach expected.
• Both hosts select Oklahoma.

Louisville at SMU (39:27)

• SMU praised for defensive and turnover prowess; Louisville flagged for being turnover-prone.
• Game likely decided by Louisville’s QB Miller Moss and his mistakes.
• Both pick SMU in tight contests.

BYU at Cincinnati (42:13)

• Bear Bachmeier’s development as a freshman is highlighted.
• Despite being on the road and a freshman, Pollack trusts Bachmeier over Cincy’s veteran QB.
• Both pick BYU.

Kentucky at Vanderbilt (45:07)

• Kentucky’s improvement at QB noted, but Vandy’s offense (Pavia/Stowers combo) is rolling.
• Both pick Vandy to keep their streak alive.

5. Additional Insights and Miscellaneous Picks

• James Madison (JMU) vs. Washington State: Both hosts high on JMU’s system and culture, expecting them to win and potentially crash the playoff party. (49:43)
• Upset Watch:
  • Kansas State at Utah, Arkansas at Texas, Miami at Virginia Tech floated as possible upsets, but neither host feels strongly about any single one, acknowledging the general unpredictability this week. (51:08)
  • Michigan at Maryland and Tennessee at Florida also mentioned as “upset specials,” but doubts about Maryland’s consistency and Florida’s big-game potential.
• Playoff Chaos: Both expect late-season chaos, “because college football always delivers.” (55:49)

6. Notable Quotes & Moments

• "If head to head’s ever a problem, we’re screwed." – Pollack, voicing concern about the committee’s priorities (57:38)
• "There’s never a comparison. [College football’s] always been better. The pageantry, all of it..." – Pollack, dismissing the NFL’s excitement compared to college football (57:13)
• "Notre Dame is a really good football team that played two really good football teams to start the year...they wouldn’t lose to both." – Pollack (08:35)

7. Important Timestamps

• CFP Rankings analysis and transparency: 01:42–08:56
• Head-to-Head/committee logic rants: 08:56–11:10
• Game Control metric debate: 15:00–16:01
• Conference championship dilemmas/debate: 18:30–22:40
• USC-Oregon deep dive and picks: 23:14–27:57
• Pitt-Georgia Tech breakdown: 28:20–32:46
• Missouri-Oklahoma, Louisville-SMU, BYU-Cincy, Kentucky-Vandy picks: 32:46–49:04
• JMU, Upset Watch & College Football chaos forecast: 49:04–56:36
• Closing reflections and audience appreciation: 57:13–58:25

8. Tone and Style Notes

The episode’s tone is conversational, high-energy, and candid, peppered with Pollack’s signature southern delivery and colorful analogies. The hosts balance hard football analysis with jokes, quick pivots, and off-the-cuff gripes about the inconsistencies in college football’s playoff process. They engage the audience directly (“we appreciate y’all”), clarifying their non-gambling stance and embracing a fan-focused, accessible vibe.

9. For Newcomers & Key Takeaways

If you didn’t catch the episode:

• Expect deeply knowledgeable, gritty analysis on why teams are ranked as they are — and why the system still frustrates insiders and fans alike.
• The big on-field focus: Week 13 will likely generate playoff-shaping upsets and highlight matchups with Oregon, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma all in must-win spots.
• Central anxiety: The murky CFP logic, especially regarding "losses vs. wins," and whether head-to-head wins will ever matter enough.
• You’ll also get some Heisman hype—Haynes King for Georgia Tech is touted as singularly vital to his team’s success, perhaps more so than any other player in the country.

Summary prepared to reflect the themes, substance, and style of David Pollack’s “See Ball Get Ball” podcast, providing a comprehensive guide—quotes, picks, and logic—for those who missed the full episode.