See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode Summary: David Pollack's Week 10 CFB PICKS – Georgia–Florida, Oklahoma–Tennessee, Vandy–Texas, and More

Date: October 30, 2025
Host: David Pollack

Episode Overview

In this Week 10 pick-em episode, David Pollack tackles one of the wildest college football slates of the season. He breaks down marquee games like Georgia vs. Florida, Oklahoma vs. Tennessee, Vanderbilt at Texas, Cincinnati at Utah, and several more, offering analysis, predictions, and insight into coaching changes, “Heisman moments,” and teams’ playoff hopes. The Halloween theme brings creative analogies—candy bars for best games, haunted houses for high-stakes matchups, veggie trays for lesser tilts. Pollack's tone is energetic as always, blending honest, no-nonsense football talk with memorable stories and banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem with Preseason Polls and Surprise Teams

[00:22 – 01:49]

• Pollack discusses how Week 10 matchups look nothing like what the preseason polls predicted, demonstrating why “preseason polls probably…don’t mean anything.”
• Cincinnati’s unexpected rise in the Big 12 is a prime example—no one saw them as a contender a few months ago.

2. King-Size Game: Cincinnati at Utah

[01:49 – 08:05]

• Cincinnati at Utah, a late-night, high-stakes game, is Pollack’s "King Size Candy Bar" matchup.
• The focus is on Cincinnati QB Brandon Sorsby and whether this can be his “Heisman moment.” Pollack notes his stats—over 2,300 yards, 19 passing TDs, 7 rushing TDs, 1 INT—but emphasizes the need to “beat really good football teams.”
  • “The moment could be big now. Can you go do it on a big stage against a good team?” — Pollack [03:33]
• Physicality in the trenches will be crucial: Cincinnati’s O-line is strong, but “Utah built their brand on this.”
• Utah’s uncertainty at QB (Fickling or Dampier) factors in. Pollack breaks down Dampier’s limitations, especially after his lower-body injury.
• Defensive playmakers (like Cincinnati’s Jake Goday and Utah’s John Henry Daly) get shoutouts.
• Prediction: Pollack picks Cincinnati for the upset due to Sorsby’s big-play potential. His cohost leans Utah, citing the home field and physical edge.

3. Haunted House Heartburn Games

[08:05 – 13:53]

• Themed as high-stress, nightmarish matchups.

Oklahoma at Tennessee

• Oklahoma’s offensive line concerns: starting two true freshmen at tackles, first time since 1937. Hostile Knoxville environment could spell trouble.
• For Oklahoma to win, Pollack wants to see toughness and ground game improvement, specifically from RB Matier and decision-making from QB.
• Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar is praised for handling pressure; WR Brazil is pegged as an NFL-caliber talent.
• Tennessee’s defense is “not elite but…five defensive touchdowns” and timely plays have made a difference.
• Quote: “If Tennessee wins…the Tennessee–Vanderbilt game at the end of the season for a playoff spot…that would be absolutely amazing. No one ever would have said that out loud…for a Vanderbilt team.” — Pollack [12:45]
• Prediction: Both pick Tennessee; close, high-scoring affair expected.

Vanderbilt at Texas

• Texas QB (Arch) is in concussion protocol; question about whether fans want to see the backup fielded.
  • “I think there’s probably a portion [of fans]…because this offense has drug along.” — Pollack [14:42]
• Texas’ defense is athletic and deep, but key injuries (including Taft on D, Manning on O) concern Pollack and make the upset more plausible.
• Vanderbilt’s transformation—7-1, three wins VS ranked teams, top 25 in both rushing offense and defense.
• Prediction: If Arch and Taft play, Texas should cruise. With injuries, Pollack picks Vanderbilt to steal it.

USC at Nebraska

• “Playoff elimination game.” Nebraska’s O-line struggles highlighted despite defensive strengths and a 6-2 record—their best since 2016.
• USC’s skill talent, offensive design, and passing game are clear advantages. Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson gets lauded for forcing missed tackles but “never gets a running start.”
• Quote: “You put the best quarterback in the country…behind that [Nebraska] offensive line…you’re going to have [turnovers].” — Pollack [23:16]
• Prediction: Both go with USC due to superior weapons and execution.

4. Marquee: Georgia vs. Florida ("World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party")

[25:00 – 30:01]

• “This game comes down to two things: 1) Who can run the ball; 2) Third down for Georgia’s defense vs. Florida’s offense because…they both stink at it.” — Pollack [25:13]
• Instability for Florida after firing their coach: could rally the team, but Georgia’s advantage persists—Kirby Smart’s strong coaching record VS Florida.
• QB Gunner Stockton’s progress and more creative play-calling for Georgia are praised.
• Florida’s physical run game and playmakers give them a shot—“If they get two dimensional, they get the run game going, that’s when Florida can be [dangerous].”
• Prediction: Pollack won't bet against Georgia: “They find ways to frickin Houdini…They’re going to find a way to get the lock undone underneath the water and get out…” [28:55]

5. Fun Size Candy Bars (Undercard Games) & Rapid Picks

[30:01 – 47:03]

Georgia Tech at NC State

• Haynes King’s Heisman-level play, GT’s situational excellence contrasted with NC State’s inconsistency.
• “If you took [Haynes King] off this team it’d be a totally different team…He deserves to be in the [Heisman] conversation.” — Pollack [32:31]
• Both pick Georgia Tech.

Miami at SMU

• SMU’s physical defensive front highlighted; Miami QB Carson Beck’s lack of next-level performances noted.
• “I think the Miami defensive pressure is just like…waves of defensive linemen that are just coming in…” — Pollack [38:35]
• Both pick Miami in a close, defense-led win.

Rapid-Fire Apple ("Veggie Tray") Games:

• Texas Tech at Kansas State: Both go Texas Tech if Baron Morton is healthy.
• Navy at North Texas: Split picks—Pollack goes North Texas for balance, but notes their struggles against mobile QBs; cohost likes Navy’s creative run attack.
• Mississippi State at Arkansas: Both reluctantly go Arkansas — “Pig Suey at home.”
• Penn State at Ohio State: “What could have been” if not for injuries; low expectations, both see an Ohio State blowout.

Upset Special Candidates:

• Virginia at Cal
• Indiana at Maryland
• Louisville at Virginia Tech
• Memphis at Rice (Friday night)
• South Carolina at Ole Miss
• Most likely upsets: Virginia/Cal and Rice/Memphis discussed, with Pollack intrigued by Rice’s offense.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On preseason rankings:
  • “That’s why preseason polls…don’t mean anything.” [00:27]
• Evaluating Heisman candidates:
  • “You’ve got to go beat some teams like Utah where you’re not favored. That’s what I wrote down—Heisman moment.” [03:33]
• On wild finishes:
  • “You should win in competitive, close games at home. If Tennessee can win…a playoff spot vs Vanderbilt…that would be absolutely amazing.” [12:45]
• On Nebraska’s O-line:
  • “Put the best quarterback in the country behind that… offensive line and… that’s what I’m saying.” [23:16]
• On Georgia’s resilience:
  • “They find ways to frickin Houdini…They’re going to get the lock undone… and get out.” [28:55]
• Halloween banter:
  • “Not a fan of haunted houses… if somebody jumps out at me, my reaction is usually to punch them…” [08:29]
  • “Do you watch scary movies?” “Absolutely not.” [08:44]
• Candy analogies:
  • “King size candy bars—the main game of the week. The one you go to the house as much as possible.” [02:12]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:22 - Pollack opens with Week 10 surprises & preseason poll problems
• 01:49 - Cincinnati–Utah deep dive (“King Size Game”)
• 08:05 - “Haunted House” games intro and Oklahoma–Tennessee analysis
• 13:53 - Vanderbilt–Texas injury impact & Texas QB discussion
• 19:43 - USC–Nebraska skill vs. trenches and Huskers’ surprising record
• 25:00 - Georgia–Florida: running game, third-down woes, coaching impacts
• 30:01 - “Fun size”/undercard games—Georgia Tech–NC State, Miami–SMU
• 39:29 - Rapid-fire “veggie tray” games, including Texas Tech–Kansas State
• 44:49 - Cooler game (candy corn): Penn State–Ohio State
• 45:56 - Upset specials—memorable near-upsets and chaos watch

Episode Flow and Tone

David Pollack’s analysis is engaging, statistically rich, and steeped in player–coach perspective. There’s a heavy dash of humor, especially around Halloween analogies, but football “meat and potatoes” always come first. Predictions are stated with confidence, but often with caveats around injuries and intangibles. Banter about haunted houses, scary movies, and “veggie tray” games lightens the tone between sharp tactical breakdowns.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode packs detailed breakdowns, personal insights, and playful themes. If you want a real sense of college football storylines, X’s and O’s, and which games matter most in Week 10, Pollack delivers—sprinkled with memorable one-liners and Halloween spirit.