
David Pollack's Week 10 CFB PICKS: Georgia-Florida, Oklahoma-Tennessee, Vandy-Texas and MORE 0:00 Cincinnati-Utah 9:27 Oklahoma-Tennessee 14:24 Vanderbilt-Texas 19:52 USC-Nebraska 25:06 Georgia-Florida 30:44 Georgia Tech-NC State 34:10 Miami-SMU 40:00 Texas Tech-Kansas State 41:34 Navy-North Texas 43:23 Mississippi State-Arkansas 44:41 Penn State-Ohio State & Potential Upsets
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A
And how about that Pollock interception in the end zone?
B
Well, it's David Pollock and I think people are going to learn what kind of ballplayer he is. He's got a heart of a line. I'm really proud of that kid.
A
This is Seaball Get Ball, college football's top show for football analysis, predictions and coach interviews. Now here's your host, three time All American, seven time Emmy award winner, David Pollock.
B
All right, welcome into week 10. And we do this every week. We do the picks and put our name on it, put our stamp on it of who we think is going to win. And I just think it's kind of crazy when you look at week 10 and Brett, what we thought week 10 was going to be. Let's think about this real quick. We thought Penn State vs Ohio State 2 vs 3 preseason Miami vs SMU 10 vs 16. Arizona State 22 or excuse me, Arizona State 11 vs 22. Iowa State, South Carolina 13 vs 21. Ole Miss, Texas Tech 23 vs 17 Kansas State and Oklahoma 18 vs 24 Tennessee and the last one, 5 Georgia, who's still at 5 vs 15 Florida. That was what preseason this week. And that's why preseason polls probably people want to throw them in the trash and they don't like them is because they don't mean anything. And you're, and you're still seeing the influence of preseason polls of whether we've talked about in the past with Washington, we talked about it Monday with Iowa. Like it's a team that could be ranked. Like there's a bunch of teams that probably deserve respect. But when we do the picks, we get to touch on a little bit of all of them. And something we didn't have preseason was Cincinnati, like Cincinnati winning the Big 12 or being in a position to be undefeated and win the Big 12. And they absolutely are.
A
So that's normally the Nugget, that would be like the Nugget Platter game. But this week it's, you know, Halloween. So coming up on Friday, on a Friday night and you actually have a Friday night football game on Halloween that hopefully. Yeah, baby goes well because you know, just weird stuff. This is going to be the King size candy bar. This is going to be the, the king size, like the full size Butterfinger, the full size Reese's.
B
That's the one who hands out the real deal. Like the one you go to the house as much as possible.
A
Yes, that's, that's the main game of the week is the full, the full size candy bar. So but yes, Cincinnati and this is one at Utah. And game day's there. And you know what time this game starts? 10:15 Eastern. This is a. This is gonna be a. We're gonna be talking about all the other games and this is going to be going on and you're going to stay up and watch. Watch this game on. On Saturday night. But me, brother, I'm very mad at myself, very mad at myself for not.
B
Giving Cincinnati more love for when we.
A
Talked all that Heisman stuff on Monday.
B
Yes.
A
To not bring up Brandon Sourceby.
B
No, no, no, no, no.
A
Shame on me.
B
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
A
I should have brought that.
B
Don't do that. Because here's the thing. Here's what I wrote down when I was doing this game. Here's a moment. This is your moment to do it. Like, I think one of the things we get twisted is we start doing Heisman stuff and we start talking about it and then we start going, wait a minute. So and so's numbers are better. So and so's numbers are better. Fine. But you still have to win moments and you still have to beat really good football teams. We still saw Sourceby the first game of the season against Nebraska throw be zero touchdowns, though. The interception, that matters. Like, so you could always play that game. And then there's a bunch of, like, Joey Aguilar could be in that conversation.
A
Right.
B
There's no moment yet. Like, you've got to go beat some teams like Utah where you're not favored. They're a physical team. Like this. To me, I wrote down. That's what I wrote down. Heisman moment. Dude's numbers are good. The. The moment could be big now. Can you go do it on a big stage against a good team? Like, then I think ssby belongs very much in that conversation, so I'm. Don't beat yourself up.
A
Yeah, well, let's. Let's look at the num. The numbers warrant it, at least from a PFF standpoint. He's second in overall QB grade. He's third in passing grade. He's second in passing grade under pressure. And that's going to be a big deal this weekend because he's might be under pressure a good bit against Utah. So he's got like almost 2300 total yards, 19 TD throwing, 7 running, 1 INT. Like, like you said, this is. This is only their third road game. This is the moment for Cincinnati. This is the moment for their team, for their defense. Jake Goday, 11 on defense at linebacker, one of the best in the country. This is Their moment, that's for sure.
B
First. First meeting ever versus Utah. So that's pretty. That's pretty cool. But like we talked about with Sourceby, he's the, he's the catalyst and it's his running, it's his throwing. Like, you know, the, the 19 touchdown passes. Obviously Allen is, is, yeah. A receiver who's good prior runs the football like this. This is a balanced Tyree Walker. Like they've, they've got their tight ends athletic. Like they've got a really good mix of. Of guys that in this offense fit really well. And what we've talked about with them, which I'm really interested to see against Utah, we've talked about the physicality of the offensive line because they do a great job as well as is any team you've really seen working together like, you know, getting on those zone tracks, being good, being physical. Okay. Utah built their, built their brand on this. That is who Utah is. Utah took their, their open hand, palm and slapped the piss out of Colorado last week. Now, Cincinnati ain't Colorado, right? But like, I think it's interesting because. Because Cincinnati is a heavy dog. They're a heavy dog against Utah. Not a lot of expectations for this football game for them. Utah and their wins, man, they've been, they've been really, really good. Like in their six wins, they average almost 50 points a game. Like in their two losses, it's at 15. There's a big difference when they, when they face some, some stiffer competition.
A
So.
B
Yeah, and so. And it's in its fickling at QB or it's dampier. Like there's some, there's some uncertainty at the QB position for you day to day.
A
What I said.
B
Yeah, which, which again, there's always gamesmanship with that. But you know, I, I thought it was very interesting and I think it's telling. After the BYU game on the field, BYU guys given an interview and he talked about, yeah, Dan Pierre has limitations and he's right. He's absolutely right. Devin Dampier, he's his. It's a lower body injury. He's an athletic freak. His best gift is his wheels and his ability to run the football if that's hampered a little bit. And he doesn't throw the ball extremely well outside or deep like. And he's a dink and dunk guy. Like, I don't think that suits Utah very well. I mean, obviously being at home is good and you talked about pressure and Sorsby. John Henry Daly continues to be a menace and his timing with his pass rushes is what I really enjoy. Like, he's not a freak athlete by any stretch, but the ability to time and feel and then get him leaning and spin like, it's just really, really fun. Man. I'm. I know Utah is not perceived to be in this game from a standpoint of how they're favored or whatever.
A
They're.
B
They're a significant dog. I'm going. Or Cincinnati. Excuse me, Cincy, since he's a significant dog, and I know they got to go to Utah. I'm impressed enough with Sorsby that I'll go with Cincinnati, and I think because of that, I think the Cincinnati Bearcats win.
A
Interesting perspective here from. I have two students in my class. One of my classes that are. Came. Come from the University of Utah, and I brought up the fact that, hey, game day's there this weekend. It's gonna be a long day and, you know, a lot of fun for. For all your former class, your former classmates, friends, all that sort of stuff. And they're like, yeah, but we lost the holy war.
B
That's exactly right.
A
Like, they were. They were just kind of like, yeah, but. But I thought that was an interesting perspective.
B
Yep.
A
I went Utah only because of the home field, the fact that this is just a weird schedule game and the physicality of them. I. I do. I think Cincinnati's. If it's. If it's fickling, I'm going Cincinnati.
B
If it.
A
I. Because him. Him as a thrower. I don't. It's not. At least dampier gives you a little bit. I think the other guy, not so much, but. Yeah, I want Utah as the home team on this one. All right, next up, we. We normally do the heartburn games. Really. Really sort of a lot of stress, indigestion. This week we're going haunted houses.
B
Okay.
A
Did you ever do the haunted house?
B
Not a fan of haunted houses. Never understood it. Never understood the. Like, if somebody jumps out at me, my reaction is usually to punch them like. Or hit them. Like, I never. Like. Some people I know like being scared. I was never one of those people who like being scared.
A
Do you watch scary movies?
B
Absolutely not. I was the kid that. I was the kid who sat on the steps when a scary movie was playing. Like, I'd be like this. No, no, no. I. I don't watch scary movies to this day. As an adult. I. I never do.
A
I don't either. I remember as a kid, I went to my aunt's house and, like, one of the Jason movies was played, and for like two weeks had nightmares that he was, like, crashing through my window and cutting me in half kind of thing.
B
You start seeing him in your closet and shadows and all the. Yeah, I'm out, bro.
A
All right. So haunted house heartburn games. First one ranked matchup night game, Oklahoma at Tennessee. If there was ever a week for Oklahoma's offense to really feel good about themselves, right now, playing Tennessee's defense is a. Is a good thing for your offense.
B
So, yeah, that would be that week. Yeah, that would be great. In a perfect world, in a vacuum. And when you're looking at Tennessee. Yes, that sounds fantastic. When you start two freshmen at tackles like you did last week, freshmen. And now you go on the road like, that's the first time since 1937, by the way, that Oklahoma started to. True freshmen at tackle. Like, you go to one of the absolute toughest atmospheres in all of college football, so surely they're going to be better, bro. I don't think so. I don't know how that happens. And. And now you play against a defense that they do have some guys on the edges that can make. Hey, okay, Oklahoma. Show me your tough. Show me you can run the football. Like, show me you can. Like Matier showed me in the Michigan game. Like, the toughness, the swag, right? Like breaking tackles, running it when you need it. I need more physicality from Oklahoma. Like, I need Mattier to step up and be really, really good. He has struggled, you know, in the losses.
A
He.
B
He's. It's clear difference between the wins, right? Like, it's. It's clear difference. But the decision making, like we've talked about on the road, hostile environment, man. Got to clean the decision making up. Xavier Robinson had a career high last week rushing the football. Give him the football. Let him carry it. Let him code it. Make it easier. Yeah, twice in a row make it make it easier. But when I'm picking this game, like, that's something I need to see from Oklahoma.
A
And obviously we talk all about Oklahoma and how Venables loves the blitz and pressure and all that. I brought up Sourceby being number two in terms of passing grade under pressure. Number three, Joey Aguilar. He's actually been really good for Tennessee under pressure this year. I feel like this game goes almost a lot like the Ole Miss game. Maybe Oklahoma's fighting back. Maybe the difference. Or maybe it isn't a close game like that where Oklahoma's got the lead late, but I got Tennessee 34, Oklahoma 26. The exact score of the Ole Miss game. Except Oklahoma is the loser again.
B
Is anybody realizing just how good Tennessee's receivers are? Like Brazil, like, and I say that, like, this isn't a good college football player. Like, you're going to see him on Sunday. Like, you don't have very many guys that are six, five that go deep and make catches like he makes consistently. Like Matthews. I mean, staley, they had three guys over 100 last week. Like, in one game, he threw for five hundo. Like, Aguilar is definitely playing great. Like, they've. Now, the defense has not been elite, but you know what it has done? Five defensive touchdowns, like, force 13 fumbles. Like, they're starting to make some. Some good plays. They're starting to make. They make timely plays, Brent. Like, it's not. It's not always consistent, but they have made timely plays. And I think Tennessee is a team that if they can win this week, when you, when you're at home, you should win in competitive, close games. You should win. If Tennessee can win, what this means for their future and their schedule. Like, could the Tennessee Vanderbilt game end of the season for a playoff spot like Broski, that would be absolutely amazing. And no one ever would have said that out loud in a million years for a Vanderbilt team. But, like, that's. That's pretty cool to. To see, but I've got Tennessee as well. I think if you haven't been watching their receivers, man, they can make plays no matter who they play against. Now the only thing that Aguilar is another guy in the Heisman conversation. Give me the Heisman conversation. Tennessee fans, you want to talk about Aguilar, I get it, bro. Bama, he struggled. It was not a good game. Through a pick six, through two pick sixes, I think, right? Like, I mean, it wasn't vintage Tennessee. The Tennessee defense actually kind of kept him in it for, For a play. But like, the offense, when you needed to be explosive on the road to go win a game, okay, Another opportunity against a defense that's pretty solid. That's pretty salty. It's going to rush the passer well. You're going to be pressured. You'll have a chance to win some moments, right? Like, that's, that's important. It's not just hollow numbers to me. Like, and Joey Aguilar has been great. Now a couple games down the stretch with his numbers, got a chance to very much enter the conversation and be a very real part of the Heisman debate.
A
The draft nerds, I think, are very much on the Brazil train. Those, those of us that really, like, really dive into that kind of stuff. But also, I think there's some previous hypo pushback with the offense, but they don't realize that the offense has actually evolved and they're doing a lot more pro concepts and things like that. But then also Tennessee fans probably sitting there thinking, like, that sounds great. Like, we get this weekend and we, you know, get New Mexico State, but then we got to go to Florida. Yeah, like, that's. That's kind of been a bugaboo for them over the years. Next one. Vanderbilt at Texas Arch in concussion protocol. And my question to you as we start talking about this game, because I wanted to. We've talked a lot about these teams recently. Do you think there's a portion of Texas fans that actually would want to see the backup?
B
Yeah, I think so. I think there's probably a portion. Now, listen, last week after the comeback, probably not as many, right? Because. Because you came back from 17 down in the fourth quarter. That's like, that's a. Maybe that's. And he's played a little bit better the last, you know, couple games. But yeah, I think so. And I. And I think if I'm a Texas fan, that's fair. Like, that's a fair assessment because this offense has drug along, like, drug along. And now the defense, we've started to see some holes, you know, I think. And I think Taft being out is going to be a big part of that because I think he's just that good. But so, yeah, I think there's a portion of Texas fans that are probably like, is it Arch? Is it the surrounding pieces? Like, good to see Wingo break out. But I just. That's my concern is Taft and Manning, the quarterback on offense and the quarterback on defense. That's my concern. If both those people are healthy, I don't have any doubt Texas wins this game at home. Texas has the right recipe to cause Pavi a lot of problems. A bunch of guys that can catch him, like a bunch of athletic guys in the front seven. Like, now they're going to make you think and they're going to make you communicate. Vandy. And you got to stop their run game and you got to stop all the things that goes into it. But the backyard ball ability to stop Pavia, they have. But not being. Being banged up, it isn't. But how about Vanderbilt, man, 7 and 1, first time since 41 already three wins against ranked teams. First time ever in school history. You know, averaging 38 points a game. One of five teams in the top 25 in both rushing offense and rushing defense. Like that's the biggest difference. Like they stop the run. They. They get you in third down and long where they get exotic. But in the past Vanderbilt was like just run it at him. Just run right. Like they weren't physical enough to. To match up. They're more than physical enough on the defensive front. They're more than deep enough to rotate man. Like so I think Vanderbilt's defense absolutely keeps him in it, but I don't, I don't think this is a high scoring game. I don't think Pavia is going to go put up a bunch of numbers against a Texas defense that's super athletic that can catch him when he starts to improv and make those plays.
A
Vanderbilt's the season will be sided decided on the road. They've got Auburn and Kentucky at home after this in which they could easily lose either of those games. But assuming they take care of business at home, they got this game at Texas and then at Tennessee to finish the season. If they're a real playoff team, you got to go have a big time win on the road.
B
And I actually in Texas week. Do you. Would you say the same thing if Taft was healthy and Manning was healthy?
A
I would not.
B
Okay. I wouldn't either.
A
I would not. And that's my. If they were. If I, if I knew those. Those two were playing. I think we're looking at. And rolling along. I think we're looking at this game and like Texas wins again. And then they're like hey, everything's in front of us. We got to go to Georgia. We get a buy. We get. You get really healthy Georgia next week. That or two weeks later feeling good about themselves. And the reason. And I bring up the backup question just because of all the stuff that's. It's just been weird at Texas this year. I think is probably a good way to say it.
B
Yeah.
A
And you. And you just want to see sometimes the different perspective of okay. Is it if the ball comes out quicker or if. If we do things just a little bit differently at that position. Does. Does things change? Because Arch has actually played really well and we've talked them a lot or in certain parts but talked a lot about how the. The surrounding pieces great. So yeah. Well of line play.
B
Wingo. Wingo breaks. But. But to your point if the ball comes out faster your offensive line's better. Right. Like when you, when you throw the ball out on time. Arch does the majority of his damage until last week after the scramble after breaking A tackle, something like that. But like, but you're right. The wackiness of Texas this year has been. But they're two and two in games decided by eight points or less. All the games have been in that realm. Right. Like Ohio State. That's, that's clubbing people left and right. It was 14 to 7. Like we kind of forget that. It wasn't a beat down by any stretch. And I think last week, you know, being able to get it going gives you more confidence. Like they were averaging, you know, 13, 13 first downs a game. In the three games before that, 22. Like moving the football, running the football. Ryan Wingo's here. He's here like he's taking short passes and going long and catching long passes. Like I'm going to go Vandy because, because of the injuries. But if Arch plays and plays and I think if he can run and scramble because that's such a big part of his game, that's, that's the only thing I'm worried about. But if he plays and plays well, I think Texas will win.
A
Yeah, at this point we don't know. He's still in protocol. I, if he plays, I would pick Texas as well. But I'm going to work under the assumption that he's not. Actually I think he looks, he looked wobbly and I'm sure there's going to be a comment. Ohio State fan. It was 14. Nothing. We just put that game on cruise control. Don't talk about that game being close.
B
It was okay. 14, still close.
A
I'm just teasing. Next one. Haunted House game. USC at Nebraska. Truly a playoff elimination game though. I think we've semi eliminated Nebraska in a way. Second straight road night game for usc even though that did have a buy. But Nebraska from a PFF perspective, overall grade execution type stuff. Two of their worst three games the last two weeks.
B
Yeah. What's in common with that, I wonder. That's weird.
A
Nothing surrounding the program. Nothing.
B
Yeah, nobody talking outside noise, jobs and I mean it's, it's part of. The Trojans have. They've played six times. The Trojans are five. Oh and one. So they have the, the history on their side. USC is the only team that Nebraska has not beaten that they've faced more than once. I think USC is really good, man. I really do. But they have been. The problem with USC was just like last year. They're 0 and 2 in games decided by. In those close games late that both losses are close games late that all of a sudden they can't. They can't perform, they don't make the play. Last year, how many times they had a lead in the fourth quarter against everybody they played right. Like, so that, that's a real thing. And I think going on the road makes it harder. The injuries for USC makes it harder. Harder. But listen, the offensive organization, ability to run the football, throw the football, design Myava being able to do what he can do, like, it's clearly better than Nebraska's. Like the weapons on the outside clearly better than Nebraska's. Like USC's defense has been up and down. But Lemon and Lane are not fun to cover. You know, Jordan obviously would be, would be Wayman Jordan. That stinks for them because that dude was such a baller. But you know, King Miller in the last couple games, you know, over 200 yards and they still keep turning the football over on the other side with interceptions. Listen, if I'm a Nebraska fan though, like, can I be excited? Like this is the best record they've had since 2016. Like forget the, forget the Northwestern game was, was, was ugly. Blah, blah, blah. They're six and two, man. Like you just signed up for that in a million years. I mean that's unbelievable. Like, I don't think you need to be upset. Like you should be excited. Raiola's played really well. Like considering he hasn't been protected, I've seen some good spurts from him. The defense has played well, you know, especially the secondary. And in the passing game, which is what USC does well, that's the best matchup probably in Nebraska. Secondary is pretty good. And going against a passing attack that, I mean USC's passing attack is the most important part of their offense now. So I think that could be a good matchup. But I got USC. I like what USC's got going and I think if their injuries and the flu bug didn't hit him, I think their record will be better as well.
A
And speaking of injuries, latest I saw that both Paige and o' Connor, left tackle in the center will be back for, for this game, the bye week kind of help there. And you talk about Raola, two turnover worthy throws in four of the six power four games they've played. Like that's good. No, that nurse at least two in each game.
B
Oh, at least two in each game. I thought you said two for no.
A
2 for all.
B
That's really good.
A
No. 2 in. In four of the six game. He's got at least two turnover plays. So he's.
B
Yeah, and that's great.
A
Living on the edge.
B
Brent, if you want to lay that knowledge and that stat down at his feet, go play behind his offensive line. That's all I got to say. Like, you gonna have put the best quarterback in the country, whoever you perceive that to be behind that offensive line and constantly getting pressured like it's going to happen more that. That's what I'm saying. Like, Emmett Johnson's a baller. Like, do you watch that kid? That kid, he shakes people so easily and effortlessly. Like, if he had a running start and didn't get hit in the backfield half the time, that dude could be really elite, man. Like, He's. He's over 100 a game anyways. But let me just. I just watch him and I'm like, golly, I bet this dude gets so pissed like that he just can't get a running start ever. He catches it. He runs it like the dude's a baller. But the biggest thing you. You have to every single game and account for is they're not good on the offensive line, man. They struggle to. To do anything productive. Like, that's not to consistently protect and to consistently pave holes in the run game.
A
How do you win scrimmage game? It's a line.
B
Their defensive line, their line of scrimmage is not near as good as we're used to seeing, but they're still finding ways to win because of this skill and because of the secondary. Like, that's why Nebraska has been good enough to. To win close games.
A
Johnson, 44 missed tackles force third most in the Power 4. I got USC as well, and he's.
B
Got to miss 44 to get back to the line of scrimmage a lot of times. So that's.
A
Do you think there's. There's probably a, like a curmudgeony Nebraskan Nebraska fan who's looking at USC and then a new found at ucla, at Penn State. And I wouldn't be like, crap, is there a world where we finish six and six again?
B
No.
A
There's probably a very pessimistic Nebraska fan this. No.
B
Be positive Nebraska fans. You got a great record, man.
A
Hey, big time night game this week. A lot of fun at night, playing games at night. Yeah, I have USC as well. All right. Georgia, Florida, world's largest outdoor cocktail party. We can. You can say that now. You're allowed to say that now.
B
We can say whatever we want on YouTube.
A
This game comes down to two things for me. One, who can run the ball. But two, third down for Georgia's defense versus Florida's offense because Guess what? They both stink at it.
B
Yes.
A
Georgia's defense is 95th in the FBS and conversions allowed on third down. Florida's offense is 128th in conversion percentage on third down. So there's the two keys to this game for me.
B
Well, and, and the key for me is like, what, what the heck do we get from Florida? Like, a lot of times, man, when you get a fire coach, it galvanizes and the squad comes out and they're motivated more than ever. And, and then all of a sudden the offense might click and the defense might click because a lot of the energy and the emotion sometimes gives you that extra edge you need. So I, I'm curious to see that. Kirby's done really well in the Georgia Florida matchups. As a coach, As a player, not so much. I think he was one in three. And then as a coach, he's been, I think, seven and two. And, and if. When you watch Kirby in this game, it's, it's, it's a, it's a heightened level because like we talked about something like Spurrier was a little pain in your ace. Right? Like, but I, I'm so curious. Like, Georgia's offense was dang near perfect against Ole Miss, man. Like, it was as good as I've seen. And the things that I saw from Gunner Stockton gives me some her. Like, because I saw Gunner Stockton in the pocket change his arm angle and throw the football. I saw Gunner Stockton throw to the flat without the activation of the wind up and just dump it out. I saw Gunner Stockton do some things that I'm going to. That's better, that's improved. That's really good. You know, he can run. He's got seven rushing TDs on the season, I think. But like, I saw tight ends become a part of the game. Like, I think I, I saw the middle of the field get attacked a little bit more. So I think that if I'm a Georgia fan, I'm like, man, I like what I'm seeing from there. And then again, I had this time for the bye week. I want to see this defense a little bit more creative. Like, I just want, I want to see them come to life a little bit and rush the passer a little bit better and do some things. C.J. allen is the guy. I'm like, that dude's a superstar. Watch three in the middle. Best player on the field. Who else is going to join him consistently? Who else is going to come to the table and be that play? And, and Florida hadn't Made any bones about who they are. Extremely physical. They want to run the football. And when they haven't been able to run the football is why they've stunk on third downs. Like it's pretty simple. But Billy Gonzalez, head coach, you know, of his first game, it's the cocktail party.
A
It's.
B
This is, this is a big moment like. But in Florida's, you know, Florida's, Florida can get some momentum. You know, last year, remember the injuries to the QB position. It was, it was a weird game back and forth. They were very much in it. But the weapons for, for Florida gives them a chance. And I say weapons. Ball, ball can break tackles, can make plays. VJ3 on the outside or V3 on the outside. He can, he can make, he can make plays on the outside. Dallas Wilson can make plays on the outside. So if they get two dimensional, they get the run game going. That's when Florida can be. How do they do that? How do they try to do that with a bye week with extended time with new coaches? I can't bet against Georgia. I can't, I just can't bet against them. Like the way they find ways to frickin Houdini and escape crap. Like they're gonna, they're gonna find a way to get the lock undone underneath the water and get out like they're just going to. But I'm really interested to see what Florida brings to the table now with, with new coaches. How different does it look?
A
So I wrote down kitchen sink game, trick plays galore, but maybe they actually work now because Napier would call them at the worst times. Like I remember it was, I think it was two years ago. Maybe Florida's rolling down the field and then he calls a reverse that sets him back like 15 yards. Like he, he had a sense for bad timing with the trick plays in this game. So maybe they get those actually. Right. But the defense part for Georgia, I actually bet I would. You said more creative. I actually bet they go the other way. I bet they simplify.
B
No, no, I bet it more, More creative on third on passing situations. We need more disguise, slash creativity. That, that, that's what I'm saying. Not, not on the first, second, third down, not on first, second down. Like guaranteed passing situations, ways to get home to the QB and ways to pressure the qb.
A
Yep. Because I, I just, I think there's an element watching them over the past month or so where there's like. And we talked about this little paralysis by analysis. Kind of too much going on, too much thinking, communicating Versus just hey, I'm going, I'm seeing ball. Get ball.
B
Attaboy.
A
Play that way. I got Georgia as well. I've. I said this on something else or we on ours or whatnot. I'm picking Georgia by like 7 or 10 points. By 7 points at most the rest of the season. I think every game's gonna hit one score game for them. So I got Georgia 30, Florida 23. All right. All right. Bang bang chips and dips game. Previously. Now we're doing the fun size candy bars. Best one for you.
B
I don't eat candy bars.
A
I'm back in the day when you did. Ah, we'll get, we'll get to that.
B
Maybe peanut butter cups.
A
Okay.
B
Are those fun size?
A
All right. Georgia Tech. We just, we just talked about Georgia. The other team in the state that's in the top 10. Georgia Tech eighth at NC State. A night road game. Weird stuff can happen at night on the road. Tech defense is playing better I think.
B
Each week, but especially situationally.
A
But NC State is very capable. CJ Bailey, other than he's had two stinkers, but other than that he's been pretty good. And then Hollywood. Smothers.
B
Yeah.
A
What a name is that one of the best.
B
Yeah, one of the best names you can get. His real name's Dalen, I think.
A
Right.
B
Nickname from. From an old high school coach I remember hearing about I think is what it was. But.
A
And Smother sounds like a Halloween candy. Like it was kind of Snickers. And he's close but mixture, Mixture of something. Yeah.
B
It. Yes. @ NC State. Correct.
A
Yes.
B
I can tell you this one. One of them like those. That's an atmosphere that's like, like Lane Stadium. Like very. With Virginia Tech very SEC feel like very crazy, very wild. They. They're going to need the fans to be a big part of it which is, which is hard. But Smothers and Bailey, they can get hot, they can get cold. I think the consistency of NC State probably bothers you the most. That that's because you know, you've seen him have 3D pass or this. He had. This is third last week was his third game. He had three touchdown passes or more. And then, then you have a game that you're like okay, he's, he's not looking good. He's pretty bad. Right. Like, so I, I think the inconsistency that they haven't been really good in third down situational fourth down type football. Dude, they were one for seven on fourth down like the last three games. Like they they're not. They don't execute. Georgia Tech is the epitome of execute at the right time.
A
Like complete opposite of what you're talking about.
B
Like, so good on third downs, so good on fourth downs, know who they are, make the play, move the sticks and that because that's because of Haynes King, obviously. I think Haynes King, just like last week they gave up 50 plus NC State. I think Haynes King continues his Heisman talk, his Heisman run, because he's, he's been really, really good. He deserves to be in the conversation. If you took him off this team, it'd be a totally different team. But remember, he missed a game too. He missed the grappling game like so he's hasn't even played a full complement of games. I think he has himself a day and this is going to be a fun time for everybody except for James Argo. James Argo is our resident friend who's an NC State fan and he is die hard NC State.
A
Like, yes, he is.
B
Loves NC State with everything in him. Knows the rosters inside and out. He'd be like, oh, Price had two and a half sacks last week, right? Like, you know, Fordham has 77 tackles. No one else does that. Like, he's, he knows all the stats.
A
But he's not feeling good either.
B
I don't think he's feeling good either. He's feeling really good. About the bet we made about, about North Carolina, I bet him before the season North Carolina would be bow eligible. He was like, absolutely not. North Carolina sucks. And I was like, look at their schedule. They're going to be bowl eligible. Yeah, I was wrong. Take the L. Give me the time.
A
I got Georgia, I got George, and it's Gardner Web, not Grambling. But while we're here and since we mentioned that if you want some barbecue sauce for your tailgate this weekend, go a Coney Gold.
B
Oh, Coney Gold. Get you some.
A
All right. Miami at at out of the state of Florida at SMU for the first time this season. SMU kind of had a little bit of a look ahead loss I think at Wake in the field goal. That just made it a lot of.
B
Former long way out.
A
I think it's four. Four former Canes that are on R. Lash's team. First time playing against the team that used to coach for. So this is, this one's going to be interesting. A lot more juice, I think for SMU this game than they had previously.
B
Well, and we've talked about Miami like just like with. With Georgia Tech. Like we've talked about Miami so much on this show. I feel like people know about Miami. But you know, the Florida State loss was, was big time for, for smu. That, that one hurt. They had a, they had a 20 game win streak in conference. Like that's a, or 21, 20 game regular season conference win streak. That's, that's pretty good. 20 games in a row is impressive. Two of the three losses are by three points. Remember the Baylor loss was by three. The one point loss to Wake Forest. One thing SMU does even with the retool, because one of the things we talked about coming in the season was like SMU physically up front. That defense, they were so good. They're still good up front man. Like they get up four rushing TDs this season like averaging two yards a carry. Like they're, they're, they're really good at that man. Like it's impressive. I think the scheme deserves a lot of credit for Lashley and company for what they've built and what they do. So Miami's going to have to throw the football. Carson Beck hasn't been his sharpest the last couple games. So I'm interested to watch, you know that because I think SMU can make them, make them say, you know, physically, okay, you're not going to pound us, so somebody else is going to have to beat us and I'm taking away Malachi, Tony at all cost. Like you're not throwing it to him and I'm going to make Carson Beck beat me with someone else. That's, that's got to be the blueprint if I'm, if I'm playing against Miami, man, because their connection is real. Every time Tony touches it, it's real. So you know, I think this comes down to Carson Beck. All the off season acquire the, the hype. Like he's got to live up to it. He's got to carry this team. He's got to be able to make plays on the road in a big time environment.
A
He doesn't have a passing grade over 80, which on PFF, 80 gets you into sort of a different level. He doesn't have a passing grade over eight against an FBS team this year. He had 11 in the last two years at Georgia. Like just so that he's been solid. He's been, you know, done what he's sort of supposed to, but that sort of next level step. That and some of the down the field stuff. I also think that, I also think that might be an arm thing. Like I, I think you're seeing him put a lot of air under the football on the deeper throws this year because of the arm would be. And this. And this is me speaking from someone who's had Tommy John surgery. Like, it just takes time and it's. He can do it, but I don't know. It's just something he's. It was something he never did at Georgia. Never put that much air into the football and the deep balls. And now he is. So that's her. But Jennings, if you're going to play the Miami pass rush, you want to have a QB that can move around a little bit. Kevin Jennings can do that. He's gonna have to in this game. He actually only has 57 yards on design runs this year, which is. He had like almost 300 last year.
B
You can't live on that because the dude's not big. I mean, that's, that's why he wasn't highly recruited. Right? Like, he's got the, he's got the wiggle. But that dude is tiny. Like, I bet you there was a.
A
Game for it though.
B
I bet you he's 165 pounds. Like, he's, he's. He's not. He's just not a big guy, man.
A
Well, they talked about. You mentioned it last Saturday night in the Herb street talk about Reed being £181. That shot, that number shocked me. I thought. I thought he at least a little bit more than that. But if you're. If Read's 180 pounds, then Jennings I bet is. Is definitely one.
B
How about Romello Brinson too, that. That led the leads the team with 37 receptions. Played for Miami in 2122. RJ Maryland. The weapons like has to. Has to play well around Kevin Jennings because Kevin Jennings is. He's been under pressure and last week it wasn't his 0 TD passes against Wake. That's the first time he's done it since Louisville a year ago. So this offense has to get right. The defense has kept him in a lot of games. The offense has to find a way to not turn it over.
A
So do that.
B
No, they don't. I don't. I like Miami. I think. I think the Miami defensive pressure is just like it, just like it's not early in the games. First drives, they give up touchdowns. Just like Stanford last week. They'll give up. They'll give up plays, but they just wear you down, man. With all the pressure. Like, it's just, it's a. It's waves of defensive linemen that are Just coming in that are wearing you out and making you make plays under duress and just keeping that thumb down like on, on the pressure and just. They make you make mistakes.
A
I wrote Miami 31, SMU 27. I do think it's close, but I do think Miami. I don't think it's played defensively. All right. Some. Some quick games gonna get through the veggie tray. Will you normally do? We'll go. Apples. What's. What's another thing that when you see it in a candy bag that you got excited, that was like a health kind of thing, like something that was good for you that you saw. You're like, oh, yeah, some of those. Was there any. Is there anything.
B
There's not anything that's really healthy, but the most healthy probably is the. Is the peanut butter cups. Because they're peanut butter. At least it has something that's something that has some kind of nutritional value.
A
So I was thinking maybe some sort of. Oh, what's it. We have these things that are like, never mind. It's hard to think of something that it ain't on Halloween that.
B
I was thinking, like, that's not good.
A
Apples. Apples is a. If it, if it doesn't have a label, it's good for you, right?
B
Yeah.
A
So apples. Three games though, Texas Tech at K State. K State has been quietly playing much better.
B
Yeah.
A
Avery Johnson. Avery Johnson had the best. And they should have won against Baylor.
B
Yes.
A
He's had the best four game stretch of his career. From a grading and production standpoint, Baron Morton looks like it's going to be back for Texas Tech who lost Hammond. Like, like, that was just.
B
That's a big deal.
A
That's a big deal for them. Morton's been in and out.
B
Okay, so here's the thing.
A
Who you got.
B
You're not buying this. I'm not buying this. Like, you can, you can, you can sell me all you want. Like, I'm not buying this game's competitive. Like, now here's, here's the only thing I'm looking at in this game. This is the only thing I'm looking at. Morton coming back. Is he healthy? If he's not healthy and you've already lost Will Hammond for the year, they got problems. Texas Tech's got problems. Kansas State has a 0% chance of matching the physicality of Texas Tech on the offensive defensive lines. Like, I just, I, I don't see it. I haven't seen it. Like, who they've played is set up well for them. I just, I think this has got like 3,117 written all over it. Morton's good. I think they, they said Morton could have played a week ago, but they were playing Oklahoma State and they're like, why would you play against Oklahoma State? So more than back healthy, this, this is a, this is a, this is a boat racing. If it's not. If he's not back healthy and they have to go to the next guy and you're talking about your third string qb, then we might have some concern and might have a problem. You agree or no?
A
I got Texas Tech as well. Yes. Or at 3420. Navy at North Texas. Huge game. Huge game for the American Conference. And this is contrasting styles 101.
B
Yes. By land and by air. That's what I said. Because Navy. So you got land and my hair. It's fantastic.
A
And they're not. Yeah, that's. That's awesome. But Horvath versus Master Maker. I think this is high scoring as I'll get out.
B
Yeah.
A
Because of the styles. Both teams in the 30s. I actually got Navy going on the road, getting the dub, getting a third down or fourth down conversion in short yardage. Using the triple.
B
There you go.
A
However they want to and getting one.
B
And here's the thing about Navy. They run it 70% of the times, but they, but they have some, they have such good design in their offense. Where they do, they use Eli out of the backfield and they hit him and he's just an absolute weapon like. And they've got some fun. It's not just triple. I think if people understand like it's not just the triple option. That's not just what they do anymore. I'm going to just be. Just disagree and go the other side because. Because I think it's high scoring too. But I'll go North Texas. And if North Texas wins this game, they're set up very well. Whoever win wins the American is going to the playoff. Like if you win the American, you're going to the playoff. It's just a matter of how the tiebreakers are. They're going to be awesome. Like they're going to be amazing how many tiebreakers there are. But I will say this. The only time you've seen North Texas struggle was against usf, a running quarterback. They ran the football down their throats and killed them. That worries me a little bit with, with North Texas. But I do think the balance that they have because navies, Navy's, Navy's past defense in the back end is not great. Like the Skill matchups for North Texas and them. It's a big advantage to North Texas, just like the. The ground game for Navy, so. But I'll go North Texas in a shootout.
A
All right. The only matchup in the power four and the American Conference. I included the American Conference of teams that are winless in conference play. Mississippi State at Arkansas. Does someone actually get a dub here?
B
Someone has to win, right?
A
I mean, technically, someone has to win.
B
So. So who are you betting on to win at Arkansas? Arkansas. They've showed you flashes where they look okay, like. And. And Mississippi State has shown you flashes where they look good. Like, they've both been close in so many games where you said they could have won, they could have taken care of business. But, I mean, I'll go Arkansas Pig Suey at home. Mississippi State is a different animal at home versus on the road. Like, this is a. This would be a tougher atmosphere. Arkansas, I think they're playing somewhat good. Like, I just think they stopped turning the football over. It'd be fantastic.
A
There's six losses by total of 22 points.
B
Yeah, I'll take. I'll take Pig Suey to get the dub.
A
I agree. I was. I was. I. I almost. I. I wanted to pick Mississippi State because I said in the beginning of the season they were going to get one conference win. They were going to get somebody.
B
Could this be it?
A
Could this be. Could this be it? But I think Arkansas gets their one win. All right. The cooler game. Ice on ice. Quickly. Candy corn. I. I never. I don't do candy corn. I think that's it.
B
Just awful.
A
Awful. Penn State at Ohio State.
B
Oh, man.
A
What could have been.
B
What could have been. What isn't excitement whatsoever.
A
This game. Less than three touchdown game.
B
It'd be fun to see that. But remember, the. The deck is so stacked with, you know, Penn State and being on a backup quarterback and like, you know, there is no. All that. All that experience you had at QB obviously went out the window. Bo Pur. Buell, a member left. Like, it's just not. I don't think it's good. And Penn State fans are just worrying about their coach. That's all they care about. Like, just who's gonna.
A
All right, so we got. Now we get to pick which one of these is the most likely upset game. So last week, we talked about. We had kind of, I think four or five games listed. Three of them ended up being almost upsets because North Carolina almost beaten them. Virginia, they were like three inches from doing that. South Carolina fumbled away a game against Bama and then Mississippi State fumbled away a 18 point or however many point leads against Texas. All right, so I've got.
B
Which.
A
Which of the. Which of I'm gonna go? Virginia. So Virginia at Cal, Indiana, Maryland, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Memphis at Rice, which is a Friday night game, and then South Carolina, Ole Miss. Which of those five do you think is the most sort of likely upset?
B
Well, I think Virginia is showing you that week in and week out, it's anybody. Anybody can beat them. Like, and now you're going across the country to Cal. But if you haven't seen Rice, Rice runs a very fun offense. They got all kinds of cool things to it. So Rice in Memphis. Memphis, off of a big, huge win versus usf, don't be surprised if Rice takes care of business.
A
I got cow just because I want to say Jaren Sanga. Oh, crap.
B
Wow. Yeah, I got. I got cow because I wanted to say Jeb and totally. You totally butchered it. That was your moment, Brent. That was your. That was your. I'm a doctor, I'm intelligent. I know this guy's name. I've practiced it in the mirror. And you just totally whiffed Sango Pulatelli. God bless you.
A
That's the picks.
B
Just stick with the. Stick with the initials. We'll see you guys soon.
Date: October 30, 2025
Host: David Pollack
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.
[00:22 – 01:49]
[01:49 – 08:05]
[08:05 – 13:53]
[25:00 – 30:01]
[30:01 – 47:03]
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.
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.