See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: David Pollack's Week 6 CFB PICKS: Miami-FSU, Vandy-Alabama, Texas-Florida and MORE
Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

David Pollack and Brent dive into a loaded Week 6 of college football, offering bold picks, game breakdowns, and inside analysis on the biggest upcoming matchups. The episode focuses on headline showdowns like Miami vs. Florida State, Vanderbilt's surprise clash with Alabama, and Texas at Florida, plus a slate of intriguing under-the-radar games. The pair deliver their signature mix of football smarts, playful banter, and honest predictions—putting every key game of the weekend under the microscope from line play to quarterback confidence.

Key Game Breakdowns & Discussion Points

Miami vs. Florida State (ACC Primetime Game)

Timestamps: [01:23] – [09:22]

• Playoff Stakes: Pollack emphasizes the must-win nature for Florida State, given their lighter schedule down the stretch.
  • “If you want to guarantee yourself a playoff spot, yeah, win this game.” — David ([02:25])
• Florida State’s Resurgence: Excitement's back for FSU fans with explosive offense—500+ yards in three straight games, second nationally in rushing.
  • “They lead the nation with 600 yards per game... This offense to me is going to get better.” — David ([02:57])
• Miami’s Defensive Edge: Miami rarely blitzes or twists defensively due to dominance up front; game hinges on handling Miami DL.
  • “Miami does not twist. They do not stun a lot. They don’t have to because they’re so good up front.” — David ([03:47])
• QB Play & Under Pressure: Castellanos (FSU QB) struggles under pressure and against blitzes—a key Miami strength. Tackling and coverage matchup, especially vs. Malachi Tony (FSU), highlighted.
• Game-within-the-Game: Watch Miami’s edge defenders (Bane & Mezador, #4 & #3) vs. FSU’s misdirection; Gus Bus’ use of read options and trick plays may decide the outcome.
• Prediction:
  • David: “I got Miami. I think Miami wins this football game. I think their lines of scrimmage take care of business.” ([08:30])
  • Brent: “Give me the home team. I went FSU 27, Miami 24... Game-winning field goal late.” ([09:05])

Vanderbilt at Alabama

Timestamps: [09:59] – [16:42]

• Historic Start for Vandy: Unbeaten at 5–0 for the first time since 2008, offense humming thanks to magician QB Diego Pavia.
  • “Diego Pavia is a frickin magician. He is the master of magician. Whatever it is—he makes it happen. He buys time. He has no flinch in him whatsoever.” — David ([10:21])
• Vanderbilt Offensive Evolution: Creative run game, constantly puts defenses in conflict, causes headaches on every play—annoying, as a defensive guy, Pollack says.
• Alabama’s Edge: Vandy must stop Bama’s efficient intermediate passing and not let big plays shift momentum. Alabama’s defense is considered merely “average” this season.
• Home Field & Revenge Factor: Alabama at home, motivated by last year’s loss to Vandy, sets up a semi-revenge scenario.
• Player Spotlight: Jeremy Bernard (Alabama) called “the guy that does every single thing”—as a receiver and rusher.
• Predictions:
  • Brent: “Bama 34, Vanderbilt 31. I think it’s going to be a nail-biter.” ([14:34])
  • David: “I’m more of a 31–24 kind of a guy... Alabama has got too much speed, too much skill.” ([14:57])

Texas at Florida

Timestamps: [17:10] – [22:04]

• Florida’s Upset Setup: “Dream scenario” for a Gator upset—home game, told all week they’re “hot trash,” defense strong, but new offensive woes.
  • “This is the dream scenario for a Florida upset. Like this is... absolutely perfect.” — David ([17:34])
• Texas’s Defensive Prowess: “Bet against Texas’s defense at your own will,” says David, calling it elite and pointing out its toughness even in Columbus.
  • “Texas defense is so nasty and so good—and they will travel and make it really hard on a Florida offense that downright stinks.” — David ([18:51])
• Offensive Struggles: Florida’s offense “stinks”—lowest run rate in the power four, Jaden Ball isn’t fed enough, and DJ Lagway’s decisions have been shaky.
  • Brent highlights transfer D-line additions for Texas stepping up.
• Predictions:
  • Brent: “I’m going with the horns. 20, Florida 17.” ([20:39])
  • David: “24–13. I got horns... Florida has never won a game in this meeting.” ([20:50])

Under-the-Radar, “Chips and Dip” Games

Texas Tech vs. Houston

Timestamps: [23:24] – [27:49]

• Houston: Best start in 9 years; physical but lacking explosiveness, difficult matchup at Texas Tech.
• Defensive edge: Texas Tech’s D-line (“a particular set of skills... make them nightmares for offense”—Brent, [25:14])
• QB Watch: Texas Tech starter Morton’s return is the biggest storyline for David.
• Predictions:
  • David: “Texas Tech’s gonna win by 21 plus.” ([26:13])
  • Brent: “34–13.” ([27:49])

Virginia at Louisville

Timestamps: [27:58] – [33:49]

• Virginia: Offense explosive and balanced, efficient situational football, RB Jamari Taylor’s journey highlighted.
  • “He runs it like he stole it and like somebody’s chasing him.” — David ([29:32])
• Louisville: O-line struggling, WR Bell called “a superstar”; defense strengths.
• Predictions:
  • Brent: “Louisville as the home team; grind it out, victory 30–27.” ([32:05])
  • David: “I got Louisville as well... it’s also not great when you can’t run it and you can’t protect him.” ([32:25])

Iowa State at Cincinnati

Timestamps: [34:34] – [38:08]

• Both defenses run similar 3-3-5 looks; watch for big plays.
• Cincinnati: QB Sorsby is a dual threat, highest-graded in Power 4.
• Iowa State: Coach Campbell praised for adaptability; uses multiple TEs to offset WR departures.
  • “A great coach takes—what do I have? Okay, let’s build the offense around it. And Matt Campbell has shown that every year he’s been at Iowa State.” — David ([36:52])
• Predictions:
  • David: “Iowa State, 31–27.” ([37:47])
  • Brent: “Bearcats, 27–24.” ([38:03])

Mississippi State at Texas A&M

Timestamps: [38:15] – [41:59]

• Texas A&M: Winning in multiple styles, creativity on offense, defense steadily improving, special teams ranked top-20 in both returns.
• QB Marcel Reed: Second-fastest to 3000 yards passing in A&M history (“only Johnny Football was faster”).
  • “I’m really excited. There’s not a lot of picks that I’m excited about for my preseason. I’m excited about my A&M playoff pick.” — David ([40:14])
• Mississippi State: Defensive playmakers, notably 7 interceptions by 7 players.
• Predictions:
  • David: “31–21 for the Aggies.” ([41:04])
  • Brent: “31–20, so we are in lockstep there.” ([41:59])

Boise State at Notre Dame

Timestamps: [42:32] – [48:44]

• Boise State: Offense improved with run/pass balance, RB Dylan Riley and QB Mad Dog bring physicality and leadership.
  • “Mad Dog has to have balance... I love the kid... he runs it a little bit, but he’s not like an elite runner but, but just great decision making, team leader type of guy.” — David ([43:35])
• Notre Dame’s Trajectory: Defense solid last week against Arkansas, freshman QB CJ Carr playing with increasing poise and efficiency.
  • “CJ Carr is getting better every week.” — Brent ([44:56])
  • “He’s the first Notre Dame quarterback to have 354 touchdown passes in the same game since Jack Cohen.” — David ([46:28])
• National Outlook: David and Brent both speculate Notre Dame could make a playoff run if they win out, but all mulligans are gone.
  • “I just got a weird feeling that we’re going to look into the playoff... and we might see a national championship game rematch.” — Brent ([45:20])
• Predictions:
  • David: “34–17, Notre Dame winning pretty good, pretty comfortably.” ([47:48])
  • Brent: “45–14... frying pan to head.” ([47:54])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On committee playoff logic:
  • “The bad losses are the albatrosses. Like those losses are like an anchor around the neck.” — David ([02:06])
• On Miami’s edge defenders:
  • “Watch 4 and 3 on the edges, they’re the best two players from Miami... That’s a fun game within the game.” — David ([04:45])
• On Vandy’s QB Diego Pavia:
  • “He has no flinch in him whatsoever. Like zero flinch. The dude does not feel pressure.” — David ([10:21])
• On Texas’s defense:
  • “Texas defense is so nasty and so good, and they will travel and make it really hard on a Florida offense that downright stinks. Like, they just stink. They haven’t been good. They’re ungood.” — David ([18:51])
• On coaching adaptability:
  • “A great coach takes—what do I have? Okay, let’s build the offense around it. And Matt Campbell has shown that every year he’s been at Iowa State.” — David ([36:52])
• On young QB CJ Carr:
  • “He leads all freshmen in pass yards per game — he’s 273 a game.” — David ([46:28])
• Brent’s Movie Reference:
  • “Does this Texas Tech D-line have a very particular set of skills? Skills they’ve acquired via the transfer portal. Skills that make them nightmares for offense.” ([25:14])

Segment Timestamps (Selected Highlights)

• Miami-FSU preview/picks: [01:23] – [09:22]
• Vanderbilt-Alabama breakdown: [09:59] – [16:42]
• Texas-Florida breakdown: [17:10] – [22:04]
• Texas Tech-Houston/Other “Chips & Dip” games: [23:24] – [38:08]
• Mississippi State-Texas A&M: [38:15] – [41:59]
• Boise State-Notre Dame/National picture: [42:32] – [48:44]

Tone & Style

Pollack and Brent keep things fun, direct, and expert. The episode is fast-paced, layered with storylines (from playoff implications to player development), peppered with movie analogies, coaching insights, and good-natured trash talk. Their commitment to real analysis—“call it like it is” on both top teams and underdogs—makes even the deeper-cut matchups compelling.

Coming Up

• Teaser for next episode: ESPN host Reese Davis to join for a midseason college football landscape chat.
  • “He describes me as his little brother he never wanted.” — David ([49:51])

End of summary. This episode is essential listening for serious CFB fans looking for honest picks, game film nuggets, and a dash of humor. No fluff, all ball.