See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: DJ Lagway & Arch Manning: What's Wrong? | Texas Tech-Utah, Auburn-Oklahoma, Illinois-Indiana PREVIEW
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: David Pollack, with Brent Rollins

Episode Overview

David Pollack and Brent Rollins dive into week four of the college football season, analyzing which teams are emerging as real contenders or pretenders. The episode centers on the evolving landscape of college quarterbacks, specifically examining the struggles of high-profile talents (DJ Lagway, Arch Manning) and the impact of systems and coaching. In classic Pollack fashion, there’s a passionate breakdown of three key matchups (Texas Tech-Utah, Auburn-Oklahoma, Illinois-Indiana), the current College Football Playoff eliminators, and who “won the weekend.” The pod is rich with stats, eye-test analysis, and inside stories—plus plenty of banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Season Quarterback Evaluation

(Starts ~01:34)

• Pollack and Rollins revisit the offseason hype around quarterbacks: DJ Lagway, Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, and others, acknowledging the conversations have shifted based on actual performance.
• Numbers vs. Eye Test:
  • David: "Numbers are awesome. I like numbers...but I think the eyes are...more important. But...they help you work with both." (02:20)
  • Brent, the PFF analyst, balances stats and game flow, providing data-driven context.

Who is Exceeding Expectations?

• John Matier (Washington State transfer):

  • “90.3 passing grade under pressure right now...handles pressure as good, if not [the best]” (03:52, Brent)
  • Pollack: “He’s very experienced, used to pressure...he also has the ability to evade pressure at a high level." (04:21)

• Joey Aguilar (Tennessee):

  • 4 TDs, “One of the picks wasn’t his fault...his receiver slipped.” (05:06, David)
  • Ball placement: "#1 in the Power Four in terms of accurate throws right now." (06:07, Brent)
  • “Systems make you better...Josh Heupel’s offense enhances your strengths and limits weaknesses.” (05:27, David)

• Tommy Castellanos (FSU):

  • Not much passing yet, but “if you put his rushing grade on there, I guarantee you it rivals anybody.” (06:35, David)
  • Gus Malzahn’s influence and play-calling chemistry highlighted.

• Carson Beck (now at Miami):

  • “Least pressured quarterback in the Power Four right now: 14%.” (07:33, Brent)
  • Pollack: “If you play zone coverage against Carson Beck, you’re in for a long night.” (07:38)

• Bo Pribula (Missouri):

  • "Number two in bullseye type throw...number four in clean pocket passing grade. He is playing very, very well." (08:13, Brent)

• Diego Pavia:

  • “Pavia’s the most entertaining player to watch in college football. Like, I don’t care what the numbers say...” (10:12, David)
  • Social media moments and ‘must-see’ status highlighted.

Freshmen & Notable Developments

• Jaren KWA Saga Pulatelli (Cal):
  • “The lefty freshman for Cal is very much, by the way, freak show...they get every non-top ACC team.” (11:07, Brent)
• Cal's program under Justin Wilcox praised for finding ‘ballers’ despite transfer portal attrition.

2. Quarterbacks Struggling: What’s Wrong?

(Starts ~11:55)

DJ Lagway (Florida)

• Brent: “He makes some of the best throws...he is number three in accuracy plus percentage...But also up high in uncatchable inaccurate throws. So he is hitting both extremes.” (12:14)
• Pollack: “My biggest concern...the decision making is a problem...not getting hit and still throwing picks...like, he’s not having fun right now.” (13:00)
• Brent: “Seven turnover-worthy plays from a clean pocket. That’s the most of any quarterback in the Power Four.” (14:05)

Arch Manning (Texas)

• Brent: “Average time to throw has jumped...now 3.25 seconds, which is the fifth longest in Power 5...it’s the indecisiveness.” (15:49)
• Pollack: "When I watch Arch...last year the weapons were better...This year it’s not as easy...The running game has to get going." (16:39; continued after ad at 19:28)
• On Manning’s mindset: “If he couldn’t run, he was in trouble, but the running could still bail him out. Sark’s talking about it—‘I need you to pass the ball first.’” (19:28, David)

Cade Klubnik (Clemson)

• Issue: Deep ball, usually a strength, missing. “Last year, elite at that...everybody’s back...what happened?” (20:39, David)
• “I’ve seen more high end good from Klubnik than these other guys...He still has his wheels...” (21:24, David)
• “Antonio Williams not being there...was Antonio Williams’ strength a year ago.” (21:24)

Others Briefly Discussed:

• Lenore Sellers, Nico Iamaleava: “Nothing looks right. Nico...might redshirt and jump in the portal.” (22:23)
• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): "Strange to watch their offense...still makes the decision a game that you scratch your head." (23:23)

3. Analyzing Team Trends & Matchups

Georgia’s Pass Rush Decline

(25:18)

• Brent: Georgia’s overall pass rush “65th out of 68 win percent…Damon Wilson has 3 sacks for Mizzou; Georgia’s edge guys have zero.”
• David: “Even when they brought pressure, they didn’t get home...It was their offense the week before, now it’s their pass rush.” (27:19)

Tennessee’s Home Record under Josh Heupel

• David: “He’s 23 and 0 against everyone except Kirby [Smart]—0 and 3.” (31:34)

Marquee Matchup Previews

Texas Tech vs. Utah

(Begins ~32:44)

• Strength vs. strength: Tech’s rebuilt, dominant D-line vs. Utah’s physical and versatile offense.
• Brent: “Their brand new D-line has been completely dominant…number one in team PFF grade, run defense, pass rush.” (34:52)
• David: “They’re going to get their jaw checked this week...Utah’s going to bring physicality.” (35:18)
• Utah’s Offense: Dampier at QB, “extremely smart...not turning it over, runs it like a tailback.”
• Pick leans:
  • David leans Utah (“I trust them a little more, they’re at home, Dampier will be key…this might be a 20-carry game for him.” [38:52])
  • Brent: Leans the “cheddar” (money) but sees the matchup as close.

Auburn at Oklahoma

(Starts ~39:56)

• Both teams rely on RPO-heavy offenses.
• David: “I want all of Auburn...Zero turnovers. They got a guy at quarterback that's a dog now.” (40:25)
• Stats: Jackson Arnold, first to throw/run for 100+ in Auburn debut since Cam Newton.
• Brent (wet blanket): “When [Arnold]’s been pressured? Not good at all. Oklahoma blitzes, they limit explosives among the best in the Power 4.” (42:54)
• David’s diagnosis: “Pound the rock and take the shot...I’m not telling you I’m picking Auburn but...there are things to like about Auburn.”
• Both lean Oklahoma at home for the win, but see Auburn as a live underdog.

Illinois at Indiana

(Begins ~46:40)

• Not as high-profile, but competitive.
• Statistical showdown:
  • Illinois: “First top 10 ranking since 2001...Number one turnover margin in the country (+6)...haven’t had a turnover.” (48:32)
  • Both starting QBs (Mendoza/Indiana & Luke Altmeyer/Illinois) have excellent TD-INT ratios.
• Brent: Picks Illinois (“they’ve been tested more on the road”). (49:38)
• Indiana’s Mendoza highlighted as a top transfer portal QB.

College Football Playoff Eliminator Segment

(51:16)

• David: Eliminates Kansas State, saying, “I’ve seen enough. Like, it’s a struggle bus.” (52:11)

• Discusses whether Notre Dame (0-2) should be eliminated—David: “Not ready to go there…They lost two to two top 10 teams by a total of four points.” (54:06)

• Brent: Eliminates Clemson (“I don’t see it. I’m all out.” [54:19]), citing offensive struggles and remaining schedule.

Who Won the Weekend?

(Starts 55:07)

• David: “Georgia Tech just keeps doing what they do...it’s incredible how they continue to do it.” (55:21)
• Brent: QBs from Georgia, specifically Haynes King and Gunner Stockton, “won the weekend.”
• Wes’ (absent co-host) picks: Eliminates Colorado; says “Akron” won the weekend for scoring after two shutouts.
• West Virginia’s comeback win over Pitt: “That’s what they say, beat the hail out of Pitt!” (57:09, David)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On DJ Lagway:

  "My biggest concern...the decision making is a problem. That to me is clean pocket...not getting hit and still throwing picks..." —David Pollack (13:00)

• On Arch Manning:

  "He looks like a guy who’s looking at the offense and not looking at the defense..." —Brent Rollins (15:09)

• On Georgia’s pass rush:

  "Even when they brought pressure, they didn’t get home. That’s the biggest problem." —David Pollack (27:19)

• On Tennessee at Neyland:

  "He’s 23 and 0 against everyone except Kirby. He’s 0 and 3." —David Pollack (31:34)

• On Illinois & Indiana preview:

  “Three quarterbacks in the Big Ten with the best touchdown to interception ratios—Mendoza, Altmeyer, and Raiola.” —David Pollack (47:52)

• On Who Won the Weekend:

  “Georgia Tech just...now Brent Key in big games...they're 7 and 1 against ranked opponents in the ACC." —David Pollack (55:21)
  "That’s what they say. Beat the hail out of Pitt!" —David Pollack (57:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:34 | Start of real football talk, sorting pretenders/contenders.
• 03:52 | John Matier’s high performance under pressure.
• 05:27 | Joey Aguilar and the system's impact on QBs.
• 06:07 | Ball placement stat leaders revealed.
• 11:55 | Switches from positive to struggling QBs.
• 13:00 | DJ Lagway’s decision making under scrutiny.
• 15:49 | Arch Manning’s struggles with indecisiveness.
• 19:28 | Manning’s inability to pass under pressure discussed further.
• 20:39 | Klubnik’s deep ball breakdown.
• 25:18 | Georgia’s pass rush is missing.
• 31:34 | Tennessee-Neyland stat: Heupel’s only home losses to Georgia.
• 32:44 | Texas Tech-Utah preview and analysis.
• 39:56 | Auburn-Oklahoma physicality matchup breakdown.
• 46:40 | Illinois-Indiana: under-the-radar but crucial.
• 51:16 | CFB Playoff eliminator segment.
• 55:07 | Who Won the Weekend segment.

Tone & Language

The hosts are collegial, bantering, and passionate, blending deep statistical analysis with gut-level football instincts. Pollack’s tone is energetic, peppered with football lingo (“pound the rock and take the shot”) and real talk, while Rollins provides a calm, analytical counterpoint with regular dives into data. Listener chat is acknowledged, adding an interactive, communal vibe.

For those who missed the episode:
Pollack and Rollins expertly blend tape study, statistical analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights to give a no-nonsense, fun, and info-packed rundown of college football’s biggest storylines heading into the next weekend. The episode emphasizes how quickly fortunes can shift for both players and programs—and why context, coaching, and system matter as much as raw talent at the quarterback position.