Podcast Summary: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Georgia-Tennessee, Florida-LSU, SEC Previews | Cole Cubelic | CFB Week 3
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Guests: Brent, Wesley, Cole Cubelic

Overview

This episode delivers an in-depth, candid look at Week 3 of college football, focusing on the SEC's biggest matchups—Georgia vs. Tennessee and Florida vs. LSU. Host David Pollack, along with regulars Brent and Wesley, break down current rankings, team performances, and the always controversial polls. Special guest Cole Cubelic, football analyst and former Auburn offensive lineman, joins for detailed analysis—especially on Auburn, Vanderbilt, and the evolving SEC quarterback landscape. The tone is lively, informed, and full of the playful ball-banter fans expect.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "RE-Rankings" Game: Polls, Perceptions, and Why They Matter (03:05–13:35)

• Rankings Are Fun, Not Final:
  David and Brent emphasize how early-season polls are highly subjective and mostly for fun.
  David: "These rankings mean Jack Shist, just like the preseason ones. The only thing that matters is when we get to the committee down the road..." (03:22)

• Voters & Biases:
  Rankings reflect regional and personal biases among voters, and there's often debate about how many voters there should actually be.

• Team Movements Advocated:

  • Wesley pushes for USF ("emphatic win against Boise" and a swamp win at Florida), and Auburn (road win at Baylor) to be ranked higher.
  • David counters, reminding everyone not to overvalue last year's performance when evaluating this season.

• How to Weigh Teams:

  • "To me, it's about what you've DONE." – David (07:26)
  • Strong wins and bad losses matter more than close losses, especially early in the season.
  • Teams like Florida State get props for beating Alabama, which "handled them and physically imposed their will" (08:47).

• Top Four Debate (Current State):
  Wesley’s personal top 4: 1) Ohio State, 2) LSU, 3) Miami, 4) Oregon.
  Pollack agrees that putting Florida State higher is reasonable.

2. Podium Kings: Coach Quotes & Sideline Gold (13:35–17:21)

A humorous, recurring segment celebrating the best (and oddest) soundbites from college coaches.

• Missouri’s Coach Drinkwitz on Punting After a Blocked PAT (14:38)

  • “We just wanted to see if we could. You know, it's like asking your parents if you can do something that, you know they probably shouldn’t let you do. But sometimes they get it wrong.” — Coach Drink via David (14:46)
  • "Ask forgiveness later." Missouri exploited a rule, pre-game scouting led to a creative punt, and cheeky post-game remarks made for a highlight.

• Texas Press Room – The ‘Bathroom Faces’ Moment
  When questioned about QB Arch Manning’s “throwing pains,” the coach retorted:

  • “I've never filmed any of you guys when you're using the bathroom, so I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.” — (16:17)
    Hosts erupt in laughter, calling it classic “Podium King” material.

3. Guest Analysis: Cole Cubelic Joins (18:13–45:29)

Auburn Season Breakdown (18:13–21:16)

• Cole Cubelic details Hugh Freeze's approach with QB Jackson Arnold, focusing on confidence-building and careful management of quarterback runs due to player durability concerns.
• Auburn’s offensive line looked "great against Baylor," but suffered in pass protection against lesser opponents.
• Defensive lines across the SEC are dominating early, with "guys getting smoked on the edges all over." – Cole (20:24)
• Most impressive: Freeze’s patience running the ball and sticking to a calculated game plan.

Georgia vs. Tennessee Preview (21:30–24:39)

• Tennessee’s depleted corners might be exposed if Georgia can finally pass downfield—uncertain due to protection breakdowns.
• Gunner Stockton (Georgia QB) described by Cole as "a fullback playing quarterback... an undersized high school zero nose" (23:43), with Pollack joking that's "the most disrespectful thing ever said about Gunner Stockton" (24:20).

Texas A&M, Notre Dame & Offenses (25:24–27:16)

• A&M’s unpredictable offensive identity—predicted to be ground-heavy but playing mostly as a passing team.
• Marcel Reed’s potential highlighted but caution issued if his pocket collapses.

Vanderbilt’s Unique Running Attack (27:59–31:21)

• Vanderbilt's O-line described as “junkyard doggish... a bunch of bar bouncers” (29:15)
• Vanderbilt has an underrated running game, matchup nightmares at tight end, and versatility, but their success against South Carolina depends on high-variance plays from QB Diego.

SEC Parity and Sorting the ‘Middle’ (32:04–39:03)

• SEC has more parity than ever. "Every team in the league could beat any other team in the league." — Wesley (35:55)
• Cole: Even teams like Arkansas and Vanderbilt have a “non-zero” shot at big upsets (36:12).

The Best Quarterback in the SEC (39:03–41:12)

• Unanimous panel pick: John Matier.
  • “There’s only one guy for me, by the way. Like, it’s not even a debate.” — David (39:35)
  • Cole gushes about Matier’s throws and poise: “He just made 4 better than that this week. I don’t know how it’s not John Matier, man.” — Cole (40:18)

4. Lighthearted Moments & Segment Highlights

Running Gags & Tailgate Food Debate (42:14–44:12)

• Main college football game of the week: should it be called the “nugget platter”?
  • Cole prefers a brisket or substantial appetizer, but approves Chick-fil-A nuggets as the easy and popular option.
  • "You can bring the nugget tray. You don’t have to prepare it. ... It’s gonna be gone by halftime, so you’re good." — Cole (43:36)

Broadcast Pet Peeves

• Cole bemoans how announcers call certain plays a “double reverse pass,” which, as he says, never happens in real football (41:33–42:15).

Shoutouts & Closing Banter (44:46–46:26)

• Cole plugs his football content: Cube Show podcast (film analysis), Tuesday Date Night with his wife.
• Brent and David poke fun at each other's football energy levels, ending on a collegial note.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Early Polls:
  “These rankings mean Jack Shist, just like the preseason ones.” — David (03:22)
• Missouri Coaching Philosophy:
  “We just wanted to see if we could. ... Sometimes they get it wrong.” — Coach Drink (14:46)
• Press Conference Zinger:
  "I've never filmed any of you guys when you're using the bathroom..." (16:17)
• Cole on Gunner Stockton:
  "Gunner Stockton's a fullback playing quarterback. Like, he's an undersized high school zero nose playing quarterback." — Cole (23:43)
• On College Football Parity:
  "Every team in the league could beat any other team in the league." — Wesley (35:55)
• Best SEC QB:
  “It’s John Matier. And my favorite thing about Cole is if you listen to his stuff, he didn’t say that after the Michigan game." — David (40:18)
• Food Talk:
  “I'll never be mad at a nugget platter, specifically from Chick Fil A, because I would just house a lot of those." — Cole (42:52)

Important Segment Timestamps

• RE-Rankings Game: 03:05–13:35
• Podium Kings (Coach Quotes): 13:35–17:21
• Cole Cubelic Interview (Auburn, Vandy, SEC preview): 18:13–45:29
• QB Debate & SEC Parity Talk: 32:04–41:12
• Tailgate Food Segment: 42:14–44:12
• Wrap-up and Plugs: 44:46–46:26

Final Takeaways

• Early college football rankings are highly debatable and fun, but shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
• The SEC is more competitive throughout, with fewer “guaranteed” wins and a growing, volatile middle-tier.
• Quarterback play is a hot topic; John Matier is the consensus standout.
• Game analysis is detailed, but the show remains accessible, blending sharp football talk with humor and insider anecdotes.
• The addition of lighthearted segments like “Podium Kings” and tailgate debates keep the episode dynamic and engaging.

For fans wanting sharp football insight, behind-the-scenes coaching stories, and authentic college football debate—with a mix of hot takes and hilarity—this episode delivers from whistle to final play.