See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Greg McElroy & David Pollack PREVIEW Week 7 in CFB

Release Date: October 9, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Guest: Greg McElroy (ESPN Analyst, former CFB QB)

Overview

This episode dives deep into the storylines and matchups shaping Week 7 of the college football season. David Pollack and Greg McElroy, both respected for their on-field and analytical chops, dissect the landscape—from hot-button off-field topics like NIL interventions and private equity in college sports, to tactical previews of major games (Georgia/Auburn, Missouri/Alabama, Red River Rivalry, Indiana/Oregon), coaching hot seats, quarterback play, and much more. Delivered in a direct, amusing, and candid style, this episode pulls no punches on trends, traditions, and what makes college football unique.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Off-Field Chaos: NIL “Snitch Line” & Private Equity in CFB

• NIL Snitch Line:
  • Pollack discusses the recently-launched anonymous tip line for NIL violations.
  • Jokes about the comedic chaos sure to ensue:

    “NCAA's tip line will be comic gold. I hope they record all of it... anonymous tips with the accents from certain parts of the country. I think it'll be outstanding.” (03:02)

  • Draws parallels to call-in shows notorious for wild, unverifiable stories.
• Academic Standards Declining:
  • Noted that academic ineligibility is rarely discussed anymore:

    “We don't really do academics anymore. That's not really a part of the thing.” (02:35)

• Private Equity in the Big Ten:
  • The Big Ten’s rumored $2B private equity deal sparks concern about further commercialization.
  • Attorney Brent, guesting briefly, notes:

    "It's all going to be driven by money. Heck, even my own work today, there were decisions made that were completely idiotic and completely driven by money." (05:57)

  • Pollack laments eroding tradition and the business-first mentality driving playoff and conference expansion.

2. Podium Kings: Quirks and Rivalries

• Jerry Newheisel Moment:
  • Audio celebrating his son’s unlikely coaching success and win:

    “How can you not love college football when you have days like this? Special, special, special.” (09:41, Greg McElroy quoting)

• Kaylin DeBoer’s Black Hoodie Streak:
  • DeBoer’s sideline attire superstition:

    “Bama is 11 and 2 when he wears that black hoodie during the games and 1 and 3 when he doesn’t. So I guess I would wear the black hoodie.” (11:10, Podium Kings Host)

• Texas Tech Tortilla Tradition:
  • Joey McGuire urges fans not to throw tortillas, then hypes support for the defense:

    “It’s not about throwing tortillas...stand up, get loud." (11:55-12:18)

3. Superstitions & Pregame Rituals

• Greg’s Pre-Game Routine:
  • Elaborate left-side-first dressing ritual:

    "Everything on the left side of my body went on first." (13:54, Greg McElroy)

  • Detailed music selection evolving from “early pump up” (chill) to “mid pump up” (rap/rock) to “pregame” (intense).
• Pollack’s Approach:
  • Claims lack of superstition, with exception of a cross on his tape.

4. Game & Team Breakdowns

Georgia vs. Auburn (17:01)

• Auburn's Misjudged:
  • McElroy believes negativity around Auburn is “premature”, highlighting weapons like Cam Coleman (matchup nightmare) and offensive indecisiveness being the real issue.
  • On QB Gunner Stockton:

    “I think Gunner is a much better thrower than people realize...he’s Connor Shaw...not a first-round pick, but you can win with that guy.” (18:27-19:30, McElroy)

  • Both agree narratives around these teams are more negative than warranted.

The Case of Arch (Texas QB) and Sarkisian (20:07)

• Shared Blame:
  • Pollack slams people who pin struggles solely on Arch.
  • Offensive line and skill talent not living up to Texas’s recruiting.
  • On Sarkisian:

    “These are numbers that matter. So like I'm not, I'm putting blame on Arch...but I think Sark deserves some of that blame as well.” (21:08)

• Arch Analysis:
  • McElroy defends Arch's performance, noting constant pressure, minimal help from screens/receivers, and that not all mistakes are his:

    “He got hit how many times that game? 25 times. And we're still sitting in there and trying to throw darts. I respect how he played.” (23:52, McElroy)

Best Team in the Country? (24:27)

• Ohio State / Miami:
  • McElroy leans OSU but says it’s close with Miami, emphasizing OSU’s run-first mentality and offensive line play:

    “Their level of domination though, is, is pretty remarkable.” (24:27)

  • Praises defense, specifically versatility of Caleb Downs.

Illinois Resistance vs. OSU? (26:18)

• Not Likely:
  • Illinois’ OL and inconsistency cited as issues. Both skeptical due to early blowout loss (to Indiana) lingering in season narrative.

Indiana at Oregon: Elite QB Battle (30:08)

• Indiana’s Defense:
  • “Brian Haynes is the man...he's that good and that creative and that disruptive.” (31:50, McElroy)
  • Oregon’s youth at corner could be target for Mendoza’s passing.
  • Both think Indiana can hang, possibly push to a shootout.

Missouri vs. Alabama (36:29)

• Missouri’s Offensive Scheme:
  • Noted for stretching defenses and making linebackers play at tough angles.
  • On Alabama’s run defense struggles (second-level fits, not DL itself):

    “I don't feel like they've done a great job at the second level fitting the run. And they've especially done a poor job with their corners and safeties and fitting the run.” (39:56, McElroy)

  • Adjustments in the Vandy game have McElroy optimistic moving forward.
  • Both agree this will be a close, physical, run-first contest.

Florida vs. Texas A&M (43:38)

• A&M’s Defensive Edge:
  • “Mike Elko is just a pain in the butt on third downs...so creative.” (44:19, Pollack)
  • Florida’s OL showed life last week; A&M’s OL matches up better than Texas did in the prior week.
  • Watch for Florida’s grind and A&M’s adjustments; expect physicality.

Red River Rivalry: Oklahoma vs. Texas (48:44)

• QB Situation Could Dictate Game:
  • With Mateer’s injury, likely lower scoring, ball-control approach:

    “I don't see how this game becomes high scoring. I just don't. I think both defenses [are] too good...” (49:23, McElroy)

  • Expects Texas to bounce back, both teams keep it conservative, mistake could decide the game.

UNC “Chapel Bill” Coaching Crisis (51:38)

• Coaching Malpractice:
  • Pollack and McElroy agree Bill Belichick’s college experiment at UNC is a disaster, citing schematic simplicity, refusal to adapt, and stagnant recruiting.
  • On playcalling:

    “They ran snag slant 12 times last week. Like the most horrible basic crap with nothing else to it.” (53:11, Pollack)

  • McElroy laments lack of adjustments and buyout realities:

    “It's been a hard thing to watch, man. I mean, it really has. I'm not sure how you can spin it.” (57:13, McElroy)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the NIL Snitch Line:

  “I hope they literally record it so we can hear it and we can play it back.” – Pollack (03:02)

• On Auburn's Perceived Weakness:

  “The negativity surrounding Auburn is a bit premature...They have guys that could take over the game.” – Greg McElroy (17:01)

• On Defensive Struggles in CFB:

  “I don't feel like they've done a great job at the second level fitting the run. And they've especially done a poor job with their corners and safeties and fitting the run.” – McElroy on Alabama (39:56)

• On the “Bill Belichick UNC Era”:

  “He ran snag slant literally 12 times last week, literally 12 times, which is absolutely amazing...” – Pollack (53:11)
  “Freddie Kitchens could coach some ball now...What I'm seeing is not it.” – McElroy (53:26)

Timestamps by Segment

• NIL Chaos & Tip Line: 00:22–03:30
• Private Equity/Big Ten Expansion: 04:25–07:30
• Podium Kings (Coach Antics): 08:36–12:18
• Pre-Game Superstitions: 12:28–14:57
• Ole Miss Play-Calling Props, Broadcasting: 15:11–16:20
• Georgia–Auburn Preview: 17:01–20:07
• Texas/Arch/Sark Analysis: 20:07–24:09
• Who’s Number One? OSU/Miami: 24:27–26:18
• OSU vs. Illinois: 26:18–29:26
• Indiana vs. Oregon Preview: 30:08–35:33
• Missouri–Alabama Preview: 36:29–43:13
• Florida–Texas A&M Preview: 43:38–48:44
• Red River Rivalry (OU–Texas): 48:44–51:38
• UNC/Belichick Era Collapse: 51:38–57:27

Episode Tone

• Direct, irreverent, and deeply analytical.
• Humor and old-school football sensibility, but up-to-date on trends and critical of mismanagement.
• Welcoming of fan traditions and quirks–embraces the chaos that makes college football unique.

Recommendation

This episode is a must-listen for college football fans seeking detailed, informed, and lively previews—packed with inside knowledge, sharp opinions, and genuine banter. Both host and guest excel at blending X’s and O’s with the cultural, institutional, and emotional aspects that stand at the heart of the sport.