Podcast Summary:

See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Episode: How Notre Dame can BREAK THROUGH in 2026 | Garrett Nussmeier Senior Bowl Surge
Date: February 3, 2026
Host: David Pollack | Guests: Brent Rollins, Wes

Episode Overview

David Pollack kicks off the offseason with a focused team profile on Notre Dame, exploring how the Fighting Irish can finally break through on the national stage in 2026. The show features deep analysis on Notre Dame’s coaching stability, recruiting breakthroughs, playoff chances, and portal strategy, followed by an in-depth review of the Senior Bowl—highlighting QB Garrett Nussmeier’s MVP rise and potential 2026 breakout quarterbacks. The discussion closes with engaging takes on program ethics, tampering in college football, and a fun “Who Won the Weekend” segment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Notre Dame’s Offseason Narrative

(02:00–13:00)

• Marcus Freeman’s Tumultuous, Yet Steady, Leadership

  • Dave covers Marcus Freeman’s recent headlines (false assault charge, NFL interviews) and Freeman’s reflective approach to learning from NFL teams.
  • Quote – David Pollack (02:00):
    "Marcus Freeman feels like a very, very candid person... he was like, I utilize these conversations for a reason. I want to use them to gain knowledge about myself and how organizations are ran...I think it’s smart what he’s telling us right now."

• Program Stability and Recruiting Breakthroughs

  • Notre Dame’s 43–11 record under Freeman reestablished national respect.
  • For the first time in a decade, Notre Dame signed a top-five recruiting class (#2 per Rivals), driven by key commitments like C.J. Carr at QB.
  • Quote – Brent Rollins (08:00):
    "Number two overall in the Rivals class... first top five ranking they've had in the last 10 years. Highest prior was sixth."

• CJ Carr’s Significance

  • With CJ Carr at QB, ND has stability and marketability in recruiting.
  • Quote – David Pollack (05:40):
    "You got your QB...that’s a great start right there, to have that guy that not only has the arm, has enough of the mobility...you have your face and your dude, and other guys will want to play with him."

2. Schedule Analysis & 2026 Playoff Prospects

(09:38–14:45)

• Favorable 2026 Schedule

  • Unlike previous years, ND’s toughest opponents (Miami, BYU, Navy) come later in the schedule, giving them time to adjust.
  • Notable opening at Lambeau Field vs. Wisconsin.
  • No traditional USC matchup; first time since World War II outside exceptional years, which feels "very weird" (11:45).

• Path to the College Football Playoff

  • New 12-team playoff format and ACC tie-ins virtually guarantee ND’s inclusion if they finish with two or fewer losses.
  • Quote – David Pollack (09:02):
    "If we're in the top 12, guess what? We got a guaranteed bid. Like it's good to be a Notre Dame fan."

3. Roster Analysis—Strengths, Losses, and Portal Impact

(12:16–16:35)

• Offensive Concerns

  • Key losses: the top two running backs.
  • Retool with transfer additions at WR from Ohio State, stability with OC and QB returning, Faison and Greathouse at WR.

• Defensive Improvements

  • Chris Ash at DC and Aaron Henry as co-DC—a scheme well-suited to ND’s strengths.
  • Transfer portal filled major DT gaps (from Pittsburgh, Oregon) without losing any starters.

• Transfer Portal Strategy

  • ND targeted proven talent from the portal, focusing on need (especially DT) and upside at WR and secondary.
  • Quote – David Pollack (16:35):
    "To fill the hole at defensive tackle was absolutely enormous for Notre Dame...I got some good pieces to do something special."

4. Advanced Stats & Roster Deep Dive with Brent Rollins

(17:23–19:00)

• Secondary & Offensive Line Questions

  • Leonard Moore is a standout at corner, but depth is a concern.
  • OL talent like Jagasaw could be a difference-maker if healthy.

• Year-to-Year Offensive Continuity

  • ND has OC and QB returning for the first time under Freeman—a rarity that could drive efficiency.
  • Suggestion: increase play-action frequency to support Carr and generate explosive plays.

5. Senior Bowl Takeaways—Garrett Nussmeier’s Surge

(21:30–25:59)

• Nussmeier’s MVP Performance

  • Despite an inconsistent college year due to injury and benching, Nussmeier’s Senior Bowl MVP reminded scouts of his high ceiling.
  • Quote – David Pollack (22:36):
    "Garrett Nussmeier was the MVP of the game. And Garrett Nussmeier probably made himself some money and just reminded people: hey, you know, I'm not a bum, okay? I was a little bit dinged up. I was hurt more than led on to be."

• Other Senior Bowl Risers

  • Lee Hunter (DL) and Max (OT from Arizona State) praised for athleticism and background stories.
  • Quote – David Pollack (23:40):
    "The best part about that guy is he didn't even play high school football...that dog bites. Give me that guy."

6. 2026 Quarterback Breakout Candidates

(25:05–38:18)

• Analyzing QBs Who Could Take a “Mendoza Leap”
  • Historical precedent: System and fit matter most—context can transform “okay” QB play into elite output.
  • Brent names top leap candidates:
    • Josh Hoover (Indiana): Top bet due to system and supporting talent.
    • Sam Levitt (Ole Miss): Lane Kiffin’s schemes routinely elevate QBs.
    • Others: Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Lenoris Sellers (LSU), Bo Prabula (Virginia), Avery Johnson (Kansas State).
  • Quote – Brent Rollins (38:06):
    "That's why Brett Rollins is really good at his job, because he does...he reads into this stuff...like, that's a list that we'll put together...the quarterbacks that are going to take the leap, you know, this next year."

7. College Football Tampering & Ethics Discussion

(38:47–42:50)

• Tampering Epidemic
  • Coaches like Dabo Swinney and Alex Golesh have gone public with tampering complaints; lines between legal recruiting and crossing ethical boundaries are blurring.
  • Quote – Alex Golesh (40:43):
    "I think you got to do things the right way, and the right way is...doing right by the young people and doing right by your program."
  • David wonders whether fans want their coaches to “play the game” or stay ethical (41:20).

8. Who Won the Weekend?

(42:50–47:47)

• Fun Segment—Winners and Losers
  • Notable mentions:
    • Gus Malzahn’s retirement (44:13)
    • Nicholas Pollack’s D1 basketball offers
    • Jelly Roll’s Grammy win (45:02)
    • “Wives and girlfriends” of snowed-in football fans (funny and relatable; 45:34)
    • Quality time with family during the snow-in

9. FSU Hot Seat & CFP Eliminator

(47:25–49:00)

• Controversial Take
  • Wes opines FSU is on CFP elimination watch due to Mike Norvell’s workload and distractions.
  • Quote – Wes (48:08):
    "It’s a rare breed to be a coach that can handle all those GM duties, let alone calling plays...I don’t see that playing out very well."
  • David jokes about eliminating FSU from CFP contention on February 2nd.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ND as a Playoff Lock:
  "Notre Dame, it's going nowhere...I think we're saying okay, Notre Dame's in. Who else is getting in?" – David Pollack (16:35)
• On Top-5 Recruiting for Irish:
  "That's a level Marcus Freeman...that previous regime said couldn't happen." – Brent Rollins (08:22)
• On QB System Fits:
  "Styles and systems can make a player really, really good or can mask what they can do...all they needed was a new home...and then the secret sauce starts to kick in." – David Pollack (25:05)
• On College Football Ethics:
  "Big difference between recruiting a player that is in the portal, and recruiting a player that is not in the portal, and recruiting a player that is signed, sealed, delivered...if we don't fix it, you lost me." – David Pollack (40:43)
• On Auburn’s Struggles:
  "Auburn fans have had it tough...that identity crisis of, like, what are we, you know, like, where are we at in this college football world?" – David Pollack (42:07)
• On the Chat Wars:
  "Y'all be nicer to each other in the chat, by the way. We don't have to yell at each other. We don't have to call names. Let's keep it PG, man." – David Pollack (49:10)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Show open/Notre Dame discussion begins | 01:53–03:00 | | ND recruiting/NFL talk | 03:00–09:00 | | ND Playoff/Schedule overview | 09:38–14:45 | | Roster & Transfer Portal | 12:16–16:35 | | Senior Bowl/Nussmeier | 21:30–25:59 | | Breakout QBs in 2026 | 25:05–38:18 | | Tampering & Ethics Debate | 38:47–42:50 | | Who Won the Weekend | 42:50–47:47 | | FSU Hot Seat eliminator | 47:25–49:00 |

Summary/Tone

Lively, honest, and deeply analytical, this episode is vintage David Pollack: humorous Georgia snow stories, candid opinions, on-field and recruiting X’s-and-O’s, plenty of banter with Brent and Wes, and occasional playful jabs at the chat. The takeaway: Notre Dame is poised for a major run in 2026, QB development is about fit as much as talent, and the college football world is as wild and ethically confusing as ever.

Recommended for:
Notre Dame fans, college football diehards, recruiting junkies, anyone seeking insider-level analysis paired with good-natured banter and real talk about the state of the sport.