See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Episode: Kirby Smart on Georgia & State of CFB | Portal QB Moves | CFB Christmas Wishes
Date: December 18, 2025
Overview
This episode of See Ball Get Ball dives deep into the wild world of college football in December: transfer portal madness, bowl season, playoff previews, and a candid, insightful interview with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. Host David Pollack and analyst Brent Rollins bring their signature honest, energetic analysis, cover hot rumors and QB moves, react to listener “CFB wish lists,” and wrap up with practical holiday banter. The highlight: Kirby Smart’s in-depth discussion of Georgia, portal recruiting, and the evolving landscape of college football.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. The Ongoing Transfer Portal Frenzy
(02:27–10:31)
- Portal Moves & The Business of College Football
- David describes the chaos of the transfer portal, especially for players whose agents are negotiating “right now, while they’re still playing” (03:20).
- Brendan Sorsby’s situation is cited, with reported offers around "$4 million to be a one-year guy at Texas Tech" (04:00). Pollack asks: “What would you do? Four million bucks, go one year? Yes, please.”
- Quarterback Aaron Philo enters the portal after a standout Georgia HS career and a fill-in season at Georgia Tech. Discussion focuses on “the connections that matter”—player–coach familiarity is increasingly valuable (05:40).
- Quote (David Pollack):
“If it's you and this is an opportunity to set your family for the next 10, 15 years... it’s kinda hard to say, Nah, don’t take it, man.” (07:52)
- Portal “Intent to Enter” & Market Value
- Brent clarifies that many news items are “intent to enter”—the window officially opens Jan 2 (07:08).
- They riff on the reality that big names are using the portal (or threat thereof) to gauge or set their market value, and that NIL is making what used to be secret out in the open.
- “Now we just go in the front door—guns blazing.” (09:15)
2. Playoff & Bowl Game Previews
(12:04–26:59)
- Oregon vs. James Madison (JMU) Preview
- Oregon has too much talent and speed; JMU’s defense is “really good,” but will be “at a big time disadvantage” (15:18).
- Interest is mostly in “who plays for Oregon,” especially with injuries and possible returns (17:26).
- Speed and physicality are discussed (“They were at least the more physical team against Louisville. But... speed very much mattered.” – Brent, 19:19).
- Ole Miss & Tulane Matchup
- Lane Kiffin’s swagger impacts how invincible Ole Miss feels, but first-time head coach Pete Golding’s ability to keep focus is a storyline (21:20).
- Home playoff environments and fan pressure are analyzed, compared to the one-sided nature of last year’s playoff home games (22:54).
- Tulane’s defense is “not going to keep them in” vs. Ole Miss, but they discuss game plans for staying close (25:08).
- A&M vs. Miami
- Quick injury updates, with key players probable or questionable, and confidence from the A&M side (“I love the confidence. Confidence is a good thing.” – Pollack, 64:47).
3. Interview: Kirby Smart on Georgia & The State of CFB
(27:39–50:35; 53:40–54:06; 48:22–50:35)
Christmas Icebreaker
- Favorite Christmas gift: “Fifth, sixth grade… a Dallas Cowboys Tony Dorsett jersey. I wore that thing everywhere.” (27:39)
- Favorite Christmas movie: A Christmas Story: “That thing comes on, I’ll just fall asleep watching it and enjoy it.” (28:31)
What's Different About This Year’s Georgia Team?
- More buy-in, accountability, and leadership in 2025.
- Running and stopping the run prioritized more deliberately: “We rubbed their nose in it... made a committed effort... You get what you demand in this world and this game. We probably demanded it more.” (29:58, 30:46)
- Notable Quote (Kirby Smart):
“It wasn’t that the last group was not capable, we probably didn’t demand it at that standard.” (30:46)
- Notable Quote (Kirby Smart):
QB Play–Gunner & Portal Evaluation
- Compliments Gunner’s toughness—“Slides? He never slides. It’s not even in his thought process… He jumps forward and throws his head out there.” (34:28)
- Praises Branch’s surprising work ethic and team-oriented attitude as a portal addition:
- “His pursuit to go block people… kids that size that get the ball that much aren’t usually good at transition blocking. He’s elite at it.” (36:31, 36:54)
- On portal recruiting: “You can’t figure that out on one visit. But that’s who we want to draw to us, is kids that want to win.” (37:49)
Youth, Depth, and Defensive Growth
- Discussed the unusual number of true freshman O-linemen (“Never happened in ten years here... It’s the way of the world now because of the turnover.” 38:34)
- On rotation: “20-something guys that play over 100 snaps... keeps us fresh, because we believe we’ll play more games than everybody else.” (40:05)
- Defensive improvement from a “nervous, anxious” early group to one that can play mature, assignment-sound football.
SEC & CFB Landscape Changes
- On the nine-game SEC schedule: “One more loss... If we don’t increase playoffs, it’s gonna cost us probably a playoff spot.” (42:48)
- Calendar and hiring: “It’s like government... you cannot get things done quickly. There’s too many moving parts.” (43:21)
- Private equity in CFB: “It just scares me... You start giving that control away, now all of a sudden we’re not practicing when we want to practice…” (48:46)
Contemplating the Future
- Should championship games continue? “As the playoff expands... I just don’t know how they’re going to continue to do that.” (49:33)
- “When I came here there was no chance I was playing as a freshman. But these kids nowadays, they can play.” (48:22)
Notable Quotes
- David Pollack:
- “If it's you and this is an opportunity to set your family for the next 10, 15 years, man, golly, it's kinda hard to say, Nah, don’t take it, man.” (07:52)
- Kirby Smart:
- “You get what you demand in this world and you get what you demand in this game...” (30:46)
- “Kids nowadays, they can play.” (48:22)
- “This portal thing has been good to us... We have hit on kids that are team culture guys.” (37:49)
- Brent Rollins:
- “He didn't know the kid's work ethic... when you get a lot of success, that's when it hits.” (52:10)
- On the Transfer Portal:
- “Now we just walk in the front door guns blazing.” (09:15)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Portal QB Movement & Sorsby/Philo Discussion | 02:27–10:31 | | NIL/Transfer Portal Realities | 07:29–09:49 | | Oregon vs. JMU Preview | 15:18–19:41 | | SEC/Playoff Expansion Calendar, Championship Game | 42:39–50:35 | | Kirby Smart Interview | 27:39–50:35 | | Christmas Wishes from Listeners | 55:33–61:23 | | D2 Podium Kings & Tony Anise Humor | 61:20–62:44 | | Coaching Transitions (Tulane, Miami, A&M) | 65:17–66:13 | | Wrap-up & Hosts’ Christmas Wishes | 66:26–70:59 |
Listener Q&A: “CFB Christmas Wishes”
(55:33–66:13)
- Tennessee fan “wishes for 8 portal defensive backs” (55:33).
- “Domer Guy ’88” wants Notre Dame to “take college football hostage” and win a national title, but acknowledges a tough road ahead with key departures.
- Miami fan wants out of the ACC due to scheduling chaos; host agrees the power lies in the SEC/Big Ten.
- One user wants just a giant Pop Tart for Christmas (light-hearted fun, 60:18).
- Others wish for health, coaching stability (especially Michigan fans), and big wishes for their teams.
Memorable Moments & Lighthearted Exchanges
- Recurring riff on NIL: “Now it’s legal... now we just go in the front door.”
- Fun banter: “If you don’t drink coffee, I don’t trust you... coffee is one of the luxuries in life.” (67:12–68:29)
- One host wants only a coffee mug that stays hot; another just wishes for good winter weather to golf.
Analysis & Takeaways
- Portal Recruiting:
Coaches are acutely aware culture fit matters as much as talent; Smart admits even he “didn’t know the work ethic” of some portal arrivals before they joined, but Georgia has “hit on” culture fits. - Georgia Identity: A determined shift back to running and stopping the run—achieved through “demanding it more” and daily emphasis at practice—is credited for their surging 2025 campaign.
- CFB Landscape:
Expansion, nine-game conference schedules, and private equity are reshaping the game—Smart is wary of outside influence but sees no signs of change slowing down.
Tone & Style
The show blends Pollack’s humor and southern energy with Brent’s analytical rigor and practical football insight. Kirby Smart is direct, affable, and full of practical wisdom—emphasizing toughness, culture, and adaptability. The conversation ranges from detailed X’s and O’s football talk to light-hearted Christmas wishes, all with a clear focus on what moves the needle in the sport today.
For Listeners New and Old
Whether you missed the episode or just want the main takeaways, this summary covers the big-picture narratives—Georgia football’s evolution, the transfer portal’s impact, playoff and bowl landscape, and listener interaction—plus the unique, personal touch that Pollack and his guests bring to See Ball Get Ball. Don’t miss the Kirby Smart interview for a coach’s eye view of how top programs are adapting to the ever-changing (and ever-crazier) world of college football.