← See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Lane Kiffin's Timeline | Sam Leavitt's Future | CFP Punishing Tough Schedules?
00:49:41
Lane Kiffin's Timeline | Sam Leavitt's Future | CFP Punishing Tough Schedules? 0:00 CFP Punishing Tough Schedules? 5:14 Sam Leavitt: Portal Fits 17:44 Lane Kiffin Timeline 22:44 Podium Kings: Jon Sumrall, Terry Smith, Kirby Smart 29:05 Q&A with David Pollack
Loading summary
Transcript130 lines
- [00:00]
David Pollock
And how about that Pollock interception in the end zone? Well, it's David Pollock and I think people are going to learn what kind of ballplayer is. He's got a heart of a lion. I'm really proud of that kid. This is C ball. Get Ball, college football's top show for football analysis, predictions and coach interviews. Now here's your host, three time all American, seven time Emmy award winner. All right, dudes, welcome back in, man. Thanksgiving a week away. I wonder how y' all feel about Thanksgiving. I have my take on Thanksgiving. You probably won't like my tank if you love Thanksgiving. But a week away, get some football, get some family. You know, it's interesting with the rankings coming out, I think, you know, it got us thinking a little bit on C Ball. Get ball. We've kind of mentioned it, but, like, how do you handle it if you're an ad? And y' all hit us with the questions too in the chat because we're at the end of this show, we're going to do a better job of kind of listening to y' all and whatever y' all ask. We'll try to. We'll try to get to as much as possible. But, you know, just the fact that you have, you know, teams right now, like, if you think about Bama, Bama just went from obviously from 4 to 10 and Bama went from 4 to 10 because Bama scheduled FSU. Now, FSU is not a great team, but the history of FSU and who they are and what they are and playing at a conference, it was supposed to be a big game because of that and Alabama lost. If Alabama scheduled, you know, little sisters of the poor or directional Alabama directional that then maybe, maybe they would have won and then maybe the season's a little bit different. Like, I. I think the coolest thing to start this season compared to most other seasons were like, we were jacked up out of our minds for week one. Like, week one was one of the coolest things that we saw. And if we're going to vote like this as a committee and we're going to price place the premium on the losses, then I don't think we're going to get those matchups. Like, why not go Indiana route? Why not? That's what SMU did a year ago, too. But why not go those routes like Oregon this year? Like, why would I really go challenge myself and play a great team and even not a great team, but a team that has great individuals, you know, because then they can beat you. They can take you out, like, why would I go on the road when I could pay someone to come to my house? You know, Allah, you know, Alabama who went to fsu and it was nasty and it was, it was gross and it was at their place and things got weird. But like, Signetti talked about it before, before the season, and I think it was one of those things that we kind of like, all right, it was a Sydneyism, right? Like, he's just, it's one of his things. But he was like, I'm doing what all the other guys do now. The other guys aren't doing that. I mean, we saw, I mean, think about that. That week one we saw like now we thought Clemson, the Tigers go Tigers. The Tiger matchup for, for Death Valley was going to be great. But you had Ohio State and Texas. You, you had Bama and FSU just like big Titan. You know, clashes like those were so much fun. And, and I think that if we're going to place the, the loss as the importance, like the lower losses in the lost column, then I think we'll lose some of that. And so it's not, it's not a big rant, but it's just, it's something that I feel like it is important for us, man, because I think I want to see the best games. I want to see the biggest schools play out of conference. I've long been a proponent and I'm going to say this one more time. I would love to see the conference versus conference. They do it in basketball every single year. It's pretty clear who the two, two biggest and baddest conferences are in college football. Now the Big 12 is definitely having a good say about possibly getting multiple teams in, but like Big Ten, sec. But I've also talked about the. At a conference, if you're going to have four out of conference games, well, have crossovers with every league. Like every team from the SEC plays an ACC team, plays a Big 12 team. Play plays a Big 10 team. Now we have a round robin of more data, more things to look at. You know, Notre Dame is a perfect example. Like, should Notre Dame have scheduled A and M? Should Notre Dame have scheduled Miami? Like, if Notre Dame schedules, you know, a directional school that, that they're going to beat because of their talent. Look at where we're at. Like Notre Dame's literally in. And people complain about Notre Dame strength of schedule. Like, but. But they literally could have done that. They could have not challenged themselves at a conference at all. But they did choose to, to play Texas A And M to play Miami. And we were the beneficiaries of that because we got that on Monday night after those other games that I mentioned. Like, that's what we got week one, man. Like, and I think the way we're going, you might not get that week one. So if the committee wants to do this, just realize, man, it's not. It's not going to be the most fun situation for all of us. We lose. Like, we lose out in the end. And that's. And that sucks. I don't like that. I'd rather have better games. So that's my little rant on scheduling and what we're learning about scheduling and how we can use it now in the future. All right, there's a big, big whale fish that's in the portal reportedly now, and Sam Levitt's a dude now, and we saw him with Arizona State and Scoutaboo, and they went on a magical run last year and it was really, really fun to watch. And, you know, they came so close to beating Texas. Interesting 0 blitz at the end of the game. Besides that, on fourth down, Texas survives. But Sam Levitt coming into the season was one of those guys that we talked about, man. Like, this is one of the best in the business. And I'll say this, his talent doesn't take a back seat to a lot of people. Like, just sheer talent. And I'm sure Brent's got some numbers. I probably should have told him to get some numbers on Levitt. If he does, that'd be great. But, like, just the numbers of him last year, because this year has been a mixed bag. This year they obviously hasn't been as. Haven't been as good. He's been banged up. He's been hurt. Now before that, like, fairness, before he got hurt, he still wasn't playing at the level he was a year ago, but, you know, almost 3,000 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions, kicked in, almost 500 rushing, five touchdowns. That's pretty dang good. And I think the. The stakes now is who's going to get them. But this dude's got something different about him. I will say that. Like, I love the dog, man. He's. He's got some. He's got some. I'm not going to say the word, but he's got some, like, blank you in him, right? Like, he's got. He's got a lot of that, man. Like, he's got a lot of the cajones and he is not scared. And what he said to Quinn ears a Year ago, remember? Like, I don't, I don't take a backseat to Quinn ears. And he went out and proved it. Like he runs it like he stole it. He runs it like a running back. Extremely athletic, extremely big arm. And this is the, this is the nil world we live in now, which I think is another thing that's going to be a consequence or something that we're going to see more and more of. Like, why would he go to the NFL? He could go to the NFL. He could be a second round type pick. Like he might be a late first round pick. And in this draft, actually he probably will be a first round pick. Like depending on what Mendoza does, who can come back and, and Simpson does, who can come back. But those two guys are like the top of the food chain. So I, I just, I would be surprised if they come back. But like, Sam Levitt doesn't take a back seat talent wise. Now when it comes to, to timing, getting the ball out, seeing it, throwing it. Like with RPOs, I think he's really good. But most of his damage I consistently see him do is, is off script, off schedule, like really, really hard to stop. And that, that's a skill set, but that can't be the number one skill set. Like if you're drafting a kid. It's not like, oh, I love the way he plays off script. No, no, no, it's got to be. I love the way he can play within structure because now you're playing with a bunch of freaks that can catch you, right? Like a bunch of dudes that, that run as fast as you do. The booger eaters are gone, right? Like those kids that could. And so now you've got better guys chasing you, better systems, better schemes. Balls got to come out. And I don't think that's his strength, um, but I do think he has the, the upper echelon arm talent. He's got the, he's got the, the something inside of him, man. Like he's got that, that grit and that it about him. But obviously this year has been kind of a, kind of a black eye for him. But I think it's interesting, Brett, you can add anything you want with, with numbers wise with, with Levitt if you want. But before we talk about like the destination spots, because I've got some pretty strong opinions on where I think he goes. I can tell you the school right now, like, I'm going to tell you the school he'll go to. Like, and I, and I feel extremely confident, but I'LL also give you a list of other teams that I think will be in the sweepstakes and should be in the sweepstakes.
- [09:00]
Brent Rollins
He's not in the portal yet.
- [09:01]
David Pollock
He's going to be just.
- [09:05]
Brent Rollins
We got to throw that caveat out there. This is more of a likely than a.
- [09:10]
David Pollock
We're talking. The reports are pretty strong about him being shopped, so.
- [09:16]
Brent Rollins
Which I think also points to his coach not being there. Well, I think that that's something that might, I think in terms of where he ends up.
- [09:27]
David Pollock
But I'm gonna, I'm gonna get to a rant later about like the fact that we have to do this crap right now. Like, it's, it's absolutely asinine that we're talking about kids in the transfer portal and it's about to come in waves throughout the next month. And like we shouldn't be talking about this during football season. The. The calendar is absolutely stupid. Like, we'll get to that. But just Sam Levitt and what you've seen from him and his numbers, maybe some of that stuff that you got.
- [09:51]
Brent Rollins
But was his, his turnover worthy play percentage almost double over more than doubled. And the biggest thing when it's a lot of their offense and what they have this year as compared to obviously what they had a year ago with Scatter Boo. But his performance in a clean pocket is usually a stable metric like year quarterbacks for quarterbacks. Like, it's something that year to year is relatively stable. Very much a dip down this year from him. And when you're not performing well in a clean pocket, like he's. We've seen how great he is under pressure.
- [10:28]
David Pollock
Yep.
- [10:28]
Brent Rollins
And he's. That's actually been, that's one of the things that for him has been consistent. He handles pressure relatively well.
- [10:34]
David Pollock
He thrives under pressure.
- [10:36]
Podium Kings Host
Yeah.
- [10:36]
David Pollock
He's. He's the best version of himself by far because he's a, he's got. He's a freak and he's competitive.
- [10:42]
Brent Rollins
He's like Nick Cage in the Rock. He loves pressure. He eats it for breakfast. But. But when you don't perform well and consistently from a clean pocket, that makes your offense inefficient. And that's. And you see the ups and downs and that's what you've seen from Arizona State this year.
- [10:58]
David Pollock
Yeah. And I think when you think about Levitt possibly transferring and going somewhere else, you also think about like last year he played with Scatter Boo, but think about putting him with more talent across the board and think about what you could get out of him. Like, that's another part of this that you start. Like, the quarterback is the most dependent position. Like, you just. You gotta have a good offensive line. Like, you gotta have good guys to throw it to that can get open. If they don't get open. It's really hard to make throws. Like, it's just a very. It takes all people helping you to be successful from the line to the receivers to the tight ends. Everybody has to be involved for you to be really good. Like, receivers are a little bit different. Every other position's a little bit different. Quarterbacks are just. They have to sit in there and depend on someone that might not be very good to protect their blindside. That's not a whole lot of fun. Like, that can't be the most enjoyable thing when you play with a really good defense versus where you don't like because you have to take more chances. So I think when we get into all of this, all this stuff in the future and all these positions, all these. All these portal guys, one of the things to keep in mind, like, some of y' all don't like the transfer portal, and I don't care if you don't like it or not. Like, yes, that's your prerogative. Like, sometimes the coaches are wrong, too. Like, the coaches don't play the right guys very much. The coaches don't see it. The coaches think you're this. And there's a lot of coaches when they think you're this. They can't make you this. Like, they just won't do it in their head. And so I think it's interesting that what you know from him, like, and what I know, I'm getting certain systems, I feel like right away make a whole lot of sense. Like, a whole lot of sense. But Indiana has been very much in the QB market dynamic. Signetti's proven what he could do. They're going to spend some money on that spot because they have. Which is smart. You should spend money on that spot. Spot. Now, if I. If I'm Levitt, okay. Signetti runs a lot of things that can help me go from being a good player to a NFL player. So I think that's. I've seen the last two guys have a lot of success. Indiana. Indiana makes. The last two guys have been good. And Mendoza is about to be a top two pick, probably a top three pick in the draft. So I think Indiana is a team.
- [13:17]
Brent Rollins
I push back on that a little bit.
- [13:19]
David Pollock
Go ahead and push back.
- [13:21]
Brent Rollins
I think some. Some of their offense, like, The RPO driven nature of a lot of those things. It's not a lot of NFL translatable type things there. You got a small window, small sample size to me of things that are truly. Mendoza is more about the skill set and the, the metrics and the height, weight, speed, arm strength, all the sort of things that he can do there as opposed to. He's playing in a pro style offense.
- [13:47]
David Pollock
I think he definitely has to make reads. He stands under pressure, takes hits, which you have to do. He throws the. He throws a back shoulder ball that will absolutely translate to the NFL and everybody will be absolutely jacked about the arm talent, does not flinch and the mobility. And the RPOs are more in the NFL than they've ever been. So, like, I'm not saying he's Tom Brady. Like he's going to sit back in the pocket and be a pocket passer. I think you're stupid not to use him. But he also has the second play, what you love now, like playing that second and third play. He has that ability. And when he gets in the frickin. When that dude gets in the open, Good Lord. Like, you don't want to tackle that like it's a strides. It's a bus. It's a big school bus. It's. It's Ben Roethlisberger type stuff, man, but with more speed. Like that's. That's what it is. Like, I'm smoke.
- [14:39]
Brent Rollins
If you're looking at possible destinations for, you know, saying he does end up in the transfer portal, which you said he will. Indiana is going to lose Nick Cooper and Surratt.
- [14:50]
David Pollock
Yep.
- [14:51]
Brent Rollins
Like they gone. So you better, you better have others if that's where your destination is.
- [14:58]
David Pollock
Well, we'll go to the next name on the list, Miami. That Miami has to be right up at the top of any kind of a list you make. Yes. And three in a row for Indiana, three in a row for Miami. Three. Like it's, it's not a. It's not a secret. That's what they're going to do. Like, and especially now, now Miami's a little bit different out of high school. Miami can get some dudes out of high school. Like, Indiana's probably not going to get the dudes at a high school at an elite level, but they can go get them in the portal and that's what they'll continue to do if they're going to be smart. Miami's done that the past couple years. Cam Ward, that worked out okay. Carson Beck, I'd say it's worked out pretty good now, depending on the number of the. What the investment was. I don't know, but big offensive line, gonna try to bruise it with a running game. Malachi, Tony, if you can keep him. That dude's a future superstar.
- [15:48]
Brent Rollins
I mean, that makes that spot attractive.
- [15:50]
David Pollock
Superstar. Like, dude, you'll get other. You can get other receivers in the portal as well. But, like, I think that would be appealing right away if. If I'm. If I'm Sam Levitt looking for. Looking for something to go to.
- [16:04]
Brent Rollins
So. So since we're talking in hypotheticals with him being in the portal, let's say his coach is in the coach portal.
- [16:12]
David Pollock
That will happen. Obviously. I'm saying that would. That would make a difference. Like, where he goes, obviously would make a difference.
- [16:17]
Brent Rollins
So how much do you think, like, would. Would you see that potentially being a package deal type thing?
- [16:24]
David Pollock
Well, I mean, we.
- [16:26]
Brent Rollins
We've seen a package deal, but, I.
- [16:28]
David Pollock
Mean, we've seen that before. Yeah, I mean, it's definitely. It's definitely going to be part of it. Just because you have the relationship deal. And that's the thing. We're talking about all these portal questions, which is stupid, because we're talking about this during the season, and it's going to continue to be a problem because the portal's opening up in a little bit when the season's still going. Like, playoff teams are still competing. Like, what the heck are we doing? Like, this is. And I. Some people don't agree with me or. And you don't have to agree with me. I was very clear, man. This should be before spring ball. I have no clue why this is right now. Like, high school recruiting, I'm fine with. You're still double dipping. So be it. Everybody's recruiting high school. Like, there's people that are going to be out of the playoff that now get to recruit, go spend. Go get it. Go get a. Go get their budget in line. Go do all. I. I don't understand that. Like, I don't get the point of how that's even a thing. It's stupid. We need to fix it. I don't like complaining about rules and refs and stuff like that, but eventually you get to a point just like with the sec, you're like, all right, I've seen enough. And then just with this. And you think about the calendar and what everybody has to go through right now, like, you're recruiting coaches who are probably going to bring a bunch of players with them. You're trying to figure out your roster we got the whole Lane Kiffin fiasco now that's going on that I don't even know what to think. Like, obviously, where there's smoke, there's fire.
- [17:50]
Podium Kings Host
There's.
- [17:50]
David Pollock
There's not an extension for a reason. There's more coming, I'm sure. But, like, I love Lane. Lane's a stud. Always been a big fan of Lane. The one thing you know about Lane and his personality, Like, Lane loves this. Like, Lane. Lane loves to be the guy. Like, he is, and he is the guy. Like, he's awesome. He's a stud. But, like, he doesn't mind this. He. He doesn't mind taking shots and stuff on social media. Like, that's what makes Lane. Lane. That's why he's a great coach, because he relates to these kids so well and has fun and kicks it. Like. But there's not a single part of this that he's like, man, this. This sucks. Like, this is terrible. Like, this is. This is his element. Like, I think he can thrive in this as well as anybody, but you're. You just can't. You can't convince me in any world that we're doing this game where transfer portals and recruiting and all this stuff are all happening within this. Within a month of each other while the season's still going on. Like, I. I'm out.
- [18:53]
Podium Kings Host
So. Dp. The. The interesting thing is also the timeline of playoff contenders, players that make it into the playoff. So if, let's say, hypothetically, Lane makes a run, he's still with Ole Miss. Hey, keep your shirt on, man. What's going on? You're repping the Titans tonight, so let's say he makes a playoff run. Let's say they get bounced. Semifinals, quarterfinals. All of Ole Miss's players have an additional five extra days to go with him. Any of those players that he wants to take, if he takes a different job, and Ole Miss has no time to replace him.
- [19:34]
David Pollock
Now. And I think that. I do think that the way they've done it is a good thing. It is a good thing for the portal to open back up for some, for folks, because it's not fair to kids to go, hey, like, I. I signed up for this guy, for this coach, because of this relationship, because of this system, because you are looking for a fit as a player, and then that guy leaves. Like, I don't think that's fair. I do think you should have some form of a window to be able to leave. But. But. But the timing of what Wes just talked about, like, what the heck Are we doing that? That doesn't make sense to do that in the playoffs. Like, other teams are in the playoffs, other teams are playing. You're recruiting. Remember SMU last year? It was Preston Stone, wasn't it? Like, the dude is going somewhere else. Like, okay, I'll hang around, but, like, the dude's going somewhere else. Like, as soon as the portal opens, like, I just, I don't get that. It doesn't make sense. And surely we're smart enough to fix it. We're going to extend the playoffs. We're going to continue to tweak the rules and the transfer portal and all that stuff that comes with it. And there's a lot of legislation that's coming, but I don't know how coaches deal with that. I really don't, man. I mean, that's just, it's got to be infuriating and they got to find somewhere to figure it out. But back to Sam Levitt real quick. Put a bow on it. Wrap it up. Trip Hicks said he hates fsu. You can hate fsu. I think FSU is another name to consider for Sam Levitt. Like, haven't fired their coach yet. He's there. They've been going the quarterback route and had success with Jordan, Travis. Tommy had some success. But think about fsu, the system. It would allow him to flourish, to thrive, like with Gus. I think that's a system that you've seen a running QB have a lot of success and that's one of the best gifts, is now developing him for the next level. Maybe not, but FSU, just the name, the history, the QBs. But I mean, y' all can chime in there. Whoever, whoever wants to chime in on this. But the spot is, is clear to me. Like, it's, it's the biggest bag. It's Texas Tech. Like, why would it not be a conference that you're familiar with? Why would it not be a team that, a team that happens to have cheddar, like, straight cheddar, like, they can spend it, man, that, like, they can, they can do it. They can spend it at a high level. Morton's leaving now. Listen, they invested in Hammond. Who's. But he's coming off of an acl. I don't know. You think about having Levitt for a year that could disrupt Hammond. But like, I, I, I mean, they are a team that is absolutely willing to spend. They showed it last offseason and, and good for them. I'm not hating because that investment has turned into winning and they're Going to the College Football Playoff. So I don't have a problem with it. I got no problem with it. You got something. You got something to say, Wesley?
- [22:36]
Brent Rollins
Come on.
- [22:37]
Podium Kings Host
Did you get it all off your chest?
- [22:39]
David Pollock
I got off my chest.
- [22:40]
Podium Kings Host
Yeah.
- [22:41]
David Pollock
I'm good.
- [22:41]
Podium Kings Host
Let's get to some podium, kings. We got some good comments coming in, by the way, on X and. And here in the chat on YouTube. So y' all keep that coming. Y' all are our guest tonight, so we're gonna have a nice, fun rundown at the end of the show addressing everything. We're not holding back. We're not editing, y'. All. It's all. It's all on the table. All right?
- [23:02]
David Pollock
Yeah, baby.
- [23:02]
Podium Kings Host
For everybody that has a problem with the group of five inclusion in the College Football Playoff, the current Projected Group of 5 coach in the College Football Playoff agrees with you.
- [23:16]
John Sumrall
I mean, I'll just be very candid. There's some days I feel like we're one of the bottom 25 teams in the country watching us play. So, you know, if we want to start feeling comfortable or casual about somebody wanting to vote us in the top 25 teams, there must be a lot of bad football going on if we're in the top 25 teams.
- [23:37]
Podium Kings Host
Yeah, that was. That was John Sumrall. And look, I don't know who's in. You roll the dice every week. Some people thought JMU should be in ahead of them. It doesn't matter at this point. That's one of my favorite things about your rankings, is that you just transparently don't care, so. So we'll see how it goes.
- [23:56]
David Pollock
But we're going to put a new one there. We're going to put a new one there every week, though. We're going to get everybody involved as much as possible. But John Summerall is a name, by the way, that he's going to take a gig like he's going to be somewhere. And how many of y' all would like to have that? A guy that literally is like, hey, I don't. Not only do I not feel like we're ranked, I feel like we're a bottom 25 team. So you think he's got a good ability to motivate his guys? You think he'll call a spade a spade? You think he can handle hard and. And teach kids discipline like that? That feels like a guy that you're like, yeah, I think he'll be okay handling the hard stuff because he's straight calling the whole squad out and telling them your practice Habits suck sometimes. Do better. Like, sign me up for that. All right.
- [24:44]
Podium Kings Host
We're normally pretty light hearted here in podium Kings, but I did want to share this moment. I thought it was awesome From Terry Smith after Penn State finally got a win for the interim ball coach.
- [24:55]
David Pollock
And I'm just so blessed. God has been so good to me, do everything in my life. I have the opportunity to be the head coach at Penn State.
- [25:09]
Podium Kings Host
I thought that was awesome. And if y' all haven't seen that, it's. It's from a much longer press conference availability with coach. And just for the sake of time, I didn't want to have to edit out all of his pauses to. To get emotional there, but I thought that was pretty sweet.
- [25:24]
David Pollock
That's pretty cool. He's an alumni. You can tell it matters. Now if you want to go on the reverse side of that. His halftime speech was fantastic. Like, he went. He went ham on everybody, which was awesome. Like, going out there taking responsibility. But, man, it's cool to see and be reminded of, like, how much, like, Terry Smith's been around a long time and to get this opportunity at his alma mater, like, that's big time, man. Like, it means something to him. And that's really, really fun to watch because there's so much money in the game, there's so much ego, there's so much of all that stuff that goes on. But, like, you can just tell for Terry Smith, man, that hits different, and that's really cool.
- [26:04]
Podium Kings Host
All right, the next one has been talked about basically all week. It's Kirby talking about, you know, running away from hard opportunities, but we haven't played it yet on the show. And I wanted to really give you the opportunity to react to what Kirby had to say here. A lot of rivals kind of hating on Kirby because some of this quote doesn't make sense. But I still think it's awesome.
- [26:25]
Kirby Smart
We schedule them. The ones that want to leave, we schedule them. We try to get them on the schedule because when they want to leave because they're not physical, that means they're probably going to a place that's. That's not physical. We like those places. We like to play them. We prefer them, actually, if you can get them on the schedule. So it's one of those deals that you don't. You don't run from hard in life. You run from hard in life, you'll find more hard.
- [26:49]
Podium Kings Host
Brent's UGA sports colleague Rodney Nabulsi asked the question about how Kirby balances the line between keeping a physical program in an era where everyone wants to get paid and guys maybe wanting to leave. And that was his answer. What do you think about it?
- [27:06]
David Pollock
DP well, it's. It's harder than ever right now as a college coach to. To. To create accountability and hold people's feet to the fire. Like, that's a really hard thing to do because kids can leave, like, they can pull the parachute and they can go somewhere else. So the fact that you choose to be hard and you choose to be physical, you know, there's going to be consequences to that. But I also think that there's some truth, too. And when you say specific, people don't like that, and they don't like being talked to a certain way, and they will go somewhere else. So what you are left with sometimes are players that they. Sometimes they're not as talented. Um, sometimes they go somewhere else. You get to play against them. And that's a good thing. Like, it's. It's a good thing that you get those matchups now. The schedules are made way in advance, way in advance. So it's not like you can just like, all of a sudden make it different and change the schedule. But. But I do think what Kirby saying is, is how he builds his program. He wants to be different. He wants to be unique. He wants to be physical. He wants to practice hard. And every single person that I've ever met across the country who doesn't have a bias, when you listen to that dude talk, you're like, yep, sign me up. Like, I want to run through a wall for him. Like, that's my kind of coach. Because. Because he's got so much conviction. He's got so much. Like, you've heard the. The pregame talks for the national championships and some of those that have been leaked, man. Like, he knows how to get a response. And I think that accountability he creates sometimes, you know, sometimes it can backfire. Sometimes kids don't like that, and that's okay. And that's why the transfer portal is. Is available and open. I think that's something that you go to a school and you're like, all right, this is not what I thought it was going to be. I. They don't necessarily believe in me. I can go somewhere else. There's all kinds of reasons to transfer and to go somewhere else. So. Alrighty, man, let's.
- [29:03]
Podium Kings Host
Let's start our questions there. Then Sean walker in the YouTube chat, asked, do these players think that declaring early for the transfer portal is a good thing? As a coach, any player that isn't hurt should be seen as quitting on their team. Who would want that player tennis? I mean, look at Boo Carter and all that fallout with Tennessee throughout this week. And I mean, that. That's an extreme example, I think, but it's a good point. I mean, the Portals, you know, you got a few weeks. Why declare now, right?
- [29:34]
David Pollock
Well, not everybody goes to the portal for the same reason. And some people are pissed. Some people are upset. Some people think the coaches are against them. They're getting. They want to get out of the culture. They want to get loose. Like, some people want to go for playing time. Some people want to go to different places for money. So they're not all created equal. But that's what's the hardest thing about if you're going to build a roster strictly out of the portal. It's really hard to know unless you have inside information about these kids, why they're leaving and what their true reasons are. And so I think it's taken into account. I think people know when you went into the transfer portal, but it's kind of like firing a coach, too. Like, if you fire the coach and you get in line, like, you get your name out there earlier. But. But here's the thing that I know for a fact happens because I've heard about it through so many people now. Like, there's so much of the. The agents doing the. Hey, we're leaving. Hey, we're leaving. So I'm just telling you, if it was something that I wanted to leave, I wouldn't do it publicly. I would not do it publicly in the season. I'd worry about how it looks a little bit. So it wouldn't have been my choice to do it. I would let my agent float that to him individually. But there's probably, like, those people are like, all right, I got to get the heck out of here. Like, I can't take this. I'm gone.
- [30:54]
Podium Kings Host
So our next one is from Brendan Reesing on X. He says, who on planet Earth is deciding who gets to be on the playoff committee? The rankings yesterday should have these committee members in prison.
- [31:07]
David Pollock
I thought that was a little. Little extreme in handcuffs, huh?
- [31:11]
Podium Kings Host
Prison? Golly, Brendan, really?
- [31:15]
David Pollock
I mean, listen, Brendan, I. I am struggling to find nice things to say about the committee this week. I'm a positive person most of the time, and that's. It's hard to be positive with finding the rationale and. And finding the. The. The head to head and finding the, you know, the.
- [31:34]
Podium Kings Host
The.
- [31:35]
David Pollock
The quality wins in 1. 1. 1 hand. And then the, the, the losses are the thing, like all these different things. And I don't think your Chick helped himself out with some of his answers, but I also think he was forced into that role late. But this. Listen, I've heard horror stories from people that have been in that room over the years of, of guys that they don't love being in that room like that, don't know football like that, aren't ultra invested in this. And you find this in your work, right? Like you work with people that they don't. They're not super invested. They're getting a paycheck. They're not super invested like some of the people on the committee. Not as invested as others. Who's the loudest voice in the room? Who's the guy that's talking to everybody? Who's the guy that can convince people? Um, so I don't have, I'm not going to put them in handcuffs. Do I think they hit, knocked it out the park? No. Do I think they hit a triple or a double or a single? No. I thought this week was a, was a, was a pretty big strikeout, to be honest.
- [32:32]
Podium Kings Host
I think this is one that Brent could probably get into as well. Sean Walker asking as it, as it relates to transfer decisions and you talked about this earlier with Levitt and his decision making process, seeing that Signetti could potentially help him out. Brent kind of disagreed. But Sean Walker wants to know, is it easier for a quarterback to adapt to an offensive scheme than say a wide receiver or running back? Or is the coach looking for a player that fits his game plan? And I think it's interesting when you look at the breakdown of position groups that hit the portal the most, are some of those guys maybe like itching to get out of a bad situation when maybe the scheme isn't a great fit?
- [33:14]
David Pollock
Let's get Brent Rollins in here. Let's get that big brain in here. I'll let him answer first because I've been talking a lot.
- [33:20]
Brent Rollins
I think the unique thing is there when, much like with Gus and when Gus Mazon was, you know, now the OC at Florida State, you need a specific type of player. Gotta have wheels and, and fit matters and what. And skill set matters there. Outside of that, I think a lot of this, and I think you're probably going to see more of this where a lot of the college offenses, it. They start to look a lot of light, look the same because of the multitude of player movement. It's kind of like the NFL. So many offenses in the NFL look the same because they have to be. Because player might be cut one day, traded the next day. You know, all the things, all the player movement that exist. It's rare that you see somebody who complete like the Houston Oilers don't, you know, old school run and shoot, you know, Lions, all that. That doesn't exist anymore. Oilers, it's yeah. Warn Moon days.
- [34:18]
David Pollock
Oilers.
- [34:19]
Brent Rollins
But like those very unique offenses don't necessarily exist as much. So I, I think a lot of.
- [34:27]
David Pollock
It is just.
- [34:30]
Brent Rollins
For personality and skills.
- [34:31]
David Pollock
How about to say I, I think it's more. How do you mesh with the team? What's your personality? What are you asking for? Because there's a lot of people that are asking for crazy numbers.
- [34:42]
Brent Rollins
Yeah.
- [34:42]
David Pollock
And there's a lot of people that. There's a lot of people that are going on visits now. And I can speak firsthand from this, from a coach. Coach told me that they've had plenty of kids come in, go to the business meeting first. They left the business meeting and never met with the coaches. So like, you don't have the funds. Bye, Felicia. We gone. Like, we ain't, we're not having that. So like it's, it's, it's crazy. The world we're living in is crazy. So I think, I think there's multitude of systems and ways to do things. Um, Signetti, for example, does it different. I like what he does. Signetti's system is I'm going to get guys who are established guys who have played several years in college. They have experience, they've got their man body. Now. I kind of know what they are. They might not be the most highly recruited guy or the guy that's going to play at the next level. But I know he can play fast, he can play physical, and he has experienced all kinds of stuff in his college career, like plug play, like, no guesswork. I'm getting it for one year, I'm getting it from two years. Like, that's, I'm not. I won't be surprised if that model isn't copied. Like, I would, I would, I would follow that model, especially with certain positions. Offensive line, defensive line, tight end. Getting your man body. Like, you ain't got that at 18, you ain't got that at 19. Now by 20, 21, you done red shirted. You've been in that weight room for a couple of years. Come put your hands on your boy, it ain't going to end up well for you. Right? Like that's, that's, that's another thing that's Position specific to. To finding certain guys.
- [36:20]
Brent Rollins
Well, and also you have so many of these schools now that have the general manager role, like the gym naggies at Oklahoma, who in essence are scouts, and they're. They're scout looking for traits. Yeah. And can there's those traits fit in our system, much like the NFL draft? And to Sean's question earlier about sort of declaring early thing, I think more than anything in today's college football, coaches and players understanding the business part of this kind of. It's kind of the norm. I would say almost everyone's used to it. It's like, okay, I get you. Fine. Not an issue.
- [37:00]
David Pollock
Now they are.
- [37:01]
Brent Rollins
You understand?
- [37:01]
David Pollock
Now they are. A couple years ago, it was like, whoa. Yeah. Okay, Brett, now I think I'm gonna ask this one for you, for Garrett Roberts. I'm gonna let you answer this one. David, if you were still in your prime today, do you think you could start.
- [37:15]
Podium Kings Host
Oh, he.
- [37:15]
Brent Rollins
You would definitively be a third down edge rusher and could get two to three pressures a game next week. Two pressures. You. You could get two pressures next week.
- [37:28]
David Pollock
Well, he said in your prime, so.
- [37:30]
Brent Rollins
Oh, if you were still in your. Oh, good God, yes.
- [37:34]
David Pollock
I thought that was kind of disrespectful, Garrett. You know, I mean, it's okay, but, like, I get it. Like, because I got the way offensive.
- [37:41]
Brent Rollins
Line play is right now.
- [37:42]
David Pollock
You get, you know, you know, years ago. You know what I got a couple years ago? I got a couple years ago for the national championship team. They're like, yeah, you couldn't have played on this defense? And I was like, okay, all right, well, agree to disagree, but you should always believe in yourself. Believe in yourself, kids. All right, Wesley, what else we got? Ninja.
- [38:01]
Podium Kings Host
All right, we got some good playoff conference race questions here. So, Sam, let's get weird. Yeah, Sam, Unk on X says, oh, yeah, that's Unk. If a team loses the SEC championship game, can they be knocked out of the cfp? So keep. Keep that one. And then also Big Ten related. You can go ahead and answer the. The SEC one.
- [38:27]
David Pollock
That's a good dude. I appreciate that because I was going to be like, writing it down. All right, we don't know the answer to if you lose the conference championship, you're going to get knocked out. But I will say is they're not going to punish someone for playing extra game against a really good team while somebody's sitting on their couch unless that team got punished. Like, if you get slapped around and you're not in the in the football game, that might, that might stick, that might land. That might be a really bad thing for your squad and it will affect you. But I think it's more about the effect of seating than anything else. Especially you're talking about sec, especially if you're talking about Big Ten. Those two teams, obviously ACC with the, with the parody in it, which it is now like, and the amount of losses you lose, you're out. Big 12 now, they're in that mix too, because depending on who win wins, there'll be other teams. But I think the. The way it's played and how the result is will probably be the biggest determining factor. The loss. I. I don't think it should matter. I don't think it's going to matter. But this committee is also showing us that losses matter. So who knows? Maybe they do that crap, too. Good lord.
- [39:37]
Podium Kings Host
SEC follow up really quick. Yes or no? Think back to the FSU situation a few years ago. Would Ole Miss still be a playoff team without Lane Kiffin? If he took a job before the playoff.
- [39:51]
David Pollock
With one loss, they won the Egg Bowl.
- [39:53]
Podium Kings Host
Yep.
- [39:54]
David Pollock
Yes. 100%. You can't. You can't take that opportunity away from the kids. A 100 million percent. And Lane, I'm sure, could possibly do. The thing that you've seen people do is stay on. Multiple times you've seen people. Lane did it. He stayed on Alabama until he got kicked off by Nick because he couldn't behave. That was several years ago. But you have to let that team in. It would be a different team. It wouldn't be the same. It would be unfortunate for them. This is all unfortunate for Ole Miss, man. Like, I hate this for Ole Miss. They're the biggest losers in all seasons ever. And they invested in Lane and they believed in Lane. And now it's like, oh, man, like, we don't know if he's going to be here. All this attention is not good for us. Players are looking around. And here's the thing. When you have to answer the questions all the time in the locker room, like, it becomes exhausting and it does weigh on your team. And you do start to think about it, no matter how good Lane handles it. Because Lane is really good at that, man. He's good with. With people, especially his players.
- [40:59]
Podium Kings Host
We don't get too hypothetical too often, but JG is giving us an excuse. What kind of chaos will unfold if USC beats Oregon this week? Jay sees USC jumping byu, Utah, Vandy and Miami. And Oregon probably won't fall too far. And Miami Fans will hit max crash out mode.
- [41:22]
David Pollock
I mean, I think that's, I think that's realistic. Like if USC jumps. Now, listen, we'd have to talk seriously about Oregon, but then the committee putting him at seven ahead of several two lost teams, like it shows the respect for them. But you would have to say if it's a close game, Oregon's probably not going to go down a ton. But USC absolutely better enter the conversation like USC wins this week, man. Like, listen, I watch every game. I'm a nerd. I saw them lose to, to Notre Dame running the football they got ran right down their throat. It wasn't pretty. The weather wasn't pretty. Their, their offense really, really struggled against, against Notre Dame. So I've seen USC kind of struggle. So I, I, I've seen them lose to Illinois, which I think was a different circumstance. So the body of work would all come into play. But, but you've got to say USC is going to take an enormous jump and beating the number seven team in the country has to go really, really high because BYU doesn't have that, Utah doesn't have that. They don't have those big wins on their resume. So I would think USC would move up, but they'll still have the two losses. So who knows? I'm sure there's a connection of head to head or somebody played somebody across somebody's brother's brother's houses. And we're not going to give credit to it because this past week was a disaster.
- [42:46]
Podium Kings Host
The Notre Dame haters are going to flip their lid if USC wins because that's, that's a good feather in the cap. All right, I got two more. Shy Collie on X says, why does your excellent show so start? We start up high with shy Collie.
- [43:01]
David Pollock
That means, that means it's coming around the back.
- [43:02]
Podium Kings Host
It's come, it's coming way down. Why, why is your excellent show have such a dumb and cringy name? So let Shy Collie know why our name is so great.
- [43:13]
David Pollock
All right, my man. Like I played defensive line, hence we talked about it in the chat. The beautiful thing about playing defensive line is when the ball moves, you see ball and you get ball, you run and go get it so it makes sense. I appreciate you loving the show. We are all for that. Thank you very much. But I'm just a big dumb animal. I'm a big dumb defensive lineman that when the ball moved, I chased it. So it's kind of always been a thing like, oh yeah, see ball, get ball, make it very Easily go get it. Like, no big deal. And that's where the name comes from. But I appreciate you love the show.
- [43:50]
Podium Kings Host
I think you. This is the last question. Appreciate y' all getting so many great ones in tonight. I think you alluded to your Thanksgiving take. So what's your plate looking like? And why is your take on Thanksgiving gonna upset so many people?
- [44:07]
David Pollock
I'm not a fan of Thanksgiving. I don't. It's not that I don't like to give thanks. It's not that I don't like football because I'm gonna watch every single bit of it, and I love that part of it, and I love being off. I don't care for all of the things I don't want. I don't like casseroles. I don't like sweets. I don't like pies. I don't like any of that stuff. So, like, I know that there's everybody that has their dish and their thing, like, all give me some. Give me some turkey. And I'm good. Like, I don't need anything else.
- [44:43]
Brent Rollins
What's. Shout out Kelly Pollock. What's the. What's the pie thing, though, that she makes you. Does she make you for that Thanksgiving? I know it's like a birthday thing, but does.
- [44:49]
David Pollock
Yeah, she does do it for the birthday, too. She makes. She makes it with her own hands, literally, that she takes unsweetened condensed milk and then uses stevia, so it's not so sugar free. And she makes, like, this little healthy key lime pies that are, like, literally like this big in the tin. That. Really tiny ones, really solid. But, Kelly, like, we have. We have Mexican. Like, that's what we have on. On Thanksgiving with. With mom, but.
- [45:13]
Brent Rollins
So you're not Canadian, as somebody said in the thing.
- [45:16]
David Pollock
I'm not Canadian, but, like, it's. It's just. It's like, it's Christmas time. Like, it's Christmas time already. Like, as soon as Halloween ended, Christmas began. Brent lives next door to me, by the way. His house is. Is absolutely decked out. Like, it's. It's got. It's got Christmas all through it. His lights are on. My lights are on my house. Like, it's Christmas time, man. Like, now listen, there's. There's a very specific way to listen to Christmas music. You do not listen to the classic Christmas music songs until December. If you're doing that, you're wrong. Like, I'm sorry.
- [45:50]
Brent Rollins
You're fine. Classic.
- [45:52]
David Pollock
Well, the classics are, like Bing Crosby and Andy Williams and like, Sinatra and Buble. And. And Mariah Carey gets in that. In that. In that mix.
- [46:03]
Brent Rollins
But like, just old.
- [46:05]
David Pollock
Yes.
- [46:06]
Brent Rollins
100 Buble is classic.
- [46:09]
David Pollock
Is classic.
- [46:10]
Brent Rollins
Like sort of New School.
- [46:12]
David Pollock
But like the NSync, by the way, goes in that classic. Like, NSYNC is very much in that classic. Now, Pentatonix doesn't go in there. Pentatonix is right now. We're all free with Pentatonix because it's feel good. It's jammy. Like, I love the beats. My son's always like, man, how do they not use instruments? This is amazing. Pentatonix are fantastic. But you can't, like, like the other stuff, man. I need to hear those and specific songs just like the. All the other songs that, like all the eat. All the good songs that they've. They've all been done for years and years and years to come. Those classics, man, like, I want a. I want those during the Christmas season.
- [46:50]
Brent Rollins
And Pentatonix, they put on a great concert. So if anybody ever wants to go watch a great, fantastic song. Concert, it's a great concert.
- [46:56]
David Pollock
Oh, my gosh. I love die hard is 100%. Die hard is a Christmas movie. Like, my wife gets so ticked at me every. She's listening right now, I guarantee. And she's so mad. I'm like. She's like, there's killing. How can there be killing in a Christmas movie? I said, baby doll, it's set in the scene of a Christmas party. I said, there's a Santa Claus hat. There's Christmas music now the, you know, ho, ho, ho, you know, on a. On a terrorist and all the other stuff that ensues. I get it. But, like, it's absolutely a Christmas movie.
- [47:32]
Brent Rollins
All right, so let's at least clear one thing up from. From the Thanksgiving discussion for you. You did say turkey. So you are turkey over ham a hundred million percent.
- [47:42]
David Pollock
And just regular turkey. I don't want the glazed and the sugar and all that stuff. I don't need that. Like, I just want regular turkey. What about you?
- [47:52]
Brent Rollins
I go both, actually, but I. I either. I'm not really. I'm not really picky. I'll go with both.
- [47:57]
David Pollock
Do you get. Do you get to make sure.
- [48:00]
Brent Rollins
Mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, like, all that stuff and Mac and cheese? No, that doesn't. That doesn't usually make. Our.
- [48:09]
David Pollock
Mac and cheese is a big thing for Thanksgiving. I know. Like, would you get collards or anything? Is there any green beans or collards?
- [48:14]
Brent Rollins
Yes, usually there's some green beans in there. But the thing for me that I love more than anything about Thanksgiving is literally mixing everything together. Like, just all of it together.
- [48:24]
John Sumrall
Yeah.
- [48:24]
David Pollock
Just.
- [48:25]
Brent Rollins
And. And sometimes even with the rolls.
- [48:27]
David Pollock
That's a castle.
- [48:27]
Brent Rollins
All the food on the road, like, nice. But no, you don't mix.
- [48:32]
David Pollock
It's all good. You put it all together, everything in its place. Like, you don't know. I don't do that either. I don't like that at all.
- [48:38]
Brent Rollins
Like, Brooks says, ham all day.
- [48:42]
David Pollock
I get it. How about our Kyle Morrow gave us a little skillets. Oh, come on. Oh, Emmanuel. That's. That's. I have. I don't know if I've heard that. Like, my Christmas music playlist definitely is thousands of songs. So.
- [48:57]
Brent Rollins
Yes.
- [48:57]
David Pollock
Just this, this time of year, we. We skip though. Again, we skip the traditionals. But skillets o come. Oh come Emanuel. If that's fire, Kyle, we might throw that fire on the playlist tonight, baby.
- [49:10]
Brent Rollins
Check it out.
- [49:10]
David Pollock
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Might put that on the fire. I like that. So we'll be interested, guys. We'll see what your. What your takes are. Maybe we'll have some good Thanksgiving takes about what your favorite foods are and dishes if. If you like that stuff. If you like all that food. We will be back Saturday. Saturday night is. Is the recap. And again, if you don't think something's going to happen this weekend, you're wrong. Like, something cool is going to happen. And we will be right here to talk about it. So appreciate you all joining us. Thank you so much. Peace.