See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Miami-Ohio State CFP Quarterfinals INSTANT REACTION (Jan 1, 2026)

Episode Focus:
David Pollack and Brent deliver a passionate, detailed instant reaction to Miami’s dramatic upset win over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl. The episode features in-depth analysis of the game’s swings, X’s and O’s, key performances, and what Miami’s triumph means for the playoff picture.

Episode Overview

Pollack and co-host Brent break down the game’s wild momentum, Miami’s stunning physical performance, clutch plays on both sides, and the major storylines that emerged from an action-packed playoff opener. Their analysis blends film-room detail, colorful commentary, and fan Q&A, all with high energy and Pollack’s trademark directness.

Key Topics & Insights

Miami’s Fast Start and Physicality

• Miami’s Opening Statement:
  • “Miami ready to rock and roll. Comes out, makes an unbelievable statement, gets up 14 to nothing...Dominated the first half. Dominated up 14 to nothing. Shut the Buckeyes out like was owning the football game.” (David Pollack, 01:37)
  • Emphasis on the contrast between Ohio State’s layoff and Miami’s sharpness: “We talked about, you know, rust versus playing... Miami came out firing on all cylinders.” (01:37)
• Line of Scrimmage Advantage:
  • “When they take care of the football and they own the line of scrimmage like they did...that’s how you win now.” (Pollack, 02:54)
  • “Ohio State could not run the—they were minus running the football in the first half. They were getting destroyed.” (Pollack, 03:23)
• Physical Running Game:
  • “The way they ran the football...that’s how you’re winning in today’s football.” (Pollack, 03:01)
  • Miami’s use of pistol formation: “13 carries for 79 yards out of the pistol again from Miami. Just getting downhill as fast as you can.” (Brent, 07:50)

Carson Beck’s Gritty Performance

• Poise and Aggression:
  • “Carson Beckman managed the football game exceptionally well. I thought he made plays when you needed to. I thought he took some aggressive shots that I liked.” (Pollack, 04:11)
• Defining Moment:
  • “[That third and 11] was maybe the best third down and 11 individual effort...the best individual effort I’ve ever seen from him.” (Brent, 05:45)
  • “He ended up like turning and landing on top of a body...that meant something.” (Pollack, 05:49)

Deceptive Playcalling and Offensive Creativity

• Balanced Approach:
  • “Miami adding enough deception, adding a little bit of variance...instead of just being [predictable]. That’s exactly why they won.” (Pollack, 06:41)

Defensive Brilliance and Game-Changing Plays

• Keonte Scott’s Pick Six:
  • “[The] play of the game, the pick six. Holy freaking cow play.” (Brent, 08:11)
  • “Keonte Scott is the one who had that pick six. He had a pick six against Aiden Saying in 2019, Julian Saenz’s brother, like crazy, crazy research here.” (Pollack, 08:47)
• Aggressive Defensive Scheme:
  • “Miami plays so aggressive and they brought pressure time and time again...but what they do is they fly, man, and they are so freaking physical and they take chances.” (Pollack, 08:57)

Ohio State’s Second Half Push

• Adjustments and Resilience:
  • “Ohio State got in rhythm. Julian Saying had like 15 in a row completions, throwing the football all the yard, getting the ball out of his hands.” (Pollack, 02:14)
  • “Ohio State had, they got the run game going out of the first half...unbelievable job of bouncing back, rebounding and getting their footing.” (Pollack, 13:35)
• Missed Opportunities & Costly Mistakes:
  • Controversial penalty: “The holding call...I thought it was a bad call by the way.” (Pollack, 14:25)
  • “They could have put the game away in the first half...but they gave up a couple negative plays in a row in field goal position.” (Pollack, 19:15)

Miami’s Finishing Toughness

• Running It Out:
  • “They finish drives like, finishing people...Miami did exactly what they wanted to do.” (Pollack, 18:18)
• Time of Possession Edge:
  • “First half was so one-sided. The time of possession was 10+ minutes in Miami’s favor.” (Pollack, 18:49)
• Playoff Committee Validation & Underdog Story:
  • “Miami wasn’t even worthy of being in this conversation...Miami sucks, they play in the ACC.” (Pollack, 17:46, mocking preseason narratives)

Coaching, Adjustments, and Player Development

• Shannon Dawson & Defensive Coordinator Praise:
  • “Shannon Dawson was dialed in...short yardage calls to get the touchdowns. Combo of run, quick pass.” (Brent, 37:02)
  • “Heatherman, the [Miami] defense, he was good...caught Ohio State off guard by being so aggressive early.” (Pollack, 38:10)
• Jason Taylor’s Impact (Miami Defensive Line Coach):
  • “There’s a reason these guys make move upon move...Jason Taylor obviously has a lot to do with that.” (Pollack, 30:12)

Broader Playoff Implications and Looking Ahead

• Pollack’s Assessment of Remaining Contenders:
  • “If you were asking me to pick one team to win it...I would have said Ohio State.” (Pollack, 24:10)
  • “Now wide open, anybody’s game.” (Pollack, 24:41)
• Scouting Sugar Bowl Matchup (Potential Opponents):
  • “If I’m Miami...I’m cheering for Ole Miss. I want to play Ole Miss the way I play football and the way I’m a bully.” (Pollack, 34:08)
  • “Ole Miss is not a bully...Georgia’s going to go in the ring with you...it’s going to be Balboa-Drago.” (Pollack, 34:55)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “How about Carson Beck, man? How about Carson Beck on that third down to start the fourth quarter, like third and 11? You talk about laying your body on the line. That dude flies in and absolutely flips over top of someone.”
  — David Pollack (04:11)

• “Just getting downhill as fast as you can...we haven’t mentioned the play of the game. Holy freaking cow play.”
  — Brent (07:50, on Miami’s pistol run game and the pick-six)

• “Keonte Scott is the one who had that pick six...he had a pick six against Aiden Saying in 2019, Julian Saenz’s brother...crazy research here at C Ball Get Ball.”
  — David Pollack (08:47)

• “They had some dudes up front and they did an unbelievable job...several drives finishing like, finishing people.”
  — David Pollack (18:14)

• “If you’re going to allow a receiver to be physical, you’ve got to allow a DB to be physical. That was a great job by Miami.”
  — David Pollack (14:58)

• “When you take care of the football and you own the line of scrimmage...that’s how you win now.”
  — David Pollack (02:54)

• “The pressure packages for Miami. Do you think Bane and Bezador lived up?...They’re freak shows.”
  — David Pollack (15:59)

Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:37 | Miami’s dominant start, first-half analysis | | 03:23 | Run game dominance and Ohio State’s struggles | | 05:22 | Carson Beck’s clutch performance (3rd and 11 play) | | 07:50 | Miami’s running game & deceptive play-calling | | 08:11 | The pivotal pick-six by Keonte Scott | | 12:52 | Adjustments in second half & standout performances | | 14:25 | Fourth-quarter penalty controversy | | 17:19 | Strength-of-schedule debates and chat Q&A | | 18:14 | Miami’s physicality - finishing drives, time of possession | | 19:15 | Miami’s missed scoring opportunity before halftime | | 24:10 | Playoff field wide open post-upset | | 29:10 | Beck’s storylines if Georgia advances | | 30:12 | Real-time analysis: snap counts, D-line coaching | | 34:08 | Sugar Bowl preview; Miami’s preferred opponents | | 37:02 | Miami’s coaching staff outschemes Ohio State | | 38:10 | Defensive aggression and overall praise for the contest |

Memorable Moments & Fan Engagement

• Pollack laughs about his wife’s first speeding ticket while he watched the game on the way home from a tournament, infusing personality and relatability. (21:57)
• Discussion of chat feedback and fan narratives: “We are big boys here at C Ball Get Ball. And we’re going to be respectful regardless.” (32:13)
• Live poll and Q&A about playoff bracket, conference strength, and officiating.

Tone & Language

Direct, conversational, and high-energy analysis. Pollack and Brent mix technical detail (“switch releases, seven OL packages, pressuring new guards”) with informal banter and fan-focused Q&A. They don’t shy from hot takes (critiquing calls, praising Miami’s “dogs up front”), but keep the tone collegial and respectful—even toward critical fans.

Summary

David Pollack and Brent deliver a fast-paced, comprehensive postgame breakdown of Miami’s playoff shocker over Ohio State, focusing on physical dominance, coaching creativity, and a statement performance from underdogs. They dissect critical moments (notably Beck’s third-down heroics and Scott’s pick-six), expose key schematic battles, and look ahead to the playoff’s reshaped landscape. The episode is both a field-level tactical recap and a celebration of college football’s unpredictability and excitement.

For Listeners

If you missed the game, this episode is your field-level recap—with context, analysis, and the kind of personalized insight that only college football lifers like Pollack and Brent provide.

End of Summary