See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Penn State HC Picks That Actually Make Sense | David Pollack's CFP 12 if it Started TODAY

Date: October 14, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Co-hosts: Brent Rollins, Wesley

Episode Overview

In this episode, David Pollack and his co-hosts dive into the shocking firing of Penn State’s head coach James Franklin following a disappointing season, analyze who makes the most sense to take over in Happy Valley, and present their updated College Football Playoff (CFP) Top 12 rankings as if the expanded playoff format started today. Throughout, the crew breaks down the unique challenges of the Penn State job, debates the viability of various candidates, and delivers their signature mixture of analytical deep-dives and locker room banter. The episode wraps with their "Eliminator" segment (teams out of CFP contention), numbers-driven insights for marquee matchups, and who won the weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Penn State Head Coach Firing & Replacement Discussion

Timestamps: 01:35 – 15:43

• Franklin's Firing:

  • David opens with surprise and some disagreement over James Franklin’s firing.

    “Should he have been fired? I don't think so. Did he perform to the level that you want him to perform? Absolutely not. But it's not a big list of coaches who've won more than Franklin since 2022.” (David, 02:00)

  • Context: Disappointing recent years, including a stunning loss to Northwestern, injury to starting QB Drew Aller, and general malaise around PSU athletics.

• Assessing Franklin’s Performance:

  • Only Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, Kalen DeBoer, and Dan Lanning have won more games than Franklin since 2022.
  • Pollack acknowledges the disappointment but questions if the move will really lead to an upgrade.

• Evaluating Replacement Options:

  • Dismisses media speculations (Elko, Signetti, Lane Kiffin) – doesn’t see them leaving current successful situations, especially mid-playoff pushes.

    “Elko? I don’t see it…Lane Kiffin seems like he’s found a lot of peace where he’s at.” (David, 03:47–04:39)

  • Matt Rhule as Prime Fit:

    • Cited as the most logical fit: Penn State alum, connections with AD Pat Kraft, history of program building at Temple, Baylor, and Nebraska in challenging environments.

      “He’s been in the Big Ten, at Nebraska...not the big name, you have to develop, you have to recruit.” (David, 05:25)

  • Other Names:

    • Clark Lea: Not likely to leave his alma mater (Vanderbilt) as it's trending up; Penn State probably wary after Franklin’s Vandy pipeline.
    • Matt Campbell: Success at Iowa State with less talent, but “not as hot a name as a few years ago.”
    • Eli Drinkwitz: Missouri coach known for moxie and offensive creativity, “could bring some fun with it to Penn State.”
    • Manny Diaz: Former PSU DC, now at Duke and having success, but “not as sexy a name.”

• External Inputs & Fan Suggestions:

  • Co-host Brent pushes for Fran Brown (Syracuse), touting regional recruiting strength:

    “He’s going to recruit his absolute tail off…he’s already shown he can instantly win. For them, that's a no-brainer.” (Brent, 10:50)

  • David: Unproven; doesn’t see PSU administration making that risky of a hire so soon after firing a proven winner.

    “You’re going to fire a top five coach...and hire an unproven? No way.” (David, 11:36)

  • Discussion of up-and-coming coordinators (Brian Hartline, Joe Brady) but skepticism about their readiness for such a big job.

  • Chat suggestions read out for comic relief (Keegan-Michael Key, Dabo Swinney, Bill Belichick, etc.), with David and Wesley joking about the fanbase's creative picks.

    “What are these people…just trying to get rid of their coach?” (David, 17:02)

2. CFP Top 12: If It Started Today

Timestamps: 18:38 – 25:21

• Pollack unveils his own playoff rankings based on résumé up to this point:

  • 1. Miami: Clearly the best body of work.

    “Miami still at 1. We’ve made that very clear how we feel…” (David, 18:38)

  • 2. Indiana: Jumps after a huge win at Oregon, statement road win; common opponent analysis with Ohio State considered.
  • 3. Ohio State: Strong, professional wins; Pollack: “If you ask me to bet my paycheck on who wins, it’s Ohio State.” (David, 19:25)
  • 4. Texas A&M: Elko’s transformation of Aggies, especially on third downs.
  • 5-12: Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, LSU, Oklahoma, and introducing South Florida as the new Group of 5 team in the Top 12, replacing Memphis.

• Debate on Rankings:

  • Some back-and-forth about whether Ohio State should be No. 1, but co-hosts generally agree on Pollack’s approach.
  • Discussion of common opponent methodology and resume-based rankings.

• Emerging Matchups:

  • Conversation on potential rematches and how Big Ten/ACC champion debates may play out as the season progresses.
  • Acknowledgment that the SEC schedule is about to get even more brutal with top teams playing each other, so rankings will sort themselves out.

3. Eliminator Segment: Who’s Out of the CFP Race

Timestamps: 30:31 – 34:27

• David’s pick: Arizona State (“Bad loss, haven’t found the heartbeat to replace Cam Skattebo…stick a fork in them.”)
• Brent: Florida State (“You are now done. You can’t win an ACC game…they had a chance but not anymore.”)
• Wesley: Auburn & the SEC officiating crew from UGA-Auburn game (“Auburn, you were eliminated...that officiating crew has also been eliminated—from the CFP.”)
  (Joking tone, blaming poor officiating and referencing the infamous goal-line play review.)

4. Key Numbers & Analytical Deep Dives

Timestamps: 34:27 – 48:13

• Georgia’s "Comfort in the Chaos:"

  • Co-host Brent breaks down UGA’s distinct pattern: slow starts, elite second halves.
    • 1st Half: 62 points allowed in the last 4 SEC games, coverage grade 64.7.
    • 2nd Half: Only 27 points allowed, coverage grade jumps to 80 (elite).

  “It’s a fricking thing. How do you…[only] one lead against a Power 4 since Texas last year.” (David, 35:50)

• Other Analytical Highlights:

  • Ole Miss “sleepwalks” against Wazzu, misses a season-high 14 tackles.
  • Alabama’s right tackle is a “major issue” in pass protection.

    “If you're a pass rusher...you pick freshman, bad player, raw, go to that side.” (David, 39:11)

  • Anecdote: Pollack practicing using his left hand for six months just to be a better pass rusher (“Yes, it’s psychotic.”)
  • Loss of key USC running backs; analysis of their run game and Big Ten transition.
  • BYU QB play and running ability discussed; “If you wear number seven at quarterback, I promise, run the football.”
  • LSU’s Tradais Green called a “6 foot 8 problem” at WR/TE; “just throw it to him every play.”

5. Who Won the Weekend?

Timestamps: 48:17 – 51:59

• David: USF Bulls (“They said, 'hold my beer.' Alex Golesh has done a great job, great offense, great season. USF is my winner.”)
• Brent: Indiana (“They still won the weekend…Sig[netti] did it so quickly, bringing in guys and winning. Last straw for Penn State’s decision.”)
• Wesley: Texas Tech (“Lubbock is electric…that stadium was insane. Only team that hasn’t trailed all year. Monster performance, fun program.”) — includes the comedic moment where Wesley brandishes a tortilla on video (51:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Matt Rhule as a Top Candidate:

  “He’d make perfect sense…Penn State gets more talent than Nebraska, probably an easier job to win. I just don’t know if it’ll happen.” — David (05:30)

• On Fan Suggestions for Coach:

  “Keegan Michael Key? I don’t know if you’ve seen him do his impression of James…” — Wesley (16:17)
  “They’re just trying to get rid of their coach.” — David (17:02)

• On the CFP Top 12 Process:

  “I say this loud—I hope we clip this—If I’m betting my paycheck on who wins the natty, it’s Ohio State.” — David (19:25)

• On Georgia’s Perpetual Late-Game Heroics:

  “They’re comfortable being uncomfortable. They only start playing world-beater defense in the second half.” — Brent (34:56)

• On Alabama's Right Tackle Issues:

  “Does a hundred-pound bag of flour make a big frickin’ biscuit? You’re dang right I am [target the right tackle].” — David (38:51)

• Pass Rushing Anecdote:

  “I wiped my butt, brushed my teeth, everything with my left hand for six months until I got better rushing the left side. Yes, it’s psychotic, but it worked.” — David (39:50)

• On Texas Tech’s Game Environment:

  “Looked like Monster Jam, Fourth of July rodeo, college football game all rolled into one. If you were there, you won the weekend.” — Wesley (51:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Penn State Coaching Fallout & Candidate Shortlist – 01:35–15:43
• CFP Top 12 Projections & Methodology – 18:38–25:21
• Who’s Out of the CFP? (Eliminator Segment) – 30:31–34:27
• Analytical Deep-Dives: Key Games and Trends – 34:27–48:13
• Winners of the Weekend – 48:17–51:59

Episode Takeaways

• The Penn State coaching situation is in flux; consensus among the hosts is that none of the “sexy” media names make sense, with Matt Rhule regarded as the best fit (if he can be convinced).
• The expanded CFP would see some surprise entrants based on current results, namely Indiana and USF.
• Georgia’s Jekyll-and-Hyde first vs. second half play is now a real trend, and Alabama’s OL is a point of vulnerability.
• The segment on CFP “Eliminator” teams, fan suggestions, and a string of memorable one-liners give this episode its trademark blend of candor, insight, and personality.

For college football fans and Penn State supporters especially, this episode is a must-listen for up-to-the-minute takes on the coaching carousel and the ever-shifting playoff landscape, delivered with the high energy and football savvy that define David Pollack's show.