Podcast Summary: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Stanford Steve & David Pollack preview WEEK 8 in College Football
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

David Pollack is joined by Stanford Steve for an in-depth look at Week 8 of the college football season, exploring coaching changes, playoff scenarios, conference dynamics, team rankings, and memorable stories from the gridiron. The conversation brings together two football minds for candid analysis, with plenty of humor and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, reflecting Pollack’s straightforward yet passionate approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Billy Napier’s Tenure at Florida & the Pressure Cooker (02:23–07:45)

• Main discussion: Pollack opens the podcast by dissecting Florida’s head coach Billy Napier’s precarious job status.
  • Last season’s near-firing and comeback, including the critical recruitment of QB DJ Lagway.
  • The difficult position athletic departments face: making a coaching change can spark a mass player exodus via the transfer portal.
  • Pollack: “If he loses another game, it’s over... It’s only a matter of time before Napier. I don’t think he’s going to make it, man... as much as I love the dude.” (06:57)
  • Differences between Florida and Penn State’s recent histories, program expectations, and booster impatience.
  • The challenge of maintaining elite status in a talent-rich but highly competitive state.

2. SEC Schedules & College Football Playoff (CFP) Implications (07:45–11:01)

• Notable comparison: Alabama faces six remaining ranked teams, while Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon have four combined.
  • The impact of “SEC on SEC crime” down the stretch and how brutal conference schedules may shape CFP berths.
  • Debate over whether the SEC gets the “benefit of the doubt” in rankings.
  • Pollack: “It really doesn’t matter who the best team is... the resume is going to be a part of this.”

3. Shifting Balance in the Big Ten and SEC (11:01–13:30)

• Steve & Pollack agree: Both conferences have evened out – the top may be down, but depth has improved.
  • Big Ten’s recent national championships and top-end talent.
  • For playoff seeding and home games, conference strength and perception now matter more than ever.
  • Pollack: “Now you’re talking about home playoff games that are at stake... this is now a different animal.”

4. Conference Clashes, Online Trolls, & “Podium Kings” (13:30–18:32)

• Big 12 banter: Brent Venables’ comment about SEC as a “one possession league” is mocked by the official Big 12 account.
  • Texas Tech fined for throwing tortillas, Kansas for false claims about a thrown pocket knife.
• Humorous “Podium Kings” segment with clips and quips from coaches Lincoln Riley, Lane Kiffin, and more:
  • David Pollack: “Lane [Kiffin] is a gift that keeps on giving.”
  • “Sound Bite Hall of Fame” coaches discussed: Leach, Gundy, Spurrier, Harbaugh, and Lou Holtz.

5. Stanford Steve’s Team Rankings and Observations (19:41–32:25)

• Stanford Steve’s Top 4:
  • Indiana (because of resume and seen in-person intangibles)
  • Miami
  • Ohio State
  • Texas Tech (notable: “minimal pressure, minimal guys, that defense is dominant” 30:24)
• Detailed praise for Indiana’s physicality, Oregon’s youth showing, Ohio State’s pass rush situational strength, and Texas Tech's consistency and game control.
  • Steve: “...To go to Utah, speaking of tough places to play, and just put it on them... That defense is dominant.” (30:24)

6. Georgia’s Start, Coaching, & Quarterback Analysis (32:25–39:02)

• Discussion on Georgia’s slow starts but impressive coaching under Kirby Smart.
  • Only a “Kirby-coached team” could turn around games against Tennessee and Alabama.
  • Praise for Georgia’s offensive adjustments and Mike Bobo’s playcalling (with tongue-in-cheek banter about Bobo’s criticism from fans).
  • Pollack and Steve differ on Georgia QB’s ceiling:
    • Steve: “Absolutely [he’s good enough to win big games]. That drive to clinch the game last week was as textbook as it gets.” (34:44)

7. Georgia vs. Ole Miss Matchup Preview (39:02–40:29)

• Ole Miss offensive line not as strong as previous years; questions about handling Georgia’s defensive fronts.
• Need for Georgia to physically wear down Ole Miss QB Trinidad (“510 in heels”), and the importance of physical pressure.

8. Notre Dame vs. USC—The Most Important Game of the Week (40:29–45:39)

• Both teams’ last chance to prove playoff relevance.
• Notre Dame’s secondary (Leonard Moore) faces off against USC’s elite WRs (Lane, Lemon).
• Steve: “This feels like a show out game for Notre Dame. They have to show out.” (43:05)
• USC’s “worst road record in FBS” (2-10 since 2023) and need for defensive improvement.

9. Personal Stories: Stanford Steve Meets Tiger Woods & Playing Days Tales (46:14–49:06)

• Steve’s recruitment story recounting meeting Tiger Woods at a Stanford dinner.
  • Steve: “Side door opens and Tiger MF’in Woods walks in and sits in the seat open right next to me... I'm like, oh my god.” (47:20)
• Steve’s memories of kickoff wedge collisions and going against Pat Tillman and Steve Gleason.

10. Shirt of the Week & Betting Picks (49:06–50:38)

• Kent State sent gear after their big win; Steve will wear it on set, possibly sharing with Nick Saban.
• Steve’s betting record is just above .500 this season—humble but aiming higher.
  • Steve: “We gotta dial in... you know what I need? Need some Chuck’s fish in me Thursday night.” (50:29)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Napier’s future:
  • “What’s the chances of Florida winning the rest of their games? Slim to none, and slim just left the building.” — Pollack (06:18)
• On league parity:
  • “The SEC at the top has kind of gone like this... The SEC at the bottom has come up a little bit. The middle has really, really come up.” — Pollack (09:05)
• On conference trolling:
  • “That’s so petty and so stupid. That’s why it makes absolutely so much sense.” — Pollack on the Big 12 account mocking Brent Venables (14:40)
• On coaching soundbites:
  • “Lane [Kiffin] picks his times. But I don’t put him in the upper tier of Sound Bite Hall of Fame.” — Stanford Steve (18:42)
• On seeing Indiana upset Oregon:
  • “They just manned up, man... Played some bumper ball up front. I was really impressed.” — Stanford Steve (20:14)
• On Georgia’s QB:
  • “Absolutely [he’s good enough]. That drive to clinch the game last week was as textbook as it gets.” — Stanford Steve (34:44)
• On meeting Tiger:
  • “Tiger punches me on my knee and says, ‘Hey man, sorry, my roommates were just building a computer. I had to see it.’ And I’m like, oh hell no! I’m not going to make it here if dudes are building computers!” — Stanford Steve (47:21)

Notable Timestamps

• 02:23–07:45: Florida’s coaching situation & Napier analysis
• 07:45–11:01: SEC schedules; CFP conversation
• 13:30–18:32: Conference jokes; “Podium Kings” segment
• 19:41–32:25: Team rankings/analysis: Indiana, Miami, Ohio State, Texas Tech
• 32:25–39:02: Georgia’s coaching, game management, and QB discussion
• 39:02–40:29: Georgia vs. Ole Miss breakdown
• 40:29–45:39: Notre Dame vs. USC preview
• 46:14–49:06: Tiger Woods story & Stanford tales
• 49:06–50:38: Kent State gear, betting record

Summary

This episode delivers classic See Ball Get Ball content: frank, funny, and deeply informed. Pollack and Stanford Steve bring honest, specific analysis on coaching hot seats, Playoff scenarios, and rankings, highlight the drama and quirks of the college football landscape, sprinkle in personal memories, and keep the pacing lively and approachable—even for fans who are simply tuning in for the stories.