← See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
Texas vs. the Field? SEC Previews | Georgia Bulldogs | Tennessee Volunteers | Alabama | Vanderbilt
00:55:10
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- [00:00]
David Pollack
What's up, everybody? David Pollack here of C Ball Get Ball podcast. I hope you like it, man. Be sure to follow the show Wherever you subscribe, YouTube or any of your other platforms. Welcome on in. Thank you for joining us. July 14th, SEC media days underway. College football season just creeping closer and closer. I think everybody getting excited. David Pollack here. Brett Rollins joins me. As always, we had some teams take the stage. We already gave you the previews of those minus Vanderbilt. So it was kind of cool to, to get ahead of that a little bit, just what to look for. But we got a few teams that we're going to preview today and we'll preview Vandy will preview Tennessee, we'll preview Alabama, we'll preview Georgia, we'll preview Texas. Did I miss anything that we're going to preview?
- [00:49]
Brett Rollins
No. We got to give away some winners here. Later, towards the middle of the show, some College Football 26 winners.
- [00:54]
David Pollack
And we told, we told anybody, we told anybody that wrote in and something creative like we, we give away a couple copies of the game. So we got some really good responses that we'll read that, that you guys will think is good. That's the fun part. I think that we want to continue to grow with y' all is like y' all giving comments and questions and feedback and things that we can talk about, things that we can do because we're, we're always here to listen.
- [01:17]
Brett Rollins
It was an interesting day. I didn't get to, I watched or I saw more of the morning stuff. I was driving all afternoon, unfortunately. But Greg Sankey talked. I think it was like 30 minutes or so that he gave kind of a speech and did some nil talk and did some things about the Big Ten and you know, we'll continue talking that kind of stuff. And then Brian Kelly talked and, and I saw someone asked him and he, he said that 1 and O was a specific goal and present on all the weight room stuff. What did you think? What did you think of that? Because to me that's one of those things where it kind of goes without saying but, but it's been such a big deal.
- [01:58]
David Pollack
I mean they haven't gone such a.
- [01:59]
Brett Rollins
Big deal with them.
- [02:00]
David Pollack
Yeah, they haven't gone one and oh in his era. So I mean something's, you know, it's interesting. It's kind of like free throws in basketball. Like do you talk about it or do you not talk about it? And sometimes you worry about if you talk about it too much, like does it get in your head and does it play in here. And. But you can tell, obviously, there should be no surprise that LSU's got to get ready for their opener. Like, this is. You know, last year, obviously was a good one. They've had good ones. They've had good games. They played. They could have easily played Austin P. And got a win. You know what I'm saying? Like, they've been challenging themselves in the openers, and they deserve credit for that. But it's also the reason they've been losing. And I think, you know, Clemson's another one that's going to be big. And, yeah, you got to think about that. You got to be focused on that, dialed in on that. But it's going to be a heck of a showdown. And if they're going to accomplish something this season and they're going to bring it all together, you know, week one is going to tell us a lot, because Clemson's got the identity, I think, like, we know exactly what Clemson is. There's not a lot that needs to mesh. And so LSU has a lot. But I thought he was. I thought he was good. I thought he was very comfortable. I thought he answered questions. Well, I'm not going to lie. I'm not like a big SEC media guy. I'm not a Big 12 media guy. I'm not a big 10 media guy. I love football. I don't love talking season and agenda season as much, like, so it's not my thing, but I do like to listen a little bit. Why you laughing?
- [03:23]
Brett Rollins
Says the guy who's talking on a podcast about college football.
- [03:26]
David Pollack
Yeah, but I'm just saying, like, agenda season, like, there's usually an agenda behind things that I don't necessarily, you know, listen, coaches have to do this. Like, they're obligated to do this. This grows the sport. This is a part of it, you know. You know, seeing players, seeing Pavia, like, makes you smile, like, no matter where you stand. And like, it's just. It's cool to see some of the players and to see them get some of the questions because we don't always get time with the players. And I. And I think that's unique. We get time with the coaches a lot and we get to hear them. And I'll be honest, I almost fell asleep during one of them today. I'm not going to mention the name because that would be very rude, but I was just like, oh, my gosh. Like, bro, give me something here. Like, I fall asleep.
- [04:08]
Brett Rollins
I'm sure folks could guess. I did want to, like, Hugh freeze. I did Want to see how like that went, given the fact that a lot of feedback and a lot of talk from our conversation with him last week. And I saw that plastered along the Internet in a lot of different ways, which the biggest thing that was interesting to read because obviously I work for Rivals now on three and I get to see all the message boards and comments and things like that. People were very like, this is a different side of Hugh Freeze. This was, it was good to see how comfortable he looked and just sort of talking ball and some of the specific things that he said. So that, that was, that was cool to see.
- [04:49]
David Pollack
And you kind of get the opposite of that at SEC media days. It's a whole room. You get people from different media backgrounds that listen, there's. There are people in the business. I don't have to tell you who they are. A lot of times you'll know who they are. They want to say things to start things. They want to say things to get themselves to go viral. Like, that's a part of it. And I think that 99.9% of the coaches can't stand it. They don't like it. And so that's a part of it that they, that they get, you know, upset that they just don't want to give you a reason to talk about their squad or talk about them negatively. But, you know, there are certain guys that love that and, and live for that. And it's just, it's. It's frustrating. But, you know, let's talk about some teams, though, who want to talk about first.
- [05:32]
Brett Rollins
Well, okay, first, though, you said guys who love that and try to get that. There's someone who doesn't, we know for a fact, doesn't do that. But he made a comment today that got blown up to about a coach who's not even coaching anymore. And that was Greg McElroy had, you know, talked about sort of a person in the know that Nick Saban might return to coaching. So what was your thoughts there? Because, you know, Greg's not saying that just to create a.
- [05:58]
David Pollack
No, that's not Greg. Greg wouldn't do that. I found it interesting, like, I think that I think Nick had been very forward about, like, I think Nick would coach. Would love to coach and would still be coaching if it wasn't for this era and how much, you know, uncertainty there was and how much, you know, how much the rules are not really clearly defined and they don't know what they're doing a lot of times. And there's not a lot of systems in place that help him to. To be Nick. So I'm, I'm. I'm not surprised that I think there'd be something left in there. But I mean, everybody's got to hang it up at some point. And he's not. He's not a young guy anymore. He's still very good and on top of it. But I don't know. It's an interesting comment. Obviously, Greg knows him from being with him and his friends with him. So you definitely take it and you say that there could be validity to it if Greg said it. I'm inclined to believe it.
- [06:50]
Brett Rollins
Okay, let's get to some. Some teams. And by the way, this is no particular. This is the order of how they're talking tomorrow at media day. So this isn't us being Georgia homers in a way, but, you know, they just happen to be first up tomorrow, at least in the order the of the.
- [07:09]
David Pollack
Man, you ain't got to answer to people like that. Just say it. Georgia's first. They're up. Just talk about the team, man. Don't be doing all that crap. Don't nobody care about that stuff.
- [07:19]
Brett Rollins
So Obviously last year, 11 and 3, they won the SEC. They are the defending SEC champion in their current quarterback this year came into that game in the second half and then they lost to Notre Dame in the college football playoffs. So first and foremost, it is just that we've talked about him a little bit, but Gunner Stockton is. That's a big, like question number one. It is. What is he? We've seen basically a game and a half and a few other snaps. What is he going to be? What do you think he is? Can he lead this team to sort of back to where they were a season ago, which is in the SEC championship game.
- [07:51]
David Pollack
Here's what I'm going to say. Gunner Stockton cannot lead this team back to where they were a year ago if it's the same team. If they can't run the football, it's not going to happen. Like, they've brought in a bunch of receivers. That's the worst rushing season Georgia's had in 20 years. Like 20 seasons. If Gunner Stockton is a guy that can play action pass and use and use that part of his game and they do what Georgia's done with Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck and all these guys, he absolutely can be successful. If you're going to drop back and throw the ball 34 times. 30, 40 times a game, Brent, and not have a run game, I don't think they're going to be back where they were. Like, this is a team that's breaking in a bunch of new components. The interior of that offensive line, guard, center, guard. They all got drafted. Like they're all gone. So that's going to be a big part of it. So that's my take on that. I think Gunners a really good player. I think he's got a really, really good arm. I would love to see him continue to grow and get better at the intermediate. I'd love to see him learn how to change pace with the football. Brent. Like he's got a big wind up and when he was. A big wind up is coming right. Like it's, it's coming out. And I'd like to see some of these things that I've only saw a small sample size but. But I'm 100% sure if you're not going to give him a running game, it's going to be a tough season for the Georgia offense.
- [09:15]
Brett Rollins
And when you think back to last season, one of the things that we've, I think both of us have said this off season is the likelihood that Georgia gets might not there. There's a strong likelihood and basically it is. They're not as talented at quarterback, but will they get, can they get better quarterback play? Because there was a time when Carson Beck was in a whole other world and the decision making was in a, in a whole negative way world in spite of all the positives that he brought. So I think the running game was the sort of second piece to that.
- [09:47]
David Pollack
But it's not because it's the first piece. Because without it there is no, there is no great offense like Carson Beck. Carson Beck put this team on his back at times last year when he needed to. The defense bailed him out some as well. But I don't, I don't think that's a formula that Georgia can live and die by. That's why I think Kirby did one of his best jobs a year ago. Like that team. It was, it was weird week to week and finding an identity and even defensively, you know, was, was, was not as consistent as you've seen, but man, were they good in close games and when they really needed to come through with making plays like they found a way to do it. You don't usually do that year after year. You know, those things usually will regress to the means. Right. And come back down to earth. But I thought he did a great job. And so that's, that's the ancillary part. And then go to the defense Brent.
- [10:37]
Brett Rollins
Like, I mean that was question number two. Three first rounders because gone and those. And when you look at just sheer numbers in terms of yards, points per game, just traditional statistics with, with their defense, it was the worst of the Kirby era. And the biggest thing for me is looking through and this is something I've been doing over the past week or so is looking back through first down for them. And let me just read you some of these numbers here real quick. When you look at first down quarterbacks, 28 of 34 for 4 in the three losses for them. So Notre Dame, Alabama and then Ole Miss, 28 of 34 for like 488 yards and a touchdown on first down. The amount of success they gave up on first down is just to me is. Was unlike anything you've seen from the Georgia defense. And that's where to me it's the interior, specifically the interior of the defensive line. But the defensive line in general, can they win on first and second down? Especially when teams try to throw on them. Because that's not something they did really at all outside of the Texas, two Texas games.
- [11:44]
David Pollack
Yeah. And then. Because then you get in the world of like, you know, to b. To. To be. To if, if I stay in base and, and I can't rush the passer well, then if I'm playing against that team first down passing becomes critical. Right. Like now listen, there's a lot of guys that can sub in now on third down and pass rush situations. And last year Georgia was subbing a ton of guys like they were bringing in a new hockey team like to rush the passer. Okay. So I take advantage of that on first down. But you're right, three first rounders that were gone linebacker core though going to be elite. I mean Allen, CJ Allen is a stud. Like he can run, he can diagnose, he's smart, bold. And last year showed that he's. And this is, you can't say this out loud, like you're not supposed to say these things. He's another Malachi Starks. He is, he's a plug and play as a freshman that I feel like in two years after he starts for another two years is going to go be a first round pick like elite covering. And the most, the thing I like the most about him is that is not a big dude, Brent, but he ain't scared to stick his face in the fan and come downhill and stripe. You give me all those guys, man. Like, I love having those guys. And he is definitely one of those people that I think can be elite of elite and we're talking about being a first round pick. I'm going to give you a freshman, Elijah Griffin. I talked about him on here a couple weeks ago, like meeting him, talking to him felt like a child shaking his hand like enormous 6, 5, you know, 300 plus pound kid that's, that's a 18 year old freshman that continues to hit over 20 miles an hour every week on the GPS. Like continues to hit over 20 miles an Hour. So okay, like get you some of that brother. That's not real fun to have chasing you. And I think he's a guy that can come in and play a bunch of snaps and, and be, be really good. Not, he's not going to go kill it. Jaylen Carter type good like Jaylen Carter. When you saw him as a freshman, like he, he was not refined. He wasn't Jaylen Carter as a, as a junior. But that dude is a guy that you could play and you go, I'm not going to have a big drop off. And when he learns to use these puppies and his hands and it all starts to work, you better watch the freak out. And I think that's an Elijah Griffin role there. There's obviously, you know, other guys on this defense. The secondary is pretty solid. The linebacking course, pretty solid. The D line, Christian Miller, those guys will come along. A lot of talent, but a lot of inexperience and more question mark sprint than I think we're used to seeing that. That's the weird thing probably at looking at Georgia more than anything.
- [14:21]
Brett Rollins
Yeah. More unknown. So given to that, speaking of that inexperienced part, to me there is one game that is, if I had to circle one game that impacts their season more so than any. It's the third game at Tennessee because that's Gunner's first road start. Obviously, you know, hey, he's starting the SEC or he played in the SEC championship game, played in the playoffs. So shouldn't be as, you know, sort of, you know, starstruck in a way. But first start on the road afternoon game at Tennessee, you drop that, your season, the outlook of your season changes drastically. I think Even though they've kind of owned Tennessee recently.
- [14:59]
David Pollack
Well, and, and, and they have had a lot of success at Tennessee, but that crowd is ridiculous. I mean it's one of the best in the country, one of the best atmospheres, like it's insane. So it will be difficult and you will have to grow up with certain pieces. Out of all the things Brent, I'm worried About with this team and with this offense and with Gunner, it's not his mentality. It's not going on the road. It's not like that. Dude, if you, if you meet Gunner Stockton and I'm just telling you, I spent some time with the kid, like, just extremely. He is a flatliner. He's like a yes sir, no sir, a shucks, like G Wiz. Like, he's just a country boy that drives like a 1980 something Chevrolet Blazer. Like, he's just very quiet, very unassuming. But what I love is what the guys talk about when he jumps in the huddle. It's like, listen, get your blank and stuff in here and get ready. Like, and I like that. Like, he's, he's mild mannered, he's very calm, but he's uber competitive. And so I just, I, I, I trust his mindset on that. Doesn't mean he's going to be elite. I'm just saying, like, I think he's the type that can go into other atmospheres and be okay. But again, do you run the football? And does Georgia get back to being a little bit tougher? Because last year thought they lacked a little toughness, which is not, not a thing that you like to say about somebody.
- [16:19]
Brett Rollins
Yeah, no, I think that's why you've heard Kirby say the fire, passion and energy phrase ad nauseam throughout the off season. All right, projection. What do you, what they were tending to a season ago. Do you think it's same, better, worse?
- [16:34]
David Pollack
I think it's. Here's the problem. First of all, here's the good news. The good news is you play Alabama and Texas at home, like that is the best two teams on your schedule. You got them at home, Brett. They're going to get one of those. Like, they're going to get one of those teams. I think they'll lose to one. I think the home streak will go away. Like, I just, I think that because it's, it's at the highest in the nation right now. It's over 30. Right. Like, it's, it's, it's pretty high. It's been pretty good. Here's where I see a potential problem. You got Georgia or you got Tennessee at Tennessee at Auburn. Like, both of those teams, really good teams, really good atmospheres. I don't think you get out of there with both of those. I think one of those are going to be really, really tough to get. I just think with this squad, with the newness and then you still got to play Ole Miss. At home, you still got to play at the cocktail party. Still got to play Georgia Tech at the end of the season. I think it's nine and three. Like, I think they take a little bit of a step back. I think it. I think there's too many unknowns to say I'm going to guarantee 10 and 2, but I've done it for years and we've always said we're not worried, we're not worried. But I don't know, like, the lack of run game from last year worried me, and you're bringing in guys now that aren't as good. And so I just. I worry about the offense and defensive lines, which is weird and just strange to say for Georgia football.
- [18:02]
Brett Rollins
All right, so we've mentioned Tennessee a couple times, so let's get to the Vols. 10 and 3 year ago they lost in the College Football Playoff at Ohio State. And needless to say is, do you think the first question that Hypo gets at media days tomorrow will be about his quarterback situation?
- [18:24]
David Pollack
Yeah, I think that's pretty safe.
- [18:27]
Brett Rollins
High likelihood.
- [18:29]
David Pollack
And. And. I don't know.
- [18:30]
Brett Rollins
I.
- [18:30]
David Pollack
He's going to get asked about Nico, too. Like, he's going to get asked about life after Nico and how it was and how it's been and I think all that stuff. Three straight top 20 finishes for Tennessee. It's the first time that's happened in a long time. Like, Hypo's done a really good job with this squad, man, and here's the most impressive thing. He's going to get asked about offense, and he's going to get asked about Nico, and he's going to get asked about Aguilar. But the biggest thing about Tennessee and last year getting the playoffs was their defense. Like, by far, bar none. And I don't think the defense is going anywhere, Brent. Like, I don't think it's going to be as deep and have as much variety, but I think there's plenty of guys up front that I watched just wave in and out last year and get reps that I'm just like, yep, he's good, he's good, he's good. I think their. Their defensive line is still going to be really good. Their defense is going to be good. I worry about McCoy in the torn ACL in January because that dude you talk about playmaker. And you know that dude, that dude was on an island a lot and made play after play after play. Like he was the one guy in the secondary you trust now. He tore his ACL in January. That's a long time away, like spring ball. You see people come back and so to think he's going to have a full six months, seven months, eight months maybe it goes into the season a little bit. Like I think we'll see, I think we'll see him this season, which will be big for them. But I think their defense is rock solid and we can ask about their offense and their quarterback spots, so we can talk about that now. But I just, I was more impressed than anything last year with Tennessee's defense and I think it's going to take a little step back, but I still think it's going to keep them in almost every single game they play.
- [20:10]
Brett Rollins
Yeah. So big question number two for me was McCoy's health. Is he ready to go come season time? Because he's the second highest graded returning Power 4 cornerback in PFF grades. So let's do talk about the quarterback situation though. Do you think it's. And I've mentioned this before, do you think it's addition by subtraction?
- [20:28]
David Pollack
Okay, so let's break this down and talk about this because let's go Nico size arm has shown you the ability to make a bunch of different throws. Athletic ability. Th. Those things are all better than, than Aguilar. Like, will you give me that? Like those things are all upside experience, all better in the system. Now Aguilar, here's what I like about him. He, he can make the deep ball throws, he can make those, those big plays, he'll make those home run shots. I feel like Nico's missed a lot of those. I feel like Josh Hyp system, that's what they do, that they make you defend space. And when you hit those balls, you can make big plays and hit home runs. And I think if he can do that and make those plays, he's going to take the intermediate game, he's going to take a step back. The running game, he's going to take a step back. Dylan Sampson ain't there. The SEC offensive player of the year. Four linemen gone. Here's what I'll say about the linemen. They're replacing a bunch of guys up front. Four of the five. I'm not that worried. I didn't think they were that great. Like that's when you, that that's the thing about returning starters that I always think is like a, like an asterisk. Like, okay, yeah, we're replacing returning starters and you don't have experience. But he wasn't that good. Like he was the guy we had. But, but he wasn't, you know, he wasn't a guy that I'm like, crap, like, oh, really missing that guy. And now I would say offensive line wise they weren't great. But if they can't protect him and they can't run the football. One thing I've seen with Aguilar is he'll turn it over Brent, like he'll make mistakes and under pressure, he's not, he's not great. Now that system again, alleviates some of that pressure. And if he can hit those deep balls, you know, Tennessee can still be, be very good and maybe take a step forward offensively as opposed to what they were last year. But I think there's a lot of things that have to go right with losing four or five linemen, SEC running back, offensive player of the year, top three wide receivers, like there's a lot going in the other direction for that offense.
- [22:39]
Brett Rollins
25 turnover worthy plays a season ago for aguilar and a 32.6 passing grade under pressure. So to me, I put as a key player to watch is true freshman David Sanders Jr. Who was, you know, one of the highest recruited, if not the highest recruited offensive lineman that he'll start day one.
- [22:59]
David Pollack
He'll start day one, plug and play for them.
- [23:02]
Brett Rollins
So he's one for me. That all right. Anytime you start a freshman attack on the sec, it usually doesn't end well. Can he, can he play? But the other question you brought up is one that I wrote down because it's, it's a, I know you're not obviously not a baseball guy, but you do watch movies. So do you ever watch the movie Moneyball?
- [23:21]
David Pollack
Of course.
- [23:22]
Brett Rollins
Brad Pitt, about the Oak.
- [23:23]
David Pollack
Okay. Of course.
- [23:24]
Brett Rollins
So do you remember, remember the point we can't replace Giambi, but we can replace him in the aggregate. We can get the, you know, the yards and the carries and things like that. So you, you're not going to replace the singular Dylan Sampson, how good he was, but maybe with the system and then the players that they have with Bishop and Lewis and then the transfer from Duke star Thomas, you replace him in the aggregate to get your offense where you need to be. So maybe can they do it? We'll see.
- [23:53]
David Pollack
Well, but, but I think who steps up at wide receiver? You know, I wrote down these names, Matthews, Staley, Smith or Jackson the freshman and then Amari Jefferson, the Alabama transfer. Like, because another thing too, you're replacing Squirrel white, you're replacing McCoy. Like they weren't great last year either. Like they dropped a lot of balls and you know, especially missed those home run balls. I think that, you know, this offense again, can it be big play, Brent? Because I think their D will keep them in games. So, you know, that's, that's what's. If I'm a Tennessee fan, I'm pretty.
- [24:25]
Brett Rollins
Excited about Joshua Joseph. Do you think he takes a big time leap here?
- [24:29]
David Pollack
Yeah, I do. I think he's going to get more PT and I think he'll get more playing time. Less, they'll probably like less revolving door, right? But he's a guy that, I mean you see the flashes, you see flashes of greatness. I mean he's got some, he's got some goods. What about the schedule too? Because I think the schedule is a big part of, of them playing early.
- [24:51]
Brett Rollins
In the season, huh? Syracuse in the opener, which is tough.
- [24:58]
David Pollack
I mean, you know, Syracuse is not, Syracuse is not a, again a Division 1 double A team that you know you're going to steamroll. They'll be, they'll be ready to give you a fight, which is good. East Tennessee State, you know, obviously that's, that's is what it is. But then you, then you go uga, then you go uab. So by the way, all of those games at home and then you go at Missouri, then you play Arkansas. Like that's not, that's not a world beater schedule. Like the thing I wrote down at.
- [25:28]
Brett Rollins
Mississippi State, by the way, it's at Mississippi State.
- [25:30]
David Pollack
Yes. At Mississippi State is a road game at Florida, which will be a difficult. At Kentucky. Like if you're going to tell me the most manageable schedule in the SEC is Tennessee football. It's Tennessee Football. Like I like when I'm playing my toughest games or most of my toughest games when they're at home. I think this is a good schedule for them. That, that, for that. For me, that reason that's, this is an 8 or 9 win team for me because I think they're going to be close to what they were, but not defensively. And then offensively there's so much that I don't know about. So with the easiest schedule, man, like I'm going nine, I'm going nine wins for Tennessee. How about you?
- [26:15]
Brett Rollins
I wrote eight and four.
- [26:16]
David Pollack
Okay.
- [26:17]
Brett Rollins
It feels like eight and four, seven and five depending upon what you get from the, from the qb. So we'll see. You've, you've each have taken a step back by the way. Both Georgia, Tennessee, you took you game back, which I think to be expected. All right, so now it's time to look at some winners and, and semi make fun of oursel a little bit. So what was you. I'll let you. Since you're in. In with the game, you can tell them what's going to happen here.
- [26:48]
David Pollack
Well, we, we said that like whoever could get creative in the comments, which we're getting some today, like, like Frank Walsh. I like it. Buddy Brian Kelly and his family. We, we heard that last year, which was, which was fun to make fun of. Could you make fun of who had the wittiest comment, the best comment in the, in the chat. And there were a lot of good ones. And whoever won, we're going to send you a copy of the ncaa the football game. So, you know, we got, we got two winners and set this one up, Brent, because they need to know the backdrop.
- [27:19]
Brett Rollins
All right, so Coach Freeze was talking about how he worked with a, I think he said a psychologist.
- [27:23]
David Pollack
Yes, psychologist.
- [27:24]
Brett Rollins
And about how he handles quarterbacks. And then he was like, sometimes I need to be Michael Jordan and just, you know, get on the guys. Sometimes I need to be Scotty Pippen and kind of be passive and in the background. And then our buddy Sean, who's a avid listener and we thank you for that. Sean said, sometimes you need to be a Rodman.
- [27:44]
David Pollack
I don't know what that means, but I love it. Like, I'm not sure because there's so many ways you could go because if you watched what was the, what was the documentary was it called with Jordan?
- [27:56]
Brett Rollins
Last Dance.
- [27:57]
David Pollack
The Last Dance. If you watched it, it was just awesome. Like, it was such a good documentary. But like MJ had to learn to like, let Rodman be Rodman and go to Vegas and just I think you also as a coach, you got to learn to like, let things go and have fun and relax and sometimes, and sometimes those, those guys, man, and those personalities do a really good job. So that, that's one of them. And the other one we can pull up too.
- [28:23]
Brett Rollins
I don't know if it's a, you know, so the other one, I don't know if compliment or maybe a little bit of a dig, but we'll take it either way. So Hog wild fishing on YouTube. Feel like I'm currently being lectured about football by the cast of Smallville. If you bought them on Teemu. I mean, I see. I'm going to look at it on the bright side. I think, I think he's complimenting our show because Smallville is about like Superman, right? So, you know, we got Superman on the show also. It was there for, you know, like a decade. So it was a long running show. It wasn't like, it was just a flash in the pan kind of thing.
- [29:01]
David Pollack
I like that.
- [29:02]
Brett Rollins
Like, and then if you bought them on teu, like, that's a discount online business. I, I'd never partaken. But anyway, you're the cheapest person on the planet. I think I'm right there. I'm probably not far behind you. And maybe he's making fun of us. I don't know who's. Who knows? But if it didn't win, contest is rigged. Well, the contest is not rigged.
- [29:23]
David Pollack
Hey, I got to get one more chicken dinner. I got to get one more in there. Davey Pie. Just catching up with the dogs preview. Crazy how people overlook them based on the QB didn't have this. Didn't they do the same with Stetson? I hear you, Davey Pie. The Stetson rosters were one of the best rosters in the history of college football. Like the supporting cast and the defense and the guys around them were all timers, all drafted, all in the NFL. So listen, I. As a Georgia fan, I know. And here's the good thing. The good thing is everybody's hearing this and George is hearing this and Kirby's hearing this. And for the first time for a while, they're going to have plenty of fodder and plenty of people telling them that they can't do X, Y and Z. But you still got two natties in the last four seasons. Like, you're doing all right. Like you're. You're doing pretty good. All right. Where are we going next, homie?
- [30:10]
Brett Rollins
Well, first, so the contest winners, you'll figure out a way to get in touch with them. And you got codes for download? Yep.
- [30:17]
David Pollack
We'll get you. We'll get you a brand new copy of the College Football 26, and we'll.
- [30:21]
Brett Rollins
Do that in the future here soon. So don't. You got to stick around and keep watching, keep subscribing, which, by the way, number two numero dos on the old Apple podcast rankings the other day. Actually, I saw it today, too. Crazy. So, all right, I think the. The heading is Texas versus the field for this. And we have talked a lot about the Texas Longhorns and obviously numero uno question is just how good is Arch? But I'm going to. We'll talk about that in a little bit. Offensive line, I think that's. You got four or five guys gone and you have, you know, very talented and very highly recruited. Brandon Baker, big time Recruit Goosby, that was played some last year. Like, you got highly recruited big time guys that are stepping in. But can they be what they were a season ago on the offensive line?
- [31:17]
David Pollack
They're not going to be where they were a season ago on the offensive line. I think it's. You don't replace all that experience. I just don't think you do it. Definitely not day one and they got to go Ohio State day one. Which is, which is a tough ask for all the new pieces that are coming in. When you look at this squad and you look at the way they've recruited, they've done a great job like that. All the Texas talk about success and the we're back and all that stuff. Like they've been to two final fours in a row. Like this is, this is a program that has absolutely done that and taken off and they're here to stay. And now they're in a new league and we're going. Are they. Is it Texas versus the field? So that kind of gives you an idea. Now it's not because of their offensive line. That, that's not why. But here's why I feel better about their offensive line. A play caller Sark's the best in the business. Like, you're not going past three. For me. In the business of was Steve without managing in Sark for play calling. Like, knows how to run screens. Quick game, QB run game. Arch Manning gonna have a chance to really escalate that area.
- [32:20]
Brett Rollins
That.
- [32:20]
David Pollack
That's going to be a big part of protecting the offensive line, his ability to run the football. Why would I not use it? Like, so I think that, do I think Arch is a proven commodity that I'm ready to throw my hat in the ring and go, bro, Heisman ceremony. No. Like, I'm not there yet. I, I know some people are. And, and if you're, if, if you say the name, I should be there. Like, what, what else does he have to prove? Like, if you're a Manning, you're. You're pretty great at the quarterback spot. Like, there's some pretty good history there. Like, I'm not worried about him on a whiteboard. He's probably been on a whiteboard and probably been calling audibles at the line of scrimmage since he was two. I mean he's just probably been doing that his whole life and he knows how to do it. The only thing that just kind of stays in my small little brain is like Texas was so close, such an elite defense a year ago and Quinniers was there and so I, I got, I just feel a little bit in my head, man, like, if they were, if he was that much better, he was that great. I. Am I crazy, Brett? I just think he would have played like, I think you pull the trigger and go try to win a national championship because their defense held Ohio State to 21 points. Like, 21 is really good.
- [33:33]
Brett Rollins
I. So I actually wrote this down as a sort of quote. If he can't beat out a seventh round pick, then why wasn't he playing? I think this is Sark playing the long game. This is him looking at it as, hey, I've had a guy in yours who's here and been here for a long time. This, we're going to just let this guy play and it's going to be his team. The other kid's turn will be next year and potentially the year after that because of, you know, the way that the family works with oftentimes staying in college. More so than you think. I just think he looked at it as a. Much like a high school, by the way, much like our local high school had had a younger kid who I think maybe could have the dynamics of the team. You may, could have. The ceiling may have been higher, but you played the older kid and it was his team because he'd done that and he'd won so many games and minutes, so many battles for you. I think he just looked that and said, day one, it's yours, team. I'm playing the long game here. I'm not worried about anything else beyond it being his team and the dynamics of that. I think that's what he did. Yeah, well, counter that.
- [34:38]
David Pollack
Here's what I'll say. When we saw Arch, we saw, we saw some great. Like, we saw some deep. Listen, the competition was not great, but we did see some, you know, long scrambles that, that definitely did not remind you of Peyton or Eli. Definitely more Archie. You know, you saw some deep shots and some deep balls. So, like, you just, you just know this offense is going to find a way to, to work it out and be good. Like, I just, I have very little doubt about that. I think Wingo is going to be great. I think Moore is going to be a playmaker. Baxter comes in to join Wisner at the running back spot. I think it's going to give you a good, a little bit more juice, explosiveness. They've, they've got the toughness, but more importantly, it's just on the other side of the ball, man. Like, just give me all the defense. Every Level, like, it's just, it's, it's next level. It's, it's great players at every level. Like, if you want to go to me and you want to go, hey, who's the best pass rusher in the country? There's a list of a couple of guys. Colin Simmons is on it if you want to go best linebacker in the country. There's a list of guys. Anthony Hill's on it. By the way, both of those guys are probably number one on my list. Like, so that kind of gives you an idea. You go to the secondary in the safety positions, dude, same thing. Like it's the same. Like it, it's, it's got to be fun for Pete Kotowski to have this stuff. Like the way he runs this system. What Texas has, the experience, the pass rush. Do you worry about defensive tackle? A little bit, man. A little bit. A tiny bit. But this defense is going to eat. They're going to be elite.
- [36:17]
Brett Rollins
So I agree with all that. And I have two follow up questions, not necessarily specifically about the defense, but about them and their season upcoming. Because the game you mentioned first, the Ohio State game, do you think there is any. And I'm going to go back to sort of our youth football days because we may have had a scrimmage early in the season against the team that you wanted to beat really badly and the directive was to the oc hey, we better have all our offense ready to go because we're beating this team. Sark might be playing Ohio State much later in the season. Do you think there's an element of let me just sort of play this game close to the vest and not necessarily pull out all the stops to win the game unless it's late and I got a chance kind of thing.
- [37:04]
David Pollack
That, that question annoys me. Like, what the heck are we doing? Like, if that's the case, what are you doing late? If you play in the late in the season game, like, you can make. Here's the fun thing about Sark, not the fun thing for a defensive guy. His tweaks off of tweaks are absolutely just annoying as piss. Like, he's gonna run this motion, this orbit motion in the red zone and then next time he's gonna run it and he's gonna fake it and come back and you're just like, really bro? Like, I studied tape, I put myself on the field, I'm ready to make that play. And you do that crap. So no, you don't hold back, bro. You, you go for it and here's another thing too. Like the committee can't. They can, but I don't, I don't want to hear that. Like when Ohio, If Texas is 10 and 2, whatever it is, if they have three losses and they lost Ohio State out of conference. Get out of here, brother. In like, don't give me that crap late in the season. Oh, they have three losses. They have two. Like SMU last year or Clemson. Excuse me, Last year. Like, no, I mean, you know, that kind of a debate when we're debating between what they're at Texas because they played that out of conference. I don't want to hear that later in the season.
- [38:14]
Brett Rollins
Okay. And then the other question was, given how the two games against Georgia went, how much time do you think Sark spent looking at that game? Because they'll give me some numbers on Georgia. Against Georgia, on first down, Texas only had 64 yards rushing on 22 attempts. 21 of those were a scramble. They gave up six sacks and six tackles for loss just on first down in the two games.
- [38:42]
David Pollack
So you gave me the bad Georgia first down defense, but like the good first down defense is pretty dang good.
- [38:47]
Brett Rollins
So against Texas, that was it. That was it. By the way, the rest, the rest of the season was not so great. Yeah, but I. Do you think Sark looked at some of what he did or tweak some. I think the. By the way, some of the scheme things that they did with yours because he wasn't a running threat will change and how they do things because Manning is a running threat and I think it's going to make their offense maybe even that much more dynamic.
- [39:11]
David Pollack
Yeah, I think, I think the word to me is here's what I'll say about arch. This offense, 100%, I have no doubt will be harder to defend because. Because of his wheels and because he's willing to take those deep shots and I think he's going to connect on them and you got Wingo and you got more and you got speed and listen, I think they got a stud out of the portal too with Jack Andres, Jack Andrees. Jack Andrees is how you say it. I think they got a stud with him because I think they replaced Helm with another guy that's a big strong target that is going to. Is going to make those contested catches over the middle, who was one of the favorite guys last year that can really make some things happen. So I think, I think this offense will find itself. It might not find it early in the season, but look at the schedule at Ohio State tough. And then utep, San Jose. Yeah. Get out of here. And then at Florida. At Florida, you know, kind of early in the season. Oh you, you know, which is always hard. Obviously Cotton bowl at UGA is going to be difficult but then they host A and M which is another tough game. But they play Kentucky, they play Mississippi State, they play Vanderbilt, they play Arkansas like we talked about this a year ago. So I'm not going to beat it in the head again. Like they, they got a good schedule. Like they, they got a break when they got the schedule. Like this is not exceptionally difficult now out of conference they went and made it a lot harder. So kudos to them. But the SEC schedule is pretty dang good for them.
- [40:40]
Brett Rollins
All right, so where do you think they end up? Regular season record or over? Under 1 1/2 losses in SEC play.
- [40:51]
David Pollack
I'll take the under. I'll take the under. I'm, I'm just, I'm, I'm thinking that they're gonna, they're gonna be okay. The A M at the end of the season obviously could be tough at UGA is going to be extremely difficult. But I think they got a lot of pissed off and they got a, they went out and got a field goal kicker because of that too. Like they really struggled in the kicking game. I'll take, I'll take the under. I, I, I, I, I, I'm a believer in Texas, man. I, I think they're, I think they're really, really good. I think that defense is going to be an absolute pain in the butt to everybody.
- [41:24]
Brett Rollins
All right now one team they don't play. That would be the Tide. Alabama coming off the 9 and 3 regular season in Kaylin Deborah's first season replacing Nick Saban. Obviously it starts at the quarterback position with them too because Melrose gone amongst others that were drafted early from them, from their squad. I Simpson, how you feeling? Do you think this is more now like a. Going to be more like a Washington type offense?
- [41:53]
David Pollack
Oh yeah.
- [41:54]
Brett Rollins
That you saw with Pennix.
- [41:55]
David Pollack
Oh yeah.
- [41:55]
Brett Rollins
In that crew.
- [41:56]
David Pollack
Yeah. Couple things. I'm just gonna throw a couple names at you. When you think Ty Simpson, first of all, he was the number one, number two recruited guy in that class. You know the number one guy was.
- [42:11]
Brett Rollins
Was that Arch Cade club Nick. So okay, yeah, he's four years, he's.
- [42:15]
David Pollack
Worked out pretty well. This guy has sat for three years. Like here's why I'm not worried about Ty Simpson. Man, this reminds me of Carson Beck. This reminds me of even more closely Alabama Fans, listen up. Matt Jones. Matt Jones sat. Mac Jones sat. He. He watched. He had elite skill around him. He came in, he knew the answers to the test already. Knew how to check the football down, knew how to get rid of his hands, knew, knew the system. Now Grubb coming over, the system's going to be very similar. I think this system is going to look totally different. I think Alabama's offense is going to get way more explosive. They got to find a run game last year at the running back spot. They really struggle with that. But I think the, the passing game will be more on time in rhythm, ball out. Ryan Williams, you're going to be like, that's a bad mother. Shut your mouth. Like, he is. He is that kind of good. And I think he'll get more easy access throws and it won't be, you know, have to be as dynamic. But, man, I think the Tide with it, with their offensive line, I think with the receiving core, I, I think Ty Simpson steps in and, and I. Brent, I don't have any concerns there. There's a reason he was one of the highly, One of the most highly recruited kids in the country. And I just don't think that sitting made him worse. I think sitting makes you better because you get to see it, you get to understand how to watch it, how to grow it, and then when you're ready, I think you're a lot more seasoned and ready for the call.
- [43:47]
Brett Rollins
I think one of the things that he could potentially do for them, and by the way, he's. I mean, he's got like 51 attempts in his career, is potentially get rid of some of the inconsistencies in their offense that you had with Jaylen Melroe at quarterback. And if they can be more consistent offensively, I think you're going to see what you're talking about taking the step because of the receiving core, can the running game, all that stuff. But again, it's the inconsistencies, because you think about their season last year, a couple bad losses that cost them the opportunity to play for a championship. So the other big question for me is the other side of the ball. And I know LT Overton is going to get after the passer. After that, who else? I don't know. I don't know the answer to that question. You know, there's names, but in terms of answers, defensive answers, I don't know the answer.
- [44:42]
David Pollack
I've seen a lot of people putting Alabama's defense, like, number one in the SEC and like number one in the Country. And that, I'm not going to lie, that kind of surprises me because that's the first thing that comes to mind is the twitch. Like, who are the guys that are. And listen, there, there was a day that I think you could be very upfront and be gap sound and do all. I just don't think that exists anymore. Like, I think those days are gone. Like, I, I just think you need game records and you need guys that can, that can get tackles for a losses, get tackles for a loss and change the sticks and give yourself more opportunities. And that's what I worry about with Alabama's defense. Who's getting, who's getting after the quarterback? Who's making those TFLs? I think they're going to be really good and really solid. And I think they got really good players at every level. Really good players. Really good. But you rush the passer, can you affect the quarterback? If you can't, life becomes hard, man. Now I have to blitz, now I have to play different coverages. Can I play, man? Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, there's just so many things that, that come into the equation. So that's what I wrote down. You know, the same thing for me with them at fsu, Louisiana, Monroe, host Wisconsin and then at uga, man, here's the thing with their schedule. At uga, at Auburn, at South Carolina, Missouri. Huh?
- [46:00]
Brett Rollins
At Missouri, too.
- [46:01]
David Pollack
Yeah, at Missouri. Okay.
- [46:03]
Brett Rollins
You're.
- [46:03]
David Pollack
You're higher on that one than I am. I'm talking about, like, I think that's three of their hardest games that are all on the road, like LSU's at home, which, which is great. But I just think that if I'm looking at that like they're going to, they're going to lose at least one of those games. And here's the thing that I really want to see. Four losses. By the way, last time Alabama team had four losses was when Saban's first year at alab. Yeah, like, so it's been a hot minute. Like, how do they handle that and come back this year and do. Are they a little bit pissed off and do they play with a little bit more of an edge like last year? A lot of people went to the Portal. That's a tough, it was a tough spot to be in this. This will tell us a lot about Kaylin DeBoer in his second year.
- [46:45]
Brett Rollins
Very much so. And to give some sort of context to the past row stuff we were talking about last year, by the way, they were one of the least teams in the SEC in terms of getting after the quarterback and pressures and sacks and things like that. Jihad Campbell and Q. Robinson, those were second two and three for them in terms of pressures and sacks. They're in the league now. Like after that it's, you know, Keenan on the inside.
- [47:06]
David Pollack
Those are good players.
- [47:07]
Brett Rollins
A really good player, but great player. Not a. Not a pass rusher. So like at least not consistently so. Yeah, that, that's just sort of giving to me. Key player for them is Russell or however you say his name. I'm sure I'm butchering it, but number four, I do know that. All right, so over under two and a half losses in SEC play. Yeah, you get this season prediction type thing. I think I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go under. I think there's going to be a log jam at 6 and 2 in terms of conference play. And you're just going to. Because last year, I know at one point in the season we were talking about if this team beat this team, we were going to have like five, six and two teams like the A and M maybe at the end of the season of all those scenarios, I think you're going to see that this season where you've just got a ton of six and two teams in the league. And I think Alabama is six and two, which to me puts them at 10 and two in the regular season. I think they win their non conference games.
- [48:16]
David Pollack
Yeah, I think they're going to have. I'm with you on that. I think it's going to be a good season. All right, last but not least, the team that beat Alabama a year ago, Swag City Pavi.
- [48:25]
Brett Rollins
Pavia mania.
- [48:26]
David Pollack
It's all right, Let me ask you this. Speaking of pavia mania, whatever we say is, is there a more fun quarterback in the country to watch? Think about that. Is the most entertaining quarterback to watch in Nashville. Like playing for the Vanderbilt Commodores right now. Like that's going to give you the.
- [48:50]
Brett Rollins
Wow.
- [48:51]
David Pollack
Going to give you the swag. Going to run people over. Might throw it behind his back for gosh sakes. Like he's just like, he's just awesome. Like is there, is there a more it. Does it exist in college football anywhere else?
- [49:07]
Brett Rollins
So especially if you throw in the. You don't know will happen from a train wreck part of it. Yes. But I think Lenore Sellers might have an argument to say, okay, I'm Superman and can put on the cape and make throws and do things running that a lot of other people just can't. So that Might be, but when the, when you add in the element like you're talking about of just the unknown, I think you might be right.
- [49:32]
David Pollack
It's fantastic. It's fun to watch. Like it's, it's just. Listen, it's different. It's Vanderbilt. They have to win with a certain formula. They have to win the time of possession, they have to be great on special teams. They can't turn the football over. Like their offensive line was, was okay, but they still, they do a little enough of the option, enough of the rpo. And here's the thing that, that I remember about Vanderbilt. Like, first of all, they've got an elite tight end. Elite. And his story is cool, but he's going to be drafted really, really high next year. But Storrs is his name. Played QB at A and M. Like transfer. He goes to New Mexico State with Pavia. He gets beat out at quarterback by Pavia and play and goes to tight end. Like, how cool was that by the way? Like, and then comes to Vanderbilt with Pavia because Pavia's Pavia and he's like, that's my guy. I'm coming. He's going to be drafted. He's going to be a first round type pick, second round type pick in the NFL. So they've got a nice weapon that they put at the quarterback spot for Wildcat and split him out wide and he's just, he's really, really good. But the two New Mexico boys, it goes through them Mexico State boys and it's, it's fun. It's bleed the clock down. It's not do too much but, but they take deep shots. And that's the one thing about this offense. They run the ball. They run the ball, they lull you to sleep. Quarterback run. They pull it and they go bombs away, grenades like. And that's the way they play. They possess the ball. And It's. They were 4 and 4 Brent, last year in games that were decided by 7 or 7 a score less. Like, that's, that's pretty good. They won seven games. The first time since James Franklin's been there. Like, Pavia's got magic and he's fun. Now their defense, I got nothing, like I say it all the time to try to like be really nice, not say bad things about people. Like they're very ungood. Like they're very ungood. Like they don't do anything great. Like bottom 30 for the last like six or seven years. Not a lot of impact. Guys like, to me, they got to be all in like super aggressive. Give up big plays, but make big plays. You know, like it's gotta, it's gotta compliment their offense. But it's, you know, it's. It's about that dude. It's about Pavia who's. Who's a star, who's fun to watch. And I think Vanderbilt, they're not going to be a great team. They were great last year to go seven and six, but they're going to be one of the most fun teams to watch because you have no freaking clue what they're going to do.
- [51:56]
Brett Rollins
So two parter. So do you think then that last season was sort of a peak or just the beginning of a continual stepping stone forward?
- [52:04]
David Pollack
That's a peak, bro. That's a peak.
- [52:06]
Brett Rollins
I'm just checking. Listen, because the other thing to me with this is their offense. Unique.
- [52:13]
David Pollack
Yes. Awesome.
- [52:14]
Brett Rollins
Saw it for, and you saw it for, for the first time last year, all these teams on their schedule. Now it's the exact same teams on their schedule. Because guess what the SEC has this year? Zero coaching changes and zero schedule changes, which is. I was trying to look it up to see if it ever happened. And it's. I've. I'm very far back before that's happened. Other than home and away, that's the only difference. So I think you're going to see some of that where they're going to have to make bigger plays in the passing game.
- [52:43]
David Pollack
Well, you saw that last year though, because down the stretch they struggled. They started off really well and offensively and they're just not a team that can win like on both sides of the ball. Like they have to control the clock. They have to just not give up big plays. I think what they can do, Brent, is they can still do the tempo game. And here's another thing, too. We can talk about their offense and the uniqueness of the option and the fun things and the cool things. One thing's still going to hold true for this offense. You still got to get pave on the ground, which is a hard thing to do. Best in the country at the quarterback spot, at breaking tackles, at yards, after contact. He's big, he's strong, he'll pump fake. He'll do weird things, he'll make it hard, he'll get a first down and that's. Guess what? They're going to do that play. Clock's going to go tick, tick, dick, tick, tick, tick, tick all the way down. They know who they are, they know what they are. And it's just a team that's kind of a pain. You know, like they're going to be an irritant. They're going to be in a bunch of ball games. But it's just going to be hard to consistently win seven games. They won nine the previous four seasons. Like, I think this is a, this is a 5 win team, 4 win team and. But all but a team that also was a pain in some people's high knees and hang around in a lot of games.
- [53:57]
Brett Rollins
I think they're at least get to a bowl game.
- [54:01]
David Pollack
Well, they can get to a bowl game with five wins nowadays. You can still get there.
- [54:04]
Brett Rollins
Yeah, six wins. They're getting there with six the right way. The big question though for this team this year, does Pavia go four zero against you Freeze. Because now beating at New Mexico State was with New Mexico State and be Auburn Liberty. And then you're a hater. Season ago you're a hater. Just asking.
- [54:24]
David Pollack
You're a Hugh Freeze hater. You just had that man on. You looked him in the eye and now you're just hating.
- [54:29]
Brett Rollins
He's awesome.
- [54:30]
David Pollack
Nice. Fantastic. All right, so what are we gonna do?
- [54:33]
Brett Rollins
What are we gonna do? By the way, I don't think he does either. I think Auburn gets them this year.
- [54:36]
David Pollack
I do too. So Thursday, let's, let's shut this thing down because people are like, y' all are gone 50 minutes. Y' all need to shut your mouths. Like, stick with us. But, but Thursday. We're going to go Thursday night after everything's wrapped up with the SEC media days, kind of recap it. Like talk about all the things that happened. And if you got comments and you want to keep throwing things on there, we'll keep debating, we'll keep giving you credit for them because I think those are, those are really fun. But y' all enjoy the rest of your week. Enjoy SEC media days. Enjoy. And we'll catch you back right here as we inch closer and closer, baby, to some college football.