See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Trinidad Chambliss REACTION: Ole Miss Fallout | Texas CFP Charge in 2026
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: David Pollack
Guest: Brent Rollins

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed episode, David Pollack and regular analyst Brent Rollins dive deep into two of college football’s top stories: the ongoing eligibility saga and ultimate vindication of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, and the rising prospects—and pressure—on the Texas Longhorns for the 2026 CFP. The show also features a breakdown of key returning running backs for the upcoming season, commentary on conference upheaval, and classic banter about life, coaching, and college football culture.

Pollack brings his trademark mix of Georgia intensity and thoughtful, straight-talk analysis, while Rollins, bringing his stats-based approach, provides sharp insights from a numbers and historical trends perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Trinidad Chambliss Eligibility Saga and Ole Miss Fallout

• The Story: Trinidad Chambliss, originally from Ferris State (D-II), transferred to Ole Miss. He was a top-tier QB, pivotal in the playoff run, but the NCAA denied his eligibility appeal for an extra year due to a disputed 2022 medical redshirt.
• Resolution: Chambliss sued the NCAA in Mississippi state court, won an injunction via Judge Robert Whitwell, and is now eligible for another season at Ole Miss.
• Pollack’s Take: College football’s eligibility rules are convoluted, consistently opening loopholes (“one box opens to another box…” [06:09]), and the NCAA’s inconsistencies have led to more litigation.
• Rollins’ Perspective: The cycle perpetuates itself, as denied athletes sue and almost inevitably win if persistent—see cases like Cam McCormick and Solomon Tuliaupupu, who got nine years of college eligibility.

Notable Quote:

“Just sue the NCAA and sue them again and sue them again. And we've seen time and time again you're going to win at some point.”
—David Pollack [06:46]

Debate—Did Chambliss Make the Right Call Returning?

• Pollack: “Trinidad made the right decision because he's going to make a heck of a lot more money at Ole Miss… But next year’s [NFL] class, he is not going to be drafted as high as he’d be in this year’s class.” [07:10]
• Both agree the equation is money now vs. draft status and long-term pro prospects.

Impact on Ole Miss: Chambliss transforms Ole Miss from a middle-tier SEC team to a legitimate contender, provided the OC and team synergy clicks.

2. NCAA Eligibility Chaos and Reform

• The “lawsuit route” has made almost any eligibility denial reversible if an athlete is persistent and sues.
• Pollack’s Solution: NCAA must move to a simple “five for five” rule — five years, five seasons of eligibility, period.
• Rollins’ Addition: Adds a caveat for graduates to play an extra (fifth) season, combined with a residency requirement and a one-time free transfer.

Notable Quote:

“You get five years… they’ll break and shatter every single [record].”
—David Pollack [06:44]

3. Texas 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) Charge

The Setup: Texas enters as a loaded, high-expectation program after missing the playoff last year.

• Blame last season’s falter on offensive line woes rather than Arch Manning, who was unfairly scapegoated.
• Texas addressed these issues via the transfer portal: Melvin Ciani (Wake Forest) and other O-line/skill additions.
• QB Arch Manning: Gained vital starting experience; down the stretch, he significantly improved in poise, time to throw, and passing grade ([21:53–22:09], see stats below).

Defense: Biggest news is hiring Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator.

• Muschamp brings “dog”, toughness, and a no-nonsense approach as a counterbalance to the laid-back Sarkisian.
• The panel agrees Muschamp’s presence may be as critical as any player acquisition.

Stats for Arch Manning’s Growth

• First 7 games: Passing grade of 71.2, average time to throw 3.09s
• Last 6 games: Passing grade 88.7, average time to throw 2.68s
  ("Ball came out, the ball was coming out a lot quicker, more decisive." —Brent Rollins [22:09])

Is Texas a Lock for the Playoff?

• Rollins is skeptical, pointing out Texas’s tough SEC schedule and that their issues against elite programs—specifically Georgia—are unresolved.
• Pollack pushes back: “I’m getting a little bit tired of these preseason schedules… you don’t know [how strong those teams will actually be].” [19:23–20:14]
• Pollack’s Assessment: “Texas—it’s all set up… offense, defense, schedule, everything—it’s now or never.” [~15:00–18:00]

4. Pac-12/“Eight Pack” Scheduling Quirks

• With only eight teams remaining, the Pac-12 (soon “Eight Pack”) has instituted a Week 13 FLEX: every team plays the other seven, then a rematch in the final week, possibly optimized to protect the league’s playoff chances.
• This approach is smart but controversial, and Pollack wonders if other conferences may try it to protect top contenders.

Notable Quote:

"They're going to decide who you play. If you're in contention, do you play somebody different to keep you in contention?... It kind of got some, it's got some smart to it..."
—David Pollack [24:50]

5. Running Back Breakdown: Who Will Break 1,000 Yards?

Numbers Game:

• 20 FBS running backs who topped 1,000 yards are returning.
• 31 FBS running backs with 900+ yards are back, many on new teams via transfer (e.g., Cam Cook to WVU, Caleb Hawkins to OK State).

Player-by-Player Projections

• Nate Frazier (Georgia): Over 1,000? Pollack: “Yes,” if healthy. [31:12]
• Hollywood Smothers (Texas): Pollack takes the under; split touches and O-line concerns. [33:10]
• Justice Haynes (Ga Tech): "If healthy... doesn’t take a back seat to many in CFB." [34:00]
• Carson Hansen (Penn State via ISU): Pollack—yes, expects ground-and-pound Matt Campbell offense. [35:25]
• Kendrick Raphael (SMU via Cal): Over 1,000 possible due to offensive fit and league. [37:07]

Insight: With the NFL’s devaluation of running backs, Pollack predicts more top RBs will stay in school for NIL money rather than jump early to the pros.

Notable Quote:

“Those guys ain't leaving for the NFL anymore because they're going to get paid where they're at better than they're going to get paid in the NFL.”
—David Pollack [38:17]

6. “Who Won the Weekend?” — Personal & Feel-Good Reflections [39:14–42:59]

• Brent Rollins: Chooses himself; enjoyed a rare, laid-back weekend with family and high school baseball.
• David Pollack: Relishes time with wife, peace at home, “winning when the house is empty,” and watching "Lincoln Lawyer."
• Heartfelt Highlight: Shoutout to Anthony Kim, who made an inspiring comeback win after substance abuse issues. The team on LIV Tour celebrated with water instead of alcohol in solidarity. Pollack: “Always fun to watch those comeback stories.” [41:37]

Memorable Quotes

• On NCAA rules: “The NCAA... They're just never easy on themselves. They always make it hard and they open one box which opens to another box.” —Pollack [06:09]
• On Will Muschamp’s hire: “If you're not going to be the dog that bites, I need to bring in the dog that bites.” —Pollack [17:47]
• On preseason predictions: “Can you guarantee me what Florida, Tennessee and Ole Miss are going to be? ...You don't know.” —Pollack [19:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trinidad Chambliss Saga & NCAA Litigation Explainer: [01:37–09:23]
• Chambliss Decision—Ole Miss Fallout: [07:10–08:25]
• Texas 2026 CFP Preview (Offensive and Defensive Overhaul, Pressure on Sark and Muschamp's Role): [12:20–19:23]
• Texas’s Historical Issues vs. Elite Defenses (Georgia Effect): [16:42–17:47]
• SEC, Playoff Expansion & Scheduling Complexity: [19:23–21:25]
• Arch Manning’s Analytics—Improvement Story: [21:53–22:09]
• Pac-12 (“Eight Pack”) Flex Scheduling: [24:52–25:12]
• Running Back Deep Dive: Stats Game, Major Transfers, Top 1000-Yard Backs Analysis: [25:12–38:51]
• Personal Reflections, “Who Won the Weekend” & Feel-Good Sports Stories: [39:14–42:59]

Episode Summary

This episode is a quintessential See Ball Get Ball experience: hard-hitting takes on the latest NCAA eligibility chaos and the real-world implications for schools and athletes, analysis of two heavyweights (Ole Miss and Texas) at program-defining crossroads, and a numbers-based breakdown of running back talent shaping 2026.

Between the football insights, career advice for players, and even some lighter life lessons, Pollack and Rollins deliver compelling, fan-focused content in a conversational, relatable style.

For more deep-dive discussion and analysis, tune in every week and join the See Ball Get Ball community!