See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Who Should LSU Hire to Replace Brian Kelly? Heisman Top 5 | CFP Top 12 If It Started Today

Date: October 28, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Guest/Co-host: Brent Rollins

Overview

In this jam-packed episode, David Pollack dives deep into the major college football stories of the week, focusing on the shock departure of Brian Kelly from LSU and speculating on the Tigers' next head coach. Pollack reveals his mid-season Heisman Trophy top 5, breaks down the "would-be" College Football Playoff top 12 through his own lens, and, alongside co-host Brent Rollins, analyzes which teams have cemented their place or need to be eliminated from CFP talks. The conversation is full of authentic football analysis, stats-driven takes, and classic Pollack energy.

Main Themes and Discussion Points

1. LSU Coaching Vacancy: What’s Next for the Tigers?

(00:22 – 08:23)

• Brian Kelly's Tenure and Dismissal

  • "This is not a rebuild at LSU... it's a great job. But you have to be great." – Pollack emphasizes how, with all three previous LSU coaches having won national championships, the expectations are sky-high.
  • Cites Kelly’s “weird fit” with Louisiana culture, staff missteps (notably losing key coordinators), and lack of championship performance as major factors: "If you don't win championships, your tenure will be a failure." (02:14)
  • Staff decisions: Mike Denbrock left for Notre Dame, Tony Moffat (three natty rings at LSU) fired, longtime assistants departing.

• Who Should LSU Hire? Top Candidates

  • Lane Kiffin: "It's going to be very hard for Lane to say no to LSU. I would throw a lot of zeros in his direction and make him say no." (04:00)
  • Joe Brady: Architect of LSU’s 2019 national title offense. Currently in the NFL, but "he’s got that LSU swag... knows how to draw up football plays."
  • Jon Sumrall (Tulane): 38-10 as a head coach. Touted for his confidence and "something to him" that matches Louisiana’s energy.
  • The consensus: LSU is not just a good job, “it’s a great job”—and demands a coach with both championship credentials and charisma.

2. Mid-Season Heisman Trophy Top 5

(08:23 – 17:45)

• Pollack’s Heisman Five:

  1. Ty Simpson – Recognized for leading his team through major moments and tough competition.
  2. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) – Undefeated season, 24 TDs, high-level production.
  3. Trinidad Shambliss (Ferris State) – Went on the road and carved up OU’s top defense: "Out matered Mater right, that to me matters." (13:00)
  4. Haynes King (Georgia Tech) – Less prolific passing but huge on the ground; "those count," says Pollack.
  5. Marcel Reed – Recent dominant performance against LSU.
  • Sizable honorable mentions: Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate (Ohio State WRs), Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, Diego Pavia ("a stud... carrying Vanderbilt"), Gunner Stockton, and others.

• Heisman Criteria Debated

  • Brent: "In terms of impact, the five guys you listed have had the biggest individual impact." (09:58)
  • Both stress the importance of "Heisman moments" in big games down the stretch.

Notable Quotes

• "If you want to be on that list, championship weekend will go a long way." – David Pollack (13:40)
• "Heisman moments... that's what wins Heisman trophies." – DP (12:45)

3. CFP Top 12 If It Started Today

(17:45 – 26:13)

• Pollack’s CFP Top 12:
  1. Indiana
  2. Ohio State
  3. Texas A&M ("just put everybody in the country on notice" after crushing LSU) (19:00)
  4. Alabama
  5. Georgia
  6. Miami
  7. Oregon
  8. Vanderbilt
  9. Georgia Tech
  10. BYU
  11. Ole Miss
  12. Memphis (as required group of five rep)
• Debates and Gripes:
  • Ole Miss' claim to be higher in rankings after their Oklahoma win: "I'd be absolutely fine if you moved, you know, Ole Miss up." (24:47)
  • Louisville’s fringe status: "They've got that top 10 win at Miami and the James Madison win is a good win." – Brent (25:00)

4. Playoff Eliminator & Bubble Teams

(26:02 – 28:13)

• Teams Eliminated this Week
  • Illinois: “They gone.” – DP (26:37)
  • Missouri: “Unfortunately Mizzou fans, I think it’s coming to an end.” (28:09)
• Brent’s Draft Note: "Almayer looks like a guy who’s going to get drafted in the 4th or 5th round and then find a job as a starter... stays in the league for a while." (27:00)

5. Advanced Metrics, Game Analysis, and PFF Deep Dives

(28:13 – 46:06)

• Brent Rollins’ PFF Insights (with promo code GETBALL25)
  • Example: Lenore Sellers (South Carolina) forced 10 missed tackles vs. Alabama and has done it four times in double digits, including 15 against Clemson last year.
  • Haynes King is the only P4 QB without a turnover-worthy pass this year.
  • Joey Aguilar's master class passing game at Tennessee: 7 of 7 on 20+ yard throws, 3 TDs, a 99.9 PFF grade—"basically perfect." (30:33)
• Analytical Takes on Key Players, Teams, and Matchups
  • Oklahoma vs Tennessee: “A playoff elimination game.”
  • Potential spoiler teams: Pitt’s ability to ruin playoff hopes for ND, GT, or Miami.
  • Group of Five chaos and Memphis' big win to stay alive: “Memphis won the weekend... that sets them up.” – Brent (50:40)

6. Key Games and Matchups to Watch

(46:06 – 51:14)

• Texas vs. Vanderbilt:

  • QB situation: Arch Manning injury; backup Matthew Caldwell steps in.
  • On winning ugly: “When they can play bad and still win, it says something...” – DP (47:38)
  • Big picture: Game has serious playoff and narrative implications for both programs.

• Georgia vs Florida (“Cocktail Party”)

  • Neutral-site game with both teams in flux. Pollack reflects on his Georgia-Florida rivalry memories: “My senior year... straight jubilation.” (42:13)
  • Analysis: “I would have used the two weeks [bye] to become more creative on defense.” – DP (43:28)

• Pitt as a Spoiler: "Pitt will get one of them [ND, GT, Miami]. Narduzzi just finds a way, man. He's a great coach." (34:17)

7. Victory Formation: Who Won the Weekend?

(49:18 – 51:14)

• Houston (Coach Willie Fritz): "If you want to know what a good coach looks like, it looks like Willie Fritz. The sucker just freaking wins." (49:19) Pollack praises Houston for staying in the Big 12 race.
• Memphis: Brent highlights Brendan Lewis’s incredible two-point conversion and the team’s composure after their loss to UAB: "Memphis won the weekend... because right now they're in the See Ball Get Ball playoff bracket." (50:40)
• Player passion and grit: Both hosts emphasize how some teams and players, even amidst roster overhauls, are carrying on with energy and drive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's not a good job. It's a great job. You don't go there to win. You go there to win national championships. So some pressure will also come with it." – David Pollack, on LSU (05:37)
• "Heisman moments... that's what wins Heisman trophies, like, down the stretch." – DP (12:45)
• "When they can play bad and still win, it says something." – DP on Texas (47:38)
• "Pitt will get one of them. Narduzzi just finds a way, man." – DP (34:17)
• "Memphis won the weekend because that sets them up to take... that win is big time for them." – Brent (50:40)
• "You gotta have some swag at LSU. You can't be just another guy." – DP on LSU coaching search (04:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• LSU job & coaching search: 00:22 – 08:23
• Heisman Top 5 breakdown: 08:23 – 17:45
• Heisman moments & dark horse discussion (w/ Brent): 11:15 – 17:45
• CFP Top 12 if it started today: 17:45 – 26:13
• Team eliminations: 26:02 – 28:13
• PFF/Advanced Metrics Analysis: 28:13 – 46:06
• Texas vs. Vanderbilt, key games: 46:06 – 51:14
• Victory Formation – Who won the weekend: 49:18 – 51:14

Tone & Style

The conversation is high-energy, passionate, and full of the insider lingo and confidence that fans expect from David Pollack. He’s direct about coaches and programs, cracks jokes with Brent, and is always ready to challenge the stats or pundit consensus. Brent brings analytical rigor, PFF insights, and thoughtful counterpoints which balance the show’s pulse.

Final Takeaways

This episode delivers a whirlwind tour through top college football storylines, blending gut reactions, meticulous analysis, and classic college football banter. Listeners get a clear sense of the stakes for LSU, the Heisman race, and the CFP chase, as well as sharp analysis on players, coaches, and key games to come.

For the stats junkies, the die-hard fans, or anyone catching up midseason—this episode is a must-listen for its honest, engaging coverage of everything that makes college football great.