The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Episode: True CFB Title Contenders and Week 1 Thoughts With David Pollack. Plus, Adnan Virk Wrote a Book!

Date: August 28, 2025 | Host: Ryen Russillo | Notable Guests: David Pollack, Adnan Virk

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep dive into the upcoming college football season with David Pollack – breaking down true title contenders, key teams and players, and under-the-radar storylines. Pollack also shares personal updates and insights into his family, priorities, and values. Later, Adnan Virk joins to discuss his new book Cinephile, share behind-the-scenes Hollywood/Oscar tales, and banter about movies, writing, and travel. The show closes with life advice and a classic Russillo roundtable.

I. David Pollack Talks College Football & Life

[02:01] – Personal Updates: Family, Adversity, and Perspective

• Pollack shares a major life update: his wife has been battling brain cancer, shifting his career and personal priorities toward family.

• Quote:

  “My kids have always thought I was the superhero because I played football and stuff. She's showing, like, no, that’s the real superhero…She chooses faith over fear every single time.” – David Pollack [03:27]

• Pollack reflects on handling adversity as a family, teaching his kids to approach “hard” times with resilience and practical skills:

  “…It's coming. It's a matter of if, not when. And so they've had to grow up a little bit… Shoot, man, I've grown up a lot… Now having to cook and clean and stuff, it's definitely made all of us have to pick our game up and realize that mom does a lot more than we think.” – Pollack [04:12]

[05:36] – College Football QBs: Miami, Georgia, Texas & More

Carson Beck at Miami

• Beck struggled in Georgia’s run-heavy offensive system last year, but Pollack expects him to thrive in Miami with a dominant O-line and strong run game:

  “His superpower is anticipation…In order for him to be great, you have to protect him. You have to run the football…Miami: One of the best offensive lines…big physical unit…If he can get on board with his receivers…Perfect spot.” – Pollack [06:52]

• Miami opens against Notre Dame in a major early test:

  “This is such a moment and a big field for Miami to go, like, I can change the whole perception of my program…That could catapult Miami to being a playoff team.” [08:22]

Gunner Stockton at Georgia

• Stockton’s emotional spark and leadership draw praise, but he needs a solid run game and support; not a carry-the-team QB.

  “You would freaking love the dude…most chill, flatline guy…he's got a little bit of something in him…Great leader, great dude…If they're really, really good, it allows Gunner Stockton to be great…” [09:27–11:20]

Texas and the SEC Race

• Pollack picks Texas to win the SEC, citing their “best defensive line in the country”, roster depth, returning coordinators, and Arch Manning’s potential:

  “If you're picking a roster…best defense in the country…continuity…Texas is reloaded…[Arch] is really, really good and brings the deep element…But the biggest key will be the offensive line.” [12:23]

• NIL ("name, image, likeness") money – “that oil money’s different, bro.”

Arch Manning at Texas:

• Manning’s mythos brings other five-stars; early skepticism about him being a surefire star, but acknowledges the upside:

  “He’s a good quarterback. Should he be ahead of the Heisman odds of Klubnik and Nussmeier…? I don’t think so. …but if he improves…they’re a team that can win a national championship.” [15:54]

[18:10] – LSU, Clemson, and Big Picture Title Race

• LSU: Offensive line underperformed in 2024; Nussmeier is “boomer bust,” defense must return to form.

  “I was in the conversation with the best defensive backs every single year…They ain't stopped the nosebleed the last couple years, man.…But going to Death Valley Jr…against two of the best linemen in the country. If you don't have balance, you might as well go ahead and not ride the bus over” – Pollack [21:06]

• Clemson: Return to championship recipe – a loaded D-line, four NFL receivers, quarterback talent, and finally hitting the transfer portal.

  “They finally went to the transfer portal, Ryan…That doesn’t work. Those numbers don’t add up…Now I think, you know, it just makes them take that next step,” [38:42]

[29:00] – Big Ten Preview: Penn State, Drew Aller, and More

Penn State’s National Title Candidacy

• Pollack: Penn State has depth, a complement of running backs (diverse styles), and a strong O-line/system; predicts them to win the Big Ten.

  “When I was deciding national championship, Penn State was absolutely in the mix…Because of the experience at the right spots…Penn State’s going to be a national championship contender.” [33:35]

• Draws contrast with Franklin’s past rosters and says Aller is “going to be a first round pick at quarterback.” [35:49]

Big 12 & The Wild West of CFB

• Highlights Arizona State as a rising power with quarterback Sam Leavitt (“that dude is tough”), Utah (with QB Devin Dampier), and the Big 12’s overall chaos (“50% of games decided by a touchdown or less”).

  “I think Arizona State’s building something. It feels like Oregon with Lanning from a couple years ago…Arizona State’s on their way.” [40:02]

II. Adnan Virk on Cinephile and Movie/Writing Life

[46:58] – Adnan Virk Book Tour, Oscar Stories, and Film Passion

On Writing "Cinephile"

• Virk reflects on writing a movie book blending interviews (De Niro, Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons), essays, and Red Carpet/Oscar tales:

  “Cinephile is really, it’s a book, I think, for everyone because you’ve got interviews…fly by…essays…tales from the red carpet.” [47:28]

• Detailed, hilarious stories about getting blurbs from celebs:

  “I just want to delete Miles’s number. Like, I never want to speak to him again because I’m going to be too eager at some point… J.K. Simmons… happy to help. Whatever you need.” [58:43]

Oscar Night "Moonlight" Shock

• Behind-the-scenes account of the legendary 2017 Best Picture mix up (La La Land/Moonlight):

  “We were there when the wrong name was ready…The floor director was kind of pointing to the camera...I just looked over and I just saw the famous shot of the producer holding the card and going, wait, no, there’s been some sort of mistake. Moonlight 1, best picture.” [61:37]

• On getting his Oscar tux: “Buy it, you’re going to be doing this the next 10 years…We did it one more year, and that was it. But the tuxedo still fits.” [63:56]

Giamatti: The White Whale

• Adnan’s saga chasing Paul Giamatti for an interview, from planned bookings to pulling “the hang-around-the-hoop” move at the Critics’ Choice Awards:

  “…he laughs, and he goes, that’s a [expletive] great movie…Canadians and Italians, for some reason. And then we carried on… but I still get to have my moment with him.” [71:24–73:00]

On Writing, Movies, and Travel

• Discusses discipline as a writer (“not very hard…sit my butt down and write; just takes discipline”, [75:43]) and the joy of the process.
• Lighthearted movie banter: Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia, Seven Samurai.
• Shares passion for Banff and Canadian travel quirks.

III. Life Advice, Roundtable & Notable Quotes

[97:07] – Life Advice Segment (animal care, breakups)

• Cat sitting dilemma: Whether to admit not feeding a neighbor’s cats (“if they were that concerned, you admitting that you didn’t feed them is likely going to ruin the relationship…The lie that is not going to hurt anyone. The cats are fine. Might be the move here.” [106:46])
• The $20 tip: “20 does not have the impact it used to have.” [108:38]
• Workplace breakup: How to navigate seeing an ex at work, especially after a bereavement. Be supportive as a friend, don’t push for more, and avoid awkward, regret-filled advances.

Classic subtle humor on fitness and masculinity:

“Yeah, I haven’t been [to a doctor] in 10 years. Fuck not going. No woman wants to hear that. No woman’s like, ‘What I love is, when it comes to health and medicine, he’s so independent.’” – Russillo [115:10]

On spelling and impressions:

“You might want to look at spelling…It can still be a turn off to some people.” – Russillo [121:08]

IV. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You want continuity. I got both coordinators back. And has there been a bigger beneficiary of NIL than the state of Texas?…That oil money’s different, bro.” – David Pollack [11:23]
• “If they were that determined to make sure [the cats] were fed twice when they were gone 24 hours, they have high regard for their cats. So…the lie that is not going to hurt anyone…might be the move here.” – Russillo [106:46]
• “If you have two studs, you have two studs. But it’s really nice when you feel like you have two different styles and Penn State has that.” – Russillo [33:35]
• “He’s a good player. He’s not the top quarterback in this class. But…when I get him, the guys that follow because of the name and because…absolutely happened…” – Pollack, on Arch Manning (17:20)
• “If Arch was the answer and was elite last year, then why didn’t he play over Ewers?” – Pollack [15:33]

Key Timestamps

• [02:01–05:31]: Pollack opens on family and life challenges
• [05:36–13:18]: College football QB breakdowns: Miami (Beck), Georgia (Stockton), Texas/SEC race
• [18:10–23:59]: LSU, Clemson, and national title landscape
• [29:00–36:51]: Big Ten preview: Penn State, Drew Aller, Ohio State/Michigan context
• [38:42–45:03]: Arizona State, Big 12 contenders, Utah, QB tiers
• [46:58–79:06]: Adnan Virk on Cinephile, Oscars, movie writing, and travel stories
• [97:07–122:31]: Life advice: cat sitting, breakups, dog purchases, tips, and relationship recovery

Tone & Takeaway

Lively, unfiltered, and full of both smart football analysis and real-life candor. Pollack brings emotional openness and sharp insights on the CFB landscape, while Russillo and Virk mix deep-dive sports, pop culture, Hollywood anecdotes, and humor. This episode delivers both the "who's really a CFB contender" breakdown and refreshing, personal storytelling for anyone who loves football, movies, or just a smart, funny show.