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David Pollack Doubts Two College Football Powerhouses Can Stay in the Playoff Mix

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated May 22, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be crucial for two prominent SEC coaches: Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners and Billy Napier of the Florida Gators. Both coaches need strong performances this year to avoid being on the hot seat.

Venables is coming off another disappointing season, ending with a record of 6-7, which marks his second losing season in the last three years. On the other hand, Napier showed improvement last year with an 8-5 record, following three losing seasons in four years.

There are positive expectations for both coaches heading into the 2025 season. Josh Pate has ranked both teams in his post-spring top 10, placing Florida at No. 9 and Oklahoma at No. 10. Pate appeared on David Pollack's podcast, "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," and that's where Pollack expressed optimism about both teams’ progress.

However, he cautioned that due to their challenging schedules, he is uncertain whether either team will be able to maintain such high rankings by the end of the season.

"I think both of those teams we know are going to be improved from last year," Pollack said.

"Florida more proved it. Florida proved to us what they could do last year. Oklahoma did not, but the portal changes, the coaching changes, I think we are going to bet on them improving a lot. But, I think because of the schedule, it's hard to put them any higher and I don't know if they're going to be end of the year in those spots."

According to Athlon Sports, Florida has the third toughest schedule in the country, while Oklahoma has the second toughest.

But as Pollack mentioned, the Sooners made several changes following a disappointing previous season, in which they ranked No. 113 in total offense, No. 119 in passing offense and No. 97 in scoring offense.

Venables fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell midseason and replaced him with Joe Jon Finley before hiring Ben Arbuckle later, the former offensive coordinator at Washington State.

Jackson Arnold led the team in passing, throwing for 1,421 yards, along with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has since entered the transfer portal and is now at Auburn.

Oklahoma then added former Washington State quarterback John Mateer, who had an impressive season, throwing for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.

On the other hand, the Gators enter this season with high expectations. They are ranked No. 17 in the country according to ESPN's SP+ rankings, which consider three main factors: returning production, recent recruiting and recent history.

Florida boasts a significant amount of returning production from last season, with 66% of its roster back, placing it at No. 18 nationally. Additionally, the Gators have secured the No. 10-ranked recruiting class this offseason.

Both teams are set to open the season at home on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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