ESPN College GameDay

Latest Episodes:

NFL Draft: Where Are All The Quarterback SUPERSTARS Landing?! Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel & Matt Miller, NFL draft insider discuss the quarterback class lacking surefire stars and how this could potentially create volatility in the draft order. Specifically, they get into Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders who flashed toughness and precision throughout the season yet still needs the right team to believe in him. They also look at Travis Hunter, a two-way talent. Will he stick with the cornerback position, where great players are scarce, or chase the money at wide receiver? Finally, they evaluate some familiar-named quarterbacks expected to go in the latter rounds. Could one rise up to be an NFL star?

0:00 - Why college spring games could disappear

7:21 - What is the depth level of the 2025 NFL draft class?

9:52 - Will Travis Hunter play both ways in the NFL?

16:56 - The player to NOT be blindsided on

18:17 - Could QB Shedeur Sanders fall out of the top 10 draft picks?

24:23 - Pros & cons about QB Cam Ward

26:40 - Where will QBs Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe, Dillon Gabriel land in the draft?

31:00 - What kind of NIL deals do players at smaller schools have?

32:50 - Besides NIL, the highest currency in college football is…

36:37 - The best time to be a college free agent

38:00 - Where to find NIL data on schools?

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More SEC & Big Ten HIGH OCTANE Games To Hit The Calendar? Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the meeting of power brokers in New Orleans and how the decisions from this event could shift the balance of power in the sport. Will this lead to a future SEC and Big Ten partnership? If so, can the Big 12 and ACC level up their teams enough to remain in the sphere of relevance? Meanwhile, in basketball, the NCAA Tournament could expand to 76 teams. The guys get into how this doesn't just benefit teams at the top but is also transformative to those who can break through and get into the field.

0:00 - Should the SEC teams play 8, 9, or 10 conference games?

6:21 - What’s the best way to get more eyes on college football?

12:18 - Will the SEC & Big Ten form a future partnership?

15:48 - Why the current peace in college football won’t last

22:38 - The Big 12 & ACC need to bring the pressure

32:24 - Why expand the NCAA hoops tourney to 76 teams?

40:20 - The hoops tourney expansion primary positive effect

43:28 - Why QB John Mateer to Oklahoma is interesting

45:55 - Can QB Miller Moss sneak Louisville into the CFP?

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GAME-CHANGING Coaching Moves + Bill Belichick On The Recruiting Trail Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss why former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles could be the missing piece that pushes Penn State to win a national title. Also, they say Clemson is flying under the radar when they shouldn't be. The guys bring out all the details on how Clemson leveled up. Then, ESPN national recruiting reporter Eli Lederman joins the pod to talk North Carolina, specifically how Bill Belichick has yet to put together a star-studded roster. Finally, Rece and Pete get into the underrated basketball history at Auburn and Alabama, and why you should have eyes on that Saturday matchup!

0:00 - Which Ohio State coaches are out?

5:00 - Penn State to win a title with DC Jim Knowles?

8:00 - Why you shouldn't sleep on Clemson right now

10:53 - Is Texas the number one team going into next season?

13:41 - What to expect from the College Football Playoff meetings

20:30 - Did Belichick recruit any high school stars for UNC?

23:27 - Who did Belichick bring in from the transfer portal?

32:15 - What you need to know about UNC quarterback Bryce Baker

35:00 - Why Auburn vs Alabama is a blockbuster college basketball game

45:30 - Rece's first-ever concert was with Elvis Presley?

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All The GOOD And The BAD From The First 12-Team Playoff Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, take a birds eye view of the first year of the 12-team playoff and discuss the concerns they have from both the regular season and the postseason. Moreover, they get into the broader topic of college player professionalization and how they see that moving forward. Then they touch on the best stories that caught their eye and the stories coming this fall.

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0:00 - Welcome

1:50 - CFP National Championship recap with Ryan McGee

15:28 - What fixes should be made to the 12-team playoff?

19:30 - How should conference disparity be addressed?

27:30 - How should college player professionalization be addressed?

34:43 - How to differentiate college football from the NFL?

40:24 - The best parts of the regular season

45:10 - What to look forward to next season

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The MOMENT Ohio State Won The National Title Game Against Notre Dame Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Harry Lyles Jr., host of "Countdown to GameDay" on the ESPN College Football YouTube channel, discuss the adversity Ohio State overcame to win the College Football Playoff National Championship, the end of the narrative about Ryan Day's job being at stake, Notre Dame's promising future and more!

0:00 - Ohio State claims 7th national title

2:41 - Ohio State coach Ryan Day's gutsy call

4:34 - Did Notre Dame respond correctly on third-and-11?

5:39 - Ohio State's formula to secure the win

7:28 - What will Notre Dame's roster look like next season?

11:25 - The narrative that's been put to rest

12:20 - What's in store for Ohio State next season?

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Can Notre Dame REALLY Take Down Ohio State In The CFP Title Game? Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Notre Dame's resiliency, the path to outlasting Ohio State, and how a national title will affect each coach in the eyes of their programs and fans. Then, Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti joins! He breaks down what he's seen from both Notre Dame and Indiana when he played them this past season. He also talks about how quarterback Kurtis Rourke played an entire season on a torn ACL, how he's rebuilding Indiana, and what to expect from their new quarterback!

0:00 - How Notre Dame has found ways to win

5:00 - The lore around Notre Dame

9:00 - How to deal with Ohio State's offensive line

12:37 - Ohio State fans fully embracing Coach Ryan Day?

18:11 - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State: Previous matchups

23:29 - National Championship game predictions

30:23 - Indiana coach Curt Cignetti joins!

31:00 - Cignetti on this year's transfer portal

32:44 - Kurtis Rourke played an entire season on a torn ACL?

34:00 - Cignetti on signing ex-Cal QB Fernando Mendoza

35:53 - Cignetti breaks down how the title game will go down

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The Mistake That Cost Texas The Cotton Bowl? Jan 11, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, discuss the moment when Texas could've turned the tide of the game, Texas' future with Arch Manning, Jack Sawyer's unyielding loyalty and impeccable leadership with the Buckeyes, and If Notre Dame can keep the national title game close against Ohio State.

0:00 - Ohio State's soul killing plays

4:57 - Ohio State vs Texas: Who had the better regular season?

6:30 - Ohio State Jack Sawyer's scoop-and-score

9:09 - The person that bleeds buckeyes from their veins and their soul

11:16 - Is Texas close to eventually winning a national title?

15:20 - Notre Dame to put up a fight against Ohio State in national title game?

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Notre Dame To Win It All & Silence The Top Conference Debate? Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the 54 seconds of football that changed Notre Dame's program, the eyebrow raising injuries for both Notre Dame and Penn State, the gauntlet Ohio State is in to get to the national title game and their next mammoth matchup against Texas, the transfer portal moves that caught Pete's eye, and more!

0:00 - A day dedicated to a notable Notre Dame coach

1:00 - The semifinals matchups everyone wanted?

4:26 - Notre Dame's crucial 54 seconds against Georgia

8:48 - Can Notre Dame run their punt team off the field before a play?

12:22 - The Big Ten's dominant season + a note about the top conference debate

22:19 - Penn State & Notre Dame key injury updates

27:02 - Penn State & Notre Dame storylines you may not know

30:23 - The team to take down Ohio State

34:57 - Texas' major execution issues

41:29 - The most interesting transfer portal moves

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Rose & Peach Bowl DISASTERS and FORTUNES Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Ohio State's bludgeoning of Oregon, the person they caught wearing a Cheshire Cat grin at the end of the game, the rivalry between two coaches that they've picked up on, the mess of the Texas - Arizona State game, what Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman's said to his team following the Sugar Bowl's postponement, and more.

0:00 - Unbelievable Ohio State stat of the night

5:00 - Which Ohio State Buckeye stunned Oregon?

5:47 - Ohio State mindset that pushed them to a win

9:00 - Texas was playing with their food?

11:42 - Why Arizona State deserves their flowers

16:52 - The trend for Big 12 teams after they reach the top

18:46 - What Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said about the truck attack

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The FORMULAS for College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Success Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ college football ranking system, discuss the adjustments teams need to make to push through to the semifinals. In between, they talk about the obnoxious team they can't wait to watch, the section of the bracket they view as a dogged cage match, the unfair assessment of Ohio State's quarterback, how risky Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman will be, the biggest threat to the Sugar Bowl winner and more!

1:58 The toughest section of the playoff bracket

5:33 How teams are prepping for the Rose Bowl

12:02 Fair to criticize Ohio State's Will Howard?

18:20 Did Oregon previously overachieve against Ohio State?

21:52 What NFL scouts expect from the Sugar Bowl

26:39 Gunner Stockton auditions for Georgia starting QB role

32:21 The stakes for Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman

35:18 Will Georgia's title-winning character pull them through?

38:46 Who is the Peach Bowl underdog yapper?

40:42 The best non-Indiana story goes to…

47:50 Can Penn State continue their undefeated streak in the Fiesta Bowl?

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