ESPN College GameDay

Latest Episodes:

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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The Top Reasons First Round Playoff Blowouts Happened Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Pete Thamel, Harry Lyles, host of "Countdown to GameDay" on the ESPN College Football YouTube channel, and Heather Dinich, ESPN College Football Playoff insider, discuss how Notre Dame made history, the deep issues behind the underwhelming playoff games, what you can't bring from the NFL to college, and the job security of coaches James Franklin and Ryan Day.

0:00 - The difference between the Notre Dame & Ohio State playoff home games

3:15 - What led to the first round blowout games

11:35 - The under-the-radar playoff issue: Neutral sites

17:02 - How Penn State's James Franklin & Ohio State's Ryan Day silenced critics

32:18 - Why Ohio State Jeremiah Smith had the best weekend

34:10 - Quarterfinal games: Things to look forward to

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Who will SURVIVE the First Round of the College Football Playoff? Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network discuss the teams that have it the worst in the first round of the College Football Playoff, whether Indiana can continue their historic win streak, SMU going into a Penn State home game, Clemson's uneven matchup against Texas, Ohio State's redemption game and so much more!

0:00 - How will teams handle frigid first round playoff games?

4:02 - Notre Dame has an opportunity to beat Indiana and make a run to the title

12:35 - SMU beware of a Penn State home "white out" game

20:06 - Does Clemson stand a chance against a mighty Texas team?

26:35 - Ohio State finally gets a home night game, takes on Tennessee

39:22 - Best in game: 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter

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Can Belichick's NFL Success REALLY Be Replicated in College? Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Marty Smith & Ryan McGee of "Marty & McGee" take over the pod! They're joined by Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst, to discuss Bill Belichick potentially going to North Carolina and his glaring college football weakness. They also get into the possibility of college players being coached at the NFL level and Belichick's ability to focus more on the player-coach relationship.

0:00 - College football is morphing into the NFL

2:27 - Belichick to handle rosters & black tie events?

4:06 - Belichick's weakness: Drafting players

9:08 - Belichick to deal with college free agency?

12:25 - College players ready to be coached at NFL level?

16:32 - College players need mentorship

22:25 - UNC to let Stephen Belichick coach in the future?

25:26 - UNC to give total control to Belichick?

32:47 - Early NFL draft look

36:44 - Who will win the Heisman trophy?

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Did Your Favorite Team Get LEFT OUT Of The College Football Playoff? Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Pete Thamel, Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, and Heather Dinich, national college football insider, discuss the teams that got screwed out of the College Football Playoff and why they don't have sympathy for them. They also get into Ohio State's gauntlet of a pathway to the title, Clemson's direct pathway to the CFP through the ACC, neutral sites and player injuries preventing teams from making long CFP runs, and the intensified pressure for teams to grow competitively fast!

0:00 - Heather Dinich joins from outside the CFP Selection Committee room

1:43 - Clemson and Arizona State rewarded for title wins

3:56 - CFP discussions to change format begin on January 20

9:58 - Which teams got screwed this year?

14:18 - Indiana and Notre Dame meet in the first round

16:43 - How will Ohio State respond in first round after Michigan loss?

20:08 - Clemson keeps winning ACC, why not stay?

26:32 - Pressure on teams to grow competitively fast

28:35 - Best in game: Georgia backup QB Gunner Stockton

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CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND Brings High Stakes Drama! Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the Georgia vs. Texas rematch, the Big 12 team that will fall out of the College Football Playoff, the irony SMU is more likely to make the CFP over Alabama, and more! In this episode, they look at all the conference title matchups, give their thoughts on what they think is important to know going into those games, then pick the teams they think will come out on top.

2:47 - Georgia vs Texas rematch!

10:07 - Penn State faces Oregon, the singular undefeated team

13:05 - Iowa State vs Arizona State, loser won't make the playoff

16:02 - ACC title game to determine number of ACC teams in CFP?

20:37 - Could UNLV upset Boise State and nab the 12th playoff bid?

23:41 - Potentially a fun snowy American Athletic title game

26:19 - Is it Ohio's year to take the Mid-American title?

27:24 - High drama in Sun Belt title over Marshall's coach

28:41 - After C-USA title game, will Western Kentucky's coach leave for Purdue?

33:39 - If Penn State loses to Oregon, does their final ranking put them behind Ohio State?

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Will Alabama Make the LAST Playoff Spot? Kalen DeBoer Weighs In! Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer who says his team can win a national championship. But first, he gives his thoughts on the Week 15 rankings which project Alabama as the last team to secure a playoff bid. Then, he addresses his team's loss to Oklahoma (24-3). After, Rece and Pete talk about Alabama's ranking position ahead of Miami, Ole Miss and South Carolina, if SMU will fall out of the playoff bracket completely and how far Georgia could tumble if they lose the SEC title game to Texas and simultaneously pick up their third loss.

0:00 - Welcome

1:00 - Alabama to stay in last playoff spot?

3:06 - SMU not locked into playoff

4:47 - Effect of Georgia losing SEC title game

6:22 - Kalen DeBoer on being in the playoff

8:03 - Kalen DeBoer on losing to Oklahoma

9:18 - Kalen DeBoer on his players adjusting to the coaching change

11:05 - Kalen DeBoer on the intensity of the SEC

12:44 - Kalen DeBoer on winning the national championship

15:10 - Kalen DeBoer on playing in cold climates

16:02 - Kalen DeBoer on where he'll watch the ACC title game

17:35 - Alabama deserves to be ahead of Miami?

28:08 - Compelling playoff matchups

30:39 - What could be the biggest change in the rankings?

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Is Flag Planting Going Too Far?! Disrespect During Rivalry Weekend Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, discuss flag planting being insulting, why it became a trend this year and what to do about it. They also get into Ohio State's collapse to Michigan, why their $20 million roster couldn't pull in a win and their missing key factor. Then they talk about Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord and his sweet revenge, not just on Miami but on Ohio State. Lastly, the guys get into playoff bids and the decision to choose between an SEC three-loss team or Miami.

0:00 - Welcome

1:14 - Ohio State scoreless in second half against Michigan

7:39 - Beating Michigan: What Ohio State is missing

17:10 - Flag planting is insulting, invites conflict

22:18 - Why is flag planting a rivalry week theme this year?

24:12 - Flag planting calls one's character into question

30:11 - Best In Game: Syracuse Quarterback Kyle McCord

34:28 - Miami's questionable strategy against Syracuse

35:47 - Throwback to the final play of the 2013 Iron Bowl (Kick Six lore)

39:09 - College Football Playoff decisions: SEC three-loss team or Miami?

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