ESPN College GameDay

Latest Episodes:

EMERGENCY POD: Nick Saban Hangs It Up Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel convene for an emergency podcast following Nick Saban’s retirement from coaching. The guys discuss how it would always be a surprise when Saban decided to retire, if he is the greatest coach in the history of college football, how he revived the University of Alabama football program, the university using Saban’s success to boost academics, what Rece is hearing from Alabama fans, what’s next for Saban after coaching, and who’s on the shortlist of candidates to coach the Crimson Tide.

0:00 Nick Saban retires from Alabama

1:22 Saban’s retirement was always going to be a surprise

4:07 Rece on Saban: Great coach in history of CFB

7:53 Alabama was down when Saban arrived in 2007

8:26 Alabama capitalized on football’s success

9:36 Saban’s impact on the Tuscaloosa community

11:20 What Rece is hearing from fellow alumni

14:53 What’s next for Nick Saban?

17:58 Early Alabama coaching candidates

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Michigan Wins National Championship the Harbaugh Way Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are chatting at midfield of NRG Stadium following the Michigan Wolverines’ 34-13 victory over the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff national championship game. The guys discuss Michigan dominating despite Washington’s chances, the Wolverines relying on the big play, what makes this a Jim Harbaugh-style championship, the legacy of this win for Michigan, what’s next for Harbaugh, and parting thoughts on the 2023 season.

0:49 MICHIGAN DOMINATED, WASHINGTON HAD CHANCES

1:39 DONOVAN RETURNS FROM WITNESS PROTECTION

2:08 MICHIGAN’S BIG PLAYS

2:38 WASHINGTON WAS A LITTLE OVER-AMPED TO START

3:35 A HARBAUGH CHAMPIONSHIP: DOMINANT, MESSY AWKWARD

6:00 MICHIGAN PROVED TO BE ELITE

7:35 BLAKE CORUM’S CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENTS

8:33 HARBAUGH WON WITH HIS ROOTS: DEFENSE & RUNNING THE BALL

9:16 MICHIGAN PLANTS THE FLAG

10:18 WHAT’S NEXT FOR JIM HARBAUGH?

13:13 FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE 2023 SEASON

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National Championship Picks: Michigan-Washington; Michael Penix’s Massive Hands; Jim Harbaugh the Artful Dodger Jan 06, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel share their final thoughts on the Michigan Wolverines against the Washington Huskies in the national championship game. They discuss an update on Dillon Johnson’s health, Michael Penix Jr.’s massive hands, how both teams scouted the College Football Playoff, if Rece revealed his man crush to Will Johnson, keeping an eye on the Wolverines’ defensive personnel, who they like to win the game, the latest on the portal moves and NFL draft declarations, and if Michigan would target Kalen DeBoer if Jim Harbaugh left Ann Arbor. Later, GameDay's Jen Lada talks to former Wolverine and current Cleveland Brown Maurice Hurst from the Mercedes-Benz ESPN College Football Podcast Sprinter.

1:20 DILLON JOHNSON INJURY UPDATE

5:46 DOES WASH OL TROY FAUTANU HAVE TROUBLE BUYING PANTS?

6:30 MICHAEL PENIX’S MASSIVE HANDS

9:30 THAMEL: WASHINGTON HAD TWO SEASONS

11:00 WASH & MICH SCOUTED ALL THE POTENTIAL CFP TEAMS

12:00 BOTH TEAMS SEEM VERY RELAXED

12:39 DID RECE REVEAL HIS MAN CRUSH TO WILL JOHNSON?

14:21 WASHINGTON’S THE UNDERDOG AGAIN (+4.5)

21:30 MICHIGAN’S DEFENSIVE PERSONNEL WILL BE TELLING

25:50 MICHIGAN HASN’T SEEN AN OFFENSE LIKE WASHINGTON

28:00 PICK THE GAME: MICHIGAN (-4.5) V. WASHINGTON

36:30 TEXAS’ TE JA'TAVION SANDERS DECLARES FOR THE NFL DRAFT

37:26 WHO WILL MIAMI LAND AT QB?

38:15 THAMEL: I EXPECT J.J. MCCARTHY TO DECLARE FOR THE DRAFT

39:00 MICHIGAN WILL BE RADICALLY DIFFERENT NEXT SEASON

41:30 SPECULATION: HARBAUGH MOVES ON, WHO WOULD MICHIGAN TARGET?

43:45 JEN LADA WITH MAURICE HURST

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How Would College Football Fans React to Michigan Winning the Title? OSU & Miami Searching for QBs Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss how Washington stayed on script to make the national championship game, the Huskies’ offensive line keeping Michael Penix Jr. upright, Rece potentially interviewing Jim Harbaugh after winning a title, and Kalen DeBoer’s championship experience. Plus, the latest on Ohio State and Miami’s quests for a transfer portal quarterback. And, could Judge Judy fund an NIL program?

02:10 - Washington Clinches Title Appearance

07:29 - Washington Interior O-Line vs Michigan interior D-Line

12:44 - Connor Stalions at Rose Bowl Game

14:42 - How Would Fans React To Michigan Title

25:20 - Kalen DeBoer Wealth of Championship Experience

32:11 - Upcoming Transfer Portal News

34:44 - Miami's QB Situation

39:05 - Judge Judy

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Cardiac Huskies Win Another One Score Game, Punch Ticket to Title Game; How Do Michigan and Washington Match Up? Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Pete Thamel and Paolo Uggetti run it back one last time at the Rose Bowl, this time recapping the Washington Huskies’ 37-31 win over the Texas Long Horns in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The guys discuss the Huskies winning yet another one-score game, Washington’s wide receivers, Michigan needing to prepare for a different kind of offense and what image they’ll remember from Michigan defeating Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

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RAPID REACTION FROM THE ROSE BOWL: Michigan Masterclass Punches Ticket to National Championship Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel react to the Michigan Wolverine’s 27-20 overtime victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The guys discuss how Michigan out SEC’d Alabama, Jim Harbaugh’s gutsy fourth down call, Blake Corum’s overtime touchdown run, J.J. McCarthy making plays and a cathartic win for the Wolverines.

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Desmond Howard on the Rose Bowl; Sugar Bowl Cousin Connection; Florida State’s Blowout Doesn’t Mean Anything Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Desmond Howard discuss fans swarming Des, if a 12-team playoff will hasten expansion to 16 teams, Des’ thoughts on how Michigan will use J.J. McCarthy against Alabama ,and Washington’s offensive line against Texas’ front seven. Then, Rece and Pete talk about Texas and Washington not flinching in close games, why Florida State getting blown out by Georgia doesn’t mean much, and the new year-to-year nature of college football.

0:00 Desmond Howard joins the podcast

2:48 That time they wouldn’t let Mack Brown on the field at the Rose Bowl

4:05 This is the last four-team College Football Playoff

6:58 Will the 12-team playoff hasten expansion to 16?

8:35 Rose Bowl preview

9:39 How will Michigan handle Jalen Milroe’s legs

11:51 Desmond on how Michigan will us J.J. McCarthy

13:39 Washington’s offensive line vs. Texas’ front seven

15:29 BREAK

16:42 Sugar Bowl preview

17:16 Anything to glean from last year’s Alamo Bowl

19:13 Washington of offensive funk

20:35 Washington manufacturing offense

21:14 Texas also found way to win close games

23:01 Cousin connection in the Sugar Bowl

24:12 Georgia beats Florida State 63-3

25:41 It’s a shame FSU left out of CFP

28:24 How to fix bowl season

30:39 FSU’s blowout loss doesn’t mean anything

32:36 CFB becoming more like CBB

33:33 Florida is auditioning for a new conference

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CFP Semifinal Preview From THE ROSE BOWL; Don’t Get Bored Playing Michigan; Let’s Talk About Quinn Ewers Dec 30, 2023

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve are in the bowels of the Rose Bowl for their College Football semifinal preview. The guys lead off with Michigan-Alabama, discussing the clash of styles, J.J. McCarthy and Jalen Milroe needing to use their legs, and what this game means for Jim Harbaugh’s legacy. Then they get into Washington-Texas, talking about Washington’s end of season gauntlet, Quinn Ewers blossoming, and not a lot of hype around Michael Penix Jr. Later, they pick the games and eat steak — to wrap up the Race for the Ribeye.

0:00 CGD Podcast at the Rose Bowl

1:53 Rose Bowl Preview

3:44 Clash of styles

5:25 Will time off help J.J. McCarthy?

8:55 Wolverines defensive line advantage

9:38 Wolverines tight end advantage

12:21 McCarthy needs to use his legs for first downs

12:36 Michigan’s lack of postseason success

14:15 Jalen Milroe learning how to run

15:03 Michigan hasn’t seen a QB like Milroe

16:57 Is this Nick Saban’s best coaching job?

20:46 What’s at stake for Jim Harbaugh’s legacy?

23:32 You can’t get bored playing Michigan

26:35 Sugar Bowl Preview

28:43 Where does the Sugar Bowl hinge?

31:04 Washington’s end of season gauntlet

32:48 No one’s talking about Michael Penix Jr.

34:49 Washington needs to clean up its defense

36:24 Let’s talk about Quinn Ewers

38:40 Double does of bitterness for Ohio State fans

40:14 Quinn Ewers likely to return to Texas

41:22 J.J. McCarthy lively headed to the NFL

43:35 Interesting moment for Michigan

44:52 Picking Michigan (-1.5) vs. Alabama

48:11 Picking Washington vs. Texas (-4)

50:28 Who would be favored in Texas-Alabama?

55:42 Let them eat steak!

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Florida State Calls SPECIAL BOARD MEETING + Saturday bowl games! Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve discuss Florida State's Friday board meeting and the expectation that they will challenge the ACC grant of rights. They also look to where FSU could turn to if they chose to leave the ACC. Lastly, the guys deliver on what to expect from Saturday's bowl games.

0:00 FSU expected to challenge ACC grant of rights

2:04 Where would FSU go?

10:40 Birmingham Bowl: Troy (-7) vs. Duke

13:06 Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State (-3) vs. Northern Illinois

15:21 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: James Madison (-2) vs. Air Force

18:36 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Georgia State vs. Utah State (-1.5)

20:34 68 Ventures Bowl: South Alabama (-17) vs. Eastern Michigan

23:20 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Utah (-6) vs. Northwestern

28:19 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State (-9)

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Ole Miss Portal DOMINATION; Pete’s Breaking News on Tulsa’s QB; Does Butter Go On A Pop-Tart? Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Ole Miss’ recent monster portal haul and dissect effective transfer portal strategy. They also get into QB Dylan Raiola’s commitment to Nebraska and QB Dante Moore’s commitment to Oregon. Then - as the pod record timer is running - Pete breaks the news that Tulsa’s QB Braylon Braxton has entered the portal. Rece finishes out the show by tossing up the question, ahead of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, have you ever put butter on a Pop-Tart?

0:00 QB Dylan Raiola commits to Nebraska

5:54 Nebraska is ready to go all-in on NIL

7:33 Portal winners are the teams spending money

12:28 Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss portal domination

19:43 Pete stops the show to break news

20:49 Tulsa’s QB Braylon Braxton enters the portal

21:28 Oregon’s collection of quarterbacks

26:08 Where will FSU’s QB Cam Ward go?

30:00 Pete’s take on the Fenway Bowl

31:18 Rece’s butter on a Pop-Tart pop culture reference

32:31 Rece’s take on the Pop-Tarts Bowl

34:21 Preview of the GameDay pod in LA!