ESPN College GameDay

Latest Episodes:

Brendan Sorsby’s Football Future, Dusty May to the NBA & CFB’s World Cup Fan Comparisons Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Brendan Sorsby is out of college football options — and now the NFL may not be an option until 2027. Dan Wetzel, Ryan McGee and Pat Forde break down what comes next for Sorsby, whether Dusty May leaving Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks says something bigger about the state of college coaching, and why college sports’ latest fight in Congress has the SEC and Big Ten facing real pushback.

Plus: Boise State is selling pieces of the blue turf, the NCAA may be moving toward a five-year eligibility model, and the guys compare World Cup fan bases to their college football counterparts.

00:00 Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast 01:20 What’s next for Brendan Sorsby? 12:04 Dusty May leaves Michigan for the NBA 23:00 Boise State is selling pieces of the blue turf 29:15 Latest on the Protect College Sports Act 39:55 NCAA moving toward a five-year eligibility plan 46:00 Pairing World Cup teams with college football fan bases

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Why the Big 12 Went Nuclear in the Brendan Sorsby Case 👀 Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel unpack the latest twist in the Brendan Sorsby saga, including the Big 12’s aggressive response and Texas Tech’s role in the controversy. Plus, they identify the saga’s biggest winners and losers, discuss how Texas Tech will be viewed moving forward, and how college sports can fix a system that continues to invite legal challenges.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Brendan Sorsby saga: The Big 12’s big move

6:18 - Brendan Sorsby saga: How Texas Tech folded

11:06 - The growing abuse of temporary injunctions

14:58 - Could Cincinnati or Indiana have known?

23:37 - Brendan Sorsby saga: Winners and losers

29:13 - Michigan weighs in

34:35 - How will Texas Tech be viewed this season?

38:31 - Can Congress make an eligibility rule?

44:28 - Who will be Texas Tech’s QB1?

47:12 - The perfect idea for a commercial

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Brenden Sorsby Cleared to Play: What's next for the NCAA? Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel react to Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby being granted a temporary injunction. What does this decision mean for the NCAA moving forward? Is anybody going to play Texas Tech this season? We have those answers and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast.

00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast

01:49 - Reactions to the Brendan Sorsby News

14:40 - What's next for Sorsby and Texas Tech?

20:57 - Where does the NCAA go from here?

31:12 - Thanks for Listing to the College GameDay Podcast

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The Truth About The SEC-Big Ten “Super League” + The College Sports Bill Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down whether the proposed college sports bill can save college football or if it’s doomed by self-interest. They also dive into the biggest sticking point of the bill: media rights. They talk about how there was no alignment between lawmakers, the SEC and the Big Ten, and how political fear mongering is fueling the misconceptions around the idea of an SEC-Big Ten super league.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Will the college sports bill save college football?

4:39 - Do we only get one shot at this bill?

6:01 - The college sports bill targets media rights

7:44 - No synergy between the bill’s writers, the SEC, or the Big Ten

16:44 - How self-interest could kill the bill

21:08 - The misconception the SEC and Big Ten want to form a super league

25:15 - The super league and political fear mongering

36:05 - Likely the bill will pass?

38:50 - The Brendan Sorsby case: Where are we now?

41:07 - Enough leniency for Sorsby?

41:48 - Why the medical argument falls short

47:36 - Why is the middle of college football season in November?

54:57 - What happened to college football games in December?

56:47 - Throwback songs

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Could The SEC Break Away From The NCAA?! May 27, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel discuss whether the SEC could eventually break away from the NCAA, and if so who would enforce the rules. The guys also dive into whether the College Sports Commission and even Congress can effectively regulate the sport. Plus, the guys get into Brendan Sorsby’s gambling situation and whether medical leniency make sense or if cases like this could create exploitable loopholes in the future.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Is college football turning into the NFL?

3:24 - Does Ed Ogeron belong at LSU?

7:25 - SEC to break away form NCAA?

9:11 - Can the SEC follow its own rules?

19:47 - Can the College Sports Commission to enforce rules?

22:25 - Can Congress enforce rules?

25:59 - Should the market dictate college spending?

35:36 - Is it fair to give Brendan Sorsby medical leniency?

47:30 - Joey Chestnut hot dog drama, explained

52:10 - Steve Sarkisian’s basket weaving comments

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Why Did The Punting Rule Change? | College GameDay Podcast May 21, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis, Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel react to college football’s brand-new — and very confusing — punt rule. The crew also discuss whether a 24-team College Football Playoff would hurt the importance of the regular season and gives some love to Midwest. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast!

00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast

01:01 - NCAA New Punt Rule Madness

05:55 - Why was the punt rule changed?

15:38 - Is the 24-team playoff worth it?

35:49 - 24 -team playoff devaules the regular season?

40:10 - A make or break season for USC?

41:36 - College Football 27 Update

45:43 - Showing love to the Midwest

51:04 - Thanks for listing to the College GameDay Podcast

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Lane Kiffin’s Controversial Ole Miss vs LSU Comments | College GameDay Podcast May 14, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel react to Lane Kiffin’s controversial comments about Ole Miss, Steve Sarkisian's jab at their academics, the possible return of the legendary Notre Dame vs. USC rivalry and how a 24-team College Football Playoff could completely reshape the sport.

00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast

00:53 - Lane Kiffin on LSU recuriting vs Ole Miss

02:56 - Kiffin: Top recurits families wary of Oxford

11:16 - Were Kiffin's comments a jab at Ole Miss?

23:47 - Steve Sarkisian takes a jab at Ole Miss

38:41 - USC and Notre Dame back in negotiations

43:03 - The problem with the 24-team playoff

55:10 - Rece goes into the Alabama sports Hall of Fame

59:39 - Goodbye

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Big 12 & Duke-Amazon Deals: Is private money ruining college football? May 04, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel discuss how private capital is reshaping college football. From the Big 12’s private capital move to the Duke Blue Devils partnering with Amazon to stream marquee games, the guys break down how money is changing the sport. Plus, they get into whether the sport is better or worse because of it. Then they give a very early preview on what to watch for heading into the season.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Bring back preseason magazines

6:08 - IYKYK: Preseason magazine codes

9:52 - Is the Big 12 private capital deal good or bad for the sport?

15:46 - Do you miss when going to games was simpler?

19:38 - Is the Duke-Amazon marquee games deal good or bad for the sport?

24:46 - Are big venues or home games better for the sport?

33:19 - Do schools really need luxury facilities?

37:45 - Do coaches deserve big contracts after only one big year?

41:56 - Set to be good or great?: Notre Dame

44:21 - Set to be good or great?: USC

47:44 - Set to be good or great?: Arch Manning

50:10 - Set to be good or great?: Ohio State’s offense

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Brendan Sorsby Story: How It Broke + Penalties Explained Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel unpack the Brendan Sorsby situation, how the story surfaced, what penalties athletes actually face for gambling, and whether it’s time for a more nuanced, case-by-case approach. They also turn to Texas Tech’s quarterback outlook: will an injured Will Hammond be ready to go this season? Then the guys zoom out, reacting to Arkansas’ decision to disband its tennis program and what it signals for the future of college athletics.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - How’d the Brendan Sorsby story break?

7:27 - What gambling penalty do athletes face?

12:34 - Should athlete penalties vary by case?

19:10 - The rise of gambling culture

23:43 - Can gambling culture be reeled in?

29:57 - Will Texas Tech QB Will Hammond be ready to play this season?

36:29 - Arkansas to disband tennis program

40:27 - College sports vs education

49:30 - Should some sports be self-funded?

54:46 - New reality: Player compensation strains budgets

56:58 - In next year’s NFL draft, who would your No. 1 pick be?

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Can Fernando Mendoza Live Up to the Hype as the No. 1 Pick? 👀 Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel break down the NFL draft through a college football lens. They dive into the biggest storyline of the year: Can Fernando Mendoza live up to the hype as the No. 1 pick? Plus, the guys spotlight potential stars, sleepers, and steals, predict landing spots for QBs Carson Beck and Taylen Green, and share the college players they’ll miss most on Saturdays.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Unforgettable NFL draft moments

6:07 - Pittsburgh set for 2026 NFL draft

9:42 - Can Fernando Mendoza deliver as the No. 1 pick?

18:12 - Is Las Vegas the right fit for Fernando Mendoza?

23:25 - NFL draft picks: Hits & misses

32:28 - NFL draft stars & steals to watch for

40:02 - Where will QBs Carson Beck & Taylen Green land?

44:28 - College players we’ll miss: Makai Lemon

45:44 - College players we’ll miss: Peter Woods

46:38 - College players we’ll miss: Haynes King

48:20 - College players we’ll miss: Diego Pavia