
ESPN College GameDay
The moment ESPN College GameDay’s lights turn off, Rece Davis and Pete Thamel lock in on the games. They’re glued to the TV on travel days to discuss the latest news on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays with friends like Steve Coughin, Ryan McGee, Heather Dinich. Rece and Pete chat every week about momentum shifting plays, rumors permeating across the college football landscape, missteps in the rankings and so much more!
Latest episodes

May 14, 2025 • 53min
Belichick & Dabo Talk Ball: Inside Their One-Hour Sitdown
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel dive into the spotlight surrounding Bill Belichick, including his one-hour sitdown with Rece and Dabo Swinney. Rece unpacks the dynamic between the two coaches, Belichick’s presence at the ACC meetings, and their deep football talk—from rugby punts to NFL minds in the college game. Pete shares his latest scouting notes on rising college football talent, while the duo also hits on Miami’s QB outlook, the viability of a new rules committee, and one wild idea: could College GameDay actually end up at the Vatican?
0:00 - Belichick looms large at ACC meetings
2:25 - Belichick and Dabo sit down for one-hour interview
6:35 - Belichick and UNC: What’s real, what’s rumor?
13:10 - The moment Belichick called himself a rookie
16:10 - Belichick and Dabo talk ball
24:03 - Latest on Miami QB Carson Beck
25:22 - On Pete’s radar: College football prospects
33:55 - A new committee to enforce rules - Will it works?
43:27 - Get College GameDay to the Vatican? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 7, 2025 • 1h 1min
Rich Rodriguez Is Back at WVU! What’s New?
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel kick things off with the latest on Michigan’s Sherrone Moore, who’s expected to serve a two-game suspension. Then they zoom out to tackle a pressing question across college football: are schools really spending $35 to $40 million on their rosters? Later, Rich Rodriguez joins the show to reflect on his impact on the modern offense, his return to West Virginia, and the what-if scenario involving Terrelle Pryor.
0:00 - Two-game ban expected for Michigan coach Sherrone Moore
10:21 - Are schools really spending $35M - $40M on their rosters?
15:36 - Jared Curtis, top 2026 quarterback, commits to Georgia
21:06 - Rich Rod on his role in offensive evolution
26:14 - Rich Rod on some notable WVU staff faces
29:40 - Rich Rod on the journey back to West Virginia
33:29 - Could Terrelle Pryor have been a mountaineer?
41:09 - Rich Rod on Pat McAfee's career at WVU
44:15 - Rich Rod looks towards next season's Backyard Brawl rivalry game
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Apr 30, 2025 • 56min
Inside Ryan Day’s World: Draft Nights, Celeb Ties, and Texas Showdown
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down the biggest moments from the NFL Draft—both on camera and behind the scenes. Then they're joined by Ohio State’s national championship-winning head coach Ryan Day, who gives a glimpse into life beyond the sidelines: from his ties to Jimmy Fallon and Adam Sandler, to watching his players go pro, to navigating recruiting as a dad alongside his son. He also weighs in on Ohio State’s looming quarterback battle and what to expect in their high-stakes opener against Texas.
0:00 - What happened off-air at the NFL draft
6:23 - Rece Davis' and Mel Kiper's heated exchange on Shedeur Sanders
16:36 - Ryan Day on watching his players get drafted
25:04 - Ryan Day shares his ties to Jimmy Fallon and Adam Sandler
28:40 - Ryan Day gives a glimpse of his recruiting pitch
30:24 - How Ryan Day coaches players making big NIL money
35:22 - Why Ryan Day favors one transfer portal window
40:21 - Ryan Day on what it's like recruiting with his son
43:02 - Who will be the Buckeyes' starting QB?
44:08 - How will Ohio State vs Texas in week one play out?
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Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 3min
NFL Draft Prospects Face Uncertain But EXCITING Futures Ahead
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down the lingering questions surrounding Nico Iamaleava—did he leave Tennessee too soon, prioritizing financial opportunity over development? Is UCLA truly committed to him? And can he work his way into future NFL Draft conversations? Then, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and Insider Matt Miller joins to spotlight the player everyone’s talking about: Jalon Walker. He also weighs in on how Travis Hunter’s game will translate to the NFL and where Shedeur Sanders might land if he isn’t taken at No. 3. To close the show, the guys pay tribute to Lee Corso and his legendary 38-year run on College GameDay. 0:00 - Nico Iamaleava should've prioritized development9:26 - Will Nico make it into NFL draft conversations?12:55 - How committed is UCLA to Nico?17:06 - Why NFL draft Day 3 matters20:29 - The NFL draft heats up at pick number…26:55 - Why everyone's favorite player at the NFL draft is Jalon Walker30:41 - Which part of Travis Hunter's game will be used in the NFL?32:07 - If Shedeur Sanders doesn't get picked at No. 3, when will he go?36:02 - Are the Titans making a mistake taking Cam Ward at No. 1?46:28 - Unforgettable Lee Corso moments before he retires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 16, 2025 • 51min
Nico Iamaleava’s Journey: NIL, Mistakes, and a New Beginning?
Rece Davis and ESPN National Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill dive into the ongoing saga of Nico Iamaleava — from his NIL-first approach in high school to the unraveling of his relationship with Tennessee. They explore the big question: where does Nico go next — North Carolina? UCLA? Later, ESPN senior writer Heather Dinich joins to discuss who should be held accountable for creating a sustainable framework for player compensation. Wrapping up the episode, ESPN College Football Reporter Dave Wilson checks in from Texas to reflect on the legacy of RC Slocum at Texas A&M — a coach who, despite being fired, continues to stand by the Aggies. 0:00 - Former Cal RB Jaydn Ott transfers to Oklahoma3:16 - Unraveling the Nico Iamaleava saga5:14 - No surprise now, Nico prioritized NIL during high school recruitment7:23 - Is Nico a fit for Belichick at North Carolina?10:37 - UCLA to take a swing and get Nico?17:28 - Is Nico grown enough to call the shots?23:30 - Heather Dinich's sleeper picks - Florida & Illinois!25:15 - The coach who shaped Texas A&M: RC Slocum28:52 - RC Slocum was fired but still roots for the Aggies34:11 - Why can't the Aggies win consistently?38:21 - How far will Mike Elko take Texas A&M this year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 2025 • 54min
A Look At Next Season's Star QBs: Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ ranking, discuss the rise of Arch Manning as he takes the reins at Texas. Will the fan love last—or is he destined for backlash, like other rising stars? The crew also breaks down this season’s elite quarterback contenders, asking: who’s in line for the QB1 crown—Penn State’s Drew Allar or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier? Meanwhile, Ohio State and Purdue are in flux, with sweeping roster and staff overhauls underway. With the transfer portal about to swing open, both programs are ready to steady their ships this offseason. 0:00 - Texas QB Arch Manning to be the next college football villain?11:52 - Early preseason No. 1 team pick: Clemson17:41 - Penn State QB Drew Allar on track for No. 1 spot in 2026 NFL Draft?20:52 - Ohio State's major roster and staff changes31:02 - New coach Barry Odom begins Purdue rebuild38:08 - Spring buzz on Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons39:58 - Spring buzz on Oklahoma coach Brent Venables40:49 - Spring buzz on Alabama's unknown starting quarterback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2025 • 37min
A Closer Look At An Intense Closing Sequence: How Florida Won A National Championship
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss the final possession of the NCAA title game - How Florida, chaotic and unpolished throughout the tournament, leaned on depth, resilience, and opportunity to survive Houston’s relentless pressure. 0:00 - How the NCAA title game unfolded3:55 - Todd Golden vs Kelvin Sampson6:19 - Is Florida a new blue blood hoops school?7:16 - Florida navigates season under Title IX probe9:00 - All that stood between Houston and the title11:19 - A closer look at the last four possessions13:26 - Raw postgame images from each locker room19:35 - This Final Four is what the tourney deserved21:08 - Todd Golden is a rising star, has an analytics edge24:57 - Walter Clayton Jr: Final Four Most Outstanding Player27:29 - College hoops over NBA - A growing trend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2025 • 48min
What Is The Short-Term Future of Stanford Football With New Coach Frank Reich?
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down a defining week for Stanford football. The program hired Frank Reich, signaling a clear embrace of an NFL-style identity—but that move raises big questions, especially around recruiting and whether Andrew Luck, now Stanford’s general manager, can convince Reich to stay beyond one season. If he can’t, then who steps in next? Out in Colorado, Deion Sanders grabs headlines with a $54 million extension. The next big question: Can he keep the Buffaloes competitive in the Big 12?1:58 - Stanford hires Frank Reich, embraces NFL identity6:03 - Stanford's recruiting challenge8:25 - Reich's historic comeback game with Maryland Terrapins10:23 - How many schools will adopt the GM model?13:53 - Stanford's split with Troy Taylor was unavoidable16:10 - Stanford's next coach: Who is a good fit?23:16 - Deion Sanders lands $54 million extension30:51 - The art and chaos of picking a perfect bracket35:43 - The dread and pain of a game-turning rewrite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 31, 2025 • 52min
A Cut Above: The Top Four Teams Face Off for the NCAA Tournament Crown
Sam Ravech, host of Countdown to GameDay on the ESPN YouTube channel, and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss the powerhouse teams hungry to take on Duke—or at least eager to see the Blue Devils fall—as the NCAA Tournament title game approaches. Off the court, more drama unfolds as the transfer portal swells with players, raising the question: should the portal window be pushed until after the tournament ends? Meanwhile, one coach in particular has drawn the ire of Maryland fans: Kevin Willard, who made a high-profile exit for Villanova. How did it all unfold—and what did it cost the Wildcats? 0:00 - The clear cut top 4 teams chasing the NCAA Tourney crown6:33 - Wave of players hit the transfer portal8:43 - Why not move the portal past the NCAA Tourney title game?12:21 - The current transfer portal window forces rushed decisions19:11 - Duke's biggest threat is Houston24:00 - SEC to end their 12-year title drought?28:30 - How Coach Kelvin Sampson completely transformed Houston34:44 - Michigan State's costly mistake against Auburn38:55 - How Coach Kevin Willard's exit from Maryland unfolded43:18 - What it cost Villanova to land Kevin Willard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 26, 2025 • 51min
Colorado vs. Syracuse Spring Game, Could This REALLY HAPPEN?!
Rece Davis and ESPN Radio's Ian Fitzsimmons discuss, is a Colorado vs Syracuse spring game a genius move or not? They think it's worthwhile. They're also keenly aware of the conversations surrounding players being poached for the spring transfer portal. To this, Rece says maybe it's time for programs to put their players under contract. This leads to a discussion on the transfer portal, and if it's needed at all and if players should have the same freedom to move as coaches do. Is it even possible to keep an entire roster and coach on the same team for a whole season? 0:00 - Is it okay for sideline reporters to wear sneakers?4:03 - Keep the best teams in the postseason15:41 - Colorado vs Syracuse spring game - hit or miss?23:13 - Is it time to institute player contracts?26:50 - Fair for players to face transfer portal limits while coaches don't?29:31 - Possible to get players and coaches to stick with programs a full season?39:04 - The must-watch team to watch this spring - who ya got?42:24 - The best sushi - try Tuscaloosa, Alabama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices