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

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

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

Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss how the NCAA Tournament is transforming—and if this is really for the better. The SEC's 14 teams in thefield edged out mid-major teams which led to chalk in the first and second round. Is this what kills the domino of upsets and Cinderella runs everyone is so used to? Also, what happens to the Big East? Will their teams secure spots among the power conferences? As of right, BYU is turning heads and grabbing headlines. Do they have a chance to win a tourney title and why do they have lofty expectations for the next few years to come? 0:00 - Why chalk is okay in the first and second rounds5:10 - Did the SEC deserve 14 teams in the tournament?14:45 - Is there room for the Big East alongside the SEC and Big Ten?21:03 - Why BYU will top headlines in the coming years25:08 - How BYU signed future NBA star AJ Dybantsa28:48 - The Rick Pitino - John Calipari rivalry33:58 - Why did Rick Pitino bench RJ Luis?39:32 - The two Sweet 16 matchups to watch40:59 - Maryland head coach Kevin Willard to Villanova?49:30 - The ACC's most interesting head coach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer,discuss the traps in the Midwest Region! Houston may be a top seed, but a showdown with Gonzaga looms large. Also in the region are McNeese and High Point, who are eyeing Cinderella runs that could shake up the bracket. Kentucky, the No. 3 seed, has stumbled into March looking anything but steady, and Tennessee’s coach is looking to rewrite history for himself. The guys end their tournament bracket preview by unveiling who they think will fill theFinal Four spots. 0:00 - Houston's brutal second round matchup against Gonzaga3:52 - McNeese & High Point could be potential upset picks5:48 - Kentucky, the No. 3 seed, looked disheveled the past couple of weeks10:15 - UCLA vs. Utah St: Two big brands meet in the first round12:07 - Tennessee's coach has a tortured NCAA Tournament history14:19 - Jeff Borzello's Final Four picks16:05 - Bill Connelly's Final Four picks17:05 - Pete Thamel's Final Four picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer, discuss the battlefield that is the West Region. UConn’s Dan Hurley is eyeing a massive upset over No. 1 seed Florida, while Oklahoma’s NBA-bound star is ready to step into the spotlight. Colorado State sees a clear path forward, but may stumble to Texas Tech or St. John's. With so many top contenders colliding, which team will make emerge and advance to the Final Four? 0:00 - What makes the West Region a gauntlet?5:06 - UConn's Dan Hurley to upset Florida, the No. 1 seed?13:16 - Oklahoma's coveted NBA prospect14:46 - Colorado State's favorable pathway16:37 - Drake's strategy is to run down the shot clock, will it work?20:08 - Maryland ready to go on a run, can they get to the Elite Eight?23:37 - Texas & St. John's are heavyweights in the West Region25:37 - Why Kansas vs. Arkansas is a spicy matchup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer,discuss the East Region - the NCAA Tournament's biggest offensive powerhouse. BYU is ready to light up anyone in their path, but VCU lurks as a defensive force capable of shutting down the best. The guys also dive into Arizona’s star player that might be able to carry the team and if Duke can survive without Cooper Flagg.  0:00 - East region: The tourney's offensive powerhouse2:02 - BYU: The elite scoring team3:08 - VCU plays some of the best defense in the region3:55 - Alabama isn't as tough as you think5:00 - Why Oregon lost their way this season6:30 - How college ball is evolving11:30 - Baylor has been bit by the injury bug14:22 - Arizona has the most enigmatic player in the country 17:02 - Can Akron's coach lead his team to upset Arizona?22:26 - How long can Duke go without Cooper Flagg?23:57 -  Why Montana doesn't stand a chance25:37 - Saint Mary's is an anomaly this season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer dive into their first gut reactions to the field, from Auburn’s No. 1 seed in the South Region to UC San Diego surging in with momentum. Plus, they break down key first-round matchups like Marquette vs. New Mexico and Louisville vs. Creighton, and debate how far teams like Yale and Michigan State can really go. 0:00 - Initial gut reactions to the tourney bracket10:09 - Auburn: The number one seed in the south region10:27 - UC San Diego entering the tourney with momentum12:07 - Iowa State likely out after major player injury?14:43 - Fun matchup: Marquette vs. New Mexico15:46 - How far can Yale go?18:00 - Spicy close matchup: Louisville vs. Creighton19:28 - Michigan St: A chalky pick22:05 - No. 1 seed Auburn doesn’t have a history of winning24:00 - Should the SEC have 14 teams in the tourney?27:16 - Preview: First Four play-in games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel & ESPN writer Bill Connelly discuss Bowling Green's splashy offseason move by hiring Eddie George as their new head football coach - It's also a big win for the Mid-American Conference whose offseason has seen other coaches and players leave for greener pastures. The guys also look at early storylines for next season. Is Clemson back? Are they a top five team right now? Will Notre Dame's new roster get them to the College Football Playoff? Who will lead the charge at the quarterback position, Steve Angeli or CJ Carr?  0:00 - Why eyes are on Eddie George at Bowling Green2:22 - The two emerging head coach hiring trends6:10 - The talented coaches & players leaving the MAC13:41 - The MAC rivalry you may not know about14:19 - A way-too-early CFP scenario prediction19:17 - Will Clemson be a top five team next season?21:26 - In a 14-team CFP, what is the 4-4-2-2-1-1 model?36:39 - How will head coach Marcus Freeman reset Notre Dame?40:38 - Who will be Notre Dame's starting quarterback be next season?42:23 - How is Rece on EA Sports CFB 25 Dynasty Mode? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the bitter standoff between the ACC, Florida State, and Clemson that threatened to fracture the conference. Now that a settlement has emerged, they get into what it entails and if it's sustainable through 2030. Then, Field Yates, NFL Draft analyst joins the pod! He attended the NFL Combine and shares which players he thinks put on a standout performance and the possible hits Will Howard's and Shedeur Sanders' draft stock took.0:00 - Why were the ACC, Florida State & Clemson at odds?6:13 - How big of a deal is the ACC, FSU, Clemson settlement?10:20 - How much revenue will be paid to players?13:22 - What will college football look like in 2030?15:39 - Will streaming services want to broadcast games?18:18 - The best way to watch the NCAA Tournament21:12 - How good are AI chat bots at NCAA Tourney trivia?23:27 - Why teams will overthink DL Mason Graham25:17 - The NFL draft difference makers outside the top 1030:30 - Will Howard’s poor performance at the NFL Combine35:26 - Did Shedeur Sanders shoot down his NFL draft stock?39:54 - Field Yates’ near altercation at the NFL Combine44:20 - Should teams be charged a timeout for faked injuries? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices