
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

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h
College Football’s NIL Crisis Starts Here: The Wisconsin vs Miami Lawsuit
Rece Davis and ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel dive into college football’s wild evolution—unpacking the blunders of the BCS, the mounting pressure on the playoff committee, and the lengths coaches will go to chase a title. They also break down a historic NIL lawsuit shaking up the system and expose the murky world of tampering.
0:00 - BCS blunders: Where the old system went wrong
8:52 - CFP committee: Their toughest test
13:40 - The price of the playoff: How far will coaches go?
19:42 - Historic NIL case unfolds: Wisconsin vs Miami
26:52 - How does the NCAA actually police tampering?
29:36 - College Baseball World Series controversy
37:00 - Is Arch Manning really that good?
40:21 - CFB stock watch: Contenders and concerns
48:38 - No city does Fourth of July like…
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Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 8min
ASU's Kenny Dillingham on QB Sam Leavitt + Pete & Rece’s Top 5 QBs
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, to talk about rising expectations for the Sun Devils heading into the 2025 season. Can ASU be more than a flash in the pan? How does Dillingham keep his team from reading their own headlines? And where is the ceiling for quarterback Sam Leavitt? Then, after a realignment chat, Rece and Pete take you through their list of the top 5 quarterbacks for the upcoming season.
0:00 – Welcome and introducing Kenny Dillingham
01:33 – When did you know Sam Leavitt was the guy?
02:40 – Sam Leavitt’s journey to Arizona State
04:23 – Keeping Sam Leavitt balanced
12:14 – Keeping momentum from year to year
14:58 – Lessons from the BYU game
21:08 – Where does the Big XII stack up against the SEC and Big Ten
24:07 – Replacing Cam Skattebo
27:16 – CFB realignment intel
36:19 – Rece & Pete’s Top 5 QBs for the ’25 CFB season
56:04 – Rece & Pete’s sleeper QBs for the ’25 CFB season
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Jun 10, 2025 • 58min
What the $2.8B Settlement Means for College Football + Brian Kelly Interview
On June 6th, Judge Claudia Wilken approved a deal between the NCAA, its most powerful conferences, and lawyers representing all Division I athletes. Paving the way for schools to pay players directly for the first time. This landmark moment seems poised to change the landscape of college athletics, especially NCAA football. Rece Davis and Pete Thamel breakdown what we know right now, what the hurdles in the road could be, and discuss whether or not coaches and administrators will be able to follow the rules, now that the rules are clear. Then LSU head coach Brian Kelly joins the show for an exclusive sit down with the College GameDay podcast.
00:00:00 - Judge OK’s $2.8 billion dollar settlement
00:06:22 - Now that the rules are clear, will coaches play fair?
00:18:50 - Brian Kelly joins the show
00:25:03 - Brian Kelly on season opener at Clemson
00:28:15 - Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks health updates
00:31:17 - Garrett Nussmeier season expectations
00:34:42 - Garrett Nussmeier NFL Draft prospect
00:36:54 - How good is the LSU supporting cast on offense
00:39:12 - Brian Kelly on adjusting to LSU
00:42:20 - Brian Kelly on CFP seeding
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Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ryan Williams Talks EA SPORTS College Football 26 + Is The CFP's 5+11 Model The Best?
Pete Thamel and ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel break down the SEC’s push to have its grueling schedule factor more heavily into the College Football Playoff. They dive into whether the new 5+11 format truly rewards the best teams, especially with strength of schedule still a murky metric. The duo also weighs in on the uncertain future of the USC–Notre Dame rivalry, growing frustration from Ohio State fans over noon kickoffs, and Michigan’s looming NCAA meeting in the Connor Stalions case. Then, Alabama star Ryan Williams joins the show to talk EA SPORTS College Football 26, training with DeVonta Smith, and his bond with coach Kalen DeBoer.
04:33 - SEC gauntlet schedule deserves CFP reform
07:15 - Will the CFP 5 + 11 playoff format deliver?
16:21 - The State of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry
18:06 - Why USC-Notre Dame Matters in 2025
20:28 - Ohio State fans are over Noon kickoffs
28:49 - Michigan Connor Stalions update
37:38 - Alabama’s Ryan Williams CFB 26 cover star
39:35 - Inside Ryan Williams CFB 26 cover shoot
44:28 - Ryan Williams on training with DeVonta Smith
55:22 - Ryan Williams interview reaction
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May 29, 2025 • 1h 37min
Bill Belichick and Dabo Swinney go head to head with Rece Davis + CFP 16 team format ?
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel explore the potential future of the College Football Playoff format heading into 2026.
They delve into the possibility of expanding to a 16-team playoff and discuss the SEC’s openness to participating in a broader format.
Also on the pod, Rece Davis sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Dabo Swinney and Bill Belichick. Together, they reflect on the evolving landscape of NCAA football, sharing insights into their coaching philosophies, key influences, and distinctive coaching styles. The conversation also highlights how both coaches are adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of the college football world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 20, 2025 • 59min
Manny Diaz Talks Duke's QB, Rivalry with UNC & the CFP Path Ahead
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Duke head coach Manny Diaz! From detailing his aggressive portal strategy to landing quarterback Darian Mensah, to navigating a tough schedule and fueling the storied UNC rivalry, Diaz lays out his blueprint for building a winning culture. He speaks candidly about the trait he sees in championship teams, the rising support for Duke football, and even offers advice to his former colleagues at ESPN.
0:00 - Manny Diaz on Duke's competitive advantage
3:35 - Manny Diaz talks portal strategy and QB Darian Mensah
13:35 - Duke's demanding schedule
19:56 - The trait that leads to wins
24:12 - Manny Diaz on the support for Duke football
28:01 - The Duke-North Carolina rivalry
32:26 - Manny Diaz shares some advice to those at ESPN
37:53 - Duke's potential pathway to the CFP
40:37 - 16-team CFP coming in 2026?
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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