

ESPN College GameDay
ESPN, Rece Davis, Pete Thamel
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 12min
Week 15 Rankings: Miami Still Alive, Notre Dame To Win It All? + Six Pack of Picks
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down the latest CFP rankings. They dig into what the College Football Playoff committee said about Alabama, whether the ACC can squeeze a team into the CFP, and Notre Dame’s path to a national title. Plus, a full slate of previews and a reminder that Jim Valvano’s iconic speech airs tonight on ESPN at 7 PM ET.
0:00 - Welcome
0:30 - Why did Alabama move up one spot?
3:26 - CFP rankings put ACC in tough spot
5:06 - Miami CFP hopes are still alive
11:43 - Notre Dame’s pathway to a national title
22:09 - Leagues battling for limited spots
28:09 - Should the committee sharpen its message?
34:23 - How much does the Big Ten title game matter?
46:57 - Preview: Jim Valvano’s iconic speech airs tonight 7P ET
47:55 - Preview: Georgia vs Alabama
50:07 - Preview: Indiana vs Ohio St
54:49 - Preview: BYU vs Texas Tech
57:53 - Preview: Duke vs Virginia
1:01:54 - Preview: North Texas vs Tulane
1:04:47 - Preview: Troy vs James Madison
1:07:03 - Preview: UNLV vs Boise St Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 5min
Lane Kiffin’s Decision: Career First, Ole Miss Second
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel dive into Lane Kiffin’s wild 6-week decision saga and what it means for Ole Miss after he chose career over a CFP run. They also break down whether Pete Golding is the right fit to take over Ole Miss’ program. Then the guys tackle the ACC title game controversy, should Miami have made it, and debate whether Texas is being unfairly punished for scheduling Ohio State.
0:00 - Welcome
0:37 - The 6-week drumbeat to Lane Kiffin’s decision
5:08 - Lane Kiffin chose his career, walked away from a CFP team
14:30 - Lane Kiffin’s wild exits outnumber his big wins
22:52 - Is Pete Golding the best head coach fit for Ole Miss?
34:23 - ACC title game: Should Miami have gotten in?
44:49 - Duke and James Madison to make the CFP?
49:43 - Texas being punished for their Ohio St loss?
56:29 - Should teams be ranked at the end of the season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 26, 2025 • 57min
Rivalry Week Drama | CFP insights | Lane Kiffin impact if he leaves Ole Miss + Six Pack of Picks | College GameDay Podcast
Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel react to the committee’s rankings ahead of Rivalry Week. They react to CFP Selection Committee chair Hunter Yurachek's insights on evaluating Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin, should he decide to leave the Rebels.
Plus, the Six Pack of Picks for Rivalry Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 10min
ACC Playoff Snub? Lane Kiffin’s Future, Rivalry Week & Heisman Picks
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down Week 13’s action. The coaching carousel with Justin Wilcox losing his job at CAL, while Mike Norvell keeps his job at FSU. The latest on Lane Kiffin, his future with Ole Miss and preview of the Egg Bowl. Plus, the names poised for the 2025 Heisman Trophy and a big preview of Michigan vs. Ohio State
00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast:30 - Oregon Duck vs Pete Thamel4:15 - Why Rece Davis is mad at Pete Narduzzi6:27 - ACC Crazy Tie Breaker scenarios10:03 - Cal fires coach Justin Wilcox after 9 seasons14:10 Could ACC be left out of the College Football Playoff?
21:36 - Mike Norvell retained despite back-to-back losing seasons
23:49 CFP Coaching Carousel 2025: Big Names on the Move27:57 Where will Lane Kiffin end up?27:55 Where will Lane Kiffin end up?45:31 - CFP Coaching Carousel 2025: Big Names on the Move
48:09 - Who is in the mix for the 2025 Heisman Trophy?
54:34 Michigan vs Ohio State Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 2025 • 54min
Week 13 Picks, The Latest on Lane Kiffin, Oregon & USC’s Playoff Hopes on the Line
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel react to the third batch of College Football Playoff rankings, discuss the latest on Lane Kiffin and unleash their Six Pack of Picks.
0:00 Welcome, Rece at MSG for Rankings Reaction
2:10 College Football Playoff ranking reaction
9:44 Would Notre Dame get in over Miami?
14:44 Potential Alabama conundrum
17:42 More CFP hypotheticals
22:56 The latest on Lane Kiffin
31:35 James Franklin introduced at Virginia Tech
37:55 USC at Oregon
41:28 Missouri at Oklahoma
44:05 Georgia Tech at Pitt
45:44 Tennessee at Florida
47:03 BYU at Cincinnati
48:34 Hawai’i at UNLV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 5min
Lane Kiffin Watch: Stay Or Go Debate!
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down every angle of the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes, should he stay at Ole Miss and chase a national championship, leave now, or leave next year? And for schools trying to poach him, when is it time to walk away? The guys also dive into the latest on James Franklin, and the biggest College Football Playoff storylines of the week: Who's a lock for the CFP, who makes it in between USC, Notre Dame, and Miami, and what if Auburn stuns Alabama?
0:00 - Welcome
0:32 - Lane Kiffin, will he stay or go?
5:57 - Should Lane Kiffin just stay and chase a Natty?
12:31 - For schools chasing Lane Kiffin, when should they walk way?
19:03 - Should Lane Kiffin stay and leave in a year?
21:45 - The advantages of staying at Ole Miss
24:48 - Update: James Franklin to Virginia Tech?
38:08 - Who's almost a lock for the CFP?
42:01 - The CFP USC-Notre Dame-Miami dilemma
47:22 - CFP chaos: What if Auburn beats Alabama?
51:03 - Make the case for keeping and cutting conference title games
58:43 - CFP changes that would benefit the fans
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 13min
Week 12 Picks: Latest CFP Rankings Reaction; Seismic Week in the SEC; GameDay Heads to Pitt
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel react to the season batch of College Football Playoff rankings. Plus, they discuss where the ACC stands in the CFP race, if USC is on the ascent and the latest on the drama at LSU with Brian Kelly’s firing. Then, the guys get into the Six Pack of Picks, and talk about Maryland and UConn.
0:00 Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast!
0:30 College Football Playoff rankings reaction
13:14 Where does the ACC stand?
22:32 What about USC?
28:54 The latest on LSU and Brian Kelly
36:35 Rece & Pete's Six Pack of Picks
40:18 Notre Dame at Pitt
44:22 Iowa at USC
46:00 Oklahoma at Alabama
50:39 Texas at Georgia
53:56 USF at Navy
57:43 Maryland’s rough season
1:02:13 UConn’s stellar season
1:04:50 Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 8min
CFP Battle For Bids: ACC Mess, Big 12 Rising, Big Ten Flexing
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel debate whether a Heisman moment is essential to winning the Heisman …and if Fernando Mendoza has delivered on this. Then, they break down the current CFP picture specifically the chaos in the ACC, the Big 12 potentially sneaking a team in at the end, and which Big Ten powerhouse team will emerge on top.
0:00 - Welcome
1:41 - Fernando Menoza, new Heisman leader?
8:06 - The top team in the Big Ten is…
19:14 - ACC wheel of destiny: Who get’s a CFP bid?
32:18 - Big 12 to get the last at-large CFP bid?
39:05 - CFP: Some of the good, the bad, and the new
52:05 - The best player you might not know
54:19 - Which coach gets fired next?
57:26 - Proposals and ‘I do’ on and off the field Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 13min
EXCLUSIVE: Pat Fitzgerald Joins Rece & Pete | Playoff Rankings + Six Pack of Picks
Pat Fitzgerald joins Rece Davis and Pete Thamel for his first public interview since his 2023 departure from Northwestern. The College Football Hall of Famer opens up about what he’s been up to, reflects on his time in Evanston, and discusses what the future might hold now that he’s back on the coaching market. Plus, Rece and Pete react to the first College Football Playoff rankings and wrap things up with their Six Pack of Picks.
00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast!
00:30 - CFP rankings reactions
14:13 - Pat Fitzgerald joins the show!
17:33 - Pat feels "vindicated" after wrongful termination
24:13 - Pat on his coaching future
26:26 - Pat on handling the new era of college football
40:04 - Pat's ideal coaching fit
53:46 - Rece & Pete's six pack of picks
1:09:13 - Thanks for listening ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 6min
CFP Rankings Preview: Who's No. 1? + Kenny Chesney Joins The Pod!
Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel discuss the upcoming College Football Playoff rankings. They make picks on who they think will take the No. 1 spot and how many bids each conference gets. They also break down Auburn's coaching search and whether Clemson can recover from their tailspin season. Then, country superstar Kenny Chesney joins to talk about his new book drop, Heart Life Music, Tennessee Vols memories, his songwriting process and more!
0:00 - Welcome!
0:32 - CFP rankings: Who's taking No. 1 spot?
6:41 - CFP rankings: What to watch for
10:35 - How many CFP bids does each conference get?
18:20 - CFP rankings: Where does Michigan land?
21:37 - Auburn: Who replaces Hugh Freeze?
33:23 - CFP race: Miami is walking a fine line
37:54 - Can Clemson pull out of a tailspin?
46:29 - Kenny Chesney joins the pod!
47:27 - Kenny Chesney's Tennessee Vols memories
50:15 - Kenny Chesney shares his best lyric
53:41 - Inside Kenny Chesney's writing process
56:53 - Kenny Chesney's drink of choice
59:26 - Kenny Chesney's fave moment as GameDay guest picker! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


