ESPN College GameDay

Welcome back to the College GameDay Podcast, hosted by Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel and Max Olson. We recap all the thrilling Week 4 games including Iowa's last second win vs Michigan. Also we dive deep into Oregon defeating USC at the Coliseum. We also breakdown Texas narrowly defeating Tennessee, and what's next for the Longhorns. All that and more on the College GameDay Podcast!

00:00 Welcome to the show!

1:30 Iowa defeats Michigan

14:00 Ohio State defeats Illinois

14:45 Oregon defeats USC

32:50 Georgia defeats Oklahoma

36:15 Texas defeats...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down why every Saturday window feels packed with chaos. Plus, what does the future hold for Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor? Then, the guys preview a loaded Week 4 slate featuring some of the biggest matchups across the country.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - The matchup you didn’t see coming

2:07 - Is college athletics bigger than ever?

9:38 - College football then vs now: What’s changed?

19:18 - Every college football window is packed

23:13 - Will Kamario Taylor stay at Missi...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down whether the Rebels can keep the momentum rolling in a potential trap game in the Swamp. Plus, the guys discuss Pete Golding’s rise, what Jon Sumrall is building at Florida, Texas’ trip to Knoxville and why who you play matters.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Is Ole Miss a contender or not?

7:55 - Pete Golding emerges as college football’s newest star

16:18 - Pete Golding built Ole Miss’ deep defensive line

19:37 - Jon Sumrall has an edge at Florida

23...

Welcome back to the College GameDay podcast. Dan Wetzel is joined by Mark Schlabach, and Max Olson to breakdown Week 3 of the College Football season.

00:00 Welcome to the show!

1:00 Ole Miss defeats LSU at home

20:00 Alabama defeats FSU

25:00 Louisville topples SMU

27:30 Kentucky upsets Texas A&M

31:30 Georgia dominates Arkansas

34:40 West Virginia defeats Virginia

38:30 Texas Tech narrowly defeats Houston

40:15 Kamario Taylor and Mississippi State defeat South Carolina

45:00 Lightning delays

49:30 Small Sample Heisman

51:30 Say...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down how a proposed 19-team conferenced cap could reshape college football. They also dig into what Mike Norvell needs to do to turn things around at Florida State. Plus, the guys make their picks for the biggest games of Week 3.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - 19-team cap could end chances of a super league

9:42- Mike Norvell needs an injection of hope to survive at FSU

16:54 - Game Preview: Florida St vs Alabama

22:04 - Ole Miss star served with lawsuit papers

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down Lane Kiffin’s highly anticipated return to Ole Miss and what’s at stake for both sides in Oxford. Plus, they guys look at Oregon’s early struggles, Tulsa’s path into the College Football Playoff conversation and Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor’s rising NFL draft stock.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Lane Kiffin to enter the Ole Miss cauldron

10:31 - Who needs the win more: Lane or Ole Miss?

18:53 - How will Pete Golding handle LSU vs Ole Miss?

23:34 - D...

Welcome back to the College GameDay Podcast hosted by Dan Wetzel, Bill Connelly, and Max Olson. They recap an incredible Week 2 slate, starting off with Texas defeating Ohio State in an amazing 4th quarter comeback. They breakdown Michigan upsetting Oklahoma, Oklahoma State upsetting Oregon, and the Missouri-Kansas rivalry. They give shoutouts to Akron, Duke's Nate Sheppard, Jeremiah Smith, Montana State, Kamario Taylor, and Mason McKenzie. All that and more on the College GameDay Podcast!

00:00 Welcome to the show!

1:30 Texas completes comeback against Ohio State

19:13 Oregon loses to Oklahoma State

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down the details of the SEC vote that could get LSU expelled from the league. Plus, they tackle college football’s timekeeping problem, Michigan’s decision to stick with Bryce Underwood as QB1 and the mounting pressure on Dabo Swinney.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - SEC puts LSU on notice with expulsion vote

5:56 - Will the SEC pass the self-governance test?

15:36 - LSU & SEC: Can they close the gap?

21:14 - NCAA sets new ‘standard timing protocol’

30:19 - Michigan sticks w...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel recap Ole Miss’ win over Louisville and Notre Dame’s dominant performance against Wisconsin. Plus, they look ahead to Ohio State vs Texas and discuss the latest 24-team College Football Playoff talks and a potential SEC-Big Ten scheduling partnership.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Bad games, blowouts, and controversy!

7:47 - Ole Miss defeats Louisville, secures win

17:38 - Notre Dame steamrolls Wisconsin

24:19 - What’s the best college football book?

32:21 - The best night in Baton Rouge

38:56 - Ohio St vs T...

Dan Wetzel and college football writers Max Olson and Bill Connelly break down Michigan’s wild win over Western Michigan, including the clock sync issue that gave the Wolverines another shot at a Hail Mary. Then the guys run through more of Week 1’s biggest games before wrapping up with their way-too-early Heisman picks and “Say Something Nice.”

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Michigan defeats Western Michigan on a Hail Mary

6:26 - Michigan’s Bryce Underwood underwhelms in first game of the season

13:53 - LSU trounces Clemson in Lane Kiffin’s debut

...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel look ahead to college football’s opening weekend, revisit some of the biggest early-season upsets and make the case for teams to “cowboy up” and play somebody Week 1 next year. Plus, the crew breaks down Clemson vs. LSU, what’s at stake for Clemson and whether Dae’Quan Wright Zxavian Harris will take the field for LSU. Then the guys run through the Week 1 slate of games and reveal which teams they think will come out on top.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Week 1: Shockers are coming

3:39...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel dive into college football’s latest eligibility fight as LSU and Lane Kiffin test the limits of whether former NFL players can return to college. Veteran NCAA attorney Tom Mars joins to break down LSU’s options and the risk of SEC penalties and what the case could mean for college football. Plus, the crew discusses where the sport should draw the line on eligibility, contracts and player movement.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Week 0: Weird and absolutely reckless

5:42 - Week 0: FCS vs The Group of Six<...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel set the stage for the College Football Playoff picture. They discuss whether the 12-team format is the sweet spot, identify how many teams have a legitimate shot to win the national championship and then make their early CFP predictions on unexpected teams to crash the field, who makes the semifinals and who could win it all.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Preseason AP Poll vs. CFP reality

6:00 - Who’s in, who’s out of the CFP?

8:30 - Is a 12-team CFP the sweet spot...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down the Big 12 heading into the season. Is Texas Tech’s rise good for the conference and can Houston emerge as a legitimate contender Plus, the crew weighs Utah’s changes of making a run, Arizona State’s loaded wide receiver room, TCU’s sleeper potential, and the wild cards that could shake up the Big 12 race.

0:00 - Welcome

1:55 - Oklahoma St. Eric Morris vs. an armadillo

9:44 - Is Texas Tech’s rise good for the Big 12?

17:53 - BYU freshman WR Legend Glas...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel continue their SEC preview with the biggest questions facing the conference this season. Can Missouri crash the SEC title race? Can John Sumrall turn things around at Florida? And which programs are poised to make a leap?

0:00 - Welcome

1:08 - Can Missouri crash the SEC title race?

2:26 - Can John Sumrall get Florida back on track?

4:52 - Can South Carolina make a major leap?

9:34 - Can Pete Golding keep Ole Miss among SEC elite?

11:19 - Can Will Stein i...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel preview the SEC heading into the 2026 college football season. Has the conference lost its place atop the sport or is the SEC ready to reassert its dominance. The crew breaks down whether Georgia’s offense can deliver another SEC title, Arch Manning’s chances of leading Texas to the top, pls can Ole Miss contend without Lane Kiffin and can Lane Kiffin win immediately at LSU?

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Has the SEC lost its place atop college football?

9:54 - Can Georgia’s offense deliver another...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and Ryan McGee wrap up their ACC Conference Preview by asking the question: Who survives the season? They break down the pressure facing Bill Belichick at UNC, Mike Norvell at Florida State and Dabo Swinney at Clemson. Plus, can James Franklin revive Virginia Tech? Could Cal or Pitt shake up the ACC race? What’s ahead for Duke, Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Boston College?

0:00 - Welcome

0:56 - Belichick, Norvell or Dabo: Who survives the season?

4:24 - Will Belichick return in 2027?

5:00 - UNC’s portal plan: What...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and Ryan McGee kick off Part 1 of the ACC Conference Preview with the biggest storylines heading into 2026. Can the ACC change its national perception? Can Miami return to the CFP? Plus, they break down Notre Dame’s evolution and the other ACC contenders that could make a run this season.

0:00 - Welcome

4:15 - Can ACC change its national perception?

11:19 - ACC goes all in on Friday night football

16:41 - Miami’s path back to the CFP

19:35 - Can Miami reload in the tren...

The College GameDay Podcast continues its 2026 Big Ten football season preview as Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel examine the conference’s sleepers, spoilers and potential breakout teams. Can Wisconsin rebound under Luke Fickell? Could Demond Williams Jr. and Washington crash the Big Ten championship race? Are Maryland, Illinois, Nebraska, UCLA, Iowa or Minnesota ready to make a leap? The crew also discusses Pat Fitzgerald’s first season at Michigan State, Bob Chesney’s UCLA rebuild, Chip Kelly taking over Northwestern’s offense and the debut of the new Ryan Field. Plus, has NIL and the transfer portal erased t...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down the top contenders in the Big Ten as Part 1 of the College GameDay Podcast's conference preview series gets underway. Can Ohio State reclaim the conference crown? Will Oregon finally break through? And does Indiana have another championship run in store? We all that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast!

00:00 - Welcome to the College Gameday Podcast

00:40 - Drafting the top teams in the Big Ten

10:46 - How does Indiana follow up a perfect season?

25:09...

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel react to North Carolina placing Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave and discuss what it means for the program moving forward. Plus, they debate whether this is a make-or-break season for Lincoln Riley at USC, whether Indiana should still be the favorite in the Big Ten, and break down the biggest storylines heading into Big Ten Media Days. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast.

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Rece Davis is back from Wimbledon and joins Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel to talk about SEC Media Days. They discuss Eli Drinkwitz’s thoughts on Power Four nonconference scheduling, predict the SEC race, make early picks for Weeks 1 and 2, and weigh in on Josh Heupel’s comments about Lane Kiffin’s return to Neyland Stadium.

0:00 - Welcome back from Wimbledon, Rece

7:55 - USF’s new stadium and outdoor bar

14:51 - Best sponsor names for iconic stadiums

23:03 - Eli Drinkwitz on P4 nonconference games

40:17 - Who will win the S...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel and Sports Illustrated senior writer Pat Forde break down the Michigan Regents’ upcoming discussion on the athletic department culture investigation and what it could mean for Athletic Director Warde Manuel’s future. They also discuss Penn State and how the Nittany Lions could surpass Michigan as the nation’s largest stadium. Finally, the guys previews ACC Media Days, highlighting the biggest storylines to watch across the conference.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Michigan regents to discuss athletics probe

4:56 - Michigan AD Warde Manuel’s future uncertain

10:38 - What does...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel and college football and transfer portal reporter Max Olson break down the biggest storylines coming out of Big 12 Media Days, including the tension surrounding the conference and whether Texas Tech has separated itself from the rest of the league. They discuss if the Red Raiders need the Big 12, why other programs are struggling to keep pace, and what the future holds for Deion Sanders.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Big 12 media days: Behind the tension

6:44 - Is Texas Tech carrying the Big 12?

11:09 - Texas Tech’s options out...

On this episode of the College GameDay Podcast, Dan Wetzel is joined by Ryan McGee and Pat Forde to discuss Trinidad Chambliss pushing back on Lane Kiffin’s comments about recruiting in Oxford, adding yet another layer to what will be a wild scene when LSU visits Ole Miss in week 3. The guys break down why Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss still feels so personal, and why LSU-Ole Miss will be the game everyone wants to see. Plus, they draft their must-watch games of the season and close with a look at some of college sports’ strangest national champi...

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 base...

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 C...

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 <...

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...

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 - S...

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?

40:1...

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 - US...

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 pr...

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 d...

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?

Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel are joined by former Miami Dolphins scout Adam Engroff to pull back the curtain on the world of NFL scouting. From how player reports are built to the challenge of uncovering a player’s true character, Engroff breaks down what teams are looking for and what’s hardest to find. The guys also dive into how scouts sort through conflicting intel, evaluate injury risk vs. durability, and the other factors that go into assessing a prospect.

0:00 – Welcome

0:30 - Inside the life of an NFL scout

5:00 - How an...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and ESPN college basketball insider break down Michigan holding off UConn to win the NCAA national title. They talk about what went wrong for the Huskies and how Michigan won in the paint. Then the guys dive into UNC hiring Mike Malone just hours before the transfer portal opens and his challenge of building a roster. Plus, they discuss NCAA tournament expansion and whether it actually makes the sport better.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Michigan holds off UConn, wins NCAA title

5:04 - UConn’s costly mistakes: Free throws, Tur...

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel break down UConn’s dramatic win over Duke and what it means for the Huskies’ legacy. And after another crushing exit, is it time for Duke to rethink its roster strategy? Plus, the guys dive into Michigan’s dominant win over Tennessee, Illinois and Arizona punching their tickets to the Final Four, and the greatest shots in tournament history.

0:00 – Welcome

0:30 - Duke hands UConn the win

7:15 - UConn becoming the next UCLA?

13:37 - UConn’s Tarris Reed steps up

17:05 - The best tourn...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and college basketball insider Jeff Borzello go through the highs and lows of the NCAA Tournament, including Florida’s late-game strategy falling apart, St. John’s buzzer-beater over Kansas, and the possible head coach positions opening up at Kansas and North Carolina.

0:00 - Welcome

0:30 - Four days in: Tourney highs and lows

2:42 - Florida’s late-game strategy falls apart

7:18 - Are the extra clock reviews giving teams extra timeouts?

8:52 - St. John’s hits a buzzer beater, Kansas stays frozen

13:41 - Is Kansas...

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello break down everything you need to know about the Men’s NCAA Tournament bracket. They reveal the must-watch First Four matchup, how much chalk to expect, and whether Florida can repeat as champs. Then they go region by region, spotlighting title contenders, star power, upset alerts, and the matchups that could define the tournament.

0:00 – Welcome

0:30 - Was Auburn robbed of an NCAA Tourney bid?

2:14 - The must-watch First Four game is…

5:23 - Will this be a chalk-heavy tournament?

8:47 - The...