ESPN College GameDay
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!
Week 8 Preview: Redemption in Athens? Notre Dame’s Playoff Hopes on the Line vs. USC
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are back to preview a massive Week 8 in college football. Can Georgia get redemption between the hedges against No. 5 Ole Miss? Will Notre Dame’s playoff hopes survive a must-win clash with USC? The guys make their Week 8 picks and break down all the big storylines. Plus, Ivan Maisel joins the show to discuss his new book and reflect on the legendary career of Frank Leahy. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast. 00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast 00:54 - Lane Kiffin's jab at Kirby Smart 03:16 - A tough week for the refs 05:54 - Ole Miss vs Georgia preview 20:29 - Ivan Maisel joins the show 48:39 - Week 8 Six Pack of Picks 01:08:02 - Deep cut game of the week 01:13:53 - Thanks for watching / listening to the College Gameday Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 15, 2025
1 hr 16 min
James Franklin Out at Penn State: A Firing Unlike Any Other
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel dive into the fallout from James Franklin's firing at Penn State. They unpack how his free fall unfolded, the moment Penn State realized he couldn't deliver a national championship, and why coaching contracts may never look the same again. Then they evaluate whether Indiana's Curt Cignetti or Nebraska's Matt Rhule should even consider the Penn State job before delivering their predictions on who could take the reins in Happy Valley. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - James Franklin firing is unlike any other 2:55 - Penn St realization: Franklin won't win it 4:55 - James Franklin free fall won't be the last 7:53 - Why coach contracts will shift 11:56 - Penn St players came up short, lacked passion & fire 14:56 - The reality is coaches don't build programs 19:36 - In today's game, anyone can win 29:08 - The Oregon loss' devastating effect on Penn St's season 36:09 - Should Curt Cignetti consider the Penn St job? 42:13 - Why Cignetti won't go to Penn St 47:07 - Making the case for Matt Rhule staying at Nebraska 55:17 - Predictions on who will get the Penn St job Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 13, 2025
1 hr 2 min
UNC in Shambles, Bama’s Rolling, and The Texas State Fair? | Week 7 Preview
Who’s to blame for North Carolina’s struggles this season? Can Indiana pull off a shocking upset over Oregon in Eugene? Will Alabama continue their SEC road dominance? Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel break down all the chaos heading into a stacked Week 7 of college football. Plus, the guys play a special edition of “Would You Eat It?” — sampling some of the wildest foods from the Texas State Fair. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast. 00:00 - Welcome to the College Gameday Podcast 00:43 - UNC in Shambles 20:57 - UNC Staff lacks college football experience 31:19 - Indiana vs Oregon Preview 35:59 - Alabama vs Missouri Preview 38:01 - Is Texas Tech for real? 40:32 - A tough stretch for the Gamecocks 41:14 -Another Kiffin in Baton Rouge 43:24 - The Latest on John Mateer 46:14 - Would you eat it? (Food from the texas state fair) 51:38 - Week 7 Six Pack of Picks 01:03:28 - Thanks for watching The CGD Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 8, 2025
1 hr 6 min
Penn State Collapsing? 🤯 UCLA Loss, CFP Hopes & James Franklin's Future
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down Penn State's unraveling season. They ask if the UCLA loss has crushed the Nittany Lions' playoff chances and if James Franklin will remain with the program. Then they shift the conversation to Texas where they expose the Longhorns' flaws. And in Florida, even after a recent win, the guys question whether Billy Napier can survive the season and emphasize the steep challenge the program would face in replacing both its head coach and playcaller. 0:00 - Intro 0:37 - Penn State's issue: QB and scheme are misaligned 9:52 - Does UCLA loss end Penn State's CFP hopes? 12:59 - James Franklin's future at Penn State in question? 18:22 - Arch Manning under Texas pressure 23:57 - Arch and the entire Texas team are flawed 30:39 - If you fire Billy Napier, you have to fill two roles because… 35:13 - Which teams are true wagons? 45:47 - What is going on? Vanderbilt is entirely transformed 56:01 - Why Alabama can't sleep on Mizzou 1:00:32 - Final word: SEC, Western Carolina, Internet meltdowns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 7, 2025
1 hr 9 min
Week 6 Showdowns: Can Vandy Stun the Tide Again? Miami vs FSU preview
Week 6 brings two massive showdowns in the SEC and ACC. Can Vanderbilt go into Tuscaloosa and upset Alabama for a second straight season? Will Texas survive a tough road trip to The Swamp? Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are back to break down a loaded Week 6 slate across college football. Plus, EJ Manuel joins the show to preview the heated Florida State–Miami rivalry and examine what’s at stake for both programs. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 1, 2025
1 hr 5 min
Dan Lanning PROVES Himself + Can He Keep Oregon On Top?
Dan Wetzel is joined by ESPN's Ryan McGee and Max Olson to tackle the big question: Has college football ever been better? From Dan Lanning's statement win over Penn State to whether Kalen DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb can keep their momentum rolling after knocking off Georgia, the drama keeps building. Throw in LSU-Ole Miss chaos fueled by Lane Kiffin's Internet antics and Bobby Petrino's return to Arkansas, it's clear this season shows no signs of slowing down. 0:00 - Has college football ever been better? 7:32 - The blueprint to win 17:43 - Dan Lanning: What's his ceiling in Year 4? 25:05 - Can Kalen DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb stay hot? 30:43 - LSU vs Ole Miss: Madness on and off the field! 35:49 - Lane Kiffin to Florida? To Alabama? 45:19 - Arkansas and Bobby Petrino: The inevitable? 50:32 - Notre Dame to reach CFP without a big win? 56:25 - Last word: North Texas, New Mexico, New Mexico State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 30, 2025
1 hr 4 min
A white out in Happy Valley, win streak in Athens and a Kiffin love story
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel preview two massive Week 5 showdowns in the Big Ten and SEC. Can Georgia protect their home winning streak and finally take down Alabama? Will Oregon survive the white out in Happy Valley against Penn State? The guys break it all down and give their picks. Plus, Ryan McGee stops by to talk Lane Kiffin and join in on our Week 5 six-pack of picks. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 24, 2025
1 hr 25 min
Is Clemson football in trouble now? 😨 + Red River Rivalry favorite
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel dig into Clemson’s struggles, Billy Napier’s squandered lifeline at Florida, and an Indiana team that’s still finding ways to win. They examine whether Oklahoma is a true championship contender, discuss who they think will be favored in the Red River Rivalry, and weigh in on the officiating controversy that overshadowed Oklahoma vs. Auburn. 0:00 - Welcome 3:04 - Clemson's main issue is… 11:39 - Clemson's the new Florida State? 17:36 - Billy Napier was thrown a lifeline… 23:05 - What the Florida Gators should do next 26:08 - This year's Indiana is…Indiana 33:04 - Oklahoma: Title contenders? 35:25 - Red River Rivalry: Who's the favorite? 38:36 - The Oklahoma vs Auburn officiating issues 42:49 - Rece booked a fall wedding?! 51:39 - The stacked slate of blockbuster games ahead! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 22, 2025
1 hr 1 min
Squashbucklers, DM slidding and Week 4 Picks
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down some of the key matchups in Week 4. Can Florida bounce back and pull off an upset against No. 5 Miami? Will Jackson Arnold lead Auburn to victory in his return to Oklahoma? Plus, the guys dive into a Gameday wager that involved a DM to Tate McRae. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 18, 2025
1 hr 7 min
UCLA & Virginia Tech Fire Their Coaches: What's Next?
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel dive into a packed week in college football, starting with UCLA and Virginia Tech's coaching shakeups. They also get into the weekend's messy kicking gaffes and wild fourth-downs. Then they debate whether it's finally time to buy into Texas A&M, and spotlight Georgia Tech's growing reputation as upset artists. Finally, Pete unpacks the mounting whispers about Mike Gundy's job security. 0:00 - Welcome 1:14 - UCLA & Virginia Tech clean house 7:43 - At Virginia Tech, who will choose the next coach? 10:58 - Can UCLA be fixed? 25:31 - A mess of kicking gaffes & huge 4th downs 30:08 - Time to believe in Texas A&M? 33:51 - Surprised? QBs who flopped vs carried 41:06 - Georgia Tech: Master of the upset? 49:09 - What happened when Boston College went to Stanford? 52:42 - Mike Gundy, the next coach to be fired? 58:00 - Diego Pavia forever Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 15, 2025
1 hr 7 min
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