The ESPN College Football Podcast

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Pete’s vacation to Mexico Mike Krzyzewski returning to Cameron Indoor to pay respects to Mike Brey, who should hire Rick Pitino, if John Calipari should leave Kentucky, candidates for the Texas job, the Pac-12’s statement of self-affirming love and Georgia’s new-old offensive coordinator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis is joined by Jay Bilas to discuss if Zach Edey is actually bigger than 7’4”, Jay's favorite kind of halftime show, if there are magnets in Red Panda’s bowls, the lack of a bottom in the Big 12, if fans really like parody and the NCAA’s latest blunder. Plus, Rece goes 94 Feet with Jay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Seth Greenberg’s bit at the top of GameDay broadcast, if Stetson Bennett made a mistake not going to the Senior Bowl, scouting the people not players, whiffing on Josh Rosen, the most underrated part of Jalen Hurts’ development, if they were aware of National Signing Day and who’s popping at the Senior Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Rece’s time in Syracuse, a flaw in Drake Maye’s scouting report and what Nick Saban may do with Bill O’Brien heading to the Patriots. Then, Rick Barnes stops by to talk about when he stopped using a whistle, what’s going through his mind before games, facing Texas, the transformation of basketball culture at Tennessee, and why the “football school” or “basketball school” label doesn’t matter. Later, the guys get into if there will be a first-time champion in hoops, college basketball’s G-League problem and LSU’s accounting department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Pete’s gift to Rece, what’s happening at Arkansas, TCU hiring Kendal Briles and Jaden Rashada wanting out of Florida because his NIL deal fell through. Then, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller stops by to talk about Jim Harbaugh staying at Michigan, Rece’s Jaguar fandom, where he stands on Will Levis and CJ Stroud answering questions in the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are in the bowels of SoFi Stadium, looking back at a 65-7 Georgia win over TCU to repeat as national champions. They discuss the moment being too big for the Horned Frogs, Georgia’s vibe on the podium, Rece dropping TCU to No. 6 in his AP ballot and the Bulldogs being the favorite to three-peat. Later, they get into a way-too-early Top 25, where things stand with Alabama and their 2023 College Football Playoff teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and David Pollack discuss whether USC has a scheme or a talent problem on defense, Lincoln Riley’s job of building for the Big Ten, if this Rose Bowl win is a potential jumping off point for Penn State, Mississippi State winning for Mike Leach, if Max Duggan can replicate CJ Stroud’s performance against Georgia, how TCU can out-physical the Bulldogs and Stetson Bennett letting it rip in big moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss a remarkable day for college football, what they’ll remember about the College Football Playoff semifinals 10 years from now, Michigan’s ill-fated Philly Special, Stetson Bennett’s perfect fourth quarter, early thoughts on a Georgia-TCU title game, CJ Stroud’s epic performance in a losing effort, the end of an era for the Rose Bowl, Kevin Warren’s candidacy to run the Bears, and whether Jim Harbaugh and Ryan Day will stick around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss TCU against Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Max Duggan having some Jim Harbaugh in him, Michigan being in complete alignment and how the Horned Frog defense could trip up the Wolverines. Then, Bill Connelly stops by to talk about if TCU can force Michigan to throw the ball, if we’ll get a classic game in the semifinals, which team can pull an upset and Pete's bonus lookahead question. Plus, the guys pick the semifinals, and the rest of Saturday and Monday’s games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss an Elmo-themed Christmas in the Thamel household, Drake Maye deciding to stay at North Carolina, Maye speaking to offensive coordinator candidates, coaches being unwilling to police themselves, if Ohio State’s offensive line can contain Jalen Carter, how the Buckeyes respond after losing to Michigan, which playoff quarterback they’d pick to win two games, the main storyline of the playoff, how TCU stays in the game against the Wolverines, Rece’s trip to Buc-cee’s, and chili and cinnamon rolls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis returns from vacation alongside Pete Thamel to discuss their adopted Jaguars’ walk-off win over the Cowboys, five-star quarterback Dante Moore flipping from Oregon to UCLA, Bo Nix returning to Oregon, where all of this leaves DJ Uiagalelei, Rece’s first-time experiences with Mike Leach, which teams are motivated in the bowls leading up to Christmas, why you shouldn't trust Liberty against Toledo and Rece’s time in Disney World. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly lead off the podcast with the breaking news of Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker signing on as new NCAA president. The guys talk about whether the job matters anymore and the problems Baker is walking into. Then, they get into Navy firing Ken Niumatalolo and Purdue hiring Ryan Walters. Later, they discuss the early batch of bowl games including an exciting matchup between UTSA and Troy, Oregon State's uptick, and Jim Mora's UConn revival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and David Pollack discuss the passing of Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach. They get into how different Leach was from everyone else in his profession, how he ushered in a new era of football, what a Leach production meeting was like before calling game, Leach’s fascination with Whitey Bulger, his coaching tree and if he is the best “bad job” coach in college football history. Then, Greg McElroy stops by to talk about Leach’s belief in him as a high school quarterback, how Leach evaluated quarterbacks, Leach keeping McElroy on his toes after decommitting from Texas Tech, Leach’s commitment to his beliefs and his influence across the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss why Phil Longo leaving North Carolina for Wisconsin raised their eyebrows, Rece’s night at the National Football Foundation and his picture with Andrew Luck. Then, David Pollack hops on to talk about if he’d take Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the NFL draft today, when college football will finally be rid of the NCAA and his multiple Christmas trees. Later, Bill Connelly on whether Georgia caught a tough draw against Ohio State, his excitement for UTSA-Troy in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl, why Scott Satterfield thinks it’ll work in Cincinnati when it didn’t at Louisville, and Christmas biscuit recipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the four teams in the College Football Playoff semifinal, the committee going through a process of elimination for the final spot, the most interesting thing about the semis, why Ohio State is equipped to beat Georgia, Max Duggan gutting it out in a losing effort, what makes this Michigan team great, what an expanded playoff would look like this year, other bowl games they’re excited to watch and Colorado hiring Deion Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their conference championship picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss the case for hiring a football coach before hiring an athletic director, if Scott Frost will get another shot in the AAC, if Utah can score enough against USC, pucker power in the Big 12 title game, the MAC championship eluding Ohio, if Stetson Bennett IV can add an SEC title to his resume, if Tulane can punch a Cotton Bowl ticket, the Boise State turnaround, if anyone can talk themselves into Purdue and the consolation prize ACC title game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the lack of good options for the playoff if one of the top four loses this weekend, which of the top four is most likely to be upset, intense Irish interest in the quarterback market, Hudson Card entering the transfer portal, Hugh Freeze’s introduction at Auburn, what’s keeping Pete’s phone alive and if Deion Sanders would take the Colorado job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the possibility of the season going out with a whimper during championship weekend, if TCU’s playoff spot is secure even if it loses to Kansas State, Michigan squeezing the life out of Ohio State, Pete taking calls about the Auburn job on Saturday morning during the show, if producer Sara is happier now with Nebraska hiring Matt Rhule than when Scott Frost was hired, why Wisconsin pivoted from Jim Leonhard to Luke Fickell, South Carolina’s two week turnaround and a reflective edition of Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their Week 13 picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss essential items on their Thanksgiving dinner plate, the nastiness of the Egg Bowl, the best game on Friday, rooting for silliness in N.C. State-North Carolina, how the red zone will determine The Game, Auburn’s annual Iron Bowl crusade, Rece’s Nick Saban impression, seeing the path but not getting there with Notre Dame over USC, and Washington-Washington State to close the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the historic moment and the enormous stakes in Ohio State-Michigan, the synchronization of Michigan’s offensive line, if Marvin Harrison Jr. could be the top draft pick in 2024, Drew Henson getting heckled playing minor league baseball in Columbus, the path to victory for Michigan, Ryan Day not running the Lamborghini into the ditch, if Notre Dame could make things interesting against USC, Kansas extending Lance Leipold, swirling Lane Kiffin to Auburn rumors, what it would take to for Auburn to hire Cadillac Williams and where the lightning bolt will hit on Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the lack of space between the top teams in the sport, Caleb Williams’ sensational night, Max Duggan saving TCU again, the most stunning single game performance of the season, Oklahoma State falling off a cliff, watching games together on the flight home from Bozeman, Georgia lacking an aura of infallibility, if a potential one-loss Ohio State is a lock for the playoff, a good day for LSU and Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their Week 10 picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss who you should pick in your World Cup pool, how the Netherlands are Chizik-esque transition defense, a relatively concise way to figure out the Big Ten West, UConn exceeding projections, tension and pettiness with Iowa-Minnesota, the lack of defensive advantage in USC-UCLA and the beleaguered Houston Cougars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Pete’s birthday plans, faux outrage from LSU fans, nobody knowing when college basketball season starts, if they wrote off Clemson from College Football Playoff contention too early, where chaos may strike this weekend, Illinois matching up with Michigan, whether the bowl games should pay the players and Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel lead the show talking about the a former University of Virginia football player killing three current players on Sunday. This podcast was recorded was recorded early on Monday morning. The, the guys discuss Texas-TCU turning into a defensive struggle, the Horned Frogs answering the bell and winning a different way, the Longhorns’ offensive disappearing act, TCU responding to a different way of doing things under Sonny Dykes, if Michigan will be punished for its nonconference schedule, Illinois struggling, who’d they bet a nickel on to win the Pac-12 championship game and if that team will make the playoff, College GameDay heading to Bozeman, and the coldest game they’ve ever covered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their Week 10 picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss the Bill Connelly System, why the top four teams will be unhappy in the expanded playoff, Purdue falling apart, Alabama lacking an edge on the road, Tulane’s defensive turnaround, Iowa and Wisconsin finding a rhythm, transfer quarterbacks galore in Oregon-Washington, Baylor hitting its stride, the last game they’d put money on this week, Rece’s love for Drake Maye, and interesting subplots in TCU-Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Pete’s absence from Monday’s show, Rece commanding the pulpit, the latest batch of College Football Playoff rankings, if the CFP will have its first semifinal rematch, how Rece irked Tennessee fans, Jalen Carter swallowing linemen whole, the numbers’ infatuation with Texas, a hypothetical line for TCU-Oregon at a neutral site, what Liberty beating Arkansas does for Hugh Freeze and if it’s too early for Christmas coffee cups at Dunkin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis rides solo today with Pete Thamel ailing on the sidelines. Rece discusses his feeling riding into Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Georgia putting Tennessee in its place, Stetson Bennett IV being Georgia’s heartbeat, Brian Kelly’s official adoption by the LSU fam-uh-lee, the interesting dynamic and power structure in the SEC, Alabama and Clemson looking stale, and TCU succeeding after addressing its own staleness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their Week 10 picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss a new position for Brock Bowers on the depth chart, a weeknight edition of Pac-12 After Dark, how many points are needed to win between Tennessee and Georgia, why Bill is mad at the College Football Playoff committee, if LSU can stay on schedule, a pivotal point in Texas’ season, the DJU coda game, why Clemson shouldn’t be in the top four, Tulane being in an expanded CFP and if some of the guys on the podcast hate fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Tennessee at No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff ranking, if an SEC champion could miss the playoff, when Rece first sees the rankings, Pete’s Tuesday night watching MACtion, Illinois’ path to the playoff, how the Volunteers will line up against Brock Bowers, a vote of confidence in Tennessee’s offense against Georgia defense from coaches around the sport, if they’re just picking at Georgia’s flaws and a huge test for Jayden Daniels against Alabama’s defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Auburn relieving Bryan Harsin of his head coaching duties, where fits among great moments in Auburn dysfunction, pervasive issues within the program, how the school treated Harsin during the offseason, an Alabama obsession causing problems, candidates for the job, Rece’s advice for Lane Kiffin, needing a little back-slap to make it on the Plains and which school should send a moving truck to pick up Harsin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel recap their time at Jackson State and share the impact of the changes Deion Sanders has made. Then, they break down the biggest news in college football including the Michigan-Michigan State brawl in the Big House and the challenges facing Mel Tucker moving forward. Next, they discuss Steve Sarkisian’s public apology to Longhorn nation and Hypnotoad strikes again. Later, they discuss the new media deal for the Big 12 and share their predictions of who the committee will rank as the number one team in college football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their Week 9 picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss when Bill’s formula becomes his gut, if Ohio State is weakness free, a possible low scoring slobber-knocker in the Carrier Dome, Adrian Martinez earning everyone’s trust, Cincinnati’s 19-game AAC winning streak and a massive test for Tennessee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Pete turning off Rece’s ranking show to watch Netflix, what they’re excited to see in Jackson this weekend, Pete’s side trip to Hattiesburg for a Thursday night game, if Penn State will test Ohio State’s defense, an interesting moment in time for Michigan State, the contrast in pace between Kentucky and Tennessee, South Carolina’s strong start and more on the messes at Texas A&M and Miami. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel look back at Week 8 to discuss if Oregon could sneak back into the College Football Playoff, the Rece Davis Principle, their favorite part of the weekend in Eugene, Bo Nix’s redemption arc, Clemson’s quarterback change, Texas A&M needing a jackhammer and a shovel, GameDay heading to Jackson State, when Deion Sanders could make the jump to a Power 5 job, and Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly make their Week 8 picks in the Race for the Ribeye and discuss Bill dragging everyone into the mud with his picks, inclusion vs. meritocracy with the College Football Playoff, if Syracuse can move the ball on Clemson, Ole Miss’ ham-and-egg start, Oregon’s upswing, how much they trust Texas, the collection of tailbacks in Penn State-Minnesota, sticking with preseason hunches, and TCU’s winning streak against ranked teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss an issue that Rece foresees with expansion coming to the College Football Playoff, if Syracuse could be frisky in Death Valley, the differences between playing at Oregon and Auburn, most likely to wear a toga on set and if they're adjusting their methods to making picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss a historic day in Knoxville with Tennessee toppling Alabama, the Volunteers’ path to the playoff, advantage the crowd supplied the home team at Neyland, Rece and Pete’s great escape from the stadium, their differing stances on Tennessee’s goalpost GoFundMe, TCU earning a seat at the playoff table, Oregon finding its identity, Michigan dominating Penn State, Rece’s thoughts on the state of the Crimson Tide, their biggest takeaways from the weekend and Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly look ahead to Week 7 and make their picks in this edition of the Race For The Ribeye. The guys discuss Bill issuing apologies for disrespect the SP+ projected, James Franklin’s history in Ann Arbor, this weekend's atmosphere in Rocky Top, a huge game in the Big 12 between Oklahoma State and TCU, Dino Babers drastically changing the Syracuse’s style of play, if Florida State can keep it close against Clemson, a pivotal point in the season for USC and Utah, and their locks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the interesting moment in time for Ohio State, their eagerness to see Michigan against a top opponent, the overlooked ranked matchup of the weekend, predictions for the second half of the season, what we’ll learn after watching USC-Utah, Rece texting Bill Walton about the Grateful Dead and a Volunteer fan rapping about the Tide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel recap the weekend's biggest games, discuss the future of Kansas, and give an injury update on Jalon Daniels. Then, they discuss Texas going toe-to-toe with other SEC teams and the new dimeson that Quinn Ewers is unlocking for Texas. Next, they share how Tennessee's win over LSU proves they are a legitimate contender in the SEC. Plus, they discuss the electric atmosphere for the rivalry game between Tennessee and Alabama next week. Later, Rece and Pete give their dumb loses more than smart wins pick of the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly look ahead to Week 6 and make their picks. The guys discuss Bill moonlighting as a soccer writer, if they’d think differently of LSU if the Tigers won in Week 1, TCU’s undefeated College GameDay record, where to find the best barbecue on the way to Lawrence, Oklahoma’s vulnerability to the big play, believing in UCLA, N.C. State’s disappointing offense and if they’re over the Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by David Pollack to discuss David’s new high-speed internet, David’s best Georgia-Auburn story, the Bulldogs’ youth and immaturity, what Alabama’s offense will look like if Bryce Young doesn’t play, Jimbo Fisher needing to evolve offensively, baseless speculation about who Fisher should hire as offensive coordinator, if Kansas’ undefeated season ends on Saturday, and TCU’s defense. Then, the guys lookahead to pivotal games this weekend for Notre Dame, Miami and Arkansas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Wisconsin dumping Paul Chryst after getting embarrassed by Bret Bielema, the unrealistic expectations placed on Graham Mertz, if Jim Leonhard is a lock to lose the interim tag, Colorado entering the coaching market, Texas A&M’s getting outscored in its own red zone, GameDay heading to Lawerence, Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins and Rece picks an NFL team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Bill Connelly to pick this week’s games and the results show a shocking twist of events. Then, they analyze what to expect with the NC State - Clemson matchup. Plus, they discuss how Alabama struggling on the road is officially a thing, but lest we forget Alabama has Bryce Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss key matchups of the week, if Florida can survive the SEC gauntlet of talent, and how weather will impact this week’s games. Then, former Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall joins to break down the NC State - Clemson matchup, reveals why he left coaching, and what power level a program would need to be to get back in the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel give their weekend bullet points breaking down what went wrong with Miami against Middle Tennessee, and Adrian Martinez’s breakout performance against Oklahoma. Then, they discuss the biggest upset of the day being the Missouri fumble against Auburn showing that dumb loses more than smart wins. Then, they break down the crazy A&M and Arkansas game, and the defeated Sam Pittman’s post-game press conference. Next, what was Rece’s biggest miss calculation in his fight with David Pollack about Clemson and Wake Forest? Plus, they discuss the emotional gauntlet of a season Appalachian State is having. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly look ahead to Week 4 and make their picks. The guys discuss Rece being hung up on last week’s Super Dog pick, their lack of conviction in Iowa State-Baylor, the “ESPN Hates My Favorite Team" game, if Tennessee can excise the demons against the Gators, the Fighting’ Flecks, Bo Nix running in a Palouse fog, Arkansas’ shaky pass defense, Bill’s Barry Odom jersey and USC’s turnover luck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss if Tennessee can turn the corner this week against Florida, previewing the Pac-12 road traps matchups, the impact of pucker power, and discussing Drake Maye’s sincere apology to NC State. Then, Dan Mullen joins Rece and Pete to discuss what separates playing Knoxville compared to other places in the SEC, the most impolite fanbases, the differences in quarterback development, and Georgia’s performance this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss their time in Boone, Rece signing a person’s face, Luke Combs’ professional beer chug, Appalachian State’s “Big Ben” moment, Arizona State firing Herm Edwards, candidates for the job in Tempe, Washington pushing around Michigan State, their most impressive teams for the weekend, bandwagons that could get shaky and Clemson skepticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly are loading up on games and picking through the Week 3 slate. They preview Miami-Texas A&M, BYU-Oregon, Mississippi State-LSU, Oklahoma-Nebraska, Penn State-Auburn, Michigan State-Washington, Texas Tech-N.C. State, UTSA-Texas and Kansas-Houston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Gene Wojciechowski to discuss Gene’s GameDay story on what it’s actually like for coaches when they’re fired, why coaches wanted to talk to him about it, the psyche of head coaches, and the Tennessee Volunteers. Then, Rece and Pete talk about BYU attempting to build its College Football Playoff resume, the difficulties Texas could face against UTSA, praising Air Force, Kansas knocking off West Virginia and games that sound better than they’ll actually be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Nebraska firing Scott Frost, if the Cornhuskers can turn this very early firing into an advantage, candidates for the job in Lincoln, offensive struggles dooming Notre Dame to a loss against Marshall, Appalachian State winning in College Station and stealing College GameDay from the Aggies, Chase Brice finding a home in Boone, and if Texas should get a participation trophy for narrowly losing to Alabama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly start the show discussing which other teams Stetson Bennett could start for, Pat McAfee joining College GameDay, Quinn Ewers having his Porsche towed and Nick Saban’s elite record in “openers.” Then, the race for the ribeye continues with Week 2 picks, including Alabama-Texas, Tennessee-Pitt, Iowa-Iowa State, Florida-Kentucky, Oregon State-Fresno State and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel talk to David Pollack on the way to football practice about the most "disturbing" thing he saw rewatching Clemson, when it will be safe to start Cade Klubnick, other teams copying Notre Dame’s defensive game plan against Ohio State, which games they’re eyeing on Saturday and an Anthony Richardson encore. Then, Rece and Pete discuss the latest on Michigan’s belabored quarterback point, West Virginia in need of a sign of progress, Oregon State rolling Boise State, bad Mike Leach impressions, Baylor-BYU, N.C. State not perpetuating its own stereotype, and Rece’s Saturday that will span from Austin to Palo Alto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss how LSU-Florida State perfectly encapsulated the sport, Iowa relying on safeties to beat South Dakota State, Rece’s reoccurring dream that he can’t get to the GameDay set, Appalachian State’s botched two-point conversion, Stetson Bennett’s stellar performance, which Pac-12 loses were disqualifying for the College Football Playoff, why Georgia should be No. 1, the evolving Buckeyes, Oregon State thumping Boise State and a brand new Arizona team winning in Week 1. Plus, who was the real MVP while the GameDay crew was in Columbus? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly start the show discussing Rece eating Italian food with his hands, Connecticut pizza, the latest on conferences jockeying for TV contracts, the importance of the late TV windows and the odds we see an expanded playoff in the near future. Then, the Race for the Ribeye revs up in week one as the guys pick Illinois-Indiana, Georgia-Oregon, Cincinnati-Arkansas, Utah-Florida and Notre Dame-Ohio State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and Rece Davis discuss Sam Pittman’s interesting analogy for Cincinnati, what to expect from the post-playoff Bearcats, if Florida and Arkansas could both lose their home openers, and Rece piloting the Stetson Bennett VI bandwagon. Then, David Pollack drops by and the guys get into Georgia’s wide receiver room, if Ladd McConkey is related to Phil McConkey, David’s first Friday night lights experience on the sidelines, Pete’s portal pet peeve and Jim Harbaugh attempting to split the baby. Later, Rece and Pete pick the Thursday night games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Nebraska finding a new way to lose, the curse of Bo Pelini, Michigan’s interesting plan to quell any quarterback drama, the time a West Virginia fan sent Mark May $500 in pennies, Rece’s trade value, an offseason of robust hype for Tennessee, lobbying for free cookies, what to expect from Wake Forest with Mitch Griffith, and Auburn and Texas A&M name their starting quarterbacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel look ahead to Week 0 and day dream about their ideal game-watching setups. Then, Bill Connelly joins the show to picks games with steaks on the line. The guys discuss their philosophies for picking games, tight games in Hawaii favoring Hawaii, an unfavorable outlook for Vanderbilt, Illinois’ defense, and if Nebraska will shed its unlucky streak or Pat Fitzgerald will celebrate a win with a Guinness. Plus, Rece’s Big Ten West champion, too much UConn talk and who’s been to Ireland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel kick off the inaugural episode of the College GameDay podcast by talking about Nick Saban’s contract extension through 2030 and what they remember from Alabama’s coaching search from 2007. Then David Pollack stops by to discuss Rich Rodriguez battling spies, Rece’s AP Top 25 ballot, if Utah can start the season strong, Texas A&M’s talent level, USC being a test case for the new era of the sport, if Rece is ignoring the Group of Five, the learning curve for Marcus Freeman, what would induce more conference realignment in the short term and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis and Senior Writer Pete Thamel, as well as many of GameDay’s key analysts and contributors, as they discuss and debate the biggest stories and break down the biggest games in college football, while also leaning into the key basketball moments and storylines as well. With episodes Mondays/Wednesday/Fridays in the fall, and a year-round weekly presence this is the place to be for the college sports fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices