Looking ahead to SEC Week 1 ; Predicting headlines and big outcomes
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down this year’s SEC Media Days, where the spotlight was bright, but the drama was dull compared to the heat of the 1990s. The real fireworks may be coming in Week 1. With heavyweight matchups like Texas–Ohio State and LSU–Clemson on deck, the guys predict how the headlines might read when the dust settles. Plus, ESPN’s Bill Connelly drops by to share insights from 'Forward Progress', a new must-read guide for every college football fan.
1:00 - SEC media days: Big stage, no heat
3:26 - SEC media days in the 1990s: Plenty of unfiltered feuds
13:02 - Is Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons an SEC game-changer?
19:26 - Is the SEC the deepest conference?
24:29 - Forecasting big outcomes for Week 1
31:36 - Texas vs Ohio State: Potential headlines
37:31 - Alabama vs Florida State: Potential headlines
38:31 - LSU vs Clemson: Potential headlines
42:26 - Steve Sarkisian: What you might not know
43:49 - Kenny Dillingham: What you might not know
46:05 - The go-to college football guide: Forward Progress
50:09 - CFP or the regular season: What's better?
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1:08:54
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1:08:54
Who’s the Real Big 12 Favorite? The GameDay Pod Is Calling It Now
Pete Thamel and ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel dig into the latest from Big 12 Media Days, where one of the biggest headlines is the conference’s decision to scrap its preseason poll. Why did they do it? In response, the guys put together a poll of their own, predicting who will rise, fall, and crash the conference title race. Then they turn to Texas Tech’s aggressive offseason spending: will the Red Raiders’ high-stakes strategy pay off, and is this the new blueprint for building a contender?
1:15 - Why did the Big 12 cancel its preseason poll?
3:47 - Utah and Arizona State to win the Big 12?
6:54 - Big 12 sleepers: Cincinnati and Iowa State
10:09 - Oklahoma State and Arizona to finish last in Big 12?
13:45 - Texas Tech big money roster moves
27:11 - Colorado QB battle: Who will lead the Buffs?
31:41 - UCF Scott Frost: Nebraska was not the right job
40:13 - Is Hugh Freeze playing too much golf?
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53:30
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53:30
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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1:00:11
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1:00:11
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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1:08:09
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1:08:09
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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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!