Manny Diaz Talks Duke's QB, Rivalry with UNC & the CFP Path Ahead

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel explore the potential future of the College Football Playoff format heading into 2026. They delve into the possibility of expanding to a 16-team playoff and discuss the SEC’s openness to participating in a broader format. Also on the pod, Rece Davis sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Dabo Swinney and Bill Belichick. Together, they reflect on the evolving landscape of NCAA football, sharing insights into their coaching philosophies, key influences, and distinctive coaching styles. The conversation also highlights how both coaches are adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of the college football world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Duke head coach Manny Diaz! From detailing his aggressive portal strategy to landing quarterback Darian Mensah, to navigating a tough schedule and fueling the storied UNC rivalry, Diaz lays out his blueprint for building a winning culture. He speaks candidly about the trait he sees in championship teams, the rising support for Duke football, and even offers advice to his former colleagues at ESPN.   0:00 - Manny Diaz on Duke's competitive advantage 3:35 - Manny Diaz talks portal strategy and QB Darian Mensah 13:35 - Duke's demanding schedule 19:56 - The trait that leads to wins 24:12 - Manny Diaz on the support for Duke football 28:01 - The Duke-North Carolina rivalry 32:26 - Manny Diaz shares some advice to those at ESPN 37:53 - Duke's potential pathway to the CFP 40:37 - 16-team CFP coming in 2026? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel dive into the spotlight surrounding Bill Belichick, including his one-hour sitdown with Rece and Dabo Swinney. Rece unpacks the dynamic between the two coaches, Belichick’s presence at the ACC meetings, and their deep football talk—from rugby punts to NFL minds in the college game. Pete shares his latest scouting notes on rising college football talent, while the duo also hits on Miami’s QB outlook, the viability of a new rules committee, and one wild idea: could College GameDay actually end up at the Vatican?  0:00 - Belichick looms large at ACC meetings 2:25 - Belichick and Dabo sit down for one-hour interview 6:35 - Belichick and UNC: What’s real, what’s rumor? 13:10 - The moment Belichick called himself a rookie 16:10 - Belichick and Dabo talk ball 24:03 - Latest on Miami QB Carson Beck 25:22 - On Pete’s radar: College football prospects 33:55 - A new committee to enforce rules - Will it works? 43:27 - Get College GameDay to the Vatican? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel kick things off with the latest on Michigan’s Sherrone Moore, who’s expected to serve a two-game suspension. Then they zoom out to tackle a pressing question across college football: are schools really spending $35 to $40 million on their rosters? Later, Rich Rodriguez joins the show to reflect on his impact on the modern offense, his return to West Virginia, and the what-if scenario involving Terrelle Pryor. 0:00 - Two-game ban expected for Michigan coach Sherrone Moore 10:21 - Are schools really spending $35M - $40M on their rosters? 15:36 - Jared Curtis, top 2026 quarterback, commits to Georgia 21:06 - Rich Rod on his role in offensive evolution 26:14 - Rich Rod on some notable WVU staff faces 29:40 - Rich Rod on the journey back to West Virginia 33:29 - Could Terrelle Pryor have been a mountaineer? 41:09 - Rich Rod on Pat McAfee's career at WVU 44:15 - Rich Rod looks towards next season's Backyard Brawl rivalry game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down the biggest moments from the NFL Draft—both on camera and behind the scenes. Then they're joined by Ohio State’s national championship-winning head coach Ryan Day, who gives a glimpse into life beyond the sidelines: from his ties to Jimmy Fallon and Adam Sandler, to watching his players go pro, to navigating recruiting as a dad alongside his son. He also weighs in on Ohio State’s looming quarterback battle and what to expect in their high-stakes opener against Texas.   0:00 - What happened off-air at the NFL draft 6:23 - Rece Davis' and Mel Kiper's heated exchange on Shedeur Sanders 16:36 - Ryan Day on watching his players get drafted 25:04 - Ryan Day shares his ties to Jimmy Fallon and Adam Sandler 28:40 - Ryan Day gives a glimpse of his recruiting pitch 30:24 - How Ryan Day coaches players making big NIL money 35:22 - Why Ryan Day favors one transfer portal window 40:21 - Ryan Day on what it's like recruiting with his son 43:02 - Who will be the Buckeyes' starting QB? 44:08 - How will Ohio State vs Texas in week one play out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down the lingering questions surrounding Nico Iamaleava—did he leave Tennessee too soon, prioritizing financial opportunity over development? Is UCLA truly committed to him? And can he work his way into future NFL Draft conversations? Then, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and Insider Matt Miller joins to spotlight the player everyone’s talking about: Jalon Walker. He also weighs in on how Travis Hunter’s game will translate to the NFL and where Shedeur Sanders might land if he isn’t taken at No. 3. To close the show, the guys pay tribute to Lee Corso and his legendary 38-year run on College GameDay.   0:00 - Nico Iamaleava should've prioritized development 9:26 - Will Nico make it into NFL draft conversations? 12:55 - How committed is UCLA to Nico? 17:06 - Why NFL draft Day 3 matters 20:29 - The NFL draft heats up at pick number… 26:55 - Why everyone's favorite player at the NFL draft is Jalon Walker 30:41 - Which part of Travis Hunter's game will be used in the NFL? 32:07 - If Shedeur Sanders doesn't get picked at No. 3, when will he go? 36:02 - Are the Titans making a mistake taking Cam Ward at No. 1? 46:28 - Unforgettable Lee Corso moments before he retires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and ESPN National Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill dive into the ongoing saga of Nico Iamaleava — from his NIL-first approach in high school to the unraveling of his relationship with Tennessee. They explore the big question: where does Nico go next — North Carolina? UCLA? Later, ESPN senior writer Heather Dinich joins to discuss who should be held accountable for creating a sustainable framework for player compensation. Wrapping up the episode, ESPN College Football Reporter Dave Wilson checks in from Texas to reflect on the legacy of RC Slocum at Texas A&M — a coach who, despite being fired, continues to stand by the Aggies.   0:00 - Former Cal RB Jaydn Ott transfers to Oklahoma 3:16 - Unraveling the Nico Iamaleava saga 5:14 - No surprise now, Nico prioritized NIL during high school recruitment 7:23 - Is Nico a fit for Belichick at North Carolina? 10:37 - UCLA to take a swing and get Nico? 17:28 - Is Nico grown enough to call the shots? 23:30 - Heather Dinich's sleeper picks - Florida & Illinois! 25:15 - The coach who shaped Texas A&M: RC Slocum 28:52 - RC Slocum was fired but still roots for the Aggies 34:11 - Why can't the Aggies win consistently? 38:21 - How far will Mike Elko take Texas A&M this year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ ranking, discuss the rise of Arch Manning as he takes the reins at Texas. Will the fan love last—or is he destined for backlash, like other rising stars? The crew also breaks down this season’s elite quarterback contenders, asking: who’s in line for the QB1 crown—Penn State’s Drew Allar or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier? Meanwhile, Ohio State and Purdue are in flux, with sweeping roster and staff overhauls underway. With the transfer portal about to swing open, both programs are ready to steady their ships this offseason.   0:00 - Texas QB Arch Manning to be the next college football villain? 11:52 - Early preseason No. 1 team pick: Clemson 17:41 - Penn State QB Drew Allar on track for No. 1 spot in 2026 NFL Draft? 20:52 - Ohio State's major roster and staff changes 31:02 - New coach Barry Odom begins Purdue rebuild 38:08 - Spring buzz on Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons 39:58 - Spring buzz on Oklahoma coach Brent Venables 40:49 - Spring buzz on Alabama's unknown starting quarterback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss the final possession of the NCAA title game - How Florida, chaotic and unpolished throughout the tournament, leaned on depth, resilience, and opportunity to survive Houston’s relentless pressure.  0:00 - How the NCAA title game unfolded 3:55 - Todd Golden vs Kelvin Sampson 6:19 - Is Florida a new blue blood hoops school? 7:16 - Florida navigates season under Title IX probe 9:00 - All that stood between Houston and the title 11:19 - A closer look at the last four possessions 13:26 - Raw postgame images from each locker room 19:35 - This Final Four is what the tourney deserved 21:08 - Todd Golden is a rising star, has an analytics edge 24:57 - Walter Clayton Jr: Final Four Most Outstanding Player 27:29 - College hoops over NBA - A growing trend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down a defining week for Stanford football. The program hired Frank Reich, signaling a clear embrace of an NFL-style identity—but that move raises big questions, especially around recruiting and whether Andrew Luck, now Stanford’s general manager, can convince Reich to stay beyond one season. If he can’t, then who steps in next? Out in Colorado, Deion Sanders grabs headlines with a $54 million extension. The next big question: Can he keep the Buffaloes competitive in the Big 12? 1:58 - Stanford hires Frank Reich, embraces NFL identity 6:03 - Stanford's recruiting challenge 8:25 - Reich's historic comeback game with Maryland Terrapins 10:23 - How many schools will adopt the GM model? 13:53 - Stanford's split with Troy Taylor was unavoidable 16:10 - Stanford's next coach: Who is a good fit? 23:16 - Deion Sanders lands $54 million extension 30:51 - The art and chaos of picking a perfect bracket 35:43 - The dread and pain of a game-turning rewrite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices