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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel break down the SEC’s push to have its grueling schedule factor more heavily into the College Football Playoff. They dive into whether the new 5+11 format truly rewards the best teams, especially with strength of schedule still a murky metric. The duo also weighs in on the uncertain future of the USC–Notre Dame rivalry, growing frustration from Ohio State fans over noon kickoffs, and Michigan’s looming NCAA meeting in the Connor Stalions case. Then, Alabama star Ryan Williams joins the show to talk EA SPORTS College Football 26, training with DeVonta Smith, and his bond with coach Kalen DeBoer. 04:33 - SEC gauntlet schedule deserves CFP reform 07:15 - Will the CFP 5 + 11 playoff format deliver? 16:21 - The State of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry 18:06 - Why USC-Notre Dame Matters in 2025 20:28 - Ohio State fans are over Noon kickoffs 28:49 - Michigan Connor Stalions update 37:38 - Alabama’s Ryan Williams CFB 26 cover star 39:35 - Inside Ryan Williams CFB 26 cover shoot 44:28 - Ryan Williams on training with DeVonta Smith 55:22 - Ryan Williams interview reaction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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