Cignetti & Cristobal Sit-down Interview: National Championship Preview

Introducing the latest investigative series from ESPN and 30 for 30 Podcasts, “Murder at The U.” A college football star on the brink of NFL greatness is brazenly executed steps from campus. The case almost goes cold until a team of ESPN reporters start digging… and find a side of the victim he didn’t want people to know. To catch new episodes early, follow “30 for 30 Podcasts” for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel break down what they thought of the White House roundtable, specifically which ideas made sense, where they found common ground, and where they disagree. They also challenged some of the narratives including the idea that players are being left behind academically and that college sports has a revenue problem, arguing instead the real issue is spending. Then, a College Football Final reunion. Former ESPN analyst Mark May joins Rece to revisit his years alongside Lou Holtz, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, spirited (but respectful) debates, and the humor and heart that define Holtz both on and off camera. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - White House roundtable: What made sense? 5:00 - Are players being left behind academically? 11:41 - Was the old college football system really better? 19:01 - Executive order coming soon: What will be in it? 23:24 - College sports’ big problem is spending, not revenue 30:13 - ESPN’s College Football Final reunion: Mark May joins Rece Davis to talk Lou Holtz 35:09 - Mark May on his civil debates with Lou Holtz 37:49 - Mark May on Lou Holtz’s acting chops 39:00 - ESPN’s Final Verdict origin story 44:29 - Would Lou Holtz thrive in the modern game? 48:27 - Lou Holtz hated drinking …water? 50:30 - Lou Holtz’s go-to line was… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down whether college basketball is in the middle of a resurgence, and what that momentum could mean for college football. They examine whether Florida basketball can realistically match the standard set by Florida Gators football and discuss what football should learn from both the rise and missteps of college hoops. Plus, the guys tackle whether a White House roundtable can actually fit college sports. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Is college hoops making gains on college football? 6:51 - Can Florida Gators basketball match the school’s football standard? 13:03 - What college football can learn from college basketball 22:39 - Tension between Miami (Ohio) vs Auburn 27:16 - Why NCAA Tournament expansion is a bad idea 41:26 - Will the White House roundtable fix college sports? 44:59 - WH roundtable: The biggest issue about this meeting 52:18 - WH roundtable: The clearest path to a solution is… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down why schools are playing it safe with nonconference scheduling, how CFP panic is shaping those decisions, and whether a targeting rule change could be coming. The guys also preview a historic quarterback class to watch next season. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Pete’s snowstorm side quest 4:35 - Schools fear big nonconference games? 9:52 - CFP panic and scheduling safer games 13:58 - How to become an elite team 17:55 - Give the fans what they want 23:31 - Hockey vs college football 28:22 - Targeting rule change coming 38:03 - The historic QB class to watch next year 41:59 - The top dual-threat QB is… 44:48 - The top QB with a size advantage is… 48:00 - The top QB with a high growth curve is… 50:58 - The top QB who’s an anomaly is… 54:22 - Which QBs will elevate this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel discuss the changing landscape of college sports. They break down Sacramento State’s $18M move to the MAC, North Dakota State’s jump to the Mountain West, and whether moving up a conference is really worth it. They also discuss whether Nebraska truly belongs in the Big Ten or Big 12. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Sacramento St to MAC for $18M 3:48 - North Dakota State going to FBS, headed to MWC 13:20 - Is moving up a conference actually worth it? 15:37 - Where does Nebraska belong? The Big Ten or Big 12? 21:12 - Why championships affect a school’s identity 27:16 - Should some sports be played regionally? 31:40 - Do all conference games really matter? 39:48 - Should schools get to control their own schedules? 46:08 - Miami University coach vows to wear a Speedo if… 53:53 - Next year: What to do when football and Valentine’s Day collide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel discuss the Super Bowl through a college football lens, including how big games are covered, Sam Darnold being the first USC QB to start the Super Bowl, and more. They also zoom out to the bigger picture in college football: the postseason calendar colliding with the NFL. How late is too late for the National Championship? 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - The Super Bowl from a college football reporter’s POV 3:52 - The formula for covering a big game 9:54 - USC’s Sam Darnold and other weekend storylines 13:35 - College football and NFL postseason dates colliding 17:09 - Should college football challenge the NFL more? 23:09 - Ready for a late National Championship on January 25, 2027? 29:58 - Sit a QB to fix the postseason calendar? 37:08 - Expand the CFP to 24 to fix the postseason calendar? 51:54 - Duke vs UNC …and Jordan Hudson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down the rapidly changing football landscape, starting with eligibility rules. They ask, who actually has the power to fix them? They dig into whether players should be allowed to move between the pros and college, break down potential playoff tweaks and close with some vintage Lou Holtz stories. 0:00 – Welcome 0:30 - Vols QB files lawsuit for extra season 3:22 - What should college eligibility rules be? 6:30 - Is it okay for players to move between the pros and college? 8:54 - Why not go pro first, then play in college? 13:53 - The disconnect between Congress and college 18:53 - Should NCAA be leading reform as opposed to Congress? 23:37 - NFL & NBA Draft to get undermined? 38:57 - August Repercussions: Colleges to start mining NFL waiver wires? 42:49 - What’s changing in the 12-team playoff? 52:05 - Vintage Lou Holtz stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s tampering accusations and why his public callout is different from others. They also dive into the wave of lawsuits sweeping across college sports, Charles Bediako’s jump from the G League to the SEC, whether declaring for the NBA Draft should end a college career, and the latest on Darian Mensah amid his lawsuit with Duke. What could happen with that and where will he ultimately land? 0:00 – Welcome 0:30 - The latest on who’s suing who 2:17 - UNLV once signed a player from juvenile detention? 11:00 - Big joke there are unenforceable deals 17:22 - What’s the Dabo vs. Ole Miss tampering fight? 21:14 - Why Dabo calling out tampering is a big deal 36:30 - Indiana after the title run 42:30 - Charles Bediako goes from G League to hooping in the SEC 47:06 - Should declaring for the NBA Draft end a college career? 55:02 - Why lawmakers shouldn’t fix everything, just a few rules 59:16 - Darian Mensah to go to Miami amid his Duke lawsuit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, & Dan Wetzel break down the biggest moments from the National Championship, including the underthrown pass that turned into the game-sealing interception, the hits that left both QBs taking shots all night, and what Indiana’s rise means for the future of the sport. 0:00 - Welcome 0:36 - Top National Championship moments 3:23 - Curt Cignetti’s huge 4th-and-5 call from the red zone 8:43 - Details on Miami’s underthrown pass that led to a game-sealing interception 10:48 - How the QBs were rocked in a very physical game 14:06 - Indiana’s rebuild, the closest comps are… 19:04 - Indiana’s National Championship win is proof that depth no longer matters? 25:13 - Can Indiana keep it rolling into next season and beyond? 27:05 - Indiana to take the No. 1 spot in the next preseason poll? 34:12 - Miami’s outlooking for next season 37:55 - In the postseason, is the north taking over? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis sits down with Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship to talk about how each quarterback evolved this season, the adversity that shaped their teams, and what they’re expecting when they take the field Monday night. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Coaches get honest about their demeanors 4:03 - How to achieve program alignment 8:12 - How Carson Beck won the locker room 9:14 - What’s the key to winning the game? 10:05 - The season-turning moment for each coach 14:35 - The one question you’d ask the other coach is… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices