CFP First Round Takeaways: What We Learned About Alabama, Miami & More

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down the defining moments from the first round of the College Football Playoff. They examine how Alabama capitalized on Oklahoma’s mistakes, question Texas A&M’s late-game decisions against Miami, and assess why the Group of Five teams came up short. Then they wrap the conversation with the latest on Michigan’s pursuit of Kalen DeBoer. 0:00 - Welcome 1:00 - Lasers, flyovers, 50 Cent & a purple sunset 2:15 - Why can’t there be more CFP home games? 4:30 - How the Rose Bowl sunset affects the kickoff time 10:30 - A possible fix to making bowl games matter 12:48 - Guess the price of a CFP hotel stay 22:27 - Alabama cashes in, Oklahoma misses chances 30:10 - What’s with Ryan Williams’ production drop-off? 33:31 - Should Texas A&M have run Marcel Reed at the end? 38:17 - Miami secures a program-defining win 45:38 - Why the Group of Five teams fell short 56:43 - Update: Michigan’s pursuit of Kalen DeBoer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel take a deep dive into Michigan’s current situation, debate whether Kalen DeBoer is a realistic option, and explore why Kenny Dillingham could be an ahead-of-the-curve hire. Then, the guys shift to College Football Playoff Round 1 previews before closing with a conversation about the Heisman standard and what that honor truly represents. 0:00 - Welcome 0:31 - Where do things stand with Michigan? 3:55 - Does Kalen DeBoer go to Michigan? 13:08 - Michigan vs Alabama: Coaching culture 15:43 - Michigan vs Alabama: Conference factor 21:12 - Who’s next, if a star coach isn’t available? 26:06 - Does Kenny Dillingham go to Michigan? 35:13 - Why Kenny Dillingham could put Michigan ahead 41:33 - CFP Round 1 preview: Alabama vs Oklahoma 49:46 - CFP Round 1 preview: Miami vs Texas A&M 58:17 - CFP Round 1 preview: Tulane vs Ole Miss 1:03:20 - CFP Round 1 preview: James Madison vs Oregon 1:09:07 - Upholding the Heisman standard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down a massive day in college football as the final CFP rankings drop and the playoff bracket is officially set. The guys examine why Notre Dame fell short of the CFP, Curt Cignetti’s two-year run, and the toughest corner of the CFP bracket. They also ask, is this the greatest CFP field we’ve ever seen? 0:00 - Welcome 0:34 - The final CFP rankings are in 5:39 - Time to rethink weekly rankings? 13:17 - Why the CFP should hold off on expansion 17:48 - Why conference realignment is the root problem 20:15 - Why Notre Dame fell short of the CFP 24:05 - The pros & cons of conference title games 40:13 - Curt Cignetti’s 2-year run is the best in the sport? 44:14 - The toughest corner of the CFP bracket is… 48:58 - Is this the greatest CFP bracket yet? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down the latest CFP rankings. They dig into what the College Football Playoff committee said about Alabama, whether the ACC can squeeze a team into the CFP, and Notre Dame’s path to a national title. Plus, a full slate of previews and a reminder that Jim Valvano’s iconic speech airs tonight on ESPN at 7 PM ET. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Why did Alabama move up one spot? 3:26 - CFP rankings put ACC in tough spot 5:06 - Miami CFP hopes are still alive 11:43 - Notre Dame’s pathway to a national title 22:09 - Leagues battling for limited spots 28:09 - Should the committee sharpen its message? 34:23 - How much does the Big Ten title game matter? 46:57 - Preview: Jim Valvano’s iconic speech airs tonight 7P ET 47:55 - Preview: Georgia vs Alabama 50:07 - Preview: Indiana vs Ohio St 54:49 - Preview: BYU vs Texas Tech 57:53 - Preview: Duke vs Virginia 1:01:54 - Preview: North Texas vs Tulane 1:04:47 - Preview: Troy vs James Madison 1:07:03 - Preview: UNLV vs Boise St Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel dive into Lane Kiffin’s wild 6-week decision saga and what it means for Ole Miss after he chose career over a CFP run. They also break down whether Pete Golding is the right fit to take over Ole Miss’ program. Then the guys tackle the ACC title game controversy, should Miami have made it, and debate whether Texas is being unfairly punished for scheduling Ohio State. 0:00 - Welcome 0:37 - The 6-week drumbeat to Lane Kiffin’s decision 5:08 - Lane Kiffin chose his career, walked away from a CFP team 14:30 - Lane Kiffin’s wild exits outnumber his big wins 22:52 - Is Pete Golding the best head coach fit for Ole Miss? 34:23 - ACC title game: Should Miami have gotten in? 44:49 - Duke and James Madison to make the CFP? 49:43 - Texas being punished for their Ohio St loss? 56:29 - Should teams be ranked at the end of the season?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Dan Wetzel react to the committee’s rankings ahead of Rivalry Week. They react to CFP Selection Committee chair Hunter Yurachek's insights on evaluating Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin, should he decide to leave the Rebels. Plus, the Six Pack of Picks for Rivalry Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down Week 13’s action. The coaching carousel with Justin Wilcox losing his job at CAL, while Mike Norvell keeps his job at FSU. The latest on Lane Kiffin, his future with Ole Miss and preview of the Egg Bowl. Plus, the names poised for the 2025 Heisman Trophy and a big preview of Michigan vs. Ohio State 00:00 - Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast:30 - Oregon Duck vs Pete Thamel4:15 - Why Rece Davis is mad at Pete Narduzzi6:27 - ACC Crazy Tie Breaker scenarios10:03 - Cal fires coach Justin Wilcox after 9 seasons14:10 Could ACC be left out of the College Football Playoff? 21:36 - Mike Norvell retained despite back-to-back losing seasons 23:49 CFP Coaching Carousel 2025: Big Names on the Move27:57 Where will Lane Kiffin end up?27:55 Where will Lane Kiffin end up?45:31 - CFP Coaching Carousel 2025: Big Names on the Move 48:09 - Who is in the mix for the 2025 Heisman Trophy? 54:34 Michigan vs Ohio State Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel react to the third batch of College Football Playoff rankings, discuss the latest on Lane Kiffin and unleash their Six Pack of Picks. 0:00 Welcome, Rece at MSG for Rankings Reaction 2:10 College Football Playoff ranking reaction 9:44 Would Notre Dame get in over Miami? 14:44 Potential Alabama conundrum 17:42 More CFP hypotheticals 22:56 The latest on Lane Kiffin 31:35 James Franklin introduced at Virginia Tech 37:55 USC at Oregon 41:28 Missouri at Oklahoma 44:05 Georgia Tech at Pitt 45:44 Tennessee at Florida 47:03 BYU at Cincinnati 48:34 Hawai’i at UNLV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel break down every angle of the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes, should he stay at Ole Miss and chase a national championship, leave now, or leave next year? And for schools trying to poach him, when is it time to walk away? The guys also dive into the latest on James Franklin, and the biggest College Football Playoff storylines of the week: Who's a lock for the CFP, who makes it in between USC, Notre Dame, and Miami, and what if Auburn stuns Alabama? 0:00 - Welcome 0:32 - Lane Kiffin, will he stay or go? 5:57 - Should Lane Kiffin just stay and chase a Natty? 12:31 - For schools chasing Lane Kiffin, when should they walk way? 19:03 - Should Lane Kiffin stay and leave in a year? 21:45 - The advantages of staying at Ole Miss 24:48 - Update: James Franklin to Virginia Tech? 38:08 - Who's almost a lock for the CFP? 42:01 - The CFP USC-Notre Dame-Miami dilemma 47:22 - CFP chaos: What if Auburn beats Alabama? 51:03 - Make the case for keeping and cutting conference title games 58:43 - CFP changes that would benefit the fans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel react to the season batch of College Football Playoff rankings. Plus, they discuss where the ACC stands in the CFP race, if USC is on the ascent and the latest on the drama at LSU with Brian Kelly’s firing. Then, the guys get into the Six Pack of Picks, and talk about Maryland and UConn. 0:00 Welcome to the College GameDay Podcast! 0:30 College Football Playoff rankings reaction 13:14 Where does the ACC stand? 22:32 What about USC? 28:54 The latest on LSU and Brian Kelly 36:35 Rece & Pete's Six Pack of Picks 40:18 Notre Dame at Pitt 44:22 Iowa at USC 46:00 Oklahoma at Alabama 50:39 Texas at Georgia 53:56 USF at Navy 57:43 Maryland’s rough season 1:02:13 UConn’s stellar season 1:04:50 Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices