CFP Title Game Preview: Miami’s SURGE Meets Indiana’s Statement Run

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and former ACC coach Dave Clawson break down Miami’s resurgence this season and the two players to watch for in the National Title game. Then, they shift to Indiana’s rise under Coach Curt Cignetti and the blueprint he used to turn the program into a title contender. To close, they make their National Title picks, peek at what the next wave of College Football Playoff expansion could look like, and hit some recent portal news, specifically how Texas and Alabama have been faring. 0:00 - Welcome 0:40 - Miami: Is ‘The U’ officially back? 3:28 - The play that turned Miami’s entire season around 7:43 - Miami’s two poison players are… 12:27 - How Curt Cignetti established Indiana’s culture 15:25 - How Curt Cignetti made Indiana a title-contending team 21:01 - The issue with using refs from different conferences in the CFP 24:19 - Which fanbase takes over the title game? 29:03 - Which team wins the National Championship? 32:41 - CFP expansion: 16 vs 24 teams 40:12 - As the CFP gets larger, rosters get smaller? 50:05 - Portal news: Texas has loaded up 54:45 - Portal news: Alabama can’t keep up due to a money gap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down Indiana’s statement win over Oregon, a complete domination that sent Hoosier Nation into a frenzy. But on the other side, the loss raises bigger questions about why Oregon can’t break through when the national title game is in reach. Then, Pete takes you behind the scenes after the final whistle. Plus, the guys dive into the Miami vs Ole Miss game and how Miami survived but failed to land the knockout blow when they had the chance. 0:00 - Welcome 0:44 - Indiana obliterates Oregon 10:05 - Indiana fans are living the dream 16:28 - Miami failed to close out Ole Miss early 25:49 - Curt Cignetti has mastered modern college football 30:19 - Oregon can’t seem to break through in the playoff 34:35 - Hoosier nation will make it to the national title game 38:00 - Behind the scenes moments after Indiana vs Oregon game 43:27 - What happened with Dante Moore? 46:59 - Oregon and Ole Miss quarterback spots still open 52:52 - Will Dante Moore and Trinidad Chambliss go to the NFL or stay in college? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down how academics are complicated the college football transfer portal. They dig into Indiana’s approach to the portal, how Texas Tech has become increasingly competitive against SEC programs, and whether Michigan and Penn State can translate major coaching investments into landing top players. The guys then turn their attention to the College Football Playoff semifinals, highlighting the most intriguing matchup and picking who they think will advance to the national title game. 0:00 – Welcome 5:26 - Academics vs The college transfer portal 12:30 - Indiana’s approach to the transfer portal 20:48 - Texas Tech vs SEC in the transfer portal 29:21 - Michigan & Penn St got coaches, can they get players? 34:20 - How the transfer portal changed everything 45:48 - BTS of Pat Coogan receiving Rose Bowl MVP award 53:20 - The CFP semifinals can’t miss game is… 1:07:08 - The CFP semifinals, who advances? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel & Max Olson break down a chaotic College Football Playoff quarterfinals, starting with Ole Miss taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The conversation then turns to Indiana’s physical dominance against Alabama, then to Oregon’s defense that left Texas Tech unable to move the ball. Plus, the guys get into Miami’s win over Ohio State which they say comes down to winning the game on the ground. To close, with the transfer portal officially open, they get into the bidding wars that are underway. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Ole Miss downs Georgia in Sugar Bowl 4:36 - How Georgia got the ball at the end 9:55 - Pete Golding gets credit for keeping Ole Miss alive 14:53 - Indiana’s physicality buries Alabama 22:20 - Alabama has no excuse for a 35-point loss 27:46 - Texas Tech failed to move the ball against Oregon 30:42 - Ole Miss is the SEC’s last hope in the CFP 35:00 - Transfer portal has opened & the bidding wars have begun 38:47 - Miami outrushes Ohio St to secure the win 48:41 - Transfer portal clock is on, teams have 2 weeks to shape rosters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel & Dan Wetzel break down the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, starting with Miami vs Ohio State, the trust factor around Carson Beck and whether Ryan Day taking over playcalling changes the matchup. They then preview Oregon vs Texas Tech, asking if Texas Tech’s historic run is ready for its toughest test yet, before turning to Alabama vs Indiana and whether QB Fernando Mendoza can live up to his Heisman expectations. Plus, they debate if Ole Miss can land the blow against Georgia, pick who they think will punch through to the next round, and close with Michigan’s coaching upgrade in Kyle Whittingham. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Miami vs Ohio St: The most draft-loaded matchup? 9:31 - Can Miami trust QB Carson Beck in a big game? 14:06 - Does it matter that Ryan Day is taking over playcalling for Ohio St? 19:02 - What to watch for in the red zone 22:38 - Texas Tech faces its biggest test against Oregon 38:29 - Should Baylor get to sign an ex-NBA pick? 50:58 - Alabama vs Indiana: Old guard vs new blood 57:35 - Can Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza deliver on his Heisman expectations? 1:02:18 - Lane Kiffin takes grocery store basket, was this the right move? 1:05:38 - Can Ole Miss land the blow against Georgia? 1:09:44 - Is this the best CFP yet? 1:11:02 - Who survives the CFP quarterfinals? 1:18:41 - Michigan upgrades with new head coach Kyle Whittingham 1:21:42 - Concerns about Kyle Whittingham’s player development abilities? 1:23:30 - Why did Kyle Whittingham leave Utah? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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