Rece Davis and Pete Thamel convene for an emergency podcast following Nick Saban’s retirement from coaching. The guys discuss how it would always be a surprise when Saban decided to retire, if he is the greatest coach in the history of college football, how he revived the University of Alabama football program, the university using Saban’s success to boost academics, what Rece is hearing from Alabama fans, what’s next for Saban after coaching, and who’s on the shortlist of candidates to coach th...
Jan 11, 2024•22 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are chatting at midfield of NRG Stadium following the Michigan Wolverines’ 34-13 victory over the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff national championship game. The guys discuss Michigan dominating despite Washington’s chances, the Wolverines relying on the big play, what makes this a Jim Harbaugh-style championship, the legacy of this win for Michigan, what’s next for Harbaugh, and parting thoughts on the 2023 season. 0:49 MICHIGAN DOMINATED, WASHINGTO...
Jan 09, 2024•16 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel share their final thoughts on the Michigan Wolverines against the Washington Huskies in the national championship game. They discuss an update on Dillon Johnson’s health, Michael Penix Jr.’s massive hands, how both teams scouted the College Football Playoff, if Rece revealed his man crush to Will Johnson, keeping an eye on the Wolverines’ defensive personnel, who they like to win the game, the latest on the portal moves and NFL draft declarations, and if Michigan would...
Jan 06, 2024•53 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss how Washington stayed on script to make the national championship game, the Huskies’ offensive line keeping Michael Penix Jr. upright, Rece potentially interviewing Jim Harbaugh after winning a title, and Kalen DeBoer’s championship experience. Plus, the latest on Ohio State and Miami’s quests for a transfer portal quarterback. And, could Judge Judy fund an NIL program? 02:10 - Washington Clinches Title Appearance 07:29 - Washington Interior O-Line vs Michigan ...
Jan 05, 2024•48 min
Pete Thamel and Paolo Uggetti run it back one last time at the Rose Bowl, this time recapping the Washington Huskies’ 37-31 win over the Texas Long Horns in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The guys discuss the Huskies winning yet another one-score game, Washington’s wide receivers, Michigan needing to prepare for a different kind of offense and what image they’ll remember from Michigan defeating Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...
Jan 02, 2024•7 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel react to the Michigan Wolverine’s 27-20 overtime victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The guys discuss how Michigan out SEC’d Alabama, Jim Harbaugh’s gutsy fourth down call, Blake Corum’s overtime touchdown run, J.J. McCarthy making plays and a cathartic win for the Wolverines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 02, 2024•14 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Desmond Howard discuss fans swarming Des, if a 12-team playoff will hasten expansion to 16 teams, Des’ thoughts on how Michigan will use J.J. McCarthy against Alabama ,and Washington’s offensive line against Texas’ front seven. Then, Rece and Pete talk about Texas and Washington not flinching in close games, why Florida State getting blown out by Georgia doesn’t mean much, and the new year-to-year nature of college football. 0:00 Desmond Howard joins the podcast 2:48 ...
Jan 01, 2024•37 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve are in the bowels of the Rose Bowl for their College Football semifinal preview. The guys lead off with Michigan-Alabama, discussing the clash of styles, J.J. McCarthy and Jalen Milroe needing to use their legs, and what this game means for Jim Harbaugh’s legacy. Then they get into Washington-Texas, talking about Washington’s end of season gauntlet, Quinn Ewers blossoming, and not a lot of hype around Michael Penix Jr. Later, they pick the games and eat...
Dec 30, 2023•59 min
Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve discuss Florida State's Friday board meeting and the expectation that they will challenge the ACC grant of rights. They also look to where FSU could turn to if they chose to leave the ACC. Lastly, the guys deliver on what to expect from Saturday's bowl games. 0:00 FSU expected to challenge ACC grant of rights 2:04 Where would FSU go? 10:40 Birmingham Bowl: Troy (-7) vs. Duke 13:06 Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State (-3) vs. Northern Illinois 15:21 Lockheed Martin Armed ...
Dec 22, 2023•35 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Ole Miss’ recent monster portal haul and dissect effective transfer portal strategy. They also get into QB Dylan Raiola’s commitment to Nebraska and QB Dante Moore’s commitment to Oregon. Then - as the pod record timer is running - Pete breaks the news that Tulsa’s QB Braylon Braxton has entered the portal. Rece finishes out the show by tossing up the question, ahead of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, have you ever put butter on a Pop-Tart? 0:00 QB Dylan Raiola commits to ...
Dec 19, 2023•42 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss what we didn't see when Bill Belichick swung by the College GameDay set at the Army - Navy game, who their Heisman Trophy votes went to, and quarterbacks landing in the transfer portal. Then they look at the most motivated teams going into the end-of-the-year bowl games before giving a preview of some upcoming podcast postseason episodes. 00:00 Delineating the Army - Navy rivalry spirit from all other games 6:27 Lee Corso archival video behind-the-scenes moment...
Dec 12, 2023•55 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss why we are seeing more parity in college football, how the Heisman will be remembered, and the development of LSU's quarterback Jayden Daniels. Then Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ ranking, joins to give a snapshot of the college football playoff semifinals. SportsCenter commentator and sports betting analyst Stanford Steve also joins the pod. He shares why he has no problem with FSU being out, then lays out why the Army-Navy game absolutely lives up to the h...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 23 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel deliver their thoughts on Florida State being left out of College Football Playoff, whether it was fair to judge them based on the ACC title game, and the "Alliance" delaying the CFP expansion this year. Then, ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee joins the show to talk about possible big-picture changes to the CFP committee, and Ohio State’s Kyle McCord and Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel hitting the transfer portal. 00:00 Undefeated Florida State is left out of CFP 6:08 Is it unfa...
Dec 04, 2023•52 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve discuss the most likely chaotic scenarios for the committee and the semifinal matchups they want to see. Then, the guys pick Week 14 titles games in the latest edition of the Race for The Ribeye. 00:00 Most likely chaotic scenarios for the committee 1:19 Which CFP semifinal matchup do you want to see? 4:38 Race for the Ribeye Week 14 Picks 7:15 New Mexico State at Liberty (-10) 11:10 Oregon (-9.5) vs. Washington 15:19 Oklahoma State vs. Texas (-14.5) 18...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Ohio State falling to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, if there’s any way for the Buckeyes to sneak back in, Bobby Petrino returning to Arkansas, and how San Diego State can stand out. Next, Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ ranking, joins and dives into chaos scenarios, the numbers going into Oregon-Washington, whether Iowa can score against Michigan, and Georgia's x-factor against Alabama. 00:00 Ohio State slips to No. 6 in the CFP rankings 5:0...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Michigan's rivalry win over Ohio State, the electric atmosphere in Ann Arbor, and the brewing battle for the College Football Playoff No. 4 spot. Then, ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee joins the show to talk about the news of Texas A&M hiring of head coach Mike Elko, what he brings to the team, and the initial challenges he now faces. Finally, the discussion turns to Alabama winning the Iron Bowl over Auburn with a miracle touchdown on fourth-and-goal. 00:00 T...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly discuss Barry Odom and UNLV’s exciting season, their advice for coaches seeking the next job, and Missouri vying for a 10-win season. Then, the guys pick 10 Rivalry Week games in the latest edition of the Race for The Ribeye. 0:00 Year of Bill Connelly and Barry Odom 2:20 How they evaluate Coach of the Year 5:49 Barry Odom and UNLV’s exciting season 8:12 Advice for coaches seeking new jobs 11:01 “I might be a duck for a while” 14:50 Missouri vying for 10...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss a top-tier College GameDay environment at James Madison University, a sensation performance from the Jonas Brothers, and Jordan Travis’ injury altering the College Football Playoff picture. Then, Ryan McGee stops by to talk about the one scenario that would leave the SEC out of the CFP, Georgia’s dominance, Ohio State-Michigan as a fitting ending to the four-team CFP era, what we’re losing with a 12-team playoff and their favorite Thanksgiving dishes. 0:00 Incr...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve pick nine games from Week 12 in the latest edition of the Race for The Ribeye. 0:00 Steve road tripping to Harrisonburg 2:19 JMU’s past GameDay crowds 3:41 Jonas Brothers performing on GameDay 7:03 JMU’s transition to FBS 11:12 Steve fridge update 14:25 The internet having fun with Jamey Chadwell 17:20 Louisville (-1) @ Miami 19:52 SMU (-8.5) @ Memphis 21:39 Appalachian State @ JMU (-10.5) 26:16 Georgia (-10) @ Tennessee 30:43 North Carolina @ Clemson (...
Nov 16, 2023•55 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Georgia showing respect to Ole Miss, if an elite team will be able to puncture the Wolverine offensive line, and Michigan’s day in court. Then, Ryan McGee stops by to talk about Jim Harbaugh keeping it weird, their theories on why Texas A&M can’t win big, and the and the emotions for Oregon State as they face Washington. 3:30 Georgia paying a compliment 4:19 Pete medium Georgia take 5:41 Michigan’s the closet team to Georgia 7:36 Potential Wolverine weaknes...
Nov 15, 2023•52 min
Pete Thamel and ESPN.com’s Dave Wilson discuss Texas A&M firing Jimbo Fisher, the mood in College Station, coaching candidates, and Texas dodging another rake against TCU. Then, Bill Connelly stops by to talk about Boise State firing Andy Avalos and Mississippi State firing Zach Arnett. Plus, which jobs might open up next? 0:00 Dave Wilson joins the show :31 Texas A&M fire Jimbo Fisher 2:35 The mood in College Station 5:55 Ross Bjork’s press conference 7:14 Jimbo’s huge buyout 10:45 Who ...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve pick eight games from Week 11 in the latest edition of the Race for The Ribeye. 5:41 Maryland (-2.5) @ Nebraska 8:23 Michigan (-4.5) @ Penn State 14:02 Alabama (-10.5) @ Kentucky 16:41 Miami @ Florida State (-14.5) 19:55 Tennessee (-1) @ Missouri 24:08 Rutgers @ Iowa (-1.5) 28:50 Ole Miss @ Georgia (-10.5) 35:11 USC @ Oregon (-16.5) 43:30 Jen Lada and Elle Duncan in the Mercedes-Benz ESPN College Football Podcast Sprinter Learn more about your ad choice...
Nov 10, 2023•57 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the unchanged College Football Playoff rankings, how closely the top five teams are grouped, the latest on the Michigan investigation, the legal system getting involved, and the most effective punishment if the Big Ten finds the Wolverines guilty. Then, Bill Connelly stops by to talk about what an upset would look like from Penn State, USC and TCU. Plus, the NCAA has a ripe chance to let the good PR flow. 0:00 New CFP rankings 5:44 The CFP Committee’s consisten...
Nov 08, 2023•55 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss why Rece thinks Texas won the weekend, Oklahoma State taking down Oklahoma in the last Big 12 Bedlam, and USC players not responding to Alex Grinch. Then, Ryan McGee stops by to talk about Ole Miss winning an elimination game, if the Rebels can hang against Georgia, all of the updates in the Conor Stalions-Michigan story, and Alabama beating LSU in a high-speed affair. 0:00 Rece’s Texas take 4:21 Steak bet 10:05 Oklahoma State wins Bedlam 14:16 Rece on MegaCast...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Stanford Steve pick 11 games from Week 10 in the latest edition of the Race for The Ribeye. 8:36 Kansas State @ Texas (-4) 13:09 Texas A&M @ Ole Miss (-3.5) 17:34 Notre Dame (-3) @ Clemson 21:26 Oklahoma (-5.5) @ Oklahoma State 26:22 Missouri @ Georgia (-15.5) 30:53 Iowa (-3) @ Northwestern 34:54 James Madison (-5.5) @ Georgia State 36:45 Kansas @ Iowa State (-2.5) 39:39 Washington (-3.5) @ USC 43:47 LSU @ Alabama (-3) 50:12 UCLA (-2.5) @ Arizona Learn more about ...
Nov 02, 2023•56 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the first set of College Football Playoff rankings, the rankings tell us anything about the committee, Florida State’s spot in the top four, chaos scenarios, and Rece asking Boo Corrigan if Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing will factor into their decisions. Then, Ryan McGee stops by to talk about his brush with sign-stealing, Dabo Swinney arguing with a fan on the radio, and Swinney being the victim of a monster he created. 0:00 First CFP Ranking 4:38 Rooting fo...
Nov 01, 2023•58 min
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing, why it’s the defining story of this season, Kansas changing the trajectory of the Big 12 by beating Oklahoma, Oklahoma State bouncing back, Oregon laying the beatdown on Utah, and the ACC Wheel of Destiny. Then, Bill Connelly stops by to talk about if Washington’s peaked, the ups and downs of the Pac-12, Louisville surging, Georgia Tech’s expectations, and Rece’s challenge to Alabama fans. :31 Pete on sign stealing 4:19 How wil...
Oct 30, 2023•59 min
Rece Davis and Stanford Steve pick eight games from Week 9 in the latest edition of the Race for The Ribeye. :55 Steve having trouble with his fridge picks 6:34 Race for the Ribeye standings 7:30 Oklahoma (-10) @ Kansas 10:20 BYU @ Texas (-17.5) 15:53 Georgia (-14.5) vs. Florida 21:35 Oregon (-7) @ Utah 26:26 Duke @ Louisville (-4) 31:47 Tennessee (-3.5) @ Kentucky 34:22 Ohio State (-14.5) @ Wisconsin 37:34 UNLV @ Fresno State (-7.5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Oct 26, 2023•45 min
Rece Davis kicks off the show talking about Michigan’s purported sign stealing and how much he actually care about the ordeal. Then, Bill Connelly stops by to discuss being the line between mocking and being bothered by Michigan’s attempt to gain an edge, if college football should transition to helmet communications, how good they think Michigan really is, the “best vs. most deserving” debate, and which conference could miss out on the College Football Playoff. :28 Theater of the Abusrd: Michig...
Oct 25, 2023•46 min
Rece Davis holds it down with Pete Thamel on assignment, kicking off the podcast talking about Ohio State winning with defense, what should we expect from Penn State, Michigan stealing signs, Oz the Mentalist and a conundrum on the GameDay set, and North Carolina blowing it against Virginia. Then, Ryan McGee stops by to discuss Washington nearly losing to Arizona State, Alabama cleaning up the penalties, what’s still ahead for Tennessee, Lincoln Riley shutting down press availability after USC l...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 6 min
