ESPN College GameDay

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ college football ranking system, discuss the adjustments teams need to make to push through to the semifinals. In between, they talk about the obnoxious team they can't wait to watch, the section of the bracket they view as a dogged cage match, the unfair assessment of Ohio State's quarterback, how risky Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman will be, the biggest threat to the Sugar Bowl winner and more!

1:58 The toughest section of the playoff bracket

5:33 How teams are prepping for the Rose Bowl

12:02 Fair to criticize Ohio State's Will Howard?

18:20 Did Oregon previously overachieve against Ohio State?

21:52 What NFL scouts expect from the Sugar Bowl

26:39 Gunner Stockton auditions for Georgia starting QB role

32:21 The stakes for Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman

35:18 Will Georgia's title-winning character pull them through?

38:46 Who is the Peach Bowl underdog yapper?

40:42 The best non-Indiana story goes to…

47:50 Can Penn State continue their undefeated streak in the Fiesta Bowl?

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Pete Thamel, Harry Lyles, host of "Countdown to GameDay" on the ESPN College Football YouTube channel, and Heather Dinich, ESPN College Football Playoff insider, discuss how Notre Dame made history, the deep issues behind the underwhelming playoff games, what you can't bring from the NFL to college, and the job security of coaches James Franklin and Ryan Day.

0:00 - The difference between the Notre Dame & Ohio State playoff home games

3:15 - What led to the first round blowout games

11:35 - The under-the-radar playoff issue: Neutral sites

17:02 - How Penn State's James Franklin & Ohio State's Ryan Day silenced critics

32:18 - Why Ohio State Jeremiah Smith had the best weekend

34:10 - Quarterfinal games: Things to look forward to

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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network discuss the teams that have it the worst in the first round of the College Football Playoff, whether Indiana can continue their historic win streak, SMU going into a Penn State home game, Clemson's uneven matchup against Texas, Ohio State's redemption game and so much more!

0:00 - How will teams handle frigid first round playoff games?

4:02 - Notre Dame has an opportunity to beat Indiana and make a run to the title

12:35 - SMU beware of a Penn State home "white out" game

20:06 - Does Clemson stand a chance against a mighty Texas team?

26:35 - Ohio State finally gets a home night game, takes on Tennessee

39:22 - Best in game: 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter

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Marty Smith & Ryan McGee of "Marty & McGee" take over the pod! They're joined by Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst, to discuss Bill Belichick potentially going to North Carolina and his glaring college football weakness. They also get into the possibility of college players being coached at the NFL level and Belichick's ability to focus more on the player-coach relationship.

0:00 - College football is morphing into the NFL

2:27 - Belichick to handle rosters & black tie events?

4:06 - Belichick's weakness: Drafting players

9:08 - Belichick to deal with college free agency?

12:25 - College players ready to be coached at NFL level?

16:32 - College players need mentorship

22:25 - UNC to let Stephen Belichick coach in the future?

25:26 - UNC to give total control to Belichick?

32:47 - Early NFL draft look

36:44 - Who will win the Heisman trophy?

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Pete Thamel, Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, and Heather Dinich, national college football insider, discuss the teams that got screwed out of the College Football Playoff and why they don't have sympathy for them. They also get into Ohio State's gauntlet of a pathway to the title, Clemson's direct pathway to the CFP through the ACC, neutral sites and player injuries preventing teams from making long CFP runs, and the intensified pressure for teams to grow competitively fast!

0:00 - Heather Dinich joins from outside the CFP Selection Committee room

1:43 - Clemson and Arizona State rewarded for title wins

3:56 - CFP discussions to change format begin on January 20

9:58 - Which teams got screwed this year?

14:18 - Indiana and Notre Dame meet in the first round

16:43 - How will Ohio State respond in first round after Michigan loss?

20:08 - Clemson keeps winning ACC, why not stay?

26:32 - Pressure on teams to grow competitively fast

28:35 - Best in game: Georgia backup QB Gunner Stockton

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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the Georgia vs. Texas rematch, the Big 12 team that will fall out of the College Football Playoff, the irony SMU is more likely to make the CFP over Alabama, and more! In this episode, they look at all the conference title matchups, give their thoughts on what they think is important to know going into those games, then pick the teams they think will come out on top.

2:47 - Georgia vs Texas rematch!

10:07 - Penn State faces Oregon, the singular undefeated team

13:05 - Iowa State vs Arizona State, loser won't make the playoff

16:02 - ACC title game to determine number of ACC teams in CFP?

20:37 - Could UNLV upset Boise State and nab the 12th playoff bid?

23:41 - Potentially a fun snowy American Athletic title game

26:19 - Is it Ohio's year to take the Mid-American title?

27:24 - High drama in Sun Belt title over Marshall's coach

28:41 - After C-USA title game, will Western Kentucky's coach leave for Purdue?

33:39 - If Penn State loses to Oregon, does their final ranking put them behind Ohio State?

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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel are joined by Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer who says his team can win a national championship. But first, he gives his thoughts on the Week 15 rankings which project Alabama as the last team to secure a playoff bid. Then, he addresses his team's loss to Oklahoma (24-3). After, Rece and Pete talk about Alabama's ranking position ahead of Miami, Ole Miss and South Carolina, if SMU will fall out of the playoff bracket completely and how far Georgia could tumble if they lose the SEC title game to Texas and simultaneously pick up their third loss.

0:00 - Welcome

1:00 - Alabama to stay in last playoff spot?

3:06 - SMU not locked into playoff

4:47 - Effect of Georgia losing SEC title game

6:22 - Kalen DeBoer on being in the playoff

8:03 - Kalen DeBoer on losing to Oklahoma

9:18 - Kalen DeBoer on his players adjusting to the coaching change

11:05 - Kalen DeBoer on the intensity of the SEC

12:44 - Kalen DeBoer on winning the national championship

15:10 - Kalen DeBoer on playing in cold climates

16:02 - Kalen DeBoer on where he'll watch the ACC title game

17:35 - Alabama deserves to be ahead of Miami?

28:08 - Compelling playoff matchups

30:39 - What could be the biggest change in the rankings?

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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, discuss flag planting being insulting, why it became a trend this year and what to do about it. They also get into Ohio State's collapse to Michigan, why their $20 million roster couldn't pull in a win and their missing key factor. Then they talk about Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord and his sweet revenge, not just on Miami but on Ohio State. Lastly, the guys get into playoff bids and the decision to choose between an SEC three-loss team or Miami.

0:00 - Welcome

1:14 - Ohio State scoreless in second half against Michigan

7:39 - Beating Michigan: What Ohio State is missing

17:10 - Flag planting is insulting, invites conflict

22:18 - Why is flag planting a rivalry week theme this year?

24:12 - Flag planting calls one's character into question

30:11 - Best In Game: Syracuse Quarterback Kyle McCord

34:28 - Miami's questionable strategy against Syracuse

35:47 - Throwback to the final play of the 2013 Iron Bowl (Kick Six lore)

39:09 - College Football Playoff decisions: SEC three-loss team or Miami?

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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel dissect the resumes of three-loss SEC teams and ruminate on Tulane (In the AAC) and if they could make it into the CFP over a Big 12 team with three losses. Next, Pete talks about the days leading up to moment when North Carolina fired coach Mack Brown. He also lays out Brown's possible replacements. Lastly, they look at Week 14 weekend matchups, give their thoughts on what they think is important to know going into those games, then pick the teams they think will come out on top!

0:00 - CFP Week 14 Rankings: Two Big Winners

2:30 - Is the SEC similar to the Big Ten?

7:47 - How should teams be ranked?

12:23 - CFP final bids: Big 12 three-loss champ or AAC two-loss champ

15:11 - Coming up: Preview of a CFP-related crucial game

16:39 - North Carolina fires football coach Mack Brown

26:57 - Rivalry from the Big 12 to SEC: Texas vs Texas A&M

32:16 - ACC teams meet: Georgia Tech vs Georgia

34:22 - High CFP stakes game: South Carolina vs Clemson

38:57 - Will Syracuse upset Miami's ACC title game hopes?

41;01 - Ohio State to beat rival Michigan, who won last three years?

43:58 - Iowa State trying to stay atop Big 12 with Kansas State win

45:15 - Notre Dame vs USC: One team climbing, another falling

49:06 - Ranking the top Thanksgiving dishes

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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, discuss Ohio State's high caliber game, Indiana getting caught, and how they each fit into the College Football Playoff picture. Do both teams look like playoff teams? Is Indiana deserving of a CFP spot? They also get into the Alabama - Oklahoma game where a penalty robbed Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams of a top moment this year, which brings into question the usefulness of instant replay. Will the game eventually see robot umps on the field? Lastly, they talk about Ole Miss' chances of getting into the CFP, Big 12 teams battling for a conference title, and the CFP format fix that could remedy a glaring issue.

0:00 - Welcome

1:26 - Do Indiana & Ohio State Look Like Playoff Teams?

8:52 - CFP Spot Wasted If A Team Is Not A Natty Contender?

15:18 - How To Evaluate Nonconference Schedules?

19:06 - Best In Game: Nebraska Takes Win Against Wisconsin

20:02 - Alabama's Lack Of Depth Exposed Against Oklahoma

22:02 - The Egregious Call In The Alabama-Oklahoma Game

30:40 - Ole Miss Blew Opportunities To Beat Florida

38:30 - Big 12 Chaos: Nine Teams Vying For Title Game Bid

44:22 - CFP Fix: No Automatic Bye For Top Conference Champs

47:26 - Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins: Greg Schiano

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