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Author: ESPN, Rece Davis, Pete Thamel
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Join ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis and Senior Writer Pete Thamel, as well as many of GameDay’s key analysts and contributors, as they discuss and debate the biggest stories and break down the biggest games in college football, while also leaning into the key basketball moments and storylines as well. With episodes Mondays/Wednesday/Fridays in the fall, and a year-round weekly presence this is the place to be for the college sports fan.
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel take stock of the latest notable players in the transfer portal, how they performed last season and what to expect from them next season. Then NFL Insider Field Yates joins to lift the curtain on the NFL Draft drama circulating around the Minnesota Vikings, QB Drake Maye and other teams trying to make a splash in this year's draft. Finally, they get into some QB drafting strategy and what aspects of a player can't be measured ahead of the draft.
0:00 Welcome
0:54 - What’s It Like To Have Dinner WIth Rece & Pete?
02:58 - Where Will CB Cormani McClain Transfer To?
06:05 - RB Damien Martinez Leaves Oregon St
09:24 - NFL Insider Field Yates Joins The Pod!
11:48 - Where Does The Drama Start In The NFL Draft?
13:23 - Addressing QB Drake Make Criticism
18:37 - How Many QBs Go In The First Round?
21:39 - QB Comparison: Michael Penix vs Bo Nix
25:04 - Draft A QB Backup Or Future Star?
28:55 - Prediting Draft Surprises At CB Position
29:47 - Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell
44:20 - What You Can’t Measure In The NFL Draft
44:48 - Film Study With NFL Insider Field Yates
46:08 - Do Fractional Arm Measurements Matter?
46:41 - Draft Night Conundrum: DT T'Vondre Sweat
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Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello delve into UConn's NBA-like offense and the defense that won them a national title against Purdue. They also get into which UConn players will be remembered on this team. And looking to next season, they discuss what roster changes will happen and what Dan Hurley said about the Kentucky head coach job.
0:00 How UConn's defense helped them win
5:00 The stretch that determined the game
6:24 Which individual players will be remembered?
8:21 Where does UConn rank among repeat teams?
14:51 UConn's offense in comparison to an NBA offense
17:54 Dan Hurley responds to the Kentucky head coach job
19:58 What does UConn do to get a threepeat?
21:36 UConn's expected roster changes
22:35 Is there more college basketball news coming?
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Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello recount how they came to break the news that John Calipari is leaving Kentucky and headed across the SEC to Arkansas. They also get into what they think Calipari will do with Arkansas' roster, who Calipari might hire, and whether or not Arkansas will reach the NCAA Men's Tournament Final Four round in the next four years. Lastly, they get into whether or not Kentucky can fill Calipari's spot with UConn's Dan Hurley, Chicago Bulls' Billy Donovan, or even Alabama's Nate Oats.
0:00 When the John Calipari-Arkansas whispers started
2:37 John Calipari's fall from dominance
4:49 How John Calipari fits in with Arkansas
6:15 The moment the John Calipari-Arkansas deal happened
10:52 Will Arkansas make the Final Four?
14:16 Kentucky basketball head coach candidates
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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello break down the Men's NCAA Final Four games - specifically the early slog in the NC State vs. Purdue game and the shooting performance Alabama's Mark Sears put up against UConn's Stephon Castle. And ahead of the championship game, they get into what UConn's Donovan Clingan needs to do to stop Purdue's Zach Edey.
0:00 No. 1 seeds set to face off in men's championship game
3:07 NC State vs. Purdue early slog
8:55 Should Purdue worry about Braden Smith?
14:57 UConn vs. Purdue battle of the bigs
19:15 Foul or not on UConn's Aaliyah Edwards
23:12 Alabama needed to create more threes
25:18 In comparison: UConn and the great Duke teams
26:56 In comparison: UConn and the great Florida teams
27:57 In comparison: UConn and Villanova's 2018 team
32:44 Alabama's Mark Sears was a warrior
34:55 Who will win the men's championship game?
37:34 Who will win the women's championship game?
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On today’s episode of the College Gameday Podcast, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst & Insider Matt Miller joins Rece Davis and Pete Thamel to discuss quarterback draft prospects Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy. Matt shares which team is the best fit for Drake Maye and why JJ McCarthy may not be drafted in the first round. Then, the guys dive into why NC State’s basketball star, DJ Burns, would make a great offensive tackle. Finally, Matt shares which player will be the biggest surprise in the 2024 NFL Draft!
0:00 Welcome To the College Gameday Podcast
01:09 Don't Sleep on UNC QB Drake Maye
03:43 Which Team Does QB Drake Maye Best Fit With?
07:35 Could JJ McCarthy Not Be Drafted In The 1st Round
11:03 Are There Concerns for JJ McCarthy’s Shoulder Issues?
14:45 Huge Turnout For QBs at Michigan Pro Day
20:07 How To Avoid Group Think in NFL Scouting
23:08 Learned Lessons in NFL Scouting
26:45 Players Matt Would Jump On The Table For
28:33 Chargers Will Pick Michigan's Mike Sainristil
31:10 Predicting The Biggest Surprise In The Draft
33:57 Pete’s Prediction of 6 QBS Drafted In First Round
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss UConn being in the greatest-team-ever conversation and how Dan Hurley would fit into the NBA. Then, Pete gives a preview of his latest story - Donovan Clingan's side job as a landscaper. On another note, Rece and Pete turn their attention to NC State and chat about the hope that program has spurred for themselves from the tournament.
0:00 Rece: Is there such thing as a repeat champion?
2:10 Is UConn in the greatest-team-ever convo?
6:21 The NC State program now has hope
8:41 NC State and Alabama's path to the championship
11:49 How to stop NC State's DJ Burns
13:01 Could DJ Burns play for the NBA or NFL?
18:30 UConn's Donovan Clingan's side job as a landscaper
20:36 Dan Hurley's coaching track record
26:21 Could UConn's Dan Hurley be an NBA coach?
31:10 A Dan Hurley family story
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Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello discuss the teams that have just landed in the Final Four spots in the Men’s NCAA tournament – specifically how a missed free throw by Virginia in the ACC tournament impacted NC State’s trajectory to the Final Four. They also talk about UConn’s evisceration of Illinois, the No. 2 offense in the country. And although Duke lost to NC State, Borzello notes that the Blue Devils’ future is bright as they are looking forward to Cooper Flagg, the number one college recruit in the country who has committed to their program for the following season. Finally, the two round out the pod with a preview of the Final Four games and who they think will be the NCAA tournament champion.
0:00 The Final Four teams are set
1:05 A missed free throw in the ACC tournament affected NC State’s trajectory to now
8:49 Illinois should’ve adjusted to UConn’s Donovan Clingan
12:01 The difficulty for UConn to win a back-to-back title
24:22 How Zach Edey fits into Purdue’s game
29:38 Tennessee’s dependence on Dalton Knecht
31:53 Breaking down NC State DJ Burns’ game
37:22 The future of Duke with No. 1 college recruit Cooper Flagg
42:17 Final Four preview: Alabama vs UConn
45:20 Final Four preview: Purdue vs NC State
48:20 The best basketball players in the portal right now
51:25 Who will be the men’s NCAA tournament champion?
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Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello discuss Kentucky head coach John Calipari's uncertain future with the Wildcats. They delve into his need to change his staff, his need to shift his focus to developing older rosters, and the pros and cons that come with working with him. From the school's perspective they get into the $33M+ the Wildcats would have to spend to buy Calipari out, and the lack of coaching options out there for his replacement. Next, Borzello highlights which programs are still in need of a coach and which programs that would support a coach if a coach were to land there. Lastly, Thamel and Borzello recap their favorite games and players of the NCAA Tournament so far and preview the upcoming games they are looking to watch in the Sweet 16 round.
0:00 Will Kentucky fire Calipari this week?
7:45 SMU can afford Calipari's $33M buyout
13:22 Adjustments Calipari should make
26:48 Louisville caught flat footed in head coach search
30:38 Are all top coaches headed to SEC and Big Ten?
36:55 Schools in need of a coach
50:00 Jeff's favorite NCAA Tournament moments so far
55:53 Sweet 16 game previews
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel dive into Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC - specifically how this affects Clemson's, Florida State's, and North Carolina's future with the league, and whether or not ACC will even remain a league. They also get into how this affects less profitable football programs like Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Indiana, and take time to really underscore how important it is for programs like those to become more competitive in order to not get left behind. Then they shift their attention to the College Football Playoff - ESPN six-year $7.8 billion contract and question how it's fathomable that players aren't getting a cut of the pie. Lastly, Pete shares the news that Washington's Troy Dannen replaces Trev Alberts as Nebraska AD, and that Iowa's OT Kadyn Proctor is reentering the portal and rejoining Alabama.
0:00 Welcome To The College GameDay Podcast
01:02 Clemson Files Lawsuit Against ACC
03:45 Clemson’s Lawsuit Shifts Eyes To North Carolina
06:35 Salvaging the ACC Without Clemson and FSU
12:40 Clemson Files Lawsuit Against ACC
16:22 The Value That Is Unique To College Sports
27:30 CFP and ESPN Deal
31:30 Troy Dannen In As AD Nebraska
39:11 Kadyn Proctor Enters Transfer Portal
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel preview the men's NCAA tournament bracket. They discuss their takeaways for each region, possible upsets, and then make their final four and conference champion picks. More specifically, they discuss UConn as the number one seed and who could possibly take them on, the pros and cons of Arizona, their doubts for Houston making it very far, what to keep in mind when watching NC State, what Kentucky brings to the table, Purdue's and Tennessee's baggage, and so much more!
03:30 - East preview: UConn's pathway
13:00 - East preview: Possible upsets
16:45 - East preview: The effect of Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr.
22:30 - West preview: North Carolina's defense against other teams
25:00 West preview: Possible upsets
28:25 - West preview: The problem with Clemson
37:00 - West preview: The intrigue of Arizona
44:20 - South preview: The potholes in Houston's pathway
46:00 - South preview: How quickly will NC State fall?
58:34 - South preview: Kentucky's Reed Sheppard
01:05:51 - Midwest Preview: Purdue's & Tennessee's baggage
01:11:00 - Midwest preview: Possible upsets
01:22:00 - Full bracket preview: Final picks
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel share their shock for the news that Nebraska's AD and alum Trev Alberts is expected to agree to a five-year deal with Texas A&M, then expand on Alberts' lengthy history with the Cornhuskers and why they think money may not be the primary deciding factor in this potential move. Then they sit down with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown to discuss the text that got him his job, the obstacle he faces while on the job, and how he plans to dominate recruiting in New York, New Jersey, and beyond.
0:00 Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast
0:20 Texas A&M Hires Trev Alberts as New AD
09:54 Pete Reacts To Syracuse Fran Brown Hire
11:24 How Fran Brown Got The Syracuse HC Job
25:00 How Brown’s NJ Roots Influence Syracuse’s Program
34:00 Brown Addresses Recruiting Against Big Ten & SEC Teams
49:00 It’s Important To Be There For Players And Staff
56:05 What Determines Success For Syracuse Football
57:23 Syracuse’s Dino BBQ Or Clemson’s Smoking Pig?
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith to discuss his swift transition into the role, him having to take on the transfer portal chaos, and how he sees the in-state rivalry with Michigan. Smith also gets into his QB days at Oregon with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, and what it's like to rub arms with MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo. Lastly, Rece reflects on an old MSU game where comedian Ken Jeong went viral after shouting out his wife, "Tran, you complete me Ho. That's her last name. That's her last name. Relax, ESPN."
0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast
00:18 - Why Are We Moving Off The 12-Team Playoff?
12:08 - Unique League Matchups
22:54 - Coach Smith On His Arrival at MSU
31:51 - Coach Smith: Tom Izzo Is Awesome To Lean On
35:22 - MSU Coach Smith Gives a Snapshot of Aidan Chiles
51:28 - Jonathan Smith: Ochocinco Caught My Best Throw
52:52 - Rece: The MSU Fight Song is Underrated
01:01:45 - Rece's Memory of Ken Jeong at Michigan St
01:06:06 - Can Pete sing the Syracuse fight song?
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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and ESPN.com Senior Writer Ryan McGee discuss former USC quarterback Caleb Williams' excitement ahead of the NFL Draft and how he's not pushing an agenda by saying he'd be "excited" if the Chicago Bears take him at No. 1. They also make some player leader picks ahead of the NFL Combine. Lastly, Rece and Ryan chat about how they haven't even adjusted to a 12-team playoff before discussions picked up about a 14-team playoff, and how, for field storming, we should just be like Clemson and walk off the field.
0:00 - Welcome To The College GameDay Podcast
0:15 - Indianapolis Wind Cut My Spleen
01:23 - NFL Draft Underwear Olympics
02:43 - Caleb Williams Leverage with NFL Teams
10:30 - Caleb Williams No Agenda
14:15 - Run the Fastest 40 At The Combine
20:49 - St. Elmo’s Cocktail Sauce
23:00 - 14 Team Playoff
28:24 - Court Storming
37:30 - Craziest Field Storming
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Boston College head coach Bill O'Brien to discuss how he's constructing his program - from targeting o-line players, to developmental coaches, to incorporating NIL. Then he gets into his previous experience and how programs like Penn State, the Houston Texans, and New England Patriots shaped him as a coach. Then, Rece and Pete get into why former Missouri Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois would leave for the University of Arizona, the Pac-12's move which shows why they don't want to go away, and what Pete thinks everyone should keep an eye on in college football right now.
0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast
02:12 - First Impressions of New Boston College HC Bill O’Brien
03:46 - Boston College HC Bill O’Brien Sits With Pete Thamel
07:04 - HC O’Brien: We Need To Target The Right Guys To Build The Team
13:52 - HC O’Brien: Boston College Has To Be Part of NIL Landscape
21:35 - O’Brien Kept Penn State Football From Disintegrating
24:49 - Boston College Faces A Challenging Schedule
30:38 - Why Would Francois Leave Miz For Arizona
36:42 - Pac-12 Hints They Don’t Intend To Go Away
40:05 - Gameday Is Headed To UCONN This Week
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule to discuss how his NFL experience - paired with his time at Temple and Baylor - will help him revive Cornhuskers football, why Rhule rooted for defensive coordinator Tony White to get the UCLA head coach job, and what in the world a Runza is. Then, Rece and Pete get into what it's been like working with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban since he joined ESPN, how Pat McAfee has been able to bring Saban's personality out front and center, and how sure they are that Alabama fans are totally patient, pragmatic, and calm following Saban's retirement and not at all worried that Ryan Grubb is going to the Seahawks.
0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast
01:24 - Ohio St, UCLA, Boston College Coaching Moves
04:05 - HC Matt Rhule On The Difference Between Year 1 & 2
06:05 - HC Matt Rhule Brings NFL Experience To Nebraska
09:00 - Rhule On The Attraction Of Being A College Coach
13:12 - HC Matt Rhule On Rebuilding Nebraska Football
19:23 - HC Matt Rhule On QB Dylan Railoa Coming To Nebraska
23:04 - HC Matt Rhule: I Just Want To See Our Players Rip It
25:55 - HC Matt Rhule DC Tony White Is The Coolest In The Room
28:02 - Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts’ Farm Stories
30:08 - HC Matt Rhule: Jahmal Banks Has Raised The Bar
32:05 - HC Rhule: Security Didn’t Want Me Storming The Court
33:23 - Nebraska HC Matt Rhule’s Favorite Local Lincoln Spots
37:38 - Former Bama HC Nick Saban Joining ESPN Was No Surprise
43:36 - Nick Saban Is Already 100 MPH On NFL Draft Draft Prep
44:50 - Bringing Out Nick Saban’s Personality On Gameday
47:26 - Peculiar For UCLA Chip Kelly To Go To Ohio State
51:25 - Alabama Shouldn’t Worry About Grubb Going To Seahawks
59:11 - The Apple Vision Pro Is The Bane Of Our Existence
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Washington head coach Jedd Fisch to discuss the two iconic head coaching sires - Stephen Belichick and Brennan Carroll - on his staff, what he's seen of Washington quarterback Will Rogers, and how the NCAA tampering rules affected his departure from Arizona. He also shares a story about his relentless pursuit to get into the OJ trial. Then, Rece and Pete get into the details of the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff structure, Dartmouth players possibly unionizing, and whether or not Rece is jinxing the North Carolina Tar Heels!
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Tennessee being investigated by the NCAA for NIL violations, and the subsequent attorneys general of Tennessee and Virginia antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA. They also get into the future of Michigan under Sherrone Moore and then bring in ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller to go over what we can expect from the NFL draft.Tune in next week for when new University of Washington Head Coach Jedd Fisch joins the pod!0:00 - NCAA Investigating Tennessee For NIL Violations
11:35 - Update: NCAA Is Sued Post-Tennessee Investigation
14:30 - Michigan Hires Sherrone Moore As Head Coach To Replace Harbaugh
23:26 - NFL Draft Prediction: QBs Will Dominate The Top
32:20 - Are We In An Era of Extreme Offense?
36:44 - Will There Be a 1st Round RB In The NFL Draft This Year?
43:00 - The Big 12 Football Schedule For 2024 Is Here
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel talk about Ohio State’s boatload of portal additions - including Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin and Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs - and how this affects new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s program in the upcoming season. Rece and Pete also get into how Ohio State head coach Ryan Day built and supplemented his team. Then, they make some way-too-early pre-season game picks and get into a discussion on how fairly coaches are being judged.
00:05 Ohio State's Shift In Roster Makeup
09:38 What If We See Ohio St vs Michigan In The Playoffs?
15:20 Way Too Early Team Picks For Pre-Season
19:42 Does The Playoff Affect How We Judge Coaches?
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Pete Thamel and ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter convene for an emergency podcast to talk about the news of Jim Harbaugh leaving the national champion Michigan Wolverines to coach the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. They get into what kept Harbaugh from getting on the plane to Atlanta, what this means for the Michigan program, and the possibility of Michigan offensive coordinator/offensive line coach, Sherrone Moore, stepping into the head coach role.
1:33 What kept Harbaugh from going to Atlanta?
2:10 What’s next for Michigan?
2:34 Who will be Michigan’s next head coach?
5:36 Adam Schefter’s Harbaugh memories
7:44 Expectations for Sherrone Moore
11:20 How well does Harbaugh pair with Charges Quarterback Justin Herbert?
12:55 Where is Michigan Quarterback, JJ McCarthy’s, range in the draft?
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Rece Davis and Pete Thamel reflect on new coach hirings, retirements and changes that have shaken the college football world. They discuss latest news of Freshman Caleb Downs possibly entering the transfer portal, the surprise retirement announcement of Nick Saban and his reasons why plus where Jim Harbaugh will land next. We get a behind the scenes look into Rece’s thoughts on his exclusive interviews with these coaches. Hopefully Jim Harbaugh won’t announce where he’s coaching next while Pete is on vacation.
Rece's Exclusive Interview with Jim Harbaugh After Winning the National Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yljRESjsZjo&ab_channel=ESPN
Rece's Exclusive Interview with Nick Saban After Announcing His Retirement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-NTaEbfAtg&ab_channel=ESPN
00:20 - Caleb Downs Headed To Portal
02:04 - Alabama Ripple Effects After Saban’s Retirement
04:48 - Nick Saban BTS Interview Moments
18:01 - Asking Jim Harbaugh About His Future Plans
21:16 - The Question Rece Wishes He Asked Jim Harbaugh
22:31 - Jim Harbaugh BTS Interview Moments
25:12 - Jim Is The Best Team Builder
27:29 - If Harbaugh Leaves Michigan, Who Takes Over?
29:26 - Nick Saban BTS Interview Moments
32:28 - Rece’s Early Reporter Days Covering Nick Saban
36:35 - Saban and Harbaugh’s Relationship With The Media
39:33 - Alabama and Michigan Players Headed To The Portal
42:26 - Teams Moving Quickly On Portal Players
44:13 - Washington Hires Arizona’s Jedi Fish As HC
47:09 - Arizona Hires San Jose St’s Brent Brennan As HC
51:22 - Harbaugh To Leave Michigan During Pete’s Vacation
52:36 - College Gameday Pod Off-Season Preview
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Matt starts out by saying how he's glad they don't have to focus on rankings on their show and they just get to talk about what happened over the weekend. Kirk agrees...then they proceed to talk about rankings for the next ten minutes!
Gotta love Herbie!
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but there was hardly a mention of the #3/#4 matchup and we had to listen to Paul talk about Alabama (who lost) for most of the podcast. Lame!
C'mon Kirk. Des Moines?!?! The University of Iowa is in Iowa City! And comparing Nebraska to Iowa is an insult.
a snarky herbstreit!!! love it. speaking nothing but the truth.
this show is so good when Herbstreit is on
don't need mcfarland as a guest anymore....just saying
and things like that.....profound reporting and journalism
New England won't take Tua. He's a Christian and Belichek demands that his players view him as God.
Speaking to the last few minutes of the podcast, what are these alleged advantages that the Southern teams have, and what among those is something that can actually be fixed? In the Big Ten, in particular, the facilities at many of those schools is pretty much on par with those in, say, the SEC. And you are not going to be able to solve where the bulk of the college football talent comes from. So what, exactly, are the fixable advantages that the southern schools have? It's also disappointing to hear even more people espouse the belief that expansion of the playoffs is a way to solve the situation. Bringing in more undeserving teams from weaker conferences as a pity f*** to get their asses kicked in the college playoff is not going to do much of anything to expand the horizons for those loser schools. Rather, it is merely going to Showcase how much worse they are. At least now they have the illusion that maybe if they had made the playoff they could have made some noise. Plus, those sc
It's still laughable to me how the broadcast touts continue to mistakenly frame the USC program as being somehow elite. It definitely shows the age of the people involved. Anyone over about their mid-forties knows that the Pete Carroll era was an exception - not the rule - regarding USC dominance. Any look over their history reveals that they went decades at a time as a slightly below or slightly above average Pac-12 program that was able to put together one or two really good seasons every once in awhile but could not maintain it for more than 3 years at the most. But people 40 and below grew up with the Pete Carroll years being more or less their earliest memories of that program and believe that's always been the case. I think some of that also goes back to the history of great running backs the team had in the 60s into the early 80s. They had great Seasons with OJ Simpson and Charles White, but even one of White's Seasons included for losses, and during the two seasons in which Mar
Davis makes the classic mistake all of the talking heads make when discussing changing the college football landscape: He believes that you can tweak a bad system and produce a good system. No. If you honestly want to fix the things that people claim they have problems with - and the goal actually IS a legitimate playoff that crowns a bona fide national champion - you first have to blow the whole thing up. And pretty much no one would be willing to do that. That's all you need to know about how sincere people are when they say they want an improved system that is more fair.
With all due respect to Herbstreit and his philosophy that it doesn't matter who you're playing as long as you look impressive against them, it is laughable that so many like him still cling to this "they were ranked X when they played them" b*******. What matters is how good that team ended up being, not whether they were ranked No. 9 in Week 2 before finishing the regular season 7-5.
nz
Yes. no heather.