ESPN College GameDay

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel, and Ryan McGee kick off Part 1 of the ACC Conference Preview with the biggest storylines heading into 2026. Can the ACC change its national perception? Can Miami return to the CFP? Plus, they break down Notre Dame’s evolution and the other ACC contenders that could make a run this season.

0:00 - Welcome

4:15 - Can ACC change its national perception?

11:19 - ACC goes all in on Friday night football

16:41 - Miami’s path back to the CFP

19:35 - Can Miami reload in the trenches?

24:07 - Can Notre Dame leave no doubt in 2026?

27:09 - Can CJ Carr become college football’s top QB?

32:10 - Notre Dame: From Brian Kelly to Marcus Freeman

38:02 - ACC teams that could make a run: Georgia Tech

41:05 - ACC teams that could make a run: Louisville

46:40 - ACC teams that could make a run: SMU

48:04 - Can Virginia build on its breakout season?
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The College GameDay Podcast continues its 2026 Big Ten football season preview as Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel examine the conference’s sleepers, spoilers and potential breakout teams. Can Wisconsin rebound under Luke Fickell? Could Demond Williams Jr. and Washington crash the Big Ten championship race? Are Maryland, Illinois, Nebraska, UCLA, Iowa or Minnesota ready to make a leap?

The crew also discusses Pat Fitzgerald’s first season at Michigan State, Bob Chesney’s UCLA rebuild, Chip Kelly taking over Northwestern’s offense and the debut of the new Ryan Field. Plus, has NIL and the transfer portal erased the SEC’s talent advantage—and should three straight national championships make the Big Ten the best conference in college football?

0:00 Big Ten Football Preview Part 2: Sleepers and Teams to Watch
1:27 Big Ten vs. SEC: Did NIL Shift College Football’s Balance of Power?
11:28 Wisconsin Football Preview: Is Luke Fickell on the Hot Seat?
13:54 Maryland Football Preview: Can Malik Washington Lead a Breakthrough?
15:32 Illinois Football Preview: Can Bret Bielema Keep the Illini Rising?
18:42 Nebraska Football Preview: Can the Huskers Finally Break Through?
20:22 UCLA Football Preview: Bob Chesney and Nico Iamaleava
22:42 Iowa Football Preview: Can the Hawkeyes Find an Offense?
26:06 Michigan State Football Preview: The Pat Fitzgerald Era Begins
30:11 Northwestern Football Preview: New Ryan Field and Chip Kelly
34:49 Washington Football Preview: Can Demond Williams Jr. Become Elite?
40:41 Minnesota Football Preview: Drake Lindsey and Anthony Smith
48:08 Purdue and Rutgers Football Previews: Reasons for Optimism?
54:27 Best Quotes from 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days
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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel break down the top contenders in the Big Ten as Part 1 of the College GameDay Podcast's conference preview series gets underway. Can Ohio State reclaim the conference crown? Will Oregon finally break through? And does Indiana have another championship run in store? We all that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast!

00:00 - Welcome to the College Gameday Podcast

00:40 - Drafting the top teams in the Big Ten

10:46 - How does Indiana follow up a perfect season?

25:09 - Is Ohio State the team to beat in the Big Ten?

34:45 - Can Dante Moore lead Oregon to a CFP breakthrough?

43:50 - Can USC breakthrough under Lincoln Riley?

48:07 - Can Matt Campbell win right away at Penn State?

51:53 - Who wins the BIG Ten?

55:20 - Thanks for listening!

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Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Dan Wetzel react to North Carolina placing Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave and discuss what it means for the program moving forward. Plus, they debate whether this is a make-or-break season for Lincoln Riley at USC, whether Indiana should still be the favorite in the Big Ten, and break down the biggest storylines heading into Big Ten Media Days. All that and more on this episode of the College GameDay Podcast.

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Rece Davis is back from Wimbledon and joins Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel to talk about SEC Media Days. They discuss Eli Drinkwitz’s thoughts on Power Four nonconference scheduling, predict the SEC race, make early picks for Weeks 1 and 2, and weigh in on Josh Heupel’s comments about Lane Kiffin’s return to Neyland Stadium.



0:00 - Welcome back from Wimbledon, Rece

7:55 - USF’s new stadium and outdoor bar

14:51 - Best sponsor names for iconic stadiums

23:03 - Eli Drinkwitz on P4 nonconference games

40:17 - Who will win the SEC this season?

42:19 - Picking early season winners: Week 1

48:38 – Picking early season winners: Week 2

57:16 - Josh Heupel’s comments on Kiffin’s return to Neyland

1:01:11 - Looking ahead to SEC media days
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