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ESPN College GameDay

ESPN

The moment ESPN College GameDay’s lights turn off, Rece Davis and Pete Thamel lock in on the games. They’re glued to the TV on travel days to discuss the latest news on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays with friends like Steve Coughin, Ryan McGee, Heather Dinich. Rece and Pete chat every week about momentum shifting plays, rumors permeating across the college football landscape, missteps in the rankings and so much more!

Location:

Bristol, CT

Networks:

ESPN

Description:

The moment ESPN College GameDay’s lights turn off, Rece Davis and Pete Thamel lock in on the games. They’re glued to the TV on travel days to discuss the latest news on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays with friends like Steve Coughin, Ryan McGee, Heather Dinich. Rece and Pete chat every week about momentum shifting plays, rumors permeating across the college football landscape, missteps in the rankings and so much more!

Twitter:

@espnu

Language:

English

Contact:

ESPN Viewer Response ESPN Plaza Bristol, CT 06010 1-888-549-3776


Episodes
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All The GOOD And The BAD From The First 12-Team Playoff

1/22/2025
Rece Davis and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, take a birds eye view of the first year of the 12-team playoff and discuss the concerns they have from both the regular season and the postseason. Moreover, they get into the broader topic of college player professionalization and how they see that moving forward. Then they touch on the best stories that caught their eye and the stories coming this fall. The pod has a survey! Fill it out to contribute your thoughts on how the pod went this season: https://forms.gle/UHFg4idbbA5q7SHFA 0:00 - Welcome 1:50 - CFP National Championship recap with Ryan McGee 15:28 - What fixes should be made to the 12-team playoff? 19:30 - How should conference disparity be addressed? 27:30 - How should college player professionalization be addressed? 34:43 - How to differentiate college football from the NFL? 40:24 - The best parts of the regular season 45:10 - What to look forward to next season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:58:12

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The MOMENT Ohio State Won The National Title Game Against Notre Dame

1/21/2025
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Harry Lyles Jr., host of "Countdown to GameDay" on the ESPN College Football YouTube channel, discuss the adversity Ohio State overcame to win the College Football Playoff National Championship, the end of the narrative about Ryan Day's job being at stake, Notre Dame's promising future and more! 0:00 - Ohio State claims 7th national title 2:41 - Ohio State coach Ryan Day's gutsy call 4:34 - Did Notre Dame respond correctly on third-and-11? 5:39 - Ohio State's formula to secure the win 7:28 - What will Notre Dame's roster look like next season? 11:25 - The narrative that's been put to rest 12:20 - What's in store for Ohio State next season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:22:34

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Can Notre Dame REALLY Take Down Ohio State In The CFP Title Game?

1/14/2025
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Notre Dame's resiliency, the path to outlasting Ohio State, and how a national title will affect each coach in the eyes of their programs and fans. Then, Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti joins! He breaks down what he's seen from both Notre Dame and Indiana when he played them this past season. He also talks about how quarterback Kurtis Rourke played an entire season on a torn ACL, how he's rebuilding Indiana, and what to expect from their new quarterback! 0:00 - How Notre Dame has found ways to win 5:00 - The lore around Notre Dame 9:00 - How to deal with Ohio State's offensive line 12:37 - Ohio State fans fully embracing Coach Ryan Day? 18:11 - Notre Dame vs. Ohio State: Previous matchups 23:29 - National Championship game predictions 30:23 - Indiana coach Curt Cignetti joins! 31:00 - Cignetti on this year's transfer portal 32:44 - Kurtis Rourke played an entire season on a torn ACL? 34:00 - Cignetti on signing ex-Cal QB Fernando Mendoza 35:53 - Cignetti breaks down how the title game will go down Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:49:02

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The Mistake That Cost Texas The Cotton Bowl?

1/11/2025
Rece Davis and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, discuss the moment when Texas could've turned the tide of the game, Texas' future with Arch Manning, Jack Sawyer's unyielding loyalty and impeccable leadership with the Buckeyes, and If Notre Dame can keep the national title game close against Ohio State. 0:00 - Ohio State's soul killing plays 4:57 - Ohio State vs Texas: Who had the better regular season? 6:30 - Ohio State Jack Sawyer's scoop-and-score 9:09 - The person that bleeds buckeyes from their veins and their soul 11:16 - Is Texas close to eventually winning a national title? 15:20 - Notre Dame to put up a fight against Ohio State in national title game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:28:10

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Notre Dame To Win It All & Silence The Top Conference Debate?

1/6/2025
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss the 54 seconds of football that changed Notre Dame's program, the eyebrow raising injuries for both Notre Dame and Penn State, the gauntlet Ohio State is in to get to the national title game and their next mammoth matchup against Texas, the transfer portal moves that caught Pete's eye, and more! 0:00 - A day dedicated to a notable Notre Dame coach 1:00 - The semifinals matchups everyone wanted? 4:26 - Notre Dame's crucial 54 seconds against Georgia 8:48 - Can Notre Dame run their punt team off the field before a play? 12:22 - The Big Ten's dominant season + a note about the top conference debate 22:19 - Penn State & Notre Dame key injury updates 27:02 - Penn State & Notre Dame storylines you may not know 30:23 - The team to take down Ohio State 34:57 - Texas' major execution issues 41:29 - The most interesting transfer portal moves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:49:04

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Rose & Peach Bowl DISASTERS and FORTUNES

1/2/2025
Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Ohio State's bludgeoning of Oregon, the person they caught wearing a Cheshire Cat grin at the end of the game, the rivalry between two coaches that they've picked up on, the mess of the Texas - Arizona State game, what Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman's said to his team following the Sugar Bowl's postponement, and more. 0:00 - Unbelievable Ohio State stat of the night 5:00 - Which Ohio State Buckeye stunned Oregon? 5:47 - Ohio State mindset that pushed them to a win 9:00 - Texas was playing with their food? 11:42 - Why Arizona State deserves their flowers 16:52 - The trend for Big 12 teams after they reach the top 18:46 - What Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said about the truck attack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:26:12

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The FORMULAS for College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Success

12/31/2024
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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:04:46

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The Top Reasons First Round Playoff Blowouts Happened

12/22/2024
Pete Thamel, Harry Lyles, host of "Countdown to GameDay" on the ESPN College Football YouTube channel, and Heather Dinich, ESPN College Football Playoff insider, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:42:58

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Who will SURVIVE the First Round of the College Football Playoff?

12/16/2024
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:48:08

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Can Belichick's NFL Success REALLY Be Replicated in College?

12/11/2024
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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:47:41

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Did Your Favorite Team Get LEFT OUT Of The College Football Playoff?

12/8/2024
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:36:00

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CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND Brings High Stakes Drama!

12/5/2024
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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:43:41

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Kalen DeBoer Reacts To Alabama's Current Position To Be In LAST PLAYOFF SPOT

12/4/2024
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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:37:58

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Is Flag Planting Going Too Far?! Disrespect During Rivalry Weekend

12/2/2024
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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:52:37

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Are THREE-LOSS SEC Teams REALLY THAT GOOD?

11/27/2024
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:57:29

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Which Teams LOOK Like Playoff Teams? + The SEC Teams That Collapsed

11/25/2024
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:53:51

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Who's About To Clinch Their Title Game Spot? + Teams Trying To Stop The Free Fall

11/21/2024
Rece Davis and Matt Miller, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst & Insider, look at Week 13 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. Tune in to find out the reason Ohio State is shuffling their offensive line around, who Cam Skattebo is, why The Swamp is a dangerous spot for Ole Miss, and the uniforms the guys are looking to forward to seeing on the field! 3:48 - Indiana vs. Ohio State 10:22 - Colorado vs. Kansas 15:00 - Wisconsin vs. Nebraska 20:02 - BYU vs. Arizona State 23:37 - Alabama vs. Oklahoma 28:11 - Alabama QB Jalen Milroe Draft Status 30:43 - Ole Miss vs. Florida 35:29 - Army vs. Notre Dame 40:20 - GameDay Deep Cut: UNLV vs. San José State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:50:26

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Should An Undefeated Team BENCH Their Quarterback For Biggest Game In History?

11/20/2024
Rece Davis and Joey Galloway, former Ohio State wide receiver, discuss the importance of protecting a quarterback. They get into the heated debate on whether or not it makes sense for Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti to bench Kurtis Rourke this weekend as the Hoosiers take on Ohio State. The guys also take a look at the College Football Playoff Week 13 rankings and give their thoughts on the competitive state of the SEC and which teams could make it to the conference title game. They end the show with some early predictions on which teams could come out on top of the Big 12, ACC, Mountain West and the American conference! 1:51 - Should Indiana sit quarterback Kurtis Rourke for Ohio State game? 9:04 - Bigger game for Indiana: Ohio State or CFP first round? 18:50 - Rankings issue brewing amongst two loss SEC teams 24:04 - Is the SEC having their greatest season ever? 32:08 - The steep impact of taking on a single loss 36:36 - Ohio State adjusts to offensive line injuries 40:45 - Rapid fire: Which team is the best team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:49:54

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Which Conference Is TRULY Elite? + Big 12 Scoreboard Whiplash

11/18/2024
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee, host of "Marty & McGee" on SEC Network, discuss Oregon coach Dan Lanning's bold calls, Kansas disrupting BYU's perfect season, Arizona State's shot at a conference title, the lack of statement wins in Texas' and Indiana's schedules, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel's clever press conference move, and Louisville's botched game against Stanford. 0:00 - Welcome 3:10 - Are SEC Teams A Cut Above Everyone Else? 5:31 - Oregon Won Against A Formidable Wisconsin Team 14:14 - A Big 12 Scoreboard Whiplash 22:14 - Resume Comparison: Texas vs Indiana 31:30 - Does Intent To Schedule Matter? 38:58 - Tennessee Penalty & Subsequent Press Conference 42:22 - Best In Game: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty 47:45 - Dumb Loses More Than Smart Wins: Louisville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:55:57

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Tennessee OPTIMISTIC Nico Iamaleava Will Play? + Colorado To Be PUSHED AROUND By Utah?!

11/14/2024
Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Matt Miller, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst & Insider, look at Week 12 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. Tune in to find out Pete's update on Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and if he will be cleared from concussion protocols to play Georgia. Also, tune in to find out about Georgia quarterback Carson Beck's tanking draft stock, why Rece picked Washington this week around, their thoughts on if Texas-Arkansas is really a rivalry, and if Navy will be eliminated from the AAC title game! 0:00 - Tennessee vs. Georgia 11:07 - Michigan State vs. Illinois 12:59 - Kansas vs. BYU 17:29 - Cincinnati vs. Iowa State 20:46 - Utah vs. Colorado 24:45 - Texas vs. Arkansas 30:21 - Friday game preview: UCLA vs. Washington 34:22 - GameDay deep cut preview: Tulane vs. Navy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:46:59