ESPN "The Message" (2015) 1:00 (USA)

Ohio State University’s Urban Meyer delivers the message to get people amped about ESPN's College Football Playoff. Ohio State has the most at stake, you see as there are a lot of teams wanting to unseat them. For you college football nerds out there, we have a lot of visual eye candy symbolism. Like:

A real “crimson tide,” symbolizing the University of Alabama.
The University of Oregon Duck hosting a dinner party alongside several other mascots, with an "Eat Your Enemies" neon sign, a replica of one that hangs in Oregon's athlete cafeteria.
Texas Christian University and Baylor University’s rivalry is symbolized in a long road of TCU-branded bear traps ready to intercept the Baylor Bears. The Fort Worth sign notes the short distance between the two schools.
The Michigan State Spartan phrenology bust symbolizes the obsession with winning and the plot to reverse last season’s losses against Oregon and Ohio State.
The Auburn University War Eagle makes an appearance in an animated scene which combines the school’s mascot with the tradition of papering Toomer’s Corner, dropping rolls on Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field, where the
team hopes to avenge last year's loss.
Louisiana State University’s popular tiger mascot, Mike VI, appears with his sights set on the National Championship Trophy.
A chess board painted with the University of Tennessee’s iconic end zone design has them facing off against longtime rivals, the University of Georgia.
University of Southern California’s fans drag a massive Trojan horse to Rose Bowl stadium – a nod to the long standing cross-town rivalry with University of California, Los Angeles.  
A khaki army represents Jim Harbaugh’s inaugural season as the head coach at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, and his quest to prove himself on a new playing field.
A wall of Mississippi State cowbells denotes the ubiquitous and distinctive sound heard at every MSU game.
The University of Notre Dame is represented by fans painting their shaved heads gold to mimic the signature golden dome as well as the team’s iconic helmets.

The final scene showcases several mascots lurking in the shadows, ready to make their move. They include: University of Arkansas' Big Red, The Baylor Bear, Boise State University's Buster Bronco, Clemson University’s Tiger, University of Florida's Albert, Mississippi State's Bully, University of Georgia's Hairy Dawg, Georgia Institute of Technology’s Buzz, University of Kentucky’s Wildcat, University of Missouri's Truman the Tiger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln' s Herbie Husker, University of Oklahoma's Boomer, The Oregon Duck, University of Mississippi’s Rebel Black Bear, University of South Carolina's Cocky, UCLA's Joe Bruin, Vanderbilt University’s Mr. Commodore and University of Wisconsin-Madison's Bucky the Badger.

I normally don't copy press releases verbatim but since I don't follow college football I figured I should get it right. Have to say even though I didn't get all the references it's a pretty impressive spot.

Client: ESPN
Agency: W+K NEW YORK
Executive Creative Directors David Kolbusz, Jaime Robinson
Creative Directors Brandon Henderson, Caleb Jensen, Erwin Federizo
Creatives Will Binder, Andy Dao
Executive Producer Temma Shoaf
Producer Luiza Naritomi
Head of Integrated Production Nick Setounski
Account Team Mike Welch, Joe Morelli
Project Manager Kristin Daly
Business Affairs Manager Keri Rommel
Head of Business Affairs Sara Jagiels
Traffic Sonia Bisono, Rylee Millerd
Production MJZ
Director Joaquin Baca-Asay
Executive Producer Emma Wilcockson
Producer Lalou Dammond
Editorial Company Bikini Editorial
Editor Avi Oron
Assistant Editor Gus Roman
Post Producer Ruganzu Howard
Post Executive Producer Gina Pagano
End Card Animation Inti Martinez
VFX Company The Mill
Executive Producer Jeremy Moore
Producer Andrew Hamill
Creative Director Mike Schaeffer
2D Lead and Flame artist Chris Sonia
Nuke Artist Rob Meade
VFX Supervisor Tony Robins
Designer Lizzi Akana, Sean Latrell, Clemens Den Exter
3D Tracking Katie Schiffer, Paul Liaw, Kevin Ives
Music Co: Original Music by Human
Sound Designer Kip Smedley
Creative Director Stephen Dewey
Executive Producer Patty Chow Dewey
MIX Sonic Union
Mixer Steve Rosen
Managing Director Adam Barone
Producer Melissa Tanzer
Color The Mill
Colorist Fergus McCall
Color Producer Liz Hurd

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Melody's picture

Where did you get the chess board? or Can you buy it somewhere with the GA player pieces?

Dabitch's picture

Sorry, we don't have information on where the team got the props.

Melody's picture

:(