College GameDay (football TV program)

Last updated

College GameDay
2025 College GameDay logo.png
2025 logo
Presented by Rece Davis
Starring Kirk Herbstreit
Desmond Howard
Pat McAfee
Nick Saban
Jen Lada
Jess Sims
Pete Thamel
Steve "Stanford Steve" Coughlin
Katie Feeney
Opening theme"Comin' to Your City" by Big & Rich (performed by Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and The Cadillac Three)
Country of originUnited States
Production
Production locations Bristol, Connecticut (1987–2002)
On location (1993–present)
Running time180 minutes
Original release
Network ESPN
ReleaseSeptember 5, 1987 (1987-09-05) –
present

College GameDay (branded as ESPN College GameDay built by The Home Depot for sponsorship reasons) is a pre-game show broadcast by ESPN as part of the network's coverage of college football, broadcast on Saturday mornings during the college football season. In its current form, the program is typically broadcast from the campus of the team hosting a featured game being played that day and features news and analysis of the day's upcoming games.

Contents

The show takes on a festive tailgate party atmosphere, as thousands of fans gather behind the broadcast set, in view of the show's cameras. Many fans bring flags or hand-painted signs as well, and the school's cheerleaders and mascots often join in the celebration. Crowds at GameDay tapings are known to be quite boisterous and very spirited. Flags seen at the broadcast are not limited to those of the home team; for example, one large Washington State flag can be seen at every broadcast, regardless of the location or the teams involved. The idea began in 2003 on WSU online fan forums and has resulted in the flag, nicknamed "Ol' Crimson," being present at 320 consecutive GameDay broadcasts since 2003. [1] [2] [3]

The tailgate party theme also includes food brought onto the set cooked by a local business and the hosts sample the food prior to a commercial break, but the food is taken away by the time the program resumes.

The show's current main intro and theme music is performed by country music group The Cadillac Three featuring country singers Darius Rucker and Lainey Wilson, who perform the 2005 crossover hit "Comin' to Your City" by Big & Rich, which features revised lyrics which mention several top college teams. Big & Rich had performed the song, which featured a guest appearance by Cowboy Troy until 2022. Rap artist Travie McCoy (of Gym Class Heroes) appeared in the intro from the 2014 season until the 2017 season alongside Lzzy Hale, lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock group Halestorm. The 2018 through 2022 season featured rock artist ZZ Ward, replacing Hale. Additional music that has been used for the show include "Boom" by the rock group P.O.D. and God Bless Saturday by Kid Rock. The show also uses various other songs/music either side of commercial breaks, many of which appear at the same point of each program.

The show is known for its prediction segment that appears at the end of each broadcast. The predictions use the standard scoring system and do not use the spread in determining the pick. Typically there are six predictors: Lee Corso (who retired shortly after the start of the 2025 season), [4] Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, and an invited guest, usually a celebrity, prominent athlete, or radio personality associated with the host school for that week. From 1987 until his retirement in 2025, the show famously concluded with Corso's prediction for the host school's game, after which he dons the mascot's headgear of the team he predicts to win the game, usually to the ire or excitement of local fans. His first headgear pick occurred on October 5, 1996, when he correctly picked the Ohio State Buckeyes over the Penn State Nittany Lions. In 2018, Corso made his first NFL headgear pick when, as a guest on Sunday NFL Countdown , he correctly picked the New Orleans Saints to win their Week 9 game at home against the Los Angeles Rams. [5] Corso made his 400th headgear pick on September 16, 2023, for the Colorado/Colorado State rivalry game, he put on the headgear for Colorado. Corso made his 431st and final headgear pick on August 30, 2025, correctly picking Ohio State to defeat the Texas Longhorns. Corso compiled an all-time record of 287–144 in his headgear picks.

As of January 1, 2025, Ohio State–Penn State and Alabama–LSU are the most featured matchups, appearing thirteen times on College Gameday. Alabama–Georgia has been featured eleven times. Florida–Tennessee, Michigan–Ohio State and Army–Navy have been featured nine times. Alabama–Auburn, Florida–Florida State, Florida State–Miami, and Oklahoma–Texas currently sit at eight appearances. Ohio State has the most hosts, appearances, and wins; Alabama is second in all three categories. [6]

Crew/Staff

The GameDay crew record a post-game segment for SportsCenter at Nebraska (vs USC) on September 15, 2007. 091507-USCNeb-GameDaywrap.jpg
The GameDay crew record a post-game segment for SportsCenter at Nebraska (vs USC) on September 15, 2007.

Tim Brando was the original host, with Lee Corso and Beano Cook as commentators. Karie Ross soon became the first woman to join the broadcast. [7] The show underwent a radical transformation beginning in 1993, and began incorporating live broadcasts. The longest-tenured original cast member was Lee Corso, [8] whose appearances were pre-scripted after he suffered a stroke in 2009. [9] Rece Davis serves as host and Kirk Herbstreit is the longest-tenured current cast member, having joined the show in 1996. Desmond Howard was added to the cast of the show in 2008. Craig James served as an analyst from 1990 to 1995. Erin Andrews joined the GameDay crew as a co-host and contributor in 2010, replaced in 2012 by Samantha Ponder (and in 2017 by Maria Taylor after Ponder left to become host of Sunday NFL Countdown that same year). In 2015, Rece Davis (also host of the college basketball version of GameDay) replaced Chris Fowler as host of the show. In 2022, Pat McAfee joined, having previously been an analyst, and Nick Saban was added to the show in 2024. Corso retired from GameDay after the August 30, 2025 broadcast. [4] In 2010, the program started airing from 10:00am to 11:00am, with the opening hour broadcast on ESPNU until the present.

In 2023, ESPN laid off a large number of on-air staff, including College GameDay hosts Gene Wojciechowski and David Pollack. [10] [11]

Current

Former

History

Fan-made signs and flags being held up behind the set help make up the atmosphere of GameDay, as seen here at UCF in November 2018. College GameDay (45924728701).jpg
Fan-made signs and flags being held up behind the set help make up the atmosphere of GameDay, as seen here at UCF in November 2018.

GameDay started on ESPN in 1987 and originally broadcast from a studio in Connecticut.

In 1993, GameDay took the show "on the road" for the first time, going to South Bend, Indiana for the match-up between #2 Notre Dame and #1 FSU on November 13. [17] (Matchups between the top two teams were rare prior to the BCS). It broadcast from the Sports Heritage Hall at the Notre Dame Joyce Center. The broadcast was such a success that they did nearly half their shows in 1994 on the road and in 1995 abandoned the studio altogether.

The format also changed from broadcasting from an indoor studio on site to live from outside a stadium hosting a big game most Saturdays. The selected stadium is usually hosting one of the biggest matchups of the day, regardless of whether the game airs on an ESPN network.

At Virginia Tech in November 2005, Corso picks the University of Miami to upset Virginia Tech. Note the head of Sebastian the Ibis, the University of Miami's mascot. College Gameday 20051105 - Corso with Miami hat.jpg
At Virginia Tech in November 2005, Corso picks the University of Miami to upset Virginia Tech. Note the head of Sebastian the Ibis, the University of Miami's mascot.

Typically, the show will end with Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit issuing their predictions for that day's key matchups, finishing with the game to be played at the stadium hosting GameDay, for which Corso signifies his prediction by donning the head piece of the mascot of his predicted winner. Starting with the 2009 season, a celebrity guest picker gives picks for the day's key games alongside the GameDay regulars (such as Bob Knight when GameDay aired from Texas Tech in 2008, NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. when GameDay aired from Bristol Motor Speedway (a NASCAR track) in 2016 and Verne Lundquist in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, since it was his final season calling college football games on CBS). Prior to 2009, this was not done on a regular basis. Herbstreit, who in 2006 became a game analyst for ABC's Saturday Night Football , is not allowed to make a pick for the game at which he is assigned due to parent company Disney's conflict-of-interest rules; however, he is allowed to give one or two keys to the game.

At Penn State in October 2017, several people were lined up for GameDay by 3 AM, 6 hours before the show began. College Gameday Line.jpg
At Penn State in October 2017, several people were lined up for GameDay by 3 AM, 6 hours before the show began.

In past years, when no suitably important game was available, it would originate instead from the ESPN studios. In 2017, with no suitably important game available, one show aired from Times Square instead. In August 2019, College Gameday aired from parent company Disney's Magic Kingdom Park in Disney World ahead of the University of Florida-Miami game played in Orlando.

College GameDay was also a source for many arguments regarding the purported east coast bias: From 1993 until 2004, GameDay had only been to two regular season games on the entire West Coast (1998 at UCLA and 2000 at Oregon). Given the popularity of the show and the media coverage it brought to the highlighted game, teams and fans of the West Coast teams felt that the show was only magnifying the perceived problems with excess media focus on East, South and Midwest games; ESPN attributed its lack of West Coast games to the need for a very early start time (07:00 AM PST) and an alleged lack of high quality matchups. [18]

With the addition of the Saturday Night Football game on ABC in 2006, GameDay has increasingly aired from that game. This could be done for many reasons including the fact Kirk Herbstreit is on both programs, thus making it easier for him. Another reason could be to give the Saturday Night Football game added exposure.

Beginning with the show's 21st season (2007), College GameDay began broadcasting in high-definition on ESPN HD. Also the same season, California became the first (and as of 2024, only) team to decline to host College GameDay, [19] as the school believed GameDay should go to Virginia Tech after the Virginia Tech shooting earlier in the year. 17 years later, California would finally make its debut hosting College GameDay for a 2024 matchup against Miami.

College GameDay expanded to 3 hours, with the first hour being televised on ESPNU, beginning September 4, 2010. In addition, ESPN Radio simulcasts the television version from 9am-noon ET. Other changes include the addition of a female contributor—first Erin Andrews in 2010 and 2011, and then Samantha Ponder (then known by her maiden name, Samantha Steele) after Andrews left ESPN for Fox following the 2011 season. Both Andrews and Ponder have anchored several segments during the first hour on ESPNU, contributed during the ESPN portion, and also worked as a sideline reporter on the game from which College GameDay originated, if it aired on one of the ESPN family of networks (i.e. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC). [20]

Beginning with the 2013 season, the third hour moved to ESPN and was hosted by Fowler. Starting in 2014, the show began a now annual visit to the Army-Navy Game in mid-December. As of 2018, the entire show is simulcast on both ESPN and ESPNU.

As previously mentioned, beginning with the 29th season (2015), Rece Davis (who is also the host of the college basketball version) replaced Chris Fowler as the football version's new host. Fowler retained his play-by-play duties on ABC's Saturday Night Football.

In March 2018, ESPN announced that it would broadcast a special edition of College GameDay from Arlington, Texas, as a pre-show for its coverage of day 1 of the 2018 NFL draft. The broadcast accompanied a secondary telecast of the draft on ESPN2, which was hosted by the College GameDay panelists (barring Kirk Herbstreit, as he was involved in ESPN's main broadcast to replace the outgoing Jon Gruden). [21] [22]

In the 2020 season, College GameDay underwent modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was broadcast without an audience, and with a modified desk to comply with social distancing rules. Corso did not travel with the remainder of the College GameDay panel due to health concerns, and instead made remote appearances from his home in Orlando, as well as in filmed sketches with appearances by team mascots. [23] [24] [25] [26]

College Gameday at Michigan Stadium prior to a 2024 game. MBN S24G02 TEXAS-14.jpg
College Gameday at Michigan Stadium prior to a 2024 game.

By 2023, the crowds of students returned, and exceeded their pre-pandemic numbers. James Madison University holds the record for the largest GameDay crowd in its 30-year history: [27] 26,000 people jammed on The Quad on November 18, 2023.

Sports Emmy scandal

As of 2018, College GameDay has collected eight Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Show, tied with TNT's Inside the NBA for the most wins by an analysis program. An incident happened in 2024 where ESPN admitted that for some of the Emmys it had won from 2010 to 2018, it had submitted some invented names of fictitious associate producers to receive statuettes, then quietly replaced or modified the inscriptions on the statuettes to match the show's real on-air personalities rather than the fake names. The people given the statuettes did not realize that they had not, strictly speaking, qualified for an Emmy themselves. This modification was done because the Emmy rules exclude on-air talent from the honor of the "outstanding weekly studio show" award, and the ESPN staff thought this rule was "stupid." After the scheme was discovered in 2023, the affected staff were asked to return their trophies. [28]

Locations

Appearances by school

Appearances through September 6, 2025. [29]

Ohio State has appeared and hosted GameDay more than any other school with 67 and 26 times respectively. Skorry-ohiostadium 6048.jpg
Ohio State has appeared and hosted GameDay more than any other school with 67 and 26 times respectively.
Alabama has hosted GameDay on campus 19 times and has made a total of 60 appearances on GameDay, making them second in total appearances. The first three appearances were off-campus from Legion Field in Birmingham. Alabama-Arkansas 09-24-2005.jpg
Alabama has hosted GameDay on campus 19 times and has made a total of 60 appearances on GameDay, making them second in total appearances. The first three appearances were off-campus from Legion Field in Birmingham.
The Florida Gators have been featured on GameDay 42 times, which makes them third in most total appearances. Theswamp.jpg
The Florida Gators have been featured on GameDay 42 times, which makes them third in most total appearances.
Air Force is one of only two "Group of Five" school to have hosted GameDay three times. Falcons on offense at 2009 Armed Forces Bowl 2.JPG
Air Force is one of only two "Group of Five" school to have hosted GameDay three times.
North Dakota State is the only FCS program to host GameDay twice. Fargodome.jpg
North Dakota State is the only FCS program to host GameDay twice.
A Washington State Cougars flag has flown at every GameDay broadcast since 2003, but GameDay did not visit Martin Stadium (pictured) until 2018. Martin Stadium Washing State University.jpg
A Washington State Cougars flag has flown at every GameDay broadcast since 2003, but GameDay did not visit Martin Stadium (pictured) until 2018.
With the completion of the 2014 season, the SEC became the first (and, until 2022, the only) conference to have all of its members host GameDay at least once (although Missouri has never hosted while an SEC member; they hosted as a member of the Big 12). The SEC has also hosted GameDay more than any other conference. Southeastern Conference logo (2024).svg
With the completion of the 2014 season, the SEC became the first (and, until 2022, the only) conference to have all of its members host GameDay at least once (although Missouri has never hosted while an SEC member; they hosted as a member of the Big 12). The SEC has also hosted GameDay more than any other conference.
SchoolAppearancesHostedRecordWin PctLast hosted
Ohio State672647–20.701August 30, 2025
Alabama601939–21.650September 28, 2024
Florida421326–16.619October 5, 2019
Oklahoma421027–14.659September 6, 2025
Michigan411521–19.525September 7, 2024
Georgia401020–20.500November 16, 2024
Notre Dame401219–21.475December 20, 2024
Florida State361117–19.472October 18, 2014
LSU361422–14.611November 9, 2024
Oregon321219–13.594October 12, 2024
Clemson30819–11.633October 1, 2022
Texas281013–15.464October 19, 2024
Penn State271010–17.370November 2, 2024
Tennessee271112–15.444October 15, 2022
Miami25816–9.640September 26, 2020
USC241018–6.750November 16, 2013
Auburn23910–13.435November 25, 2017
Wisconsin2087–13.350November 18, 2017
Nebraska1779–8.529September 28, 2019
Michigan State1689–7.563October 30, 2021
Virginia Tech1464–10.286September 30, 2017
Army1225–7.417December 12, 2020
Stanford1116–5.545November 12, 2011
TCU1138–3.727September 15, 2018
Texas A&M1181–10.091November 30, 2024
Navy1004–6.400N/A
South Carolina1083–7.300September 14, 2024
UCLA1023–7.300October 23, 2021
Washington1032–8.200October 14, 2023
Iowa923–6.333September 30, 2006
Oklahoma State961–8.111November 4, 2017
Utah852–6.250October 28, 2023
Colorado743–4.429September 16, 2023
Kansas State722–5.286October 14, 2000
Georgia Tech621–5.167September 2, 2006
Missouri613–3.500October 23, 2010
Louisville532–3.400September 19, 2020
Ole Miss634–2.667October 21, 2023
West Virginia521–4.200November 1, 2014
Baylor431–3.250November 16, 2019
California411–3.250October 5, 2024
Indiana421–3.250October 26, 2024
Texas Tech411–3.250November 1, 2008
Air Force332–1.667November 7, 2009
Arizona320–3.000September 26, 2015
Arizona State310–3.000October 1, 2005
Arkansas311–2.333November 11, 2006
Boston College331–2.333November 10, 2018
BYU310–3.000October 24, 2009
James Madison331–2.333November 18, 2023
North Carolina311–2.333November 8, 1997
North Dakota State323–01.000September 13, 2014
Northwestern321–2.333October 5, 2013
Oregon State310–3.000December 4, 2010
Pittsburgh332–1.667September 1, 2022
Purdue311–2.333October 16, 2004
Washington State311–2.333October 20, 2018
Appalachian State212–01.000September 17, 2022
Cincinnati211–1.500November 6, 2021
Harvard211–1.500November 22, 2014
Illinois201–1.500N/A
Iowa State220–2.000September 11, 2021
Kansas210–2.000October 8, 2022
Kentucky210–2.000October 20, 2007
Minnesota220–2.000October 24, 2020
Mississippi State211–1.500October 11, 2014
NC State210–2.000October 23, 2004
SMU200–2.000N/A
Southern200–2.000N/A
Syracuse200–2.000N/A
Troy201–1.500N/A
UCF111-01.000November 17, 2018
Boise State111–01.000September 25, 2010
Bowling Green111–01.000October 25, 2003
Coastal Carolina111–01.000December 5, 2020
Duke110–1.000September 30, 2023
Florida A&M111–01.000November 15, 2008
Houston111–01.000November 19, 2011
Jackson State111–01.000October 29, 2022
Memphis111–01.000November 2, 2019
Montana State111–01.000November 19, 2022
Temple110–1.000October 31, 2015
Penn111–01.000November 16, 2002
South Dakota State110–1.000October 26, 2019
Vanderbilt111–01.000October 4, 2008
Wake Forest110–1.000September 12, 2020
Western Michigan111–01.000November 19, 2016
Williams111–01.000November 10, 2007
Alcorn State100–1.000N/A
Amherst100–1.000N/A
Buffalo100–1.000N/A
Colorado State100–1.000N/A
Delaware State100–1.000N/A
East Carolina100–1.000N/A
Grambling State101–01.000N/A
Hampton100–1.000N/A
Incarnate Word100–1.000N/A
Montana100–1.000N/A
North Carolina Central101–01.000N/A
Northern Illinois100–1.000N/A
Richmond101–01.000N/A
South Florida101–01.000N/A
Tulsa100–1.000N/A
Villanova100–1.000N/A
Yale100–1.000N/A

Power Four schools who have not yet hosted

Appearances through September 6, 2025

SchoolAppearancesRecordWin PctNote
Illinois21–1.500
SMU20–2.000
Syracuse20–2.000
Maryland00–0–
Rutgers00–0–
Virginia00–0–

Frequent matchups

College GameDay matchups with at least 5 games played.

Team 1Team 2MatchupsRecordLast AppearanceLast Result
Ohio StatePenn State13Ohio State leads 11–2November 2, 2024Ohio State 20–13
AlabamaLSU13Alabama leads 10–3November 9, 2024Alabama 42–13
AlabamaGeorgia11Alabama leads 8–3September 28, 2024Alabama 41–34
FloridaTennessee9Florida leads 6–3September 24, 2022Tennessee 38–33
MichiganOhio State9Ohio State leads 5–4November 25, 2023Michigan 30–24
ArmyNavy9Army leads 5–4December 9, 2023Army 17–11
AlabamaAuburn8Alabama leads 5–3November 28, 2020Alabama 42–13
FloridaFlorida State8Tied leads 4–4November 28, 2009Florida 37–10
Florida StateMiami8Miami leads 5–3September 26, 2020Miami 52–10
OklahomaTexas8Oklahoma leads 5–3October 7, 2023Oklahoma 34–30
MichiganNotre Dame7Michigan leads 5–2September 1, 2018Notre Dame 24–17
OklahomaOklahoma State7Oklahoma leads 7–0November 21, 2020Oklahoma 41–13
FloridaLSU5LSU leads 3–2October 12, 2019LSU 42–28
GeorgiaLSU5LSU leads 4–1December 7, 2019LSU 37–10
Michigan StateOhio State5Ohio State leads 3–2November 20, 2021Ohio State 56–7
Notre DameUSC5USC leads 3–2November 24, 2012Notre Dame 22–13
OregonUCLA5Oregon leads 4–1October 22, 2022Oregon 45–30

AP No. 1 vs No. 2

DateNo. 1No. 2ResultRecord
1November 13, 1993Florida StateNotre Dame 31−24 0–1
2January 2, 1996NebraskaFlorida 62−24 1–1
3November 30, 1996FloridaFlorida State24−211–2
4January 4, 1999TennesseeFlorida State 23−16 2–2
5January 4, 2000Florida StateVirginia Tech 46−29 3–2
6January 3, 2003MiamiOhio State 31−24 3–3
7January 4, 2005USCOklahoma 55−19 4–3
8January 4, 2006USCTexas 41–38 4–4
9September 9, 2006Ohio StateTexas24–75–4
10November 18, 2006Ohio StateMichigan 42–39 6–4
11January 8, 2007Ohio StateFlorida 41–14 6–5
12January 7, 2008Ohio StateLSU 38–24 6–6
13December 5, 2008AlabamaFlorida 31–20 6–7
14January 8, 2009FloridaOklahoma 24–14 7–7
15December 5, 2009FloridaAlabama 32–13 7–8
16January 7, 2010AlabamaTexas 37–21 8–8
17January 10, 2011AuburnOregon 22–19 9–8
18November 5, 2011LSUAlabama 9–6 10–8
19January 9, 2012LSUAlabama 21–0 10–9
20January 7, 2013Notre DameAlabama 42–14 10–10
21January 6, 2014Florida StateAuburn 34–31 11–10
22January 11, 2016ClemsonAlabama 45–40 11–11
23January 7, 2019AlabamaClemson 44–16 11–12
24November 9, 2019LSUAlabama 46–41 12–12
25November 5, 2022GeorgiaTennessee27–1313–12
26January 8, 2024MichiganWashington 34–13 14−12

Lee Corso headgear picks

Lee Corso made his first headgear pick on October 5, 1996, when he correctly picked the Ohio State Buckeyes over the Penn State Nittany Lions. His final headgear pick came on August 30, 2025, where he also correctly picked the Ohio State Buckeyes to defeat the Texas Longhorns. Ohio State has the most selections with 46 picks and also has the most wins with 32. USC holds the highest win percentage, winning all 17 games in which they were picked by Corso.

Source: [31] [32]

SchoolTotal Times PickedRecordWin Pct
Ohio State4632–14.696
Alabama3828–10.737
LSU2518–7.720
Florida2215–7.682
Oregon2114–7.667
Florida State1913–6.684
Oklahoma1811–7.611
Texas1810–8.556
USC1717–01.000
Notre Dame1611–5.688
Michigan1510–5.667
Clemson1411–3.786
Georgia149–5.643
Navy104–6.400
Miami (FL)97–2.778
Tennessee86–2.750
Penn State75–2.714
Wisconsin73–4.429
Auburn64–2.667
Kansas State62–4.333
TCU65–1.833
Nebraska53–2.600
Michigan State43–1.750
Oklahoma State41–3.250
Virginia Tech44–01.000
Washington42–2.500
Air Force32–1.667
Iowa31–2.333
James Madison31–2.333
North Dakota State33–01.000
Pitt32–1.667
Stanford32–1.667
South Carolina31–2.333
Texas A&M31–2.333
UCLA31–2.333
Utah32–1.667
Baylor20–2.000
Colorado21–1.500
Indiana21–1.500
Louisville21–1.500
Missouri21–1.500
Alcorn State10–1.000
Appalachian State11–01.000
Arizona10–1.000
Arkansas11–01.000
Boise State11–01.000
Bowling Green11–01.000
BYU10–1.000
Cincinnati11–01.000
Florida A&M11–01.000
Grambling State11–01.000
Houston11–01.000
Illinois11–01.000
Iowa State10–1.000
Minnesota10–1.000
Mississippi State11–01.000
Montana State11–01.000
North Carolina11–01.000
NC State10–1.000
Ole Miss11–01.000
Penn11–01.000
Purdue10–1.000
SMU10–1.000
Texas Tech11–01.000
UCF11–01.000
Washington State11–01.000
Western Michigan11–01.000
Williams11–01.000
Yale10–1.000

Celebrity guest pickers

Auburn and NBA basketball player Charles Barkley was the first celebrity guest picker on the October 2, 2004, show and has made the most show appearances with six, with his most recent appearance on December 14, 2019. Olympian and Arizona swimmer Amanda Beard was the first female celebrity guest picker on November 21, 2009. Georgia golfer Bubba Watson became the first celebrity picker to pick all games correctly on September 28, 2013. Oklahoma State and NBA player Marcus Smart became the first ever student athlete guest picker on November 23, 2013. The Oregon Duck became the first school mascot to be the guest picker on September 6, 2014. Guests have included athletes, coaches, military veterans, Make-A-Wish Foundation kids, athletes, school mascots, professional sports owners, CEOs, singers, actors and celebrity personalities.

Appearances through September 5, 2024:

CelebrityAppearancesRecordWin PctLast Appearance
Charles Barkley 623–18.561December 14, 2019
Keegan-Michael Key 429–16.644November 2, 2024
Kenny Chesney 311–11.500September 27, 2014
Eric Church 321–13.618September 14, 2019
Mark Cuban 314–15.483October 9, 2021
Eddie George 319–12.613August 28, 2021
Lane Kiffin 316–7.696November 13, 2021
Joel McHale 321–10.677October 14, 2023
Joe Namath 321–10.677September 9, 2023
Roger Staubach 34–3.571December 12, 2015
Vince Vaughn 322–13.629September 23, 2023
Zac Brown 211–7.611September 4, 2021
Luke Bryan 216–6.727November 5, 2022
The Chainsmokers 213–10.565October 13, 2018
Nathan Followill 27–12.368October 27, 2012
A.J. Hawk 29–10.474December 21, 2024
Bo Jackson 217–5.773August 31, 2019
Ken Jeong 212–8.600September 30, 2023
Bill Murray 26–8.429September 17, 2020
Jack Nicklaus 210–7.588November 14, 2020
Brad Paisley 212–6.667September 5, 2015
Rob Riggle 27–12.368October 8, 2022
Willie Robertson 27–12.368October 25, 2014
Alex Rodriguez 220–4.833October 10, 2020
Darius Rucker 213–9.591September 2, 2023
Steve Spurrier 210–11.476September 24, 2016
Eric Stonestreet 27–12.368August 31, 2013
Laila Ali 15–4.556September 17, 2016
Lance Armstrong 17–3.700September 19, 2009
Stone Cold Steve Austin 15–4.556August 30, 2014
Bob Baffert 17–3.700September 26, 2015
Nate Bargatze 17–4.636November 4, 2023
Saquon Barkley 16–6.500September 18, 2021
Amanda Beard 14–6.400November 21, 2009
Bianca Belair 17–4.636September 24, 2022
Bill Belichick 10–1.000December 9, 2023
Matt Birk 15–5.500November 22, 2014
Dierks Bentley 14–4.500October 24, 2015
Drew Bledsoe 111–3.786October 10, 2018
Big Boi 18–1.889September 6, 2010
Brian Bosworth 15–6.455September 11, 2010
Bobby Bowden 17–2.778September 11, 2010
Drew Brees 15–6.455October 10, 2009
Alex Bregman 17–6.538November 3, 2018
Kane Brown 19–3.750December 4, 2021
Tedy Bruschi 16–3.667October 3, 2009
Ty Burrell 12–3.400November 6, 2010
Frank Caliendo 18–2.800October 29, 2016
Luther Campbell 15–4.556December 2, 2017
Jim Cantore 15–3.625October 3, 2015
Ricky Carmichael 12–5.286September 22, 2012
Ki-Jana Carter 18–1.889October 10, 2017
Timothée Chalamet 14–3.571December 7, 2024
Joey Chestnut 15–1.833December 7, 2013
Dallas Clark 12–5.286December 5, 2015
Chase Claypool 18–2.800November 7, 2020
Mateen Cleaves 14–5.444October 22, 2011
Luke Combs 16–6.500September 17, 2022
PFT Commenter 13–6.333November 18, 2023
Alice Cooper 18–3.727November 8, 2014
Eric Decker 16–5.545November 30, 2019
Mike Ditka 18–2.800November 20, 2010
Pete Dawkins 13–5.375December 18, 2021
Landon Donovan 15–5.500November 24, 2012
The Oregon Duck 15–3.625September 6, 2014
Jeff Dunham 14–4.500November 14, 2015
Livvy Dunne & Paul Skenes 15–4.556November 9, 2024
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 15–5.500September 10, 2016
Ashton Eaton 14–5.444October 26, 2013
LaVell Edwards 17–3.700October 24, 2009
Harris English 15–5.500October 2, 2021
Sir Nick Faldo 17–2.778November 19, 2022
Chris Fallica14–5.444November 16, 2013
Jerry Ferrara 15–4.556October 1, 2011
Will Ferrell 15–5.500October 30, 2010
Justin Fields 16–4.600November 23, 2024
Ric Flair 16–4.600October 15, 2016
Rickie Fowler 17–4.636November 28, 2015
Jeff Foxworthy 17–4.636October 16, 2021
Phillip Fulmer 15–6.455September 24, 2016
Chip Gaines & Joanna Gaines 14–8.333November 16, 2019
Shane Gillis 11–01.000December 20, 2024
Bill Goldberg 14–01.000December 31, 2021
John Goodman 112–1.923October 12, 2019
Owen Gray16–5.545September 8, 2018
Ken Griffey Jr. 16–3.667October 18, 2014
Archie Griffin 14–6.400November 21, 2015
Blake Griffin 19–1.900October 8, 2011
Draymond Green 15–3.625September 12, 2015
Jeff Van Gundy 14–5.444September 8, 2012
Phil Hansen 14–5.444September 21, 2013
Jack Harlow 17–3.700September 3, 2022
Mark Harmon 13–3.500September 7, 2013
Omari Hardwick 16–4.600October 3, 2020
Bryce Harper 111–2.846November 24, 2018
Derrick Henry 15–6.455October 17, 2020
Santonio Holmes 15–4.556September 12, 2009
Evander Holyfield 18–6.571October 27, 2018
Bob Huggins 17–3.700September 3, 2017
Sam Hunt 18–1.889September 24, 2011
Aidan Hutchinson 16–4.600November 25, 2023
Sabrina Ionescu 16–5.545October 22, 2022
Michael Irvin 11–3.250August 24, 2019
LeBron James 15–5.500October 25, 2008
Jeezy 17–6.538September 21, 2019
Greg Jennings 18–2.800November 19, 2016
Brock Jensen 16–4.600September 13, 2014
Dustin Johnson 18–2.800January 1, 2014
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson 17–3.700September 16, 2023
Magic Johnson 18–2.800December 12, 2020
Chipper Jones 15–4.556September 5, 2009
Jerry Jones 16–1.857September 1, 2012
Lolo Jones 16–4.600November 3, 2012
Toby Keith 17–6.538October 6, 2018
Bob Knight 12–01.000November 1, 2008
Phil Knight 17–3.700October 31, 2009
Ashton Kutcher 16–5.545September 11, 2021
Nick Lachey 19–3.750November 6, 2021
Jerry "The King" Lawler 19–3.750November 2, 2019
Carl Lewis 15–5.500November 19, 2011
Ryan Lochte 18–2.800October 20, 2011
Lyle Lovett 15–3.625September 14, 2013
Verne Lundquist 13–5.375October 22, 2016
Marcus Luttrell 15–4.556November 15, 2014
Marshawn Lynch 16–6.500October 5, 2024
Peyton Manning 17–3.700October 15, 2022
Tim Matheson 111–5.688September 22, 2018
Pat McAfee 17–7.500October 26, 2019
Sebastian Maniscalco 18–4.667November 11, 2021
Johnny Manziel 14–3.571August 31, 2024
Baker Mayfield 19–3.750October 7, 2023
Matthew McConaughey 19–2.818September 7, 2019
Cadet Cpt. Hugh McConnell13–2.600December 10, 2016
Tim McGraw 17–1.875October 7, 2017
Trace McSorley 18–3.727October 31, 2020
Warren Moon 15–4.556October 12, 2013
Brent Musburger 14–6.400October 5, 2013
Craig T. Nelson 17–2.778November 18, 2017
Chris O'Donnell 110–3.769November 10, 2018
Jake Olson 16–4.600January 1, 2010
Kaitlin Olson 16−4.600October 12, 2024
Jake Owen 19–1.900November 2, 2013
Orlando Pace 17–3.700November 26, 2016
Danica Patrick 18–3.727September 25, 2021
Chris Paul 13–4.429September 12, 2020
Cpt. Stephen Phillips13–2.600December 10, 2016
Rick Pitino 16–5.545September 16, 2017
Glen Powell 18–4.667September 10, 2022
Maury Povich 19–4.692November 11, 2018
Braden Pape16–5.545November 17, 2012
Jonathan Papelbon 15–4.556October 11, 2014
Jake Peavy 16–3.667November 9, 2013
Dude Perfect 17–4.636November 30, 2024
Katy Perry 17–2.778October 4, 2014
Phillie Phanatic 14–3.571October 31, 2015
Michael Phelps 14–5.444September 7, 2024
Jim Plunkett 17–3.700November 12, 2011
Derek Poundstone 16–4.600November 13, 2010
Quavo 16–5.545December 1, 2018
Gabrielle Reece 16–4.600September 20, 2014
Roman Reigns 16–4.600September 15, 2018
Cody Rhodes 17–3.700November 16, 2024
Condoleezza Rice 16–3.667December 12, 2020
Ryan Riess 14–2.667December 7, 2013
Jase Robertson 19–01.000October 25, 2014
Aaron Rodgers 18–2.800September 3, 2016
Rick Ross 15–4.556November 7, 2015
Matt Ryan 16–4.600December 1, 2012
Terry Saban17–2.778September 28, 2024
Scottie Scheffler 17–3.700October 19, 2024
Kyle Schwarber 18–1.889October 26, 2024
Sheamus 13–1.750August 24, 2024
Lt. Curtis Sharp16–6.500November 10, 2012
Blake Shelton 15–5.500September 21, 2024
Mike Singletary 14–3.571December 6, 2014
Marcus Smart 15–6.455November 23, 2013
Bruce Smith 17–3.700September 30, 2017
Emmitt Smith 110–2.833October 5, 2019
Nolan Smith 19–2.818November 11, 2023
Stephen A. Smith 16–5.545October 29, 2022
Steve Smith, Sr. 14–6.400October 28, 2023
Hope Solo 14–5.444October 12, 2013
Lara Spencer 19–4.692October 19, 2019
Jordan Spieth 16–4.600November 12, 2022
Dawn Staley 19–3.750September 14, 2024
John Stockton 16–1.857October 10, 2015
Picabo Street 16–3.667September 25, 2010
C. J. Stroud 18–3.727October 21, 2023
Nick Swisher 18–1.889November 28, 2009
Lt. Colonel Scott "Spike" Thomas17–3.700November 7, 2009
Justin Thomas 15–7.417November 9, 2019
Thurman Thomas 18–3.727November 4, 2017
LaDainian Tomlinson 17–2.778December 3, 2022
Twenty One Pilots 17–3.700November 20, 2021
Gabrielle Union 17–6.538September 28, 2019
Theo Von 15–3.625December 2, 2023
Dwyane Wade 14–5.444September 28, 2019
Bill Walton 15–6.455October 23, 2021
Bubba Watson 110–01.000September 28, 2013
Lil Wayne 17–3.700November 5, 2016
Jon Weiner 16–5.545September 26, 2020
Christian Wilkins 19–2.818October 1, 2022
Brian Wilson 14–5.444November 5, 2011
Gene Wojciechowski 14–6.400October 14, 2017
Trae Young 18–2.800November 14, 2020

International broadcasts

In the UK, College GameDay was shown in full during BT Sport's decade on air (2013–2023), unless live sport was being aired on all of its channels. In July 2023, BT Sport was relaunched as TNT Sports following the sale of BT Sport to Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA. [33] This saw the cessation of ESPN programming, and College Gameday stopped being shown in the UK. [34] [ unreliable source? ] The program returned to UK screens on 18 November 2023 following an agreement between Sky Sports and ESPN which sees Sky Sports broadcasting College Gameday and three College Football games each week for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. [35]

From 2025, DAZN has secured a deal with ESPN to provide coverage of College Gameday in the UK, Continental Europe, and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) regions, where there is no conflict. [36]

College Gameday is broadcast fully in Australia and New Zealand from 11pm-2am AEST on Sunday mornings, before carrying at least 3 college football games across the ESPN Australia networks through Foxtel or Fetch TV and streaming service Kayo Sports on Sunday mornings.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stewart Mandel, Burning questions about BCS, a few candidates for Tennessee and more, SI.com, November 12, 2008, Accessed November 12, 2008.
  2. ↑ Michael Hiestand, "GameDay" flag relay is worth a salute, USA Today, October 30, 2008, Accessed November 12, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Ol' Crimson Booster Club – Waving the Washington State University flag on ESPN College Gameday since 2003. Keep the WSU streak alive, donate today. Go Cougs!". Olcrimson.org. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Lee Corso to sign off as 'College GameDay' analyst in August". ESPN.com. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  5. ↑ @ESPN: "Who did Lee Corso choose in his first-ever NFL headgear pick? Let's just say the crowd fired up the "WHO DAT!?" chant" ESPN on Twitter
  6. ↑ "College GameDay: Locations, all-time appearances, most times hosting | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Karie Ross: Board Member". Miss America. February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  8. ↑ Archived October 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ Wallace, Ava (October 14, 2017). "Not so fast, my friend: A stroke couldn't rob ESPN's Lee Corso of 'College GameDay'". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  10. ↑ Parks, James (July 5, 2023). "ESPN cuts another college football analyst as network undergoes major layoffs" . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Nesbitt, Andy (June 30, 2023). "College Football Fans Were So Bummed About David Pollack Getting Laid Off by ESPN" . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Barnett, Zach (February 7, 2024). "Nick Saban to join College GameDay roster". FootballScoop. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  13. ↑ "ESPN's College GameDay Built by The Home Depot Adds College Football Betting Analyst 'Stanford Steve' Coughlin for 2023 Season". August 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ "ESPN Signs Katie Feeney as Sports and Lifestyle Content Creator". August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  15. ↑ Hibberd, James (July 13, 2011). "Erin Andrews signs new ESPN deal". Reuters. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Archived October 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ Fendrich, Howard (September 2, 2000). "ESPN' "College GameDay" a huge hit". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. C2.
  18. ↑ As Mark Gross, coordinating producer of GameDay, noted: "You're asking a thousand people to show up 12 hours before the game starts ... By no means are we ignoring (USC). We always discuss the possibility. But the time is something to think about." Patrick Kinmartin, What time is it? Time for "College GameDay" to make its way to L.A., The Daily Trojan, April 8, 2004.
  19. ↑ Kunnath, Avinash (June 2, 2017). "Cal the only program to decline College Gameday. (But it won't happen again.)". California Golden Blogs. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  20. ↑ Archived July 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ "Fox, ESPN expand coverage of NFL draft". USA Today. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Kirk Herbstreit will replace Jon Gruden on ESPN's NFL Draft coverage". Awful Announcing. February 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  23. ↑ Schlabach, Mark (October 27, 2020). "Augusta National hosts GameDay during Masters". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  24. ↑ Deitsch, Richard. "'College GameDay' will be different this season while striving for the familiar". The Athletic. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Despite the pandemic, "College GameDay" on the road for 27th year". NewscastStudio. September 16, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  26. ↑ "ESPN's "College GameDay" has changed during the pandemic, but Lee Corso remains beloved". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  27. ↑ Times-Dispatch, SAVANNAH REGER Richmond (November 18, 2023). "Sights and sounds: JMU draws biggest 'College GameDay' crowd in history". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  28. ↑ Strang, Katie (January 11, 2024). "ESPN used fake names to secure Emmys for 'College GameDay' stars". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  29. ↑ "College GameDay: Locations, all-time appearances, most times hosting".
  30. ↑ "The last time College GameDay visited every SEC school". Saturdaydownsouth.com. August 6, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Head Games: A Data Dive Into Lee Corso's 430 Mascot Picks".
  32. ↑ "Corso Headgear Record".
  33. ↑ Frater, Patrick (May 12, 2022). "Warner Bros. Discovery and BT to Launch Sports Venture in U.K. and Ireland". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  34. ↑ Digital Spy forum - TNT Sport Channels Page 23
  35. ↑
  36. ↑ Brooks, Amanda (August 27, 2025). "ESPN and DAZN reach agreement for U.S. college football and basketball rights in selected territories in Europe and MENA". ESPN Press Room U.S. Retrieved August 28, 2025.

Further reading