First announcement for ESPN's College Gameday locations:

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-relea...charlotte/

Aug. 28: North Carolina Central vs. Alcorn State in Atlanta (7 p.m., ESPN)
Sept. 4: Georgia vs. Clemson in Charlotte (7:30pm, ABC)

This thread can be used for season long speculation, guessing, announcements, critiques, etc on Gameday locations and if you are lucky enough to visit a Gameday location feel free to post pictures! I highly doubt Gameday's coming to Philly this year and I haven't driven to a Penn State game in years.

Alcorn won back-to-back SWAC titles before sitting out for COVID so there's a built-in hype factor for the HBCU game. It also checks off the FCS box (top tier FCS games during the lighter FBS weeks are hard to find this year). That should leave 1 G5 and the rest P5 for everything post-Week 0.

Initial Guesses:

Sept. 11: Oregon at Ohio State, noon (FOX) - Too good to pass up

Sept. 18: Alabama at Florida, 3:30pm (CBS) - Same

Sept. 25: Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin in Chicago, noon (FOX) - I'm not seeing any really good alternatives

Oct. 2: No pick. If they pass on ND/Wisc, Michigan at Wisconsin is a big favorite, especially if it's the ABC SNF game. Auburn at LSU is a good game but likely will be CBS's game.

Oct. 9: Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas - This would assume ABC gets the game, otherwise ESPN might as well do Alabama at Texas A&M, which is a certain CBS game. FOX hosted the RRR the last three seasons.

Oct. 16: No pick. Texas plays at TCU on Oct. 2. TCU has had Texas's number in the 2010's. Should TCU beat UT again, ESPN might pass on the RRR and wait for TCU-Oklahoma here. But Oklahoma has to go to Kansas State on Oct. 2 and they've lost two in a row to the Wildcats including at home last year. If KSU and OU are unbeaten heading into Oct. 2, maybe that game has a chance. Gameday hasn't been to Manhattan, KS since October 14, 2000 (Wikipedia). Miami at North Carolina is this week. They are the two biggest challengers to Clemson in the ACC and the winner likely has the inside track to meeting Clemson in Charlotte. If you're looking for a G5 game, UCF at Cincinnati is this week. So is Air Force at Boise State although ESPN doesn't have any rights to MWC games.

Oct. 23: USC at Notre Dame, 7:30pm (NBC) - Gameday has made two trips to South Bend in the last three years (2018 vs. Michigan and last year vs. Clemson). It would probably have to be a big game for ESPN to plug an NBC home game, USC might do the job. Ohio State at Indiana is also this week and Indiana is supposed to be good. They do have two tough road games before that date, at Iowa to start the season and at Penn State. If they steal one of those and ABC gets OSU/Indiana, I can see Gameday heading to Bloomington (only were there once in 2017, also vs. OSU).

Oct. 30: Penn State at Ohio State - I'm pretty sure ABC has this game (FOX has the rights to OSU/Mich, ND/Wisc, and Ore/OSU, ABC has to have some good Big Ten game). This would hurt the chances of Gameday choosing OSU/Ind the previous week. Also this week is Georgia/Florida in Jacksonville but CBS has already claimed it.

Nov. 6: Oregon at Washington or USC at Arizona State - ABC in its contract is required to show one Pac-12 game in prime time. These four Pac-12 teams are in ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...r-rankings) so ABC will probably get one of these games and since Notre Dame goes to Stanford, their best bet to burn off the Pac-12 is probably this week. I usually think the World Series is another week but USC is going to be on NBC that week so that's not a good strategy this year.

Nov. 13: Michigan at Penn State - Yeah it's a Schmolik favoritist pick. You got anything better? I guess Miami at Florida State will have some interest if FSU puts together a decent season. If Tennessee is any good, Georgia at Tennessee.

Nov. 20: Iowa State at Oklahoma - Too bad this game is in Oklahoma, I would love for Gameday to go to Ames (only trip was 2019 for Iowa-ISU). ISU is coming off a Fiesta Bowl win and is ranked #6 in ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 (OU is #1).

Nov. 27: Texas A&M at LSU - If Michigan or Auburn is within striking distance of Ohio State or Alabama, their game is the obvious pick but I don't see either of those teams teams challenging the big boys. I think the Iron Bowl will air on CBS so A&M/LSU will be ESPN's Saturday Night game and ESPN would rather plug their own game than help CBS or FOX if the rivalry games don't feature two Top 10 teams (which I don't believe they will).

Dec. 4: SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama - The highest ranked pairing based on ESPN's Way Too Early rankings (#2 Ala vs. #3 Ga). If Georgia beats Clemson and is unbeaten, I'm pretty sure they get in the Playoff even if they lose.

What are your Gameday predictions?

Each year I look for the opportunity when UVa can host its first football College Game Day event. The best chance is November 13 versus Notre Dame. Unfortunately, it’s late in the season…it would take an unlikely 8-1 start for the Cavs (plus a few other pieces to fall into place).

Instead of "no pick" for Oct. 16th, how's this for a flyer: Miami Hurricanes at UNC Tar Heels (possibly for the ACC Coastal Division)?

(07-20-2021 12:28 PM)schmolik Wrote:  Oct. 2: No pick. If they pass on ND/Wisc, Michigan at Wisconsin is a big favorite, especially if it's the ABC SNF game. Auburn at LSU is a good game but likely will be CBS's game.

Liberty @ UAB
Long shot, but it might be a good week to pick a G5 game. Of course it depends on who is still undefeated at that point in the season.

(07-20-2021 02:49 PM)Crayton Wrote:  

(07-20-2021 12:28 PM)schmolik Wrote:  Oct. 2: No pick. If they pass on ND/Wisc, Michigan at Wisconsin is a big favorite, especially if it's the ABC SNF game. Auburn at LSU is a good game but likely will be CBS's game.

Liberty @ UAB
Long shot, but it might be a good week to pick a G5 game. Of course it depends on who is still undefeated at that point in the season.

A lot will depend on how Cincy fares against Notre Dame/Indiana. A split, and UCF @ Cincy is the G5 favorite by a mile. But if Cincy drops both, it’s a free-for-fall.

(07-20-2021 12:28 PM)schmolik Wrote:  Initial Guesses:

Sept. 11: Oregon at Ohio State, noon (FOX) - Too good to pass up

Sept. 18: Alabama at Florida, 3:30pm (CBS) - Same

Sept. 25: Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin in Chicago, noon (FOX) - I'm not seeing any really good alternatives

Oct. 2: No pick. If they pass on ND/Wisc, Michigan at Wisconsin is a big favorite, especially if it's the ABC SNF game. Auburn at LSU is a good game but likely will be CBS's game.

Oct. 9: Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas - This would assume ABC gets the game, otherwise ESPN might as well do Alabama at Texas A&M, which is a certain CBS game. FOX hosted the RRR the last three seasons.

Oct. 16: No pick. Texas plays at TCU on Oct. 2. TCU has had Texas's number in the 2010's. Should TCU beat UT again, ESPN might pass on the RRR and wait for TCU-Oklahoma here. But Oklahoma has to go to Kansas State on Oct. 2 and they've lost two in a row to the Wildcats including at home last year. If KSU and OU are unbeaten heading into Oct. 2, maybe that game has a chance. Gameday hasn't been to Manhattan, KS since October 14, 2000 (Wikipedia). Miami at North Carolina is this week. They are the two biggest challengers to Clemson in the ACC and the winner likely has the inside track to meeting Clemson in Charlotte. If you're looking for a G5 game, UCF at Cincinnati is this week. So is Air Force at Boise State although ESPN doesn't have any rights to MWC games.

Oct. 23: USC at Notre Dame, 7:30pm (NBC) - Gameday has made two trips to South Bend in the last three years (2018 vs. Michigan and last year vs. Clemson). It would probably have to be a big game for ESPN to plug an NBC home game, USC might do the job. Ohio State at Indiana is also this week and Indiana is supposed to be good. They do have two tough road games before that date, at Iowa to start the season and at Penn State. If they steal one of those and ABC gets OSU/Indiana, I can see Gameday heading to Bloomington (only were there once in 2017, also vs. OSU).

Oct. 30: Penn State at Ohio State - I'm pretty sure ABC has this game (FOX has the rights to OSU/Mich, ND/Wisc, and Ore/OSU, ABC has to have some good Big Ten game). This would hurt the chances of Gameday choosing OSU/Ind the previous week. Also this week is Georgia/Florida in Jacksonville but CBS has already claimed it.

Nov. 6: Oregon at Washington or USC at Arizona State - ABC in its contract is required to show one Pac-12 game in prime time. These four Pac-12 teams are in ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...r-rankings) so ABC will probably get one of these games and since Notre Dame goes to Stanford, their best bet to burn off the Pac-12 is probably this week. I usually think the World Series is another week but USC is going to be on NBC that week so that's not a good strategy this year.

Nov. 13: Michigan at Penn State - Yeah it's a Schmolik favoritist pick. You got anything better? I guess Miami at Florida State will have some interest if FSU puts together a decent season. If Tennessee is any good, Georgia at Tennessee.

Nov. 20: Iowa State at Oklahoma - Too bad this game is in Oklahoma, I would love for Gameday to go to Ames (only trip was 2019 for Iowa-ISU). ISU is coming off a Fiesta Bowl win and is ranked #6 in ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 (OU is #1).

Nov. 27: Texas A&M at LSU - If Michigan or Auburn is within striking distance of Ohio State or Alabama, their game is the obvious pick but I don't see either of those teams teams challenging the big boys. I think the Iron Bowl will air on CBS so A&M/LSU will be ESPN's Saturday Night game and ESPN would rather plug their own game than help CBS or FOX if the rivalry games don't feature two Top 10 teams (which I don't believe they will).

Dec. 4: SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama - The highest ranked pairing based on ESPN's Way Too Early rankings (#2 Ala vs. #3 Ga). If Georgia beats Clemson and is unbeaten, I'm pretty sure they get in the Playoff even if they lose.

What are your Gameday predictions?

I could possibly see Nebraska vs Oklahoma on Sept 18 instead of Bama/Florida. Oklahoma will be highly ranked and Nebraska will not but this is the first time these two teams have played since 2010. Given their historical rivalry, this may intrigue ESPN enough to send the Gameday crew to Norman. Of course, it will be carried by FOX so maybe not.

Anything all P5 vs P5 is incorrect. I'm pretty sure they visit at least one G5 or FCS stadium every year.

Not game related but they need someone to replace Maria Taylor. Some names to look for:
https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/handica...meday.html

2025 ESPN College Game Day locations

Week 0: Nashville, TN
Week 1: Starkville, MS
Week 2: Columbia, SC
Week 3: Fayetteville, AR
Week 4: Columbia, MO
Week 5: Lexington, KY
Week 6: Dallas, TX (RRS)
Week 7: Jacksonville, FL (Cocktail Party)
Week 8: Knoxville, TN
Week 9: College Station, TX
Week 10: Auburn, AL
Week 11: Baton Rouge, LA
Week 12: Oxford, MS
Week 13: Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)
Week 14: Atlanta, GA (SEC championship game)

Air Force-Navy is reportedly the Gameday site for week 2(9-11):

(07-22-2021 03:33 PM)Wedge Wrote:  2025 ESPN College Game Day locations

Week 0: Nashville, TN
Week 1: Starkville, MS
Week 2: Columbia, SC
Week 3: Fayetteville, AR
Week 4: Columbia, MO
Week 5: Lexington, KY
Week 6: Dallas, TX (RRS)
Week 7: Jacksonville, FL (Cocktail Party)
Week 8: Knoxville, TN
Week 9: College Station, TX
Week 10: Auburn, AL
Week 11: Baton Rouge, LA
Week 12: Oxford, MS
Week 13: Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)
Week 14: Atlanta, GA (SEC championship game)

That's is 2024.

College Gameday should go to "The U Game". Two equally bad programs like UConn and UMass squaring off could make for a game that looks sort of good. As this opinion piece says, it would at least be different and fun.

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/7/2...-minutemen

I will update the thread for FOX Big Noon Kickoff live locations as well.

First up Sat. Sept. 4, Madison for Penn State-Wisconsin

Assuming FOX will go live to the "Big Nooners" if they feel the game warrants, might as well plan ahead for

Sept. 11: Oregon at Ohio State
Sept. 25: Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin at Chicago
Nov. 27: Ohio State at Michigan

Nebraska at Oklahoma (Sept. 18) has big historical significance (50th anniversary) but Nebraska lost at Illinois and Oklahoma has gone on record that they disliked the noon ET/11am CT kickoff. Maybe FOX passes on going live (or Oklahoma doesn't allow them to shoot on campus).

In 2019 and 2020 (not best example due to COVID 19), FOX did not air live from every "Big Nooner" game so I wouldn't expect the same in 2021.

(08-16-2021 09:49 AM)Rube Dali Wrote:  Air Force-Navy is reportedly the Gameday site for week 2(9-11):

Navy's SID pushed back on that on Twitter.
Wags' sources and/or deduction was not from within the program, but that ESPN had booked lodging for crew. They may well do that in several locations for contingency purposes. Since then, CBS has announced that their CBS and CBSSN studio shows will be on location in Annapolis (the game will be broadcast on CBS OTA at 3:30), so Gameday may now be out of the picture.

(08-16-2021 09:49 AM)Rube Dali Wrote:  Air Force-Navy is reportedly the Gameday site for week 2(9-11):

Snub a FOX broadcast and two programs from that up-to-no-good Alliance?

Sounds like a tactic right from the WWL's dark arts playbook

*Actually think a Air Force-Navy "GameDay" on 9/11/2021 could be a unique opportunity for ESPN to do a different and memorable show.

(08-30-2021 08:27 PM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  Navy's SID pushed back on that on Twitter.
Wags' sources and/or deduction was not from within the program, but that ESPN had booked lodging for crew.

I'm sure the SID did push back, especially after someone from ESPN called his office in a panic asking "How in **** did that get out?" LOL

(08-30-2021 09:12 PM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(08-30-2021 08:27 PM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  Navy's SID pushed back on that on Twitter.
Wags' sources and/or deduction was not from within the program, but that ESPN had booked lodging for crew.

I'm sure the SID did push back, especially after someone from ESPN called his office in a panic asking "How in **** did that get out?" LOL

No, it was pretty immediate.
And then Wags came back pretty immediately that he heard ESPN were booking rooms. (Subtext: you're not my only source, Stras, I'm a journalist)

Silence from both sides since that quick twitter exchange

First live pick for Lee Corso since the pandemic started.