Over 35 years, ESPN College GameDay has grown from a little-known in-studio cable TV show into a multimedia behemoth that routinely attracts more than two million viewers each week.
Which college football games will Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, and the rest of the GameDay crew broadcast from this season? College GameDay predictions for 2022:
Week 1: Notre Dame at Ohio State
Location: Columbus
ESPN passed on the neutral-site blockbuster, Oregon vs. Georgia in Atlanta, for the on-campus blockbuster, Notre Dame at Ohio State in Columbus.
Instead of a sixth trip to Atlanta since 2017, GameDay is going to Columbus for the eighth time since 2014. And the Buckeyes will be making their 54th all-time appearance, the most among all schools.
Week 2: Alabama at Texas
Location: Austin
If Texas loses to UL Monroe in Week 1, maybe GameDay won’t be in Austin a week later. That’s the only scenario in which ESPN passes on the first Alabama-Texas meeting since the 2009 national championship – and the first regular-season meeting in 100 years.
And then everyone will watch Alabama chase Ohio State’s record for the biggest GameDay blowout of a home team; Ohio State beat Nebraska by 42 points in Lincoln three years ago.
Week 3: Miami (FL) at Texas A&M
Location: College Station
If Texas A&M is a preseason top-five team and wins their first two games – Sam Houston and App State – they’ll probably host GameDay for Mario Cristobal’s first big game at Miami.
If any number of factors prevent the Aggies from hosting GameDay for the first time since 2019, South Carolina could host for the first time since 2014.
Week 4: James Madison at App State
Location: Boone
Since it’s unlikely GameDay visits Columbus twice in four weeks – for Wisconsin at Ohio State – Week 4 is wide open and ripe for a lower-tier game like James Madison at App State.
One of the most spectacular settings in college football has never hosted GameDay, and while an early-season matchup against an FBS newcomer, even a nationally recognized brand like James Madison, isn’t overwhelmingly sexy for a debut, this could be an attractive off-the-beaten-path pick.
ESPN would have to pass on several Power Five matchups, including Baylor-Iowa State and Clemson-Wake Forest.
Week 5: Michigan at Iowa
Location: Iowa City
GameDay hasn’t been to Iowa since 2006, the second of only two all-time visits (1996). And while ESPN may consider USC (vs. Arizona State) in Week 5, a rematch of the abysmal Big Ten Championship is probably enough to push the show to Iowa City.
They haven’t met at Kinnick since Iowa’s win over unbeaten and 2nd-ranked Michigan in 2016.
Week 6: Tennessee at LSU
Location: Baton Rouge
Both Tennessee and LSU have reasonable paths to 5-0 starts. If that happens, Brian Kelly and the Tigers will probably get the nod over the Red River Rivalry (in Dallas) and Auburn at Georgia.
LSU hasn’t hosted GameDay since 2019, while Tennessee has zero appearances since landing three in 2016
Week 7: Alabama at Tennessee
Location: Knoxville
From 1995-2004, Knoxville was a regular stop, earning seven GameDay appearances over the 10-year period. Since then, Knoxville has hosted only twice: 2012 and 2016.
If the Vols start 6-0 with wins over Florida and LSU, they’re a lock to host when Alabama visits in Week 7. They’ve lost 15 straight games to the Tide, including the last six by an average of 32.5 points.
Week 8: Texas A&M at South Carolina
Location: Columbia
If South Carolina doesn’t earn a surprise appearance in Week 3, they could host in Week 8 if they’re ranked and Texas A&M is chasing a playoff spot.
If not, ESPN could opt for one of several notable Power Five games, their first-ever visit to SMU (vs. Cincinnati), or an FCS game like Weber State at Montana State.
Week 9: Ohio State at Penn State
Location: University Park
GameDay has visited Penn State in each of the last five seasons, including twice when Ohio State was in town. They should pass on a third Ohio State game in six seasons and go to BYU for the first time in 13 years.
They won’t pass on Ohio State-Penn State for East Carolina-BYU, the third-ever meeting between the two storied Group of Five programs, both of which could flirt with 10 wins this season.
ESPN won’t do it. But they should.
Week 10: Clemson at Notre Dame
Location: South Bend
This is a big “if” week.
If LSU doesn’t suck entering their Week 10 game against Alabama, GameDay might be in Baton Rouge for a third Alabama-LSU game in seven years.
If Clemson and Notre Dame are both in the playoff picture, GameDay might be in South Bend for the third time in five years.
If Tennessee has a breakthrough season and Georgia hasn’t stumbled, GameDay might be in Athens for the fifth time in four years.
If Baylor and Oklahoma are atop the Big 12 standings with four weeks remaining in the regular season, GameDay might be in Norman for just the second time in a decade.
If there’s chaos across the country and, somehow, both Florida State and Miami (FL) don’t suck, GameDay might be in Miami Gardens for a Hurricanes game for just the third time in 15 years.
And if everything blows up, GameDay could go outside the box with a visit to Birmingham for UTSA-UAB.
Week 11: Eastern Washington at Montana
Location: Missoula
ESPN unfortunately, albeit understandably, passed on the Brawl of the Wild in Missoula last year for a top-10 game in Columbus (Michigan at Ohio State). Perhaps there will be no top-10 game in the FBS in Week 11 and GameDay will visit one of college football’s premier destinations for a Big Sky blockbuster.
Some games that could prevent it from happening include Iowa State at Oklahoma State, Wisconsin at Iowa, Texas A&M at Auburn, Georgia at Mississippi State, LSU at Arkansas, and Washington at Oregon.
Week 12: Miami (FL) at Clemson
Location: Clemson
If Kentucky is a one-loss or undefeated entering Week 12, they’ll host GameDay (vs. Georgia) for the second time ever and the first time since 2007.
If they’re not, an undefeated Clemson could be in line for their 22nd appearance (including postseason) since 2015. That, regrettably, is more likely because the Tigers play in the ACC.
Other options might include Ole Miss at Arkansas, USC at UCLA, North Dakota at North Dakota State, or Montana at Montana State.
Week 13: Michigan at Ohio State
Location: Columbus
ESPN often passed on Michigan-Ohio State when the Wolverines weren’t in Big Ten and/or national championship contention. That might not be the case this year.
Even if this game isn’t the de facto division championship, GameDay might go back to the well after last year’s mega matchup.
Week 14: SEC Championship
Location: Atlanta
College GameDay has broadcasted from the SEC Championship in each of the last three traditional college football seasons. And with likely playoff contenders in each division, another visit to Atlanta is in the cards.
If not, there are only two other options: ACC Championship or Big Ten Championship.
Week 15: Army vs. Navy
Location: Philadelphia
The Army-Navy Game is returning to Philly after a two-year hiatus. And, barring a shocking change of tradition, GameDay will be returning as well.
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