Clayton Tinkle
After the unofficially monikered Sunshine Showcase concluded in Orlando, the College GameDay team prepared to head to Clemson, South Carolina on Thursday for the defending champions’ home opener against the Ramblin’ Wreck.
Two days later, Lee Corso and friends will head to Arlington, Texas for a reboot of the 2011 BCS Championship game between Auburn and Oregon. No Cam Newton on display this time, though.
Will GameDay return to the peninsula this year? Post to Post Links II error: No link found for term slug "feud-sports"’s team has put a list together to predict the rest of the sites for college football’s roadshow. Check below to see if you need to plan a road trip to meet the team!
Week 2 — September 7th: Texas A&M Aggies @ Clemson Tigers — Memorial Stadium, Clemson SC
Another strong candidate for week two is a clash between LSU and Texas in Austin. ABC has announced that both games will be carried by the network, with LSU and Texas in prime time. However, having been in Texas a week before, I think GameDay will head to Death Valley for a renewal of the rivalry between Dabo Swinney and Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies hope to see some magic from their $75M man after a warm up against Texas State the week prior.
Week 3 — September 14th: Pittsburgh Panthers @ Penn State Nittany Lions — Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
There are some sleeper games in week 3. Among them, the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy (Iowa at Iowa state), and a show down in the Rose Bowl when Oklahoma visits UCLA. Ultimately, the 100th meeting between the Panthers and the Nittany Lions edges out these two, as well as Florida traveling to Kentucky to attempt to start a new streak. There’s just too much history at stake to pass up on the prolific Pennsylvania matchup.
Week 4 — September 21st: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Georgia Bulldogs — Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
This is a no brainer. Historic Notre Dame has never been between the hedges — until now. The second half of a home-and-home dating back to 2017, the Irish look to avenge a bitter 20-19 defeat. Jake Fromm was a freshmen in this game, but he’s grown up. UGA’s defense might not be quite as good this time around, but their improvements on the offensive side puts them in the driver’s seat for this primetime tilt.
Week 5 — September 28th: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Nebraska Cornhuskers — Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE
This is all dependent on the ‘Huskers start to the season. With a manageable 4 game stretch, the Black Shirts should come into the game 4-0. This one will feature an electric atmosphere, as GameDay hasn’t visited Lincoln in over a decade, when the #1 ranked USC Trojans defeated Nebraska 49-31. Two loss Nebraska gave Ohio State all it could handle last year, losing by only 5 on the road. Look for the most exciting QB you’ve never heard of to put up some numbers, as Adrian Martinez suits up for Nebraska. Also, watch for a sneaky good matchup to slide into this slot if either team falters. Washington State traveling to Utah is on Feud’s watch list for this week.
Week 6 — October 5th: Auburn Tigers @ Florida Gators — Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Dan Mullen gets his shot in the spotlight, assuming both teams perform up to expectations coming in. Auburn would be the most likely to falter, with an interesting opener against Oregon, and a trip to College Station that could derail the show’s trip to Gainesville. Florida fans will show up in droves, though, if this is the destination. What used to be an every-year-affair is on center stage once again, as Florida tries to get back atop the SEC East.
Week 7 — October 12th: Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns — Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
We’re still calling this the Red River Shootout, sue us. There are quite a few intriguing matchups this week, and a chance for GameDay to head to Camp Randall in Wisconsin but we’re putting faith in these Big 12 Powers to be undefeated coming into week 7. LSU will be Texas’ biggest test, while Oklahoma should waltz in unscathed. All eyes on Jalen Hurts in his first Shootout, while Texas’ Sam Ehlinger could very well steal the show. Winner likely wins the Big 12. Buckle up, football fans. Depending on records, keep an eye out for USC @ Notre Dame and Alabama @ Texas A&M as possible destinations.
Week 8 — October 19th: Oregon Ducks @ Washington Huskies — Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
This has the makings of a PAC-12 classic. GameDay was last at this conference rivalry in 2013, when Oregon topped Washington 45-24. Jacob Eason stepping in for Jake Browning, and Justin Herbert running the Ducks’ high powered attack will headline the showdown, and will likely line up the winner for the PAC-12’s best shot at making the College Football Playoff. GameDay hasn’t been friendly to the Huskies, as they are 1-6 all time in GameDay appearances, the only win in 2016 in Salt Lake City. This would be the Huskies third time hosting, and they’d be looking for their first win under those conditions.
Week 9 — October 26th: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Michigan Wolverines — Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Both schools rank in the top 7 of GameDay appearances all time — 29 and 30 respectively. Wisconsin @ Ohio State as well as Auburn @ LSU could both be in play here, but I’m not sure those teams will have the wins to back up the ratings needed from ESPN. In an atrocious offensive performance last year, the Irish ousted Michigan in South Bend. The Big House provides the atmosphere the producers look for, and Michigan should be improved on offense. This should be the stop come late October.
Week 10 — November 2nd: Georgia Bulldogs vs Florida Gators — TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Both programs have made the list as host, so why not a neutral site contest as well? I fully expect UGA to be unscathed, or very close, before this game. If Florida can continue to gain their footing on offense, we could have a top five showdown in Jacksonville on Halloween weekend. After Jacksonville missing out on Boise State opening the year against Florida State, this will be a huge event in a college football hungry market. Bring on the cocktail party, Duval!
Week 11 — November 9th: LSU Tigers @ Alabama Crimson Tide — Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
As much as CGD tries to avoid back to back conference matchups, this one is unavoidable. With an otherwise vanilla lineup, given that LSU doesn’t self destruct down the stretch, the SEC West showdown will be in College GameDay’s crosshairs once again. Alabama’s best — and only — GameDay hosting chance this year just adds to their total of 46 appearances, which is the most among any program. Alabama hasn’t hosted since 2016, so Tuscaloosa’s streets will be full.
Week 12 — November 16th: South Dakota Coyotes @ North Dakota State Bison — Fargodome, Fargo, ND
“But, what about Auburn and Georgia!?!” Not so fast my friend! GameDay has passed up a FCS game last year, but they’ll go back to one of their favorite spots this season. The fans in Fargo know how to show up and show out for GameDay, and this won’t be any different in frigid November. The Coyotes cross the border to take on FCS Goliath NDSU, and the winner gets to absorb the other Dakota into their state. I’ve been beating this One Dakota narrative for years.
Week 13 — November 23rd: Penn State Nittany Lions @ Ohio State Buckeyes — Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
These two teams have never met this late in the season, and they’ve delivered some classics recently. I expect this to be no different, and the Horseshoe will be rocking as James Franklin comes to town to try and overthrow Ryan Day. This game will be vital in deciding the Big Ten East, as will the following week when Ohio State visits Ann Arbor. I expect Ryan Day and company to make it out of this one and set up another battle with Michigan.
Week 14 — November 30th: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Michigan Wolverines — Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Jim Harbaugh’s best shot at beating the Buckeyes comes after the departure of Urban Meyer and Dwayne Haskins. Michigan gets Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State at home this year. Michigan is 15-15 all time in GameDay appearances, its last one being a shellacking of Wisconsin last season. Ryan Day would love to start his tenure as Buckeyes’ head man with a W over That Team Up North. Michigan hasn’t hosted the Buckeyes for GameDay since 2007, so expect Ann Arbor to be drooling at this opportunity.
Clayton Tinkle is the Editor for Post to Post Links II error: No link found for term slug "feud-sports". You can follow him and the rest of the team on Twitter below.
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