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Predicting every ESPN College GameDay location for 2017

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; ESPN College Gameday hosts from left Desmond Howard and Rece Davis and Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit discuss the days matchups on their set outside Ohio Stadium before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; ESPN College Gameday hosts from left Desmond Howard and Rece Davis and Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit discuss the days matchups on their set outside Ohio Stadium before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate winning the trophy after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate winning the trophy after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Championship Week: Dec. 2

Candidates

  • SEC Championship Game (Atlanta, GA)
  • Big 10 Championship Game (Indianapolis, IN)
  • Big 12 Championship Game (Arlington, TX)
  • ACC Championship Game (Charlotte, NC)

College GameDay first traveled to a conference title game in 2000, when No. 1 Oklahoma beat No. 8 Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City to secure a spot in the Orange Bowl with the BCS National Championship on the line. GameDay didn’t go to a SEC Championship Game until 2003 but has been to six since. However, the last three times the ESPN show traveled for a conference championship game, the Big Ten has gotten the nod.

With the Big 12 bringing its league title game out of retirement, all three conferences will have an opportunity to host in 2017, as will the ACC, which has never hosted College GameDay. The Pac-12 is scheduled to hold its game Friday night, and therefore won’t be in the running.

Choosing which location ESPN picks for College GameDay this far out is difficult, and will assuredly rely on which game has the biggest impact on the playoff. A top-10 Georgia or Florida playing a Top 5 Alabama would be a tough combo to beat, as would a top-10 Wisconsin against a top-5 Ohio State or Penn State. Right now, it’s difficult to envision the Big 12 or ACC putting a better matchup on display.

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College GameDay Location Prediction: SEC Championship Game (Atlanta, GA)

Also, GameDay has broadcasted from the Army-Navy Game in each of the past three seasons (which will be held in the week after the championship games), as well as at least one bowl/playoff game in addition to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Odds are we’ll see a similar schedule again after the 2017 regular season.

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