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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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May 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of Southern California Trojans helmet and the Olympic torch at the peristyle end of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of Southern California Trojans helmet and the Olympic torch at the peristyle end of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 3: Sept. 16

Candidates

  • Texas at USC
  • Miami at Florida State
  • Oklahoma State at Pitt
  • Clemson at Louisville
  • Tennessee at Florida

By Week 3, won-loss records begin to impact which games are worthy of consideration to host College GameDay. Fortunately, ESPN has plenty of options to choose from when looking for a marquee matchup of undefeated teams.

A loss to Alabama in the season opener would take a little of the shine off of a Miami-Florida State rivalry game in ESPN’s eyes, but if the Seminoles win in Week 1, there’s a great chance GameDay could be headed to Tallahassee.

However, the safer bet is Texas’ trip to USC. If the Trojans survive their Week 2 matchup with Stanford and the Longhorns take care of business against Maryland and San Jose State in Tom Herman’s first two games in charge, there’s a great chance ESPN opts for a trip to the Coliseum. Choosing USC would allow the show to get an up-close-and-personal look at Trojans QB Sam Darnold and company, as well as a chance to dive into Herman’s decision to leave Houston for Texas.

But, there’s a distinct possibility each of those first two candidates features at least one team with a loss, and GameDay doesn’t usually go for teams with .500 records. In that case, Clemson at Louisville (if the Tigers get by Auburn in Week 1) would take the road show to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium for the second straight season.

Other options include an underrated non-conference matchup between Oklahoma State and Pitt (should the Panthers upset Penn State in their previous contest) and the always-intriguing Tennessee-Florida rivalry game in Gainesville. GameDay hasn’t been to The Swamp since 2012, and if the Gators beat Michigan and the Vols get past Georgia Tech in Week 1, an undefeated Top 25 matchup is possible.

College GameDay Location Prediction: Texas at USC

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