ESPN's College GameDay will originate live from the lawn at Heritage Halls on BYU's campus on Saturday, Oct. 17, ahead of an AP Top-10 showdown between the No. 8 BYU Cougars and the No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The broadcast, which airs from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. MT, marks the first time the program has visited Provo since 2009.
A High-Stakes Top-10 Matchup
A High-Stakes Top-10 Matchup
The Saturday broadcast sets the stage for a significant clash at LaVell Edwards Stadium. This matchup represents only the second time BYU has hosted the pregame show and is the second AP Top-10 matchup in the program's history. It is also the first such matchup ever played at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU enters the game with a 5-0 record, marking the third consecutive season and the fifth time under head coach Kalani Sitake since 2016 that the Cougars have opened a season with five wins. This 5-0 start matches the total number of 5-0 starts across the program's first 94 seasons from 1922 to 2015. The Cougars have begun a season 6-0 seven times in program history, including in each of the last two years.
Notre Dame enters the contest on a 16-game winning streak, which is the second-longest active streak in the FBS, trailing only Indiana's 22-game streak. All 16 of the Irish's recent victories have come by double digits, tying for the third-longest such streak in the AP Poll era since 1936. Notre Dame holds a 7-2 all-time series lead against BYU.
On-Air Talent and Guests
On-Air Talent and Guests
The broadcast will be hosted by Rece Davis, joined by analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban. Other members of the on-site team for the 2026 season include college football insider Pete Thamel, analyst "Stanford Steve" Coughlin, and reporters Jen Lada and Jess Sims.
Former BYU standout and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young will serve as the celebrity guest picker for the event, a role announced on The Pat McAfee Show. Additionally, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake is scheduled to join the show live on set. Jen Lada will also appear to report from Bloomington, where she will speak with Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.
Fan Experience and Events
Fan Experience and Events
ESPN is offering several interactive experiences for fans leading up to the broadcast. A scavenger hunt for students and fans began on Wednesday, Oct. 14, featuring three challenges including trivia and photographing campus landmarks. Fifteen winners selected from the digital microsite will receive access to a premium seating area near the broadcast and exclusive merchandise.
For those attending in person, the pit for the broadcast opens at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. The first 50 fans in line for the Saturday broadcast will receive an exclusive prize pack containing a windbreaker, sunglasses, a disposable camera, and items from Jimmy John's.
Pat McAfee's "Kicking is Easy" contest, which has awarded over $11.5 million in prizes and donations throughout its history, will return for its fourth season. Fans arriving early have the opportunity to attempt a 33-yard field goal for a chance to win money.
Logistics and Attendance Rules
Fans can begin lining up for the Saturday broadcast starting at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at the northwest corner of Heritage Halls Building 6. The line will continue south and then eastward along the perimeter of the sidewalk. BYU Police and campus security will require all individuals to leave the area before 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16.
Parking for the event will be available at the Marriott Center in Lots 19 and 20. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, though ESPN has prohibited five specific types: vulgar, political, religious, or signs containing .com, .net, or .org web addresses. All items brought to the show, including tents and chairs, must be cleared before entering the show area; any items left behind will be discarded.
Logistics and Attendance Rules
