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ESPN College GameDay Returns to University of Utah with Guest Picker Speculation

By Utah News Staff · October 20, 2026 · 1 min read
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ESPN College GameDay Returns to University of Utah with Guest Picker Speculation
Photo via utah-express.com
ESPN's College GameDay is broadcasting live from the University of Utah for the seventh time in the school's history. The broadcast features host Rece Davis and several panelists, while speculation grows regarding the identity of the celebrity guest picker.

Key takeaways

  • ESPN's College GameDay is broadcasting live from the University of Utah.
  • The broadcast features host Rece Davis and panelists Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit.
  • Potential guest pickers being discussed include Eric Weddle, Dalton Kincaid, Tony Finau, and Darryn Peterson.
  • This is the seventh time the pregame program has appeared at the university.

ESPN's College GameDay is broadcasting live from the University of Utah, prompting speculation about who will serve as the celebrity guest picker. According to deseret.com, this marks the seventh time the pregame program has been hosted at the university.

The three-hour broadcast features host Rece Davis alongside panelists Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit. The program includes various features, such as the Kicking Is Easy field goal contest hosted by McAfee. The broadcast concludes with a guest picker selecting the week's slate of games, including Houston-Utah selections.

Several individuals have been identified as potential options for the guest picker role. Eric Weddle, a former Utah safety and current head football coach at Rancho Bernardo High, is considered a heavy favorite alongside other former Utes. Other discussed options include Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, PGA Tour winner and Rose Park native Tony Finau, and Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson. While Post Malone was noted as a possibility, the artist has a concert scheduled for Saturday night at the Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix.

The University of Utah has hosted the program three times in the last four years. Previous guest pickers at the school include actor Ty Burrell in 2010, Utah Jazz legend John Stockton in 2015, comedian and actor Frank Caliendo in 2016, former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith in 2023, and former quarterback Alex Smith in 2025.

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