As soon as that theme song kicks in at 6 a.m. PDT, you know it’s college football season.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” made its season debut today with Week 0, highlighted by the Georgia Tech-Florida State game in Ireland.
During the show, all four analysts, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nich Saban and Kirk Herbstreit, made predictions for the 12-team playoff system that’s going to hit the sport right in the face in December.
Not surprisingly, the Oregon Ducks made the playoff in all four projected brackets. It was just where they would play and their seed that differed.
Howard gave the Ducks the most love. He said Oregon would have the No. 1 seed and would receive a first-round bye. In his bracket, the Ducks would play the winner of the 8-9 game (Michigan or Oklahoma).
Either matchup would be interesting. Either the Ducks would play Michigan again or Dillon Gabriel would face his former team with a trip to the semifinals on the line.
The ESPN College GameDay crew has made its 12-team CFP selections. pic.twitter.com/mBgQTKpalq
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) August 24, 2024
In the other three brackets, the Ducks would host a first-round game. Nick Saban had Oregon, a No. 6 seed, hosting No. 11 LSU. It would be the first trip to Autzen by the Tigers. No. 3 Florida State would be waiting in the quarterfinals.
Herbstreit has Boise State making a second trip to Eugene this season as the No. 12 seed with No. 4 Utah waiting.
Finally, McAfee has Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama team come to Autzen as the No. 11 seed with No. 3 seed West Virginia waiting to play the winner.
All four matchups would be exciting, but getting to play SEC powers LSU or Alabama inside Autzen would be a thrill for any Duck fan. No doubt, the Oregon faithful will be more than ready to welcome former Husky coach DeBoer back to town with some unfinished business ready to be taken care of.
In any scenario, having the Ducks in the playoff picture and one of the favorites to win the whole thing should make this season so memorable for so many reasons.