ESPN’s College GameDay crew has predicted the winner of Texas A&M vs. South Carolina
Texas A&M’s 7-1 start and 5-0 SEC-leading conference record are on the line on Saturday night. The Aggies will enter a packed and very loud Williams-Brice Stadium against a South Carolina team that’s much better than the Gamecocks’ record shows.
Just a week after the Aggies’ 38-23 comeback win over then-8th-ranked LSU, first-year head coach Mike Elko deserves the bulk of the credit for establishing a team culture built on physicality and relentless effort. At the same time, his insertion of redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed into the lineup against the Tigers practically saved the season.
However, after Reed entered the game for starting quarterback Conner Weigman, who struggled throughout the first half, Elko stated throughout the week that both players would receive equal starting snaps to earn the job, as a decision will likely be revealed hours before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
On Saturday, ESPN’s College Gameday crew picked the winner of Texas A&M vs. South Carolina. It was almost a clean sweep for the Aggies, as Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit all picked Texas A&M, mainly due to Reed’s versatility and the Aggies’ recent momentum after beating LSU.
Guest picker actor/comedian Keegan Michael Key was the only one to pick South Carolina. On SEC Nation, every picker outside of Paul Finebaum also selected the Aggies.
ESPN’s College Gameday and SEC Nation make their picks for Texas A&M-South Carolina pic.twitter.com/DlhRomp3Br
Texas A&M will travel to Columbia to face South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on either ABC.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.
ESPN’s College GameDay is headed to Big Ten country in Week 10
ESPN’s “College GameDay” released the location it will set up shop for Week 10. Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard and the rest of the GameDay crew will be in Happy Valley to see the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Nittany Lions, who Kirk Herbstreit praised earlier this week, are undefeated, although they have close wins against USC and Bowling Green. Meanwhile, Herbstreit’s alma mater has just the one-point loss against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, so this one is seen by many as a tossup.
Penn State could be without starting quarterback Drew Allar. He is tending to a left knee injury. He and backup Beau Pribula shared snaps in Tuesday’s practice.
“That timeline will go all the way up to the game,” coach James Franklin said, according to ESPN.
If Allar is out, it would be a blow for a Nittany Lions team that is trying to beat Ohio State for the first time in seven years. The game has massive College Football Playoff implications. If one of these teams wins convincingly, it could jump Georgia in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
Speaking of Georgia, the Bulldogs’ games at Ole Miss (Nov. 9) and against Tennessee (Nov. 16) could be in the mix for potential GameDay sites. It is understandable GameDay passed on the Georgia-Florida game in favor of a top-five matchup.
GameDay will begin coverage at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Kirk Herbstreit does not think that Georgia has the best student section in college football and it is hard to disagree with that
ESPN college football analyst and “College GameDay” personality Kirk Herbstreit thinks the Penn State Nittany Lions have the best student section in college football.
“Always love coming to State College- BEST student section in college football!!!,” Herbstreit said via social media. Herbstreit and the GameDay crew will be at Penn State for the Ohio State game this weekend.
There’s no doubt that Penn State’s White Out game is among the best atmospheres in college football. However, Penn State will not be whiting out the stadium against Ohio State.
It is hard to blame Kirk Herbstreit for thinking Penn State has the best student section in the country. The Nittany Lions pack 106,572 fans into Beaver Stadium every Saturday home game.
The Georgia Bulldogs have a ways to go if they want to have a top student section in the country. University of Georgia students need to stay for the whole game if they want folks like Kirk Herbstreit raving about Georgia’s student section being the best in the country.
ESPN’s College GameDay crew has predicted the winner of Texas A&M vs. LSU
No. 14 Texas A&M’s Week 9 home matchup vs. 8th-ranked LSU looms large. The primetime showdown has postseason implications, and the winner will be atop the SEC standings with sole possession of first place.
Both teams are 6-1 and undefeated in SEC play, surprising much of the media after falling in their season openers, including Texas A&M’s disappointing loss to Notre Dame to start off the Mike Elko coaching era.
However, it’s been smooth sailing ever since. Still, even though the Aggies are at home and have also won six consecutive games, ESPN’s College GameDay crew, which included Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, and guest picker Kyle Schwarber, were less than confident in the Aggies chances to protect home field.
College GameDay picks for A&M-LSU. No Herbie pick since he’s calling the game: pic.twitter.com/78KpsRcMw5
From left to right, Howard, Saban, and McAffee picked LSU to win the game, claiming the Tigers have momentum after blowing out Arkansas 34-10 last Saturday. However, Philadelphia Phillies star outfielder Kyle Schwarber picked the Aggies due to the impact from the 12th Man, while Corso followed suit.
Herbstreit, who is calling the game, could not make a pick but seems more confident in the Tigers’ ability to steal a road victory on Saturday night.
Texas A&M will host LSU at home on Saturday, Oct. 26th, at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.
Where was “College GameDay’s” love for UGA before the Georgia-Texas game?
ESPN college football analyst and “College GameDay” panelist Kirk Herbstreit gives the Georgia Bulldogs a great deal of credit for their impressive 30-15 road win against the Texas Longhorns.
Herbstreit rated Georgia as his top performing team of Week 8 and considers head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann to be his best performing coaches of the week. Georgia’s defense shut down the Texas offense with seven sacks and four forced fumbles.
Herbstreit rates Georgia star linebacker Jalon Walker as his second-best performing player of the week behind Missouri’s Brady Cook. Walker recorded three sacks and eight tackles in Georgia’s win.
“UGA defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, Kirby Smart and the Dawgs defense reminding the nation last week that you never underestimate an angry and motivated @GeorgiaFootball team,” said Herbstreit via social media.
Hebrstreit thinks there could be a rematch down the road between Georgia and Texas. The Bulldogs and Longhorns are prime SEC championship contenders even though neither team is in the top two of the SEC standings this week.
“Congrats to @GeorgiaFootball on a great win-have a feeling those teams will meet again at some point!” noted Herbstreit.
David Pollack reacts to the controversial penalty reversal in the Georgia versus Texas game
During the Georgia Bulldogs’ 30-15 win over the Texas Longhorns, a major controversy ensued when Texas fans threw beer and water bottles onto the field after a pass interference call seemingly negated a pivotal interception.
The referees agreed to picked up the flag during the trash delay, which was an even more questionable decision.
Former Georgia Bulldog and ESPN analyst David Pollack was not happy, and he went to X, formerly known as Twitter, to sound off on the officials and on the broadcast booth for being silent about the situation.
“Wow I have never seen that in my life,” Pollack said. “The fans threw bottles on the field and the refs literally changed their call. That is such horse crap man. That’s one of the worst ways of handling a situation I have seen. Can’t believe they ain’t talking about that in the booth.”
Perhaps they were at a loss of words from the picked up flag just like Georgia fans were. Fowler literally said “Oh my goodness,” as soon as the ruling was enforced. Kirk Herbstreit stuttered while trying to explain what was going on, before saying, “I knew this would light Kirby’s fuse. How could it not? The call’s already been made!”
It was a messy situation of making a bad call worse. Many fans, including Pollack, were irate over it.
Wow I have never seen that in my life. The fans threw bottles on the field and the refs literally changed their call. That is such horse crap man. That’s one of the worst ways of handling a situation I have seen. Can’t believe they ain’t talking about that in the booth.
Refs call PI vs Texas (bad call, the kind that usually goes against UGA in big games) fans throw garbage on the field, officials do their own mini-review and overturn a call that can’t be reviewed. pic.twitter.com/TYs9bIVqzb
That was definitely a weak PI call but to reverse it after being bullied by fans throwing beers onto the field is the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen. #Georgia#texas#sec
The ESPN announcer said Ben has been battling health issues (cancer) but having him on the road helps Kirk Herbstreit and it helps Ben.
Got to ask Kirk Herbstreit about Ben’s health. It’s heartbreaking, but man, does the love for this family member really tell it all. pic.twitter.com/uY3rxi3Len
Steve Sarkisian knows he needs college football’s most well-traveled dog on Texas’ side.
Wherever ESPN’s College GameDay pulls up each week, there’s always a rush to curry as much favor as possible with panelists Lee Corso, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and Rece Davis.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian took a different route on Saturday.
While jumping on the broadcast ahead of Week 8’s marquee matchup in Austin between No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia, Sarkisian made a play for easily the most beloved member of the Herbstreit family — Kirk’s dog Ben.
Now, this is a high-stakes move. Ben Herbstreit has already given a solid verbal (bark) commitment to his family’s alma mater of Ohio State, but the jersey Sarkisian brought him may just have him reconsider.
“Pete Thamel just reporting that Ben has decommitted from Ohio State.” 😂
Sandwiched in between on Saturday night will be No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas. It is the biggest game of the weekend, if not the season.
The gravity of the game means ABC/ESPN will be rolling out the A-Team for the game. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will be in the booth at DKR for the Bulldogs visit to Austin. The crew will include Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge on the sidelines.
Herbstriet will even be making an apperance on Friday in Austin if you want to meet him and his dog Ben.
Can’t wait to get to Austin Friday! Hope you can make it out to say hello to Ben! https://t.co/NsTwuuXRqF
This will be the second Texas game in a row for Fowler and Herbstreit. The duo was on hand at the Cotton Bowl last Saturday for the Horns blowout of Red River rival Oklahoma.
Fowler and Herbstreit have been ESPN’s top crew for a long time, calling the last ten national title games in a row together.
Georgia at Texas kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday night on ABC.
ESPN college football expert Kirk Herbstreit names the teams with best performance in Week 7
ESPN College GameDay’s Kirk Herbstreit was in the center of a very wacky and wild Week 7 in college football. He had to go from Eugene, Oregon, where he hosted “College GameDay”, to Dallas, Texas to broadcast the Red River Rivalry with Chris Fowler.
It is safe to say, he got to enjoy this week’s festivities a little more than the average fan.
Herbstreit released his top seven teams in terms of performance from Week 7 action. Herbstreit’s rankings consist of two SEC teams, two Big Ten teams, a Mountain West team and two Big 12 teams.
Herbstreit’s rankings included a team that cemented their status as Big Ten contenders:
This was expected after pulling off the 32-31 win over the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. Oregon was favored coming into this game, but the biggest question for them was Dan Lanning’s lack of performance in marquee matchups. On Saturday, he delivered, and for that, the Ducks appear on the top of Herbstreit’s list. I bet he wishes he would’ve stayed in Oregon for this game.
The Ohio State-Oregon game might have distracted some, but the game between the LSU Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels was also a game-of-the-year candidate. LSU, before this game, had seemed unstoppable when playing at home on Saturday, but they were underdogs against the higher-ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
It looked like a LSU loss was certain after the Rebels took a 23-16 lead with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter, but LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier fired a touchdown to Aaron Anderson to force overtime. In overtime, Ole Miss received the ball first and kicked a field goal, but on the next play Garrett Nussmeier fired a rocket to Kyren Lacy in the right side of the end zone to win 29-26.
Another close game was the Penn State-USC matchup. The Penn State Nittany Lions managed to keep their undefeated record, but USC made them earn it. At halftime, the Nittany Lions were facing a 20-6 deficit, but quarterback Drew Allar and company fought back to tie it 23-23 and again at 30-30 to send it to overtime. In overtime, the USC Trojans kicker missed from 45 yards out, giving Penn State an opportunity to kick the game-winning field goal from 36 yards out to win the game.
In a game that Herbstreit actually attended, the Red River Rivalry was not close. Texas demolished the Sooners in Dallas by a score of 34-3. In Quinn Ewers’ return, he only threw 199 yards, but he wasn’t asked to do much.
The Texas running game exploded for 177 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. The Longhorns look like the best team in the SEC and Herbstreit will go to next week’s Texas game against the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils
This inclusion was brought up no doubt due to Arizona State’s upset win over No. 16 Utah. In Cam Rising’s first start back from injury, Arizona State picked him off three times, and Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (awesome name) ran all over the Utes, with 158yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Now at 4-1, ASU has a shot at the Big 12 crown.
6. Nevada Wolfpack
Year 1 of coach Jeff Choate has had some growing pains, but this was a promising win for his tenure. The Wolfpack won an incredibly back and forth game thanks to defense and the running game. They posted an insane 353 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while their defense picked off Oregon State’s QB four times, including one for a pick-six, in an insane 42-37 win.
7. Iowa State Cyclones
ASU might have the Big 12 crown soon if it weren’t for the undefeated Iowa State Cyclones. They kept it going with a 28-16 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers. Iowa State is now 6-0 for the first time since 1938, and if they keep up at this pace, they could be in consideration for the expanded College Football Playoff.
