College GameDay

College GameDay (1987- )

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College GameDay is an ESPN entertainment show previewing college football games. It first aired in 1987 with Tim Brando as host and Lee Corso and Beano Cook as commentators, giving an overview of college football games, but the show underwent a radical transformation beginning in 1993, and began incorporating live broadcasts. The official name of the show is College GameDay built by The Home Depot. There is a separate radio broadcast, ESPN Radio College GameDay, on ESPN Radio. Today, the only original cast member remaining is Lee Corso. Rece Davis serves as host and Kirk Herbstreit is Corso's counterpart. Starting in 2008, Desmond Howardhas been added to the cast in the show's introduction. Craig James served as an analyst from 1990 to 1995. Erin Andrews joined the GameDay crew as a co-host and contributor in 2010, replaced in 2012 by Samantha Ponder. On September 5, 2015, Rece Davis (also host of the college basketball version of GameDay), replaced Chris Fowler as host of the college football version, which itself started its 29th season on that day.

The show is known for its prediction segment that appears on each broadcast. Typically there are three predictors: Corso, Herbstreit, and an invited guest, usually a celebrity, prominent athlete, or radio personality associated with the host university or school for that week. The end of the show always concludes with a catch phrase and prediction from Corso, who subsequently dons the mascot's headgear of the school he predicts to win the game, usually to the ire or excitement of local fans. Beginning with the 2013 season, GameDay airs for three hours on ESPN. Previously, beginning in 2010, the first hour of the show was broadcast on ESPNU at 9am ET, with the 2 remaining hours of the show on ESPN from 10am-noon ET.

Network
Scheduleevery Saturday at 09:00 (180 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S42E02NFL Draft Day 2 from Pittsburgh, PAApr 24, 2026
S42E01NFL Draft Day 1 from Pittsburgh, PAApr 23, 2026
S41E23From Miami Gardens, FLJan 19, 2026
S41E22From Atlanta, GAJan 9, 2026
S41E21From Glendale, AZJan 8, 2026
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did College GameDay premiere?

College GameDay premiered on September 5, 1987.

Who were the hosts of College GameDay in 1987?

The hosts of College GameDay in 1987 were Tim Brando and Beano Cook.

Which college football team was featured on the first episode of College GameDay?

The first episode of College GameDay featured the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

How many games did College GameDay cover in its first season?

College GameDay covered eight games in its first season.

Which teams played in the first-ever College GameDay matchup?

The first-ever College GameDay matchup was a game between No.1 Oklahoma and No.2 Nebraska on November 21, 1987.

What was the highest-rated game that College GameDay covered in 1987?

The highest-rated game that College GameDay covered in 1987 was the Notre Dame vs. Miami game on November 28, 1987.

How many seasons had Tim Brando been a college football analyst before joining College GameDay?

Tim Brando had been a college football analyst for two seasons before joining College GameDay in 1987.

What was the most memorable moment from College GameDay in 1987?

The most memorable moment from College GameDay in 1987 was when Beano Cook famously predicted that Syracuse would upset No.1 Nebraska on September 19, 1987.

Who won the Heisman Trophy in 1987?

Tim Brown, a wide receiver from Notre Dame, won the Heisman Trophy in 1987.

Which team had the best record in college football in 1987?

The Miami Hurricanes had the best record in college football in 1987, finishing the season 12-0.

Which team had the worst record in college football in 1987?

The Northwestern Wildcats had the worst record in college football in 1987, finishing the season 0-11.

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