The Magic of College Gameday

Gameday Routines

Week 0 served as a great introduction to the season and week 1 is now almost upon us! This week there are a full slate of games allowing us to kickstart our favourite Winter routines. Game day looks different for everyone but for me, as a UK based fan, it looks something like the below:

Morning – Whilst the US is still sleeping, I will set about my to-do list. A big emphasis on getting any jobs around the house done so I have a clear slate in the afternoon.

2pm- Tune in to ESPN’s College Gameday and start the build up to the games. 

5pm – I may lose control of the TV at this point or step away to do other things. Depends on what early game is on. 

8pm onwards – Settle into the bulk of the day’s games. This may mean waking up early the next morning to pick up when I left off. 

I am a creature of rituals… writing this I am already looking forward to my Winter Saturday ritual! 

Discovering College Gameday

Of course the highlight of the weekend is always the games. But over the years I have come to realise how much I enjoy ESPNs College Gameday. 

I first discovered College Football when I subscribed to ESPN America in 2009. I was spending lots of nights up late at the time and College Football became a nice companion to have on in the background. 

I found College Gameday in similar fashion – it was just on in the background on Saturdays. I gradually started paying more attention and curiosity turned to interest and it eventually became a fixture of my Saturday.

What Is College Gameday?

If you have never seen it, College Gameday is a live warm-up show where a panel discuss the stories of the day, preview the big games and go through a set of regular feature-segments. The programme is filmed on a different college campus each week so is set to a background of enthusiastic college kids. 

The show is produced and broadcast by ESPN. It has been going since 1987 and is a Saturday staple for many US college football fans.

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It has always reminded me of Soccer AM in its prime and I am of the right vintage to remember it in its prime (for the avoidance of doubt, the Lovejoy/Chamberlain era). I used to roll out of bed, watch my favourite segments, then prepare myself for my own football match on a Saturday afternoon. I never missed it. 

There is something comforting with these programmes. You feel part of a community with collective anticipation of the day’s games growing together. This is especially true when you are a UK fan so far away from the action. I was never a social media user so didn’t share my CFB passion with anyone. College Gameday helped me feel connected to the sport.

“Not so fast my friend”….

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The most recognised segment in College Gameday is at the end where the panel predict who will win the big games of the weekend. Coach Lee Corso picks last and wears the headgear of the mascot of his chosen team. Depending on whether he has chosen the home or visiting team of where they are based that week, he would be met with either great cheers or boos. TV at its finest! 

This Saturday will be the last time we get to see Coach Corso don the mascot headgear ahead of retirement. We will only have one more opportunity to hear him say “Not so fast my friend” and witness him delight the crowd. Will he choose Texas or Ohio State?

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The remaining panel will be left to carry the baton, with Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbsreit, Desmond Howard and Nick Saban covering analysis. Reece Davis will hold everything together as host, supported by a number of other regular contributors.

College Gameday has its competition in Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kick off, which should suit me better as a keen follower of the Big Ten. But having spent so long with Gameday over the years, I don’t think I could change my routine. Big Noon Kickoff is not currently available in the UK in any case.  

DAZN To The Rescue

It was looking increasingly likely that we would not be able to watch College Gameday on UK TV this year. Sky’s deal ran out at the end of last season and we have been eagerly waiting on news of a new deal every since.

With all looking lost, DAZN have come to the rescue announcing a new deal to show 25 games per week alongside College Gameday. This is the least that the loyal UK and Ireland College Football fans deserve and is a great relief.

The new deal allows me to get back to my regular Winter routine and enjoy the sport of College Football….starting with enjoying the Magic of College Gameday on Saturday.

UK fans can watch College Gameday on DAZN on Saturday starting at 2pm UK time. It appears it will be free for a limited time before moving to some form of subscription.