ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be broadcasting live from Columbia for the first time in a decade, ahead of the South Carolina football game against LSU. The show will air on ESPN and ESPNU from 9 a.m. to noon ET, with kickoff scheduled for 12:12 p.m. ET on ABC.
The location for “College GameDay” will be Gamecock Park at 1400 Greene Street. From 11 a.m. to noon, the show will move inside Williams-Brice Stadium. Shuttles will be available starting at 5:45 a.m., departing from the Russell House. Students with a CarolinaCard can ride for free, while fans will need to pay $5.
The regular crew of host Rece Davis and analysts Lee Corso, Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban will be present for the pre-show. The guest picker for this episode is South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.
Here are some highlights of what to expect during Saturday’s “College GameDay” in Columbia:
- Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish fame will join the show and offer a special performance.
- South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley will serve as guest picker.
- South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer is set to join the “GameDay” desk.
- Mayor Daniel Rickenmann plans to officially declare Saturday as “ESPN College GameDay Saturday in the City of Columbia.” He’ll also present Corso with the key to the city.
- Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, now part of ”GameDay,” will analyze parts of South Carolina’s offense in his Coach’s Film Room segment.
- Pat McAfee’s kicking contest during the live show gives one lucky fan from behind-the-desk crowd an opportunity to attempt a 33-yard field goal for a chance at winning $45,000.
- ESPN writer Ryan McGee explores the history behind Williams-Brice Stadium’s iconic song “Sandstorm.”
That wraps up what you need to know about this weekend’s exciting edition of “College GameDay” in Columbia!