ESPN College GameDay has seen several changes over the years, especially with personnel, but it is still one of the most watched pre-game programs in sports today.
Since most of the episodes are hosted on a campus, a visit from GameDay usually turns into a big event for the school hosting that game. At Clemson, it usually means the event will be hosted on Bowman Field.
We know that GameDay will be visiting College Station, Texas in Week 1 when Texas A&M hosts Notre Dame, so they definitely won’t be in Atlanta for Clemson’s opening season tilt against Georgia.
The other eleven games are all available for GameDay to visit. Here are the five that have the best chance of hosting this season.
No. 5: Appalachian State at Clemson Football
At first glance, you might say that a game like this has no chance to host GameDay, but here is something you might not know unless you have already looked through the national schedule: Week 2 is going to suck. There just aren’t that many games that hold a lot of appeal based on what we know now.
I am not oblivious to the obvious: usually the weeks we think will suck turn out to be very entertaining, but remember that picking the site of GameDay has more to do about expectations than the actual game.
Appalachian State is one of the most respected Group of Five programs in college football. From a name recognition standpoint, this game would probably rate well relative to the other matchups, which still include a lot of games against FCS competition because it is early in the season.
Most likely destination: Texas at Michigan – While most of the schedule is bland, it only takes one great game to bump all the rest. Texas is a national name that could be contending for a national championship. Michigan is the defending national champion. Unless Colorado State beats the Longhorns or Fresno State beats the Wolverines, GameDay will be in Ann Arbor, Michigan that week.
Other options: Tennessee at NC State
NEXT: No. 4: South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Football