ESPN College GameDay 2015: Week 1 Schedule, Location, Predictions and More

The college football season kicked off Thursday evening, but it won’t feel official until Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of ESPN’s traveling pregame show grace television sets across the nation. 

The first episode of College GameDay airs Saturday morning from Fort Worth, Texas, for the Big Ten-SEC showdown between Wisconsin and Alabama. The actual game takes place Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The show shared its decision to head to the Lone Star State:

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Two weeks away... https://t.co/fJPD7FpmX3

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 23, 2015"

Here is a look at all the essential information you need to watch the year’s first College GameDay episode, as well as a prediction for the contest.

ESPN College GameDay: Week 1 Info 

Date: Saturday, Sept. 5

Time (ET): 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Watch: ESPN   

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Preview and Prediction 

In case you weren’t fired up enough about this high-profile, interconference clash, Wisconsin football shared a hype video:

The Badgers may be ready, but if history is any indication, Corso will put on Alabama’s mascot head to end Saturday’s show, per College GameDay:

Picking Alabama would be a wise move for the commentator considering coach Nick Saban has never lost a season-opening contest as leader of the Crimson Tide.

There is still some uncertainty surrounding the 2015 version of Alabama, particularly at the quarterback spot. ESPN’s Brett McMurphy noted Saban would like two signal-callers ready and a third on standby for Saturday’s game, and he may even play more than one between Jake Coker, Alec Morris and Cooper Bateman.

The bottom line is not one quarterback has shown enough in camp to seize the starting reins, but that isn’t necessarily as crippling to the team’s chances as it sounds.

The Crimson Tide will likely rely on running back and preseason Heisman Trophy candidate Derrick Henry throughout Saturday’s contest regardless of who is under center. He racked up 990 rushing yards, 133 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns behind 5.8 yards per carry in 2014 and is ready to take over as the workhorse with T.J. Yeldon in the NFL.

Matt Zenitz of AL.com described just how dangerous Henry will be in 2015:

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The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Henry is likely one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in college football. The Yulee, Florida native also feels he has become a better and more complete running back since rushing for a team-best 990 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore last season while sharing playing time with T.J. Yeldon, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars selected in the second round of this year's NFL draft.

That combination is why Henry — the clear centerpiece of a mostly inexperienced offense — could be poised for a breakout season nationally after seeing limited time as a freshman and then splitting time with Yeldon last season.

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Henry should be licking his lips with anticipation for Saturday.

The last two times Wisconsin’s defense took the field it allowed a whopping 301 rushing yards to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game (220 of which came from Ezekiel Elliott) and 219 rushing yards against Auburn in the Outback Bowl. It failed to consistently control the line of scrimmage, which will prove to be a problem against the physical Crimson Tide.

All Henry has to do is find the end zone a couple of times with Alabama’s defense in his corner.

The Crimson Tide finished fourth in the country in scoring defense last year, fourth in 2013 and first in 2012 and 2011. There are few units, if any, as consistent in all of college football as Alabama’s defense, and Wisconsin will learn that the hard way Saturday.

Even if the quarterbacks rotate and fail to establish momentum, the Crimson Tide have more than enough to win behind Henry and the defense.

That is not to suggest the Badgers will be a pushover.

After all, they stunned Alabama’s archrival Auburn in last season’s bowl game and are riding some conference momentum, as running back Corey Clement said, per Charlie Potter of 247Sports: "Who's to say we can't beat Alabama? They proved they can be beat. This conference can play with the best of them. I think (Ohio State's Sugar Bowl win) kind of gave Alabama a wake-up call."

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Clement represents Wisconsin’s best chance at the upset after he finished with 949 rushing yards and nine touchdown runs in 2014 behind superstar Melvin Gordon. Like Henry, Clement will be the workhorse this season and has a golden opportunity to announce his presence to the college football world.

The problem for the Badgers is the inexperience up front. Multiple injuries left them scrambling along the offensive line during training camp, and Walker Williams, Hayden Biegel and Michael Dieter could all make their first career starts against the mighty Crimson Tide without many preseason reps together.

The Badgers make their living almost every season behind a strong rushing attack, physically imposing offensive line and a solid defense. The problem this time around is they face a team that uses the same method, only more effectively.

The Crimson Tide are 69-3 since 2008 when rushing for at least 140 yards, and that formula will lead to victory yet again.

Alabama will control the game up front on both sides on the way to a statement victory.

Prediction: Alabama 24, Wisconsin 10