Where ESPN College GameDay Should Go Each Week for Rest of 2014 Season
Nothing signifies the dawn of another week of college football quite like ESPN’s College GameDay.
If the nearly-pushing-the-envelope signs don’t get you, the boisterous atmosphere and rowdy crowd surely will. With a show that packs in humor, in-depth analysis and gut-wrenching features, it has something for pretty much everyone.
Needless to say, GameDay’s venue is the one place you’ve got to be on a Saturday morning.
Already this season, the crew has visited Arlington, Texas, for No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State and Eugene, Oregon, for No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 3 Oregon. This week, the guys roll into Fargo, North Dakota, for an FCS clash between Incarnate Word and No. 1 North Dakota State.
But why stop there? Here are Bleacher Report’s predictions for the most likely venue for each remaining week of the 2014 season.
Week 4: Florida at No. 3 Alabama
1 of 11
Last Appearance at Alabama: Nov. 9, 2013 (vs. No. 10 LSU)
Essentially the national-title deciding game in 2008 and 2009, a matchup between these two squads hasn’t been played since 2011.
Although Alabama has won the last two meetings by a combined score of 69-16, this year’s version is expected to be a lot closer. The Tide have lost a lot of experience on both sides of the ball, while Florida comes in with a senior under center and a defense that should be one of the best in the nation.
The Gators only have a meeting with lowly Kentucky prior to the matchup. Meanwhile, Alabama hosts Conference USA foe Southern Miss. No doubt both teams should roll in undefeated.
Although the game being played in Tuscaloosa gives the Tide an advantage—Florida hasn’t won there since 1998—it’s always a show when these two meet.
Other Possible Venues: No. 23 Clemson at No. 1 Florida State
Week 5: No. 1 Florida State at NC State
2 of 11
Last Appearance at NC State: Oct. 23, 2004 (vs. No. 4 Miami)
Giving North Carolina State the spotlight following a 3-9 season may seem odd. Then again, this squad seems to have Florida State’s number at home.
Dating back to 1998, the Wolfpack are 5-3 at home against the Seminoles, including winning each of the last two meetings and three of the last four. Furthermore, the average margin of victory over the last six matchups in Raleigh has been 5.8 points.
Sure, Florida State will likely come into Carter-Finley Stadium as the No. 1 team in the nation. However, that’s only added motivation for the North Carolina State faithful to show up in flocks...or packs, if you will.
Not to mention, there’s a very good chance that the Wolfpack could be 4-0 come Week 5. If that’s the case, the Seminoles might have their work cut out for them in what should be a hostile environment.
We’ve already seen them struggle against lesser competition this season.
Other Possible Venues: Tennessee at No. 6 Georgia, No. 20 Missouri at No. 24 South Carolina
Week 6: No. 10 LSU at No. 5 Auburn
3 of 11
Last Appearance at Auburn: Nov. 30, 2013 (vs. No. 1 Alabama)
It may not be as good a matchup as the last time ESPN was in town, but still, in what is likely to be a Top 10 showdown, fans will find a lot to get excited about.
Some could say last year’s meeting—a 35-21 LSU victory—served as the spark for Auburn to go on one of the most exciting runs college football as seen in quite some time. LSU was the team’s first tough opponent, and Auburn proved it could hang with the nation’s best.
On the other hand, LSU followed up that game by losing three of its next six games.
This time around, LSU will be hoping to use a victory over Auburn to springboard itself back into the national title picture. Three winnable matchups stand in the way of the team bringing a 5-0 record into Jordan-Hare on Oct. 4.
For Auburn, the team will have its hands full with a Thursday night trip into Manhattan, Kansas, to face No. 19 Kansas State on Sept. 18. But after that, it should be smooth sailing until LSU comes into town.
Other Possible Venues: No. 16 Arizona State at No. 9 USC, No. 15 Stanford at No. 11 Notre Dame
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Week 7: No. 2 Oregon at No. 12 UCLA
4 of 11
Last Appearance at UCLA: Oct. 17, 1998 (vs. No. 11 Oregon)
It’s been 16 years since the last time Lee Corso and Co. made an appearance at the Rose Bowl. Oddly enough, that matchup was also against Oregon.
But it doesn’t stop there, as GameDay also happened to be at last year’s meeting between these two. Both teams came in ranked as they currently are.
That game wound up being a blowout—the Ducks thrashed UCLA 42-14. This time around, the Bruins are hoping it will be a little closer.
In a matchup that pits two Heisman Trophy-contending quarterbacks up against each other, expect points to come in bunches. However, the team with the defense that can make a couple of stops will likely be the one that is celebrating a victory as the clock ticks down.
It’s always an exciting affair when Oregon and UCLA square off.
Other Possible Venues: No. 14 Ole Miss at No. 7 Texas A&M
Week 8: No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 1 Florida State
5 of 11
Last Appearance at Florida State: Nov. 2, 2013 (vs. No. 7 Miami)
Quarterback Everett Golson hasn’t wasted time showing Notre Dame what it was missing last year.
After being ruled ineligible for the 2013 season, the senior has thrown for 521 yards and five touchdowns on 66.1 percent passing. He’s also rushed for another 27 yards and three scores.
After pasting Michigan 31-0 last weekend, the Irish have got to feel like they can beat any team in the country. However, Florida State isn’t just any team. The defending national champion is more like it.
In what will be the first regular-season meeting between these two schools since a home-and-home series in 2002 and 2003, look forward to what should be an exciting back-and-forth contest.
Notre Dame will have to maneuver past an early October contest against Stanford, while the Seminoles will need to get by thorn-in-their-side North Carolina State. If both can come in undefeated, we’re looking at a potential Top Five showdown.
Other Possible Venues: No. 7 Texas A&M at No. 3 Alabama, No. 19 Kansas State at No. 4 Oklahoma
Week 9: Michigan at No. 13 Michigan State
6 of 11
Last Appearance at Michigan State: Sept. 29, 2012 (vs. No. 14 Ohio State)
After dominating the rivalry from 1970 to 2007, Michigan appears to be handing the reins over to Michigan State—the Spartans have won five of the last six in the series.
Last year, the Wolverines were embarrassed in East Lansing, 29-6. But the final score wasn’t the most shocking thing about the matchup. It was the fact that Michigan was held to minus-48 yards rushing.
Spartan Stadium is once again the scene for the matchup, and the Wolverines will be looking to make amends. But if last Saturday’s showing was any indication, Michigan State might have a powerful offense to complement its stifling defense.
Michigan has five games to pull itself together after a shocking 31-0 loss to Notre Dame last weekend. It will need every ounce of quarterback Devin Gardner’s talent if the team hopes to win.
Other Possible Venues: No. 24 South Carolina at No. 5 Auburn, No. 14 Ole Miss at No. 10 LSU, No. 22 Ohio State at Penn State
Week 10: No. 5 Auburn at No. 14 Ole Miss
7 of 11
Last Appearance at Ole Miss: Never
What better time to make your College GameDay debut than by hosting the BCS title runner-up?
Ole Miss comes into 2014 with high expectations. The defense has looked strong, and quarterback Bo Wallace has been sharp, throwing for 707 yards and five touchdowns on 72.7 percent passing over the first two games.
As expected, Auburn will be no joke. But as last season’s meeting between the two goes to show—a 30-22 Tigers win—these teams match up nicely.
Can the Rebels cement their status as a breakthrough team? Or will the Tigers move another step closer toward earning a shot at redemption?
Other Possible Venues: No. 15 Stanford at No. 2 Oregon, Florida vs. No. 6 Georgia
Week 11: No. 8 Baylor at No. 4 Oklahoma
8 of 11
Last Appearance at Oklahoma: Oct. 27, 2012 (vs. No. 5 Notre Dame)
Everybody in Norman remembers the beating Baylor put on Oklahoma in Waco, Texas, last year.
The Sooners surely remember it and will try and give the Bears a taste of their own medicine. Meanwhile, Baylor will look to prove that last season was no fluke and that it’s a team that’s here to stay.
Both teams will have their fair share of obstacles before this game. But if they can maneuver the course undefeated, this will be a showdown with a lot on the line.
With national title aspirations and the inside track to a Big 12 title likely up for grabs, this is one matchup you just can’t miss.
Other Possible Venues: No. 3 Alabama at No. 10 LSU, No. 7 Texas A&M at No. 5 Auburn
Week 12: No. 6 Auburn at No. 5 Georgia
9 of 11
Last Appearance at Georgia: Sept. 28, 2013 (vs. No. 6 LSU)
There’s a good chance Georgia fans are still having nightmares over the last time these two played.
But as hard as it may be, the Bulldogs must put that game in the rearview mirror. That’s because running back Todd Gurley doesn’t just have the Heisman Trophy on his mind; he’s thinking College Football Playoff.
Auburn might have something to say about that. Quarterback Nick Marshall will also be making a push toward Heisman Trophy consideration but more importantly a return trip to the national title game.
This one should come down to the wire. And if it’s Hail Mary time for the Tigers, expect Georgia to have an extra man or two back in coverage.
Just saying.
Other Possible Venues: No. 20 Missouri at No. 7 Texas A&M
Week 13: No. 9 USC at No. 12 UCLA
10 of 11
Last Appearance at UCLA: Oct. 17, 1998 (vs. No. 11 Oregon)
Last year’s matchup between USC and UCLA was the first meaningful contest in the series for quite some time.
Following a 35-14 victory, the Bruins didn’t waste an opportunity to chirp at their crosstown rivals.
“Oh, we run this town,” said defensive end Cassius Marsh after the win, per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). “We’re 2-0. It’s our city now. They can come try to get it next year.”
That likely didn’t sit well with the Trojans. And following the Week 2 victory over Stanford, the team looks poised to make a splash in 2014.
Given the date of the game, look for both USC and UCLA to be competing for the Pac-12 South division. A win in this game could very well secure a spot for one of the competitors in the Pac-12 title game.
Other Possible Venues: No. 21 Louisville at No. 11 Notre Dame
Week 14: No. 5 Auburn at No. 3 Alabama
11 of 11
Last Appearance at Alabama: Nov. 9, 2013 (vs. No. 10 LSU)
Easily the top game of the 2013 season, Alabama and Auburn will continue their annual rivalry in Tuscaloosa this time around.
With revenge on their mind, the Tide will come in fired up for this one. Expect the quarterback situation to be figured out, and the defense should have its swagger back.
On the other sideline, the Tigers will be looking to solidify themselves as one of the elite teams in the SEC. Not just anybody beats Alabama two years in a row.
In what will likely prove to be an audition for a berth into the College Football Playoff, expect a heavyweight bout.
Other Possible Venues: No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 9 USC
All stats courtesy of NCAA.com.
For complete coverage and everything college football, you can reach Sebastian on Twitter and via email at Sebastian.LenaBR@gmail.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
