Pat McAfee showed up in a suit, Cosmo the Cougar came flying into Provo, and ESPN’s “College GameDay” had the kind of morning that gets a crowd loud before kickoff even starts.
BYU fans had plenty to enjoy from the set, and that included picks from McAfee and Steve Young. Nick Saban also gave the Cougars some love before turning to Notre Dame.
“I really like BYU’s team this year,” the former Alabama star coach said. “This might be the best team they’ve had for the long time.
They play good defense. I like Bear Bachmeier.
I picked BYU as my Super Dog. ...
“But what is Notre Dame’s moto this year? Leave no doubt. Notre Dame.
BROTHER PAT IS RIDING WITH THE MORMONS 🔥
An electric morning in Provo wrapped up with Pat and Steve picking the Cougars 😤 pic.twitter.com/HoYrMbFlEV
- College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 17, 2026
"Bear Bachmeier, you do not want to sleep on this guy!"
Steve Young takes BYU and is ready to back Bear up if needed 🔥😂 pic.twitter.com/XSyfDa3T0W
- College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 17, 2026
The Alabama-Tennessee game drew the sharpest split on the panel. Saban’s old program is headed to Tennessee for an SEC rivalry game, and most of the group leaned Tide. Young was the lone pick for the Vols.
“I promised my friend Reggie White, the greatest defensive football player in history, that I would never go against Tennessee,” Young said.
Desmond Howard backed Alabama, pointing to Georgia’s performance against the Tide last week.
“I think Alabama’s defense is going to step up,” he said in reference to the Tide’s trouble last week against Georgia. “They’ll have a turnover for a score.
I believe Alabama is going to win. They will be smoking cigars when this one is over.”
Saban followed the same side, but he also called out what Alabama still has to handle.
“I think Alabama’s got a couple of challenges in this game,” he said. “First of all, their defense has to stop the run better than they have. Secondly, they are going to have to lock up Tennessee’s defense, so (Alabama quarterback) Keelon Russell has chances to make plays down the field.”
McAfee agreed with the Tide pick.
“Alabama, fresh out of that loss with Georgia, I don’t think we really downgraded Alabama that much in our mind,” he said. “Tennessee, a couple of times, we thought maybe they aren’t the team we thought they were, so on that note, give me Roll Tide. Give me Alabama.”
Kirk Herbstreit also went with Alabama, saying the Vols need the home crowd because the offense lacks balance.
“They are going to be need the home field advantage to be the difference because they don’t have balance,” he said. “The quarterback situation is 111th in the country in throwing the ball.
Without balance, you aren’t going to move the ball against Alabama. Bama gets the cigars after the game.”
The rest of the board leaned heavily toward familiar names, with some consensus and a few outliers across the day’s biggest matchups.
For Utah at Colorado, the panel was unanimous: Howard, Saban, McAfee, Young and Herbstreit all took Utah.
Wisconsin at UCLA produced a split. Howard and Herbstreit picked Wisconsin, while Saban, McAfee and Young went with UCLA. Before that one, Young added, "I had a secret love for the UCLA Bruins"
Penn State at Michigan also divided the group. Howard, Saban, Young and Herbstreit chose Michigan, while McAfee was alone on Penn State.
Kentucky at Oklahoma went to Howard, Saban and Herbstreit for Oklahoma, with McAfee and Young taking Kentucky.
Oklahoma State at Houston had Howard and Herbstreit on Okla. State, while Saban, McAfee and Young picked Houston.
Miss. State at LSU was the cleanest call of the set, with every picker choosing LSU.
Missouri at Ole Miss tilted almost the same way. Howard, Saban, McAfee and Young picked Ole Miss, while Herbstreit went with Missouri.
On Alabama at Tennessee, Howard, Saban, McAfee and Herbstreit backed Alabama, with Young sticking to Tennessee.
For Ohio State at Indiana, Saban singled out the key matchup.
"These are two great teams, totally balanced, except for one thing. Jeremiah Smith." 🍿
Coach Saban on the X factor in OSU-Indiana ‼️ pic.twitter.com/jV5dz5W3ya
- College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 17, 2026
The day finished with Notre Dame at BYU, and that one split down the middle. Howard and Saban picked Notre Dame, McAfee and Young took BYU, and Herbstreit passed with no pick.
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One of the more interesting names in that mix is Auburn commit MJ Evans, who is set to visit Alabama on Oct. 24, a date that will help show how serious the Tides push really is. Alabama is also in the mix for former Memphis commit Joshua Lane, who has visits coming to both Alabama and Tennessee, giving the Tide another chance to sell its path and priorities along the defensive line. [Read more 🡒]