College GameDay Taps Brian Bosworth and Johnny Manziel as Guest Pickers for College Football Playoff Weekend
The College Football Playoff is here, and ESPN’s College GameDay is rolling out the big names for its marquee matchups this weekend. The show is bringing in a pair of headline-making, era-defining former stars to serve as celebrity guest pickers-each with deep ties to the programs in action.
First up, GameDay heads to Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday night for the first-round clash between No. 9 Alabama and No.
8 Oklahoma. And who better to join the panel than one of the most iconic players in Sooners history?
Brian Bosworth, the two-time All-American linebacker and Butkus Award winner in 1985 and ’86, will be on set to help break down the action.
Bosworth wasn’t just a dominant force on the field-he was a cultural lightning rod in the ‘80s, known for his swagger, his signature mohawk, and his unapologetic personality. He was the face of Oklahoma’s defense during a golden era for the program.
Though his NFL career with the Seahawks was cut short by injury after just three seasons, Bosworth has remained in the public eye through acting and broadcasting. On Friday, he’ll bring that same bold energy to the set as the Sooners try to take down a powerhouse Alabama squad.
Two shows, two guest pickers 👏
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 18, 2025
🏈 Friday in Norman: Sooners legend Brian Bosworth | @GotBoz44
🏈 Saturday in College Station: Aggies legend Johnny Manziel | @JManziel2 pic.twitter.com/bXxK7nAzv6
Then on Saturday, the spotlight shifts to College Station, where No. 7 Texas A&M hosts No.
10 Miami in another first-round showdown. The guest picker for that one?
Johnny Manziel-Mr. Football himself.
The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and Aggies legend will be back on the GameDay stage, returning as a guest picker after a 2024 appearance.
Manziel’s time in College Station was electric. In just three seasons, he redefined what a dual-threat quarterback could look like in the SEC.
His improvisational style and fearless playmaking made him a household name, and his Heisman win as a redshirt freshman was a seismic moment in college football history. Though his NFL career with the Browns was short-lived, and his personal struggles have been well-documented-including his diagnosis with bipolar disorder-Manziel has been open about his journey and remains a fan favorite in Aggieland.
As for the games themselves, there’s no shortage of drama.
Friday night’s matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN.
The Sooners come in riding a four-game win streak and holding a 10-2 record. They’ve already proven they can beat the Tide, having edged them 23-21 back in mid-November in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama, meanwhile, enters at 10-3 after a tough 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship. It’s a chance for redemption-and a shot at continuing their postseason legacy.
Saturday's noon showdown between Texas A&M and Miami brings two high-powered teams with something to prove. The Aggies are 11-1 but are coming off a 27-17 loss to in-state rival Texas that ended their regular season on a sour note.
Miami, on the other hand, is surging. The Hurricanes are 10-2 and have won four straight, peaking at the right time.
The game airs at 12 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN.
And the playoff picture doesn’t stop there.
At 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT, No.
6 Ole Miss (11-1) hosts No. 11 Tulane (11-2) in a game that carries plenty of intrigue.
The Rebels are stepping onto the field for the first time since head coach Lane Kiffin left for LSU, and how they respond without their longtime leader will be a major storyline.
To close out the night, No. 5 Oregon (11-1) welcomes No.
12 James Madison (12-1) to Eugene at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
The Ducks are looking to make a statement, while JMU-one of the season’s biggest surprises-is hoping to keep its dream run alive.
Four games. Eight teams.
Two star-studded guest pickers. The College Football Playoff is officially underway, and GameDay is bringing the heat.