The College Football Playoff is officially underway, and this year’s opening round packs plenty of intrigue, storylines, and, yes-two College GameDay broadcasts to kick it all off.
In the second year of the expanded 12-team playoff format, the action begins on Friday, Dec. 19, with a marquee matchup between No. 9 Alabama and No.
8 Oklahoma. That game sets the tone for a loaded Saturday slate featuring three more first-round clashes: No.
7 Texas A&M vs. No.
10 Miami, No. 6 Ole Miss vs.
No. 11 Tulane, and No.
5 Oregon vs. No.
12 James Madison.
But before the games get going, College GameDay is doubling down on coverage-literally. The crew is going live from two different campuses this week, giving fans a front-row seat to the playoff atmosphere from both Norman, Oklahoma and College Station, Texas.
Friday Night Lights in Norman
The first stop is the South Oval on Oklahoma’s campus, where GameDay will air live Friday at 6 p.m. ET ahead of the Sooners’ showdown with Alabama.
It’s a rematch with some recent history behind it-Oklahoma already knocked off Alabama earlier this season in Tuscaloosa, edging out the Crimson Tide 23-21 in mid-November. That win, coupled with a 10-2 finish, helped the Sooners punch their ticket to the playoff.
And if you’re looking for a trend, Oklahoma also handled Alabama the last time the two met in Norman, cruising to a 24-3 win. Now, with the stakes even higher, the Sooners will look to make it three straight over the Tide.
Alabama, meanwhile, comes into the playoff with a 10-3 record, fresh off a tough 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. The Tide will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid an early exit.
Adding to the Friday night buzz, GameDay is bringing in a familiar face as guest picker-Sooners legend Brian Bosworth. The former linebacker, known as much for his hard-hitting play as his larger-than-life personality, was a key part of Oklahoma’s 1985 national championship team. He’ll join Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit on set to break down the matchup and make his picks.
Saturday Morning in College Station
Once Friday’s show wraps up, the GameDay crew will make the 357-mile trek south to College Station, where they’ll be live again on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. ET.
This time, the focus shifts to No. 7 Texas A&M hosting No.
10 Miami in another high-stakes first-round battle.
Texas A&M enters the playoff at 11-1, earning the No. 7 seed and a slight edge on the betting line as a 3.5-point favorite. Miami, at 10-2, has quietly built momentum throughout the season and now has a chance to make a statement on the national stage.
Saturday’s guest picker is none other than Johnny Manziel. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and Aggie icon will be back in College Station to lend his insight and, no doubt, bring some energy to the set. Manziel’s presence should fire up the home crowd and add an extra layer of excitement to what’s already shaping up to be a classic SEC-vs-ACC playoff clash.
How to Watch College GameDay
Fans can catch both broadcasts on ESPN or stream them via ESPN+ and Fubo. Friday’s show airs at 6 p.m.
ET, serving as a lead-in to the Alabama-Oklahoma kickoff at 8 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s show returns to its traditional morning slot at 9 a.m. ET.
With two playoff games on deck and two GameDay shows to match, this weekend is a feast for college football fans. From Norman to College Station, the playoff energy is real-and it’s just getting started.