Pat McAfee left Salt Lake City with plenty to say.
The ESPN College GameDay host visited the University of Utah on Saturday, but the trip became a point of frustration for him by Monday, when he used his show to rip into the school over a social media post he saw before going on air.
“I’ve enjoyed this college football season, did not enjoy the University of Utah. Did not enjoy it," McAfee said.
His issue centered on the University of Utah’s Instagram account, which posted a clip asking students to do impressions of him. McAfee said one kid called him “corny” and another called him “creepy,” and he took particular exception to the fact that the university itself shared it.
“You know why I didn't like it? Right before I went out there, I saw the University of Utah’s Instagram page, the university’s, they asked a kid, ‘Hey, can you do an impression of Pat McAfee?
One kid goes, ‘Ah, he’s corny,’ and another kid calls me ‘creepy.' OK, if these kids had done this on their own blogs, all good.
Everybody’s taking shots at me for everything. I get it. ...
The university puts that out as I’m about to go do an infomercial for the place?”
McAfee said he didn’t understand why the school would amplify criticism of him.
“Do we think we should, be amplifying reasons why people hate my guts as a university? I don't know.”
He also pointed to the “Kicking Is Easy” segment, saying the kicker’s reaction to the prize money only made things worse.
“And then, obviously, the kicker goes, 'only $1 million, only $1 million.' Alright, I hate this place.”
Still, McAfee made it clear he respected what Utah has built on the field.
“They got a good football team though, they got a good football team, but I have never been more uncomfortable.”
He even joked that he’ll be dealing with COVID the next time College GameDay returns to Salt Lake City.
Utah later apologized for the episode. In a statement, the university said its intent was to create a lighthearted moment about McAfee being back on campus, but that it had “missed the mark.” The school also said staff are responsible for reviewing and posting content on official accounts and accepted full accountability for the decision.
“Our goal during the visit was to create lighthearted engagement regarding Pat being back on campus, but we missed the mark. University staff are responsible for reviewing and posting content on official social media accounts, and we take full accountability for that decision.”
The university said officials reached out to McAfee to thank him for visiting and apologized for making him feel unsafe and unwelcome.
College GameDay’s next stop is Bloomington on Saturday, October 31, for the Big Ten matchup between the No. 4 Indiana Hoosiers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
In Other News...
Carlos Boozer Weighed In On A Jazz Draft Decision Fans Will Debate
The draft debate around the Jazzs latest decision has already taken on a life of its own, and Carlos Boozer just added another layer to it. With the franchise opting to go with Darryn Peterson, the former Jazz forward addressed the choice involving his son Cameron Boozer and signaled that he understood the reasoning behind it, even if plenty of fans are still bound to second-guess how the board played out.
For Utah, it is the kind of call that invites instant hindsight from a fan base that has long treated the draft as a defining part of the team-building process. Boozers reaction may not settle anything, but it does underscore how closely these decisions are watched when a familiar family name is involved, and how quickly a selection can turn into an argument that lingers well beyond draft night. [Read more 🡒]
Jazz Frontcourt Suddenly Puts Pressure On Young Players To Deliver
A sudden frontcourt shakeup has left Utah looking for answers, with Jackson Jr. out after injuring his right knee and the Jazz expected to navigate the early part of the season without one of their key interior pieces. It is the kind of absence that changes rotations fast, especially for a team leaning on younger talent to hold up on both ends while the front line sorts itself out.
For the Jazz, the immediate pressure now shifts to players such as Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski, who could see larger workloads in the coming weeks as Utah tries to piece together its frontcourt. The situation also puts Jaxson Hayes in the spotlight, since the Jazz need someone to stabilize the center spot while the roster adjusts, and the early read on how that group handles the extra responsibility could shape Utah's plans well beyond this stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Mo Bamba May Have Forced His Way Into Utahs Rotation
Mo Bambas latest outing gave the Jazz something they have been short on lately: a reminder that there may still be a usable option waiting in the frontcourt. Against Memphis, he logged meaningful minutes and looked the part, giving Utah production on both ends while the rest of the rotation continues to feel the strain of a battered big-man group.
The timing matters because the Jazz are still sorting through a frontcourt picture that is far from settled. With Jaren Jackson Jr. out for an extended stretch and Lauri Markkanen, Jaxson Hayes and Jusuf Nurkic all dealing with various injury concerns, Bambas performance could not have come at a better time. If Utah needs size and rim protection in the near term, he may have done enough to force his way into a larger role. [Read more 🡒]