Topics

More

Staff Predictions: College GameDay Guest Picker Edition

One of the most anticipated segments of every week of College GameDay is when the ESPN crew makes their predictions for the day’s games. Each host defends his or her hot takes with a 30-second elevator pitch. Lee Corso sports the mascot mask of his winner for the week’s featured game. And a celebrity guest, usually with some significance to the host school, joins in, usually selecting his home team.

Alumnus Keegan Michael-Key was the guest picker the last time the Nittany Lions were on GameDay last December before the Big Ten Championship Game. We came up with our predictions for who Saturday’s guest picker will be.

David Abruzzese: Derrick Williams

This one would make perfect sense given Williams’ ties to Penn State lore, plus his availability given he’ll be in town with the Big Ten Network folks. He would be a phenomenal guest picker — and we all know who his winner will be.

Anthony Colucci: Ty Burrell

Bringing someone from show business like ESPN did with Michael-Key last year seems to work really well and switch up the dynamic of the show with some comedy. Although he is a noted Oregon fan and alumnus, Burrell received his Masters’ degree from Penn State and has talked about the Nittany Lions in the past, especially during last season. Landing him shouldn’t be an issue since he stars as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, which airs on ESPN’s parent company, ABC.

Nathaniel Pinskey: Allen Robinson

He has a torn ACL, so he really doesn’t have to be with the team and who would be better than the player who had the catch of the decade against Michigan in the fourth overtime of the White Out game four years ago?

Elissa Hill: Chris Kirkpatrick

Last week *NSYNC legend Chris Kirkpatrick confirmed his allegiance to the Nittany Lions. So who better to appear on GameDay as this week’s guest picker? Kirkpatrick just had a baby last week, too.

So this seems like the perfect opportunity for Kirkpatrick to show baby Nash around his hometown — Clarion, PA — and make a pit stop in Happy Valley to root for his Penn State Nittany Lions on ESPN.

Stephen Connelly: Bill O’Brien

Because the Texans have a bye week, bringing the former Penn State coach onto the show makes a lot of sense. Plus, since this is GameDay’s first visit in the post-Paterno era, we know that talking about the Sandusky Scandal and sanctions are going to be all but inevitable.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Staff

Posts from the all-student staff of Onward State.

Gameday Coverage: No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 4 Ohio State

The biggest game of the season is finally here.

Four-Star Guard Kayden Mingo Commits To Penn State Hoops

Mingo is the third commit in the class of 2025 for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State Football Secondary Preparing For Talented Ohio State Receivers

“We’ve got to step up to the challenge. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
61.3kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Onward State

Staff Predictions: No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 4 Ohio State

Our staffers are split whether or not Penn State can end its losing streak against the Buckeyes.

OS Reviews: Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Staff Predictions: Penn State Hoops’ 2024-25 Season