It’s been three years since our last College GameDay in Happy Valley in 2021 for the White Out vs. Auburn. The show will finally return on Saturday, November 2, for the matchup against Ohio State.

In previous years, we have seen Ki-Jana Carter as the guest picker in 2017, Keegan Michael-Key in 2018, Lara Spencer in 2019, Trace McSorley in 2020, and Saquon Barkley in 2021. Our staffers were curious about who may attend this year’s show. Let’s see who they want to see.

Noah Flenard: Keegan-Michael Key

Keegan-Michael Key has been known to be a James Franklin dupe due to their similar looks. Since Franklin can’t be a guest picker, why not have his stunt double? Key also brings humor and energy that would complement Pat McAfee perfectly.

Michael Siroty: Sue Paterno

Bringing SuePa to the College GameDay stage would be phenomenal. Paterno is still involved in Penn State events, and being on GameDay to make her picks would be another great way to show that involvement. Earlier this season, Nick Saban’s wife Terry was the guest picker and went 7-2 with her picks, so the wives of legendary coaches have extensive football knowledge. Let’s live on Joe Paterno’s coaching legacy onto College GameDay by having Sue Paterno be the guest picker.

Mikey DeAngelis: Olu Fashanu

Penn State’s very own Olu Fashanu is the school’s most recent player to get selected in the top 10 of the NFL draft. He’s now an offensive lineman for the New York Jets, who play Thursday night in New Jersey. With his weekend free, he should head home to Happy Valley and make an appearance on College GameDay. 

Ally Eaton: Mike Poorman

You know him, you love him. COMM 170 professor, networking god, and sports writer for StateCollege.com, he’s got the resume to make him a great addition to the show. While maybe not as universally famous as some other picks on this list, I think that Penn Staters would love to see their favorite sports personality be the guest picker on Saturday. Poorman has great experience in the sports world and would offer funny commentary and banter with the other hosts. Pick Poorman!

Keeley Lamm: John Cappelletti

Give the old guy the mic. John Cappelletti is a great candidate to be College GameDay’s guest picker in the show’s return to Happy Valley. Cappelletti is Penn State’s only Heisman winner, collecting the award in 1973, and he’d be a great companion for Lee Corso to talk about “the good old days” of college football. It’s time to get a real ball-knower in the seat.

Aidan Conrad: Bruce Banner

Yes, I want the Hulk to be a guest picker on College Gameday. Banner, who attended Penn State in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, would be a great personality on the set. Let’s hope he doesn’t disagree with Pat McAfee’s picks and doesn’t turn into the Hulk on air.

Joe Lister: Me

Folks, I’d be a terrible selection as the College GameDay guest picker. I am, unfortunately, not a ball-knower. I have a face for radio and a voice for silent films. I’m not famous and never will be. Regardless, for entirely selfish reasons, I just think it would be really cool to be the guest picker. I’ve seen those guys on the stand live it up, eating Texas brisket and interviewing cool people from around college football. I just want to do that once myself before I graduate.