So if some reason you missed it because you haven’t scrolled through Twitter and/or are living under a rock…COLLEGE GAMEDAY IS COMING TO JMU!
The last time I was this excited about football was when Tom Brady's DeflateGate suspension was nullified.
Lee Fitting, the executive producer of the show, sent out the following tweet yesterday, confirming what Dukes had been hoping for all week.
Photo Via Twitter.
*Cue JMU fight song* It’s a great week to be a Duke.
This article is for all the people out there who have no idea what College Game Day is. Don’t pretend you don’t exist. I know you’re out there, and I know you’re only excited because Twitter and Facebook told you to be. I remember when I was one of those people, unaware of sport-savvy terms and exciting ESPN news. Seems like only yesterday (more specifically: a few hours ago).
After consulting with Google and my (slightly disappointed-in-me) boyfriend, the concept and excitement of College GameDay became clear. So before you rush to buy your tickets and plan your tailgates, let’s delve into what exactly College GameDay is and why it’s such a big deal.
In a simple explanation, College GameDay is a three-hour special on ESPN that features a group of four guys that go to the best college football game each week. Think: I’m Shmacked, but instead of best college parties, it features best college football games. It’s like a virtual pregame. Everyone’s invited.
Typically, the show features big football schools like AIabama and Texas A&M. That’s partly why everyone is freaking out. College GameDay rarely ever features FCS schools like JMU. While JMU is usually known for things like holding doors and flooding fields (#tbt to Joaquin), now we’re sporty too! Snaps for being athletically relevant.
It is hosted by Tim Brando. Basically, he's the HBIC. He introduces the show and laughs along when the other guys make jokes. The show is famously known for its prediction segment that appears on each broadcast. Typically there are three predictors.
1. Lee Corso (The Funny One): a crowd favorite.
He’s currently the only guy on the show who was also an original cast member in 1987. Look for him wearing a giant Duke Dog on his head because apparently that's a thing.
2. Kirk Herbstreit: (The Pretty Boy) The attractive guy that used to play football.
3. The Celebrity: This is usually a celebrity, relevant athlete, or radio personality connected to the host school for that week.
They actually contacted me to be the guest predictor, given my sports expertise and vast live on-air journalism experience, but I politely declined. Gotta forfeit the spotlight sometimes, ya know?
Meanwhile, while the main action is in taking place, a crowd of students gathers in the background trying to call attention to their homemade signs. Think: The Today Show but less Al Roker, and more rowdy college students.
Photo Via GameDayR
Girls who are reading this and also enjoy crafting/Pinterest….THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO SHINE. Get crafty, and get creative, because if your sign stands out, this could be the big TV break you’ve been waiting for. You’re welcome.
Now that we’re all on the same page, we can really get excited for this Saturday. And try not to give band wagoners a hard time. Just because they might not have known what College GameDay is doesn’t mean they don’t bleed purple and gold. At the end of the day, we are all excited to come together and celebrate this really awesome experience for our school.
2015 is the year of the Duke.
Lets hope Vad Lee doesn’t deflate any balls (unless they belong to the Richmond quarterback).
