“College GameDay” host Rece Davis, second left, and analysts Desmond Howard, left, Pat McAfee, center left, Nick Saban, second right, and Kirk Herbstreit, right, speak with Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham, center right, during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Presidents Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Brandon Judd
By Brandon Judd

Fireworks jettisoned from the top of the John R. Park Building kicked off the sixth appearance of ESPN’s “College GameDay” at the University of Utah early Saturday morning.

Talk about setting the tone.

From Pat McAfee being ... well, Pat McAfee, to Utes coach Kyle Whittingham arriving in a vintage Ford truck to the MUSS making a strong showing, the Utah fanbase was well represented at Presidents Circle.

7
Comments

Here’s a look at what went on during the three-hour pregame college football show on Utah’s campus.

Videos from ‘College GameDay’

Signs of the times

Famous faces

Pat McAfee is his own show

Alex Smith back in Salt Lake City

And the winner is ...

Photos from ‘College GameDay’

1 of 20
Utah Football Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and “College GameDay” analyst Nick Saban, right, talk during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
2 of 20
Pat McAfee fist bumps TV crew as they prepare for Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
3 of 20
The John R. Park Building is bathed in red light as people gather for ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
4 of 20
The set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” is dressed with cobwebs and other festive props for Halloween weekend in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
5 of 20
Jonah Knubel, left, celebrates after making a field goal on his second attempt for Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
6 of 20
Jonah Knubel, right, sends his first attempt wide during Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
7 of 20
University of Utah student Jonah Knubel, right, speaks with Patt Macafee before Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
8 of 20
Utah fans celebrate after contestant Jonah Knubel made a field goal on his second attempt for Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
9 of 20
“College GameDay” host Rece Davis, second left, and analysts Desmond Howard, left, Pat McAfee, center left, Nick Saban, second right, and Kirk Herbstreit, right, speak with Utah Football Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, center right, during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
10 of 20
Analyst Kirk Herbstreit looks on during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
11 of 20
Nick Saban speaks with other analysts during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
12 of 20
Host Rece Davis speaks to the camera as he opens ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
13 of 20
Pat McAfee holds up a “U” after taking off his shirt during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
14 of 20
Pat McAfee wears a Utah branded jacket during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
15 of 20
A fan holds up a sign saying “Byrd is the Word” during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
16 of 20
Pat McAfee, left, reacts to guest picker, former Utah quarterback and current ESPN NFL analyst, Alex Smith’s, right, pick during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
17 of 20
Former Utah Quarterback and “College GameDay” guest picker Alex Smith holds up a “U” after picking Utah to defeat Cincinnati during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the President's Circle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah fans cheer during ESPN's "College GameDay" at Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2025.
18 of 20
Utah fans cheer during ESPN's "College GameDay" at Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah fans cheer during ESPN's "College GameDay" at Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2025.
19 of 20
Utah fans cheer during ESPN's "College GameDay" at Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah fans cheer during ESPN's "College GameDay" at Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2025.
20 of 20
Utah fans cheer during ESPN's "College GameDay" at Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.