ESPN ‘College GameDay’ to be in Baton Rouge for Lane Kiffin LSU debut

ESPN’s “College GameDay” is starting the 2026-27 college football season in style.

The three-hour pregame show announced on Tuesday, May 12 that it will open up the upcoming season in Baton Rouge for Lane Kiffin’s first home game at Tiger Stadium with Clemson finishing a home-and-home with LSU.

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The Sept. 5th meeting between LSU and Clemson not only features two premier programs ranked in USA TODAY Sports’ too-early top-25 rankings, but it will also serve as a milestone mark for the show, as it will be the 500th edition of the show on the road.

Both LSU and Clemson opened up last season in Death Valley with the Tigers coming out with the top-10 ranked win. Garrett Nussmeier threw for 230 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green to seal the win.

Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and Co. will then stay in the SEC circuit with a Week 2 visit to Darrell K Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin for Ohio State vs. Texas, which is expected to be a projected top-three matchup. “College GameDay” was in Columbus for last year’s Week 1 meeting that the Buckeyes stole with a 14-7 defensive win.

The Week 2 meeting will feature two of the top quarterback-wide receiver duos in the country: Arch Manning and Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, and Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the top-ranked team in the country in USA TODAY’s too-early top 25 rankings, while the Longhorns are the nation’s third-ranked team and the SEC’s top-ranked team.

It will be the third straight season that “College GameDay” will feature the Buckeyes-Longhorns matchup, as it was at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the 2025 College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl semifinal for when Jack Sawyer sealed the win for Ryan Day’s program with a 83-yard scoop-and-score touchdown.

“College GameDay” has not released travel sites for Week 3 and beyond.

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Notre Dame QB CJ Carr has the Fighting Irish fighting for a playoff spot heading into Week 11. He’s 30th in nation in passing yards (2,057, just six fewer than Diego Pavia) with 16 passing TDs to four interceptions.

Bear Bachmeier is more than a fun name and crazy number. BYU is 8-0 and hasn’t missed a beat with the handoff from Jake Retzlaff to Bachmeier, who has 1,693 passing yards with 11 TDs to three INT with 408 rushing yards and nine rushing scores.

The top-rated prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Bryce Underwood has been steady, with a few rough days. Michigan’s passing offense is 13th in the Big Ten, but Underwood has 1,671 passing yards and 11 total TDs with just three interceptions for the 7-2 Wolverines.

Pitt turned to Mason Heintschel after back-to-back losses to West Virginia and Louisville. The Panthers have won five in a row since he’s been the starter, and Heintschel has passed for more than 300 yards in four of his five starts.

A backup in high school, Drew Mestemaker walked on at North Texas. He started last year’s bowl after Chandler Morris portalled and has UNT in the CFP mix this season. He’s third in nation in passing yards (2,702), including 608 vs. Charlotte. He has 21 TDs to four INTs.

Fernando Mendoza is now a Heisman favorite at Indiana, but Cal found his replacement in Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. JKS began at Oregon before transferring to Cal, where he became only second freshman QB to start opener (Jared Goff). He’s 17th in nation in passing yards (2,195).

One of the top-ranked QBs in 2025 class, Malik Washington got off to a hot start, leading Maryland to a 4-0 start, eclipsing 250 passing yards in each game. The Terrapins have lost four straight but not because of Washington, who has more passing yard than Carson Beck.

Minnesota is already bowl eligible (6-3) with Drake Lindsey under center. The 6-5 giant from Arkansas redshirted last season after appearing in three games. He had rough days vs. Ohio State and Iowa (who hasn’t?), but still has 1,743 passing yards and 14 total TDs.

Hawaii’s Micah Alejado has thrown for 300+ yards in four of his seven games, including back-to-back games over 400 yards. His 303.4 passing yards per game ranks fifth in the nation, and he’s thrown for 15 TDs and six interceptions.

A redshirt freshman, Brad Jackson has been a dual threat for Texas State. He’s 34th in nation in passing yards (2,016), including 444 yards vs. Marshall, and has 427 rushing yards, including 131 vs. Arkansas State. He has 10 passing TDs and nine rushing scores.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘College GameDay’ unveils first two shows: Clemson-LSU, Ohio State-Texas

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ESPN ‘College GameDay’ to be in Baton Rouge for Lane Kiffin LSU debut

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

These 10 college football freshman QBs are making an instant impact. Take a look

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