ESPN’s “College Gameday” is returning to Knoxville for the first time since 2022 for the Sept. 13 game between Tennessee and Georgia, and it could be a callback to the first time the show ever visited the city.
“College GameDay” first visited Knoxville on Sept. 9, 1995. Guess who the Vols were playing: Georgia. That’s the only time “College GameDay” has been in town for a Georgia game – until now. And if the past is any indicator, the show could help push the Vols toward a win.
Advertisement
Tennessee took that 1995 game 30-27, with Peyton Manning throwing for 349 yards, Jay Graham rushing for 137 yards and Joey Kent catching for 110 yards, according to the UT athetics website. The Vols went 11-1 that season, only losing to Florida 62-37 just one week after “College GameDay” came to town.
This weekend will be the 12th time UT has hosted “College GameDay.” The Vols are 5-6 when the show is in Knoxville, and 4-5 in SEC games.
‘GameDay’ fan favorites: All the best Tennessee ‘College GameDay’ moments – including that ‘Bama game
The No. 15 Vols (2-0) host No. 3 Georgia (2-0) on Sept. 13 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Neyland Stadium.
Advertisement
“College Gameday” will air on ESPN 9 a.m.-noon ET from Ayres Hall. Rece Davis is the host and is joined by analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and former Alabama coach Nick Saban.
Tennessee’s history with ‘College GameDay’ in Knoxville
-
Sept. 9, 1995: Tennessee 30, Georgia 27
-
Sept. 21, 1996: Florida 35, Tennessee 29
-
Nov. 6, 1999: Tennessee 38, Notre Dame 14
-
Sept. 16, 2000: Florida 27, Tennessee 23
-
Sept. 21, 2002: Florida 30, Tennessee 13
-
Nov. 9, 2002: Miami 26, Tennessee 3
-
Oct. 2, 2004: Auburn 34, Tennessee 10
-
Sept. 15, 2012: Florida 37, Tennessee 20
-
Sept. 24, 2016: Tennessee 38, Florida 28
-
Sept. 24, 2022: Tennessee 38, Florida 33
-
Oct. 15, 2022: Tennessee 52, Alabama 49
Reporter Mike Wilson contributed to this report.
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers Covenant Health Park for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: ‘College GameDay’ first came to Knoxville in 1995 – for a Georgia game
