ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Week 2, Texas at Alabama

After a rousing Week 1, the ESPN College GameDay crew took their talents to Tuscaloosa for the gigantic showdown between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Of course, Steve Sarkisian versus Nick Saban is the headliner on Saturday, and Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit had to be there for it. Lee Corso joined the fun as well, with Broadway Joe Namath, Alabama legend and famed Super Bowl champion with the New York Jets, took to the set as the Celebrity Guest Picker.

Aside from the Longhorns and the Crimson Tide, there’s a bevy of fascinating showdowns taking place throughout college football, like Deion Sanders‘ home debut with Colorado, as they welcome in the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels taking on the Tulane Green Wave.

Alas, the College GameDay crew has you covered with their predictions for Saturday’s showdowns, and they’re as interesting as ever. Here’s who everyone is rolling with in Week 2.

CGD Predictions for Week 2:

Texas Longhorns at Alabama Crimson Tide: Herbstreit is calling the game, so he won’t be picking the showdown, but Howard got things started with a pick of the Longhorns. Then, McAfee riled up the Tuscaloosa crowd, choosing the Crimson Tide to much fan fare. As for Namath, well you know who he’s riding with.

Corso brought out all the hits, including playing Sweet Home Alabama, but the record scratched and he legend had to go with his College Football Playoff pick, as he grabbed the Longhorns mascot-head and picked Texas to win.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at NC State Wolfpack: Sam Hartman has been phenomenal thus far, and everyone aside from Herbstreit believes the Fighting Irish keep rolling over the Wolfpack.

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Colorado Buffaloes: It’s the home debut for Deion Sanders, and the College GameDay crew is confident a victory is coming.

Texas A&M Aggies at Miami Hurricanes: Corso made the crowd cheer by picking Miami, but the rest of the crew disappointed them by picking the Aggies.

Oregon Ducks at Texas Tech Red Raiders: The crew believes in Bo Nix and the Ducks, except for Herbstreit, who picked the Red Raiders.

Wisconsin Badgers at Washington State Cougars: Only the former New York Jets quarterback in Namath believes in Cameron Ward and Washington State.

Oklahoma State Cowboys at Arizona State Sun Devils: Namath believes in the Sun Devils, but he’s the only one picking Mike Gundy’s team to lose.

Arizona Wildcats at Mississippi State Bulldogs: Herbstreit is the lone dissenter, riding with the Wildcats to shock the Bulldogs in Starkville.

Troy Trojans at Kansas State Wildcats: Nobody believes in Troy, as the entire crew is on the Wildcats. Will it come back to bite them?

Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa State Cyclones: Everyone is on the black and yellow, choosing Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes.

Appalachian State Mountaineers at North Carolina Tar Heels: The College GameDay crew believes Drake Maye and the Tar Heels get the victory.

Ole Miss Rebels at Tulane Green Wave: With a litany of questions pertaining to the Green Wave’s healthy, the entire crew is on the Rebels.

Auburn Tigers at California Golden Bears: Howard and Herbstreit are on the Tigers, much to the dismay of the Tuscaloosa crowd.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets: The crew did a special pick for the opening weekend of the NFL, and they’re split, with Corso and Herbstreit on the Bills, and the rest of them Namath’s beloved Jets.

Full CGD analyst picks for Week TBD: 

Desmond Howard: Texas, Notre Dame, Colorado, Texas A&M, Oregon, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Iowa, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Auburn, New York Jets

Pat McAfee: Alabama, Notre Dame, Colorado, Texas A&M, Oregon, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Iowa, North Carolina, Ole Miss, California, New York Jets

Celebrity Guest Picker — Joe Namath: Alabama, Notre Dame, Colorado, Texas A&M, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona State, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Iowa, North Carolina, Ole Miss, California, New York Jets

Lee Corso: Texas, Notre Dame, Colorado, Miami, Oregon, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Iowa, North Carolina, Ole Miss, California, Buffalo Bills

Kirk Herbstreit: NC State, Colorado, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Kansas State, Iowa, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Auburn, Buffalo Bills