ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Week 9, Ohio State at Penn State

On3 imageby:Steve Samra10/29/22

SamraSource

An electric morning is about to give way to a tremendous afternoon of college football, but first the ESPN College GameDay crew had to make their picks.

Broadcasting live from Jackson State University for the “BoomBox Classic” against Southern, it was a landmark day for College GameDay. Now, all that was left was to make some predictions for a loaded slate of games.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

However, College GameDay was without a familiar face on Saturday morning in some unfortunate news, as Lee Corso did not travel to Jackson, Mississippi due to a health issue.

The original update from ESPN noted that Corso, who is 87, remains upbeat through the disappointment. 

“Coach Corso is in good spirits and he hopes to be back on the road with the crew soon,” the release said Friday.

Moreover, Corso has missed two previous editions of GameDay earlier in October. On Oct. 1, he missed the broadcast from Clemson after he woke up under the weather. The following week at Kansas, he was again absent. 

Corso’s absence was felt, but there were still some huge showdowns to predict on Saturday, like Ohio State at Penn State, Kentucky at Tennessee and Michigan State at Michigan.

Here’s who the crew of Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit had winning the biggest matchups of the day, with Stephen A. Smith of ESPN’s First Take serving as the celebrity guest picker.

ESPN College GameDay picks for Week 9:

Southern at Jackson State: With the electricity of the crowd behind them, Howard, Herbstreit, Smith and McAfee are all picking Deion Sanders and the Tigers.

Ohio State at Penn State: In one of the biggest showdowns the Big Ten has to offer, the entire crew is riding with the Buckeyes.

Ole Miss at Texas A&M: The College GameDay crew is on the Rebels on Saturday.

Kentucky at Tennessee: Herbstreit didn’t pick the game because he’s calling it, but everyone else is with the Volunteers.

Florida at Georgia: Everyone is on the Bulldogs to get the win.

TCU at West Virginia: Call him a homer, but McAfee is the only one going with the Mountaineers.

Oklahoma State at Kansas State: The whole crew is rocking with Mike Gundy and the Cowboys on Saturday.

Pittsburgh at North Carolina: Smith believes the Panthers get the victory, while the rest of the crew are riding with the Tar Heels.

Notre Dame at Syracuse: Herbstreit is the lone dissenter, riding with the Fighting Irish over the Orange.

Cincinnati at UCF: Cincinnati is the pick for the College GameDay crew, with everyone on the Bearcats.

Michigan State at Michigan: Nobody is picking Mel Tucker to pull the upset with the Spartans.

Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State: Everyone is on the Bulldogs to get the victory.

ESPN College GameDay crew picks:

Desmond Howard: Jackson State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, TCU, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Syracuse, Cincinnati, Michigan, Alabama A&M

Pat McAfee: Jackson State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Syracuse, Cincinnati, Michigan, Alabama A&M

Celebrity Guest Picker —Stephen A. Smith: Jackson State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, TCU, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Cincinnati, Michigan, Alabama A&M

Kirk Herbstreit: Jackson State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Georgia, TCU, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Michigan, Alabama A&M