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Live Updates: Miami Hurricanes host ESPN's College GameDay

by: Luke Chaney09/20/25LChaney_
McAfee

For the first time since 2020, the University of Miami is hosting ESPN’s “College Gameday” for the Hurricanes’ Week 4 showdown against in-state rival Florida. The gameday crew of Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban begin their three-hour live show from Lakeside Patio next to Lake Osceola at 9 a.m.

This is Miami’s 26th all-time appearance on College Gameday. This last appearance in 2020 resulted in massive success later in the day. Matched up against rival Florida State, the Hurricanes stormed out to a 52-10 win. 

Florida’s last gameday appearance was more recent, coming up short in a 38-33 loss to Tennessee.

THE PICKS ARE IN … TKACHUK TAKES CANES … MCAFEE TAKES HIGH BOARD

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk was the guest picker during the last segment of the show. His pick for Miami vs. Florida? Yup, the Canes. Of course.

“(Florida) has no chance at all, it is all Canes all day baby,” Tkachuk said while waving a Hurricanes hockey jersey UM had on standby.

But it was Pat McAfee that stole the show as he picked Miami.

“This day in Coral Gables is going to be one I will remember for the rest of my life – Ray Lewis started his dance right here at Miami, Ed Reed started his legendary run here at Miami, the legends run deep, the moments are special and national championships are in abundance,” McAfee yelled as he ran around the pool and then climbed to the high diving board while wearing his dress suit.

Then he took off his jacket and shirt.

“If you come to this beautiful campus you’ll notice the students love this University, this atmosphere and I think the U is back,” he proclaimed.

Then he took off his pants, stripping down to his underwear, and led the C-A-N-E-S cheer

And jumped into the pool from the high board to massive cheers.

Oh, and your other picks?

Desmond Howard: Miami. … “The team in the dumps is going to come with an upset mind to destroy the Miami Hurricanes,” Howard said. “The Gators are going to play a high spirited games, but it isn’t going to be enough.”

Nick Saban: Miami. … “Anything can happen in a rivalry game, I think DJ Lagway really responds. But Miami is really the most complete team I’ve seen this year.”

Cristobal Shares Cafecito Toast: “Relentless Pursuit of Hurricane Excellence”

Mario Cristobal’s first message on GameDay when he joined the show at 10 a.m? That was about how this program has become a national power this year after just missing the playoffs a year ago.

“Without a doubt tremendous vision by our President, chair of our board, this means a lot to us,” Cristobal said. “We were born and raised Hurricanes and we’re going to find a way to get it done.”

Asked by his former coach Nick Saban about how he’s going to keep the edge on his team to remain at a high level, Cristobal said, “from your book, back in the time at Alabama, the intensity that’s brought from practice from the simplicity of watching the film, a lot of areas that require us to get a hell of a lot better to accomplish what we want. We have a long, long way to go and we’re going to find a way to get there.”

Cristobal also spoke about Carson Beck’s play, saying “His only interest is in making his teammates better, he can give a rat’s you know what about personal accolades.”

Cristobal also pointed to the culture aspect, including teaching and coaching being “a way of life,” with the right players in the building as well.

“That’s contagious,” Cristobal said. “We’re improving, but a long way to go.”

So what will tonight’s game come down to?

“We have to do a great job not letting anything get in the way of us doing our job,” Cristobal said. “Noise is noise. It’s all about who is going to execute best. … Just keep going and play your ass off.”

At the end of the segment the Ibis brought out Cafecito for a toast with the hosts and Cristobal.

“This is high octane rocket fuel right here,” Cristobal said.

The toast was to the asylum that the stadium will be tonight.

“To gratitude, opportunity, the relentless pursuit of Hurricane excellence and make it a damn asylum tonight!” Cristobal said in his Cafecito toast as fans cheered wildly in the background.

Live Updates

8:05 a.m.: CaneSport hears from Gavin Bicho, who’s among the front row of fans awaiting Gameday to start:

“Been here since 2 [a.m.] with all my best buds, and we hung it out,” said Bicho, a senior at the University of Miami and the Sports Director at WVUM. “We’re all excited. We may be a little tired, but we’re gonna gas out for game day, once in a lifetime opportunity at your home, school, at UM. It’s gonna be a hell of a time. We’re excited for it.”

8:25 a.m.: CaneSport hears from Antonio Gentile, a senior at the University of Miami:

“Man it’s electric out here,” Gentile said. “Came in expecting big and got bigger.”

9:05 a.m.: After a loud “F*** The Gators” chant rang out that was even audible on TV, Pat McAfee joked “What if that goes the whole show?” It was quickly replaced by a “Beat The Gators” chant.

McAfee also proclaimed that The U “is all the way back with coach Cristobal.”

“The buzz is palpable,” he added.

9:15 a.m.: Nick Saban: “I think Miami is one of the top teams in the country.”

9:30 a.m.: Jess Sims went off the high dive board, and when she came up made The U.

11 a.m.: Pat’s $100,000 Field Goal Kicking Contest became a $500,000 contest thanks to McAfee upgrading it. It had a UM finance major choose a non-Cane student buddy to be the kicker for him. The split – 50/50. The 33-yard attempt for the $? It was not even close, getting shanked into the building on the left side. McAfee gave him one more chance. And? It was just low of the bar. Wah wah.

About Gameday

College Gameday first aired in 1987 and was hosted by Tim Brando, starting as an ESPN studio show. Gameday as we know it didn’t kick off until 1993, when the crew filmed its first on-site rendition of the show for No. 2 Notre Dame’s home battle against No. 1 FSU. It adapted this on-site format permanently in 1995.

The crew has undergone massive changes in recent years. Most notably in 2025, Lee Corso made his last headgear selection and retired from broadcasting following Ohio State’s win over Texas. Saban and McAfee are also recent additions, bringing new energy to the cast as it transitions to its post-Corso chapter.

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