ESPN has not yet named a guest picker for the upcoming edition of College GameDay in Boise, Idaho, scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026. The pregame show will broadcast live from DeChevrieux Field to preview the matchup between Boise State and Oregon State, marking the first time the program has returned to the campus in 16 years.
The iconic pregame show last visited Boise on September 25, 2010, when then-No. 3 Boise State hosted No. 24 Oregon State. In that appearance, Olympic gold medalist and Idaho native Picabo Street served as the guest picker. As the crew prepares for this weekend’s return to the Treasure Valley, fans and analysts are speculating on who might join Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban on the set.
Potential candidates for the guest picker role
While an official announcement is expected later in the week, several prominent figures with ties to the university or the state have emerged as potential candidates. The list of names includes former players, local celebrities, and professional athletes with regional connections. Among those mentioned are former Super Bowl champion Daryn Colledge and Ian Johnson, who famously scored the winning touchdown in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Other notable figures include United States women’s national ice hockey team captain Hilary Knight, who hails from Sun Valley, and actor Aaron Paul, an Emmett native. Los Angeles Chargers player Scott Matlock, a Boise native and Boise State alumnus, publicly expressed his interest in joining the broadcast.
@CollegeGameDay I can be the guest picker for college gameday? Born & raised Boise native + BSU alumni 🤷🏼♂️— Scott Matlock (@Scott_Matlock28) November 8, 2026
Other potential candidates include former NFL head coach and Boise State assistant Chuck Pagano, who maintains a home in the area, and former UFC champion Ronda Rousey, who is the stepmother of Boise State tight end Keawe Browne. Musician Post Malone and actress Sydney Sweeney have ties to the region.
Logistics for the Boise State and Oregon State broadcast
The show is scheduled to air from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mountain time on Saturday. According to coverage from industry observers, the exact set location on campus is expected to be finalized and announced by the university as the week progresses. The matchup itself, which carries significant implications for the Pac-12 championship game, is slated for a 4 p.m. local time kickoff on USA Network.
@CollegeGameDay I can be the guest picker for college gameday? Born & raised Boise native + BSU alumni 🤷🏼♂️
Boise State enters the contest with an 8-1 record, having won eight consecutive games. The Broncos are currently ranked No. 17 in the AP poll and are looking to secure home-field advantage for the conference title game in December. Their opponents, the Oregon State Beavers, hold a 5-4 record and are seeking to reach bowl eligibility.
Why Chris Petersen remains an unlikely choice
Former Boise State head coach Chris Petersen is widely considered a top candidate by the fanbase due to his storied tenure with the program. However, his current role as an analyst for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff presents a significant scheduling conflict. As he is committed to a competing pregame show, it remains doubtful that he would be cleared to appear on the ESPN broadcast.
Other prominent figures, such as Kellen Moore and Ashton Jeanty, are also effectively ruled out for the guest picker role. Both are currently active in the NFL and have professional obligations that coincide with the Sunday schedule, making a Saturday morning appearance in Idaho impractical.
As of Tuesday, November 10, the university has not yet released instructions for fans regarding where to line up for the live broadcast. Supporters attending the game at Albertsons Stadium have been encouraged by the school to wear blue to show their support for the Broncos.
