Predicting Nebraska's chances at hosting College GameDay in 2023

Nebraska hosting ESPN’s College GameDay in Lincoln might not be likely, but it’s not as far-fetched as one might think. And On3’s J.D. PicKell thinks it’d be a tempting choice for the ESPN decision makers to send the preeminent pregame show to Nebraska.

For one, PicKell has no doubts that Nebraska fans would show out in force no matter how good the team is. Plus, the 2023 Nebraska team has a shot to be decent and contend for a bowl at the very least.

“Dude I hope so. That would be incredible. I’ll say this, too: I think College GameDay would want to go to Lincoln. And here’s the thing, whatever pregame show that you grew up with whether it’s Big Noon on Fox or College GameDay, like it is a very big deal when one of those shows decides to come to town,” PicKell said. “Because it’s a spotlight on your team. It’s a spotlight on your campus, on your student body, and I’ll just say this too: I’ve been in town when GameDay’s been in town, and the buzz in the air is palpable. It feels like the spotlight of the college football world is just shining down on your for that three hours on that Saturday morning.”

The question, then, becomes when would GameDay come?

On the 2023 schedule, there’s realistically one game that has GameDay potential: A Sept. 30 showdown with Michigan.

There are a number of other games to compete with that week — Georgia at Auburn, USC at Colorado, LSU at Ole Miss, South Carolina at Tennessee and Texas A&M vs. Arkansas all seem viable, among other games — but if the Cornhuskers start the year hot, the Wolverines come in for what would be an intriguing matchup.

And is Nebraska picks off a win or two against the likes of Colorado or Minnesota, a 3-1 or 4-0 Cornhuskers team against a likely undefeated, Top 5-ranked Michigan team could be alluring for ESPN.

Nothing is guaranteed and Nebraska will likely end the 2023 season somewhere around the .500 mark, but PicKell would love to see the flagship ESPN pregame show make it out to Lincoln.

“But I’ll just say, for Nebraska, I think that would be something that could kind of ignite some more excitement around the program and be something that is kind of a signal fire to the rest of college football,” PicKell said. “Like, regardless of what happens in that game, if they get GameDay to campus, that could kind of be the beacon to the rest of the country that like, ‘Hey, Nebraska, we’re starting to get things going over here.'”