College GameDay: Predictions for Week 1, Notre Dame at Ohio State

After giving us a taste of what’s to come during their Week 0 show last Saturday, the College GameDay crew was back together and on campus to do the real thing for Week 1.

Broadcasting live from Columbus, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso and Rece Davis held court ahead of the highly-anticipated showdown between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes. With a raucous crowd behind them, the crew previewed and predicting the biggest showdowns on the Week 1 slate.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

First, the action all began on Thursday night, when Penn State traveled to take on Purdue, along with West Virginia taking on the defending ACC champions in Pittsburgh. During those thrilling contests, the Nittany Lions and Panthers found paths to victory, starting the season with a win. Then, Friday continued with some exciting matchups, including Western Michigan taking on 2022’s surprise team in the Michigan State Spartans, but falling short of upsetting the Spartans.

Now, the Marcus Freeman era will begin for the Fighting Irish on Saturday, he led his team into battle where he used to suit up. It’s a story that you usually only see in the movie theaters.

However, Freeman isn’t the only one returning home Saturday — Dan Lanning, who made his name as the defensive coordinator at Georgia — is now leading the Oregon Ducks as a head coach for the first time in his career. Coincidentally, he’s facing off against Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, a game that’ll be plenty emotional as Georgia begins their hunt for back-to-back titles.

Throughout the Week 1 edition of College GameDay, there were some swear-words said by Herbstreit, some television contract bashing by Davis and everything in between. It was an eventful and exhilarating edition, to say the least.

Nevertheless, there’s plenty of fascinating storylines to follow for Saturday’s slate of games. Here’s who the College GameDay crew predicted to find victories, as they make their stamp on Week 1.

All College GameDay picks for Week 4:

Notre Dame at Ohio State: “I think Notre Dame is going to be better than people think. .. I love what Marcus Freeman brings to this team. .. But I do have the Buckeyes winning a close one,” started Howard.

“Let me tell you something. I could be from South Bend, I could’ve grown up a Notre Dame fan, and you could not pay me to say Notre Dame today,” answered Harlow.

“This is the toughest pick I can make. I’m Catholic, I love Notre Dame, but there’s only one legend to pick. Give me Brutus!” exclaimed Corso, picking Ohio State to get the victory.

While Herbstreit didn’t make the pick as he’s calling the game, David Pollack and Chris “The Bear” Fallica are on the Buckeyes, as well.

Oregon vs. Georgia: There was a lot of love for Athens from the crew and Harlow, and they’re all picking the Bulldogs to get the victory.

Utah at Florida: “I’m going to go with Florida. I just think at home with that defense — I love Utah — I just think this is going to be tough,” stated Herbstreit. While Howard and Corso are going with the Utes, Harlow is on Herbstreit’s side.

Cincinnati at Arkansas: Howard and Corso are backing the SEC, but Harlow and Herbstreit are in lockstep with the Bearcats.

Louisville at Syracuse: “Great pick, you know how I’m rocking. Louisville all day,” stated the Kentucky native Harlow. Howard and Herbstreit agree, while Corso is going with his Superdog pick in the Orange.

Boise State at Oregon State: Everyone is on the Beavers on Saturday.

Houston at UTSA: The whole crew is rocking with Houston over UTSA.

North Carolina at Appalachian State: “I think there’s been so much talk this week about App State beating them, I think Drake Maye is going to be explosive,” stated Herbstreit. Howard is the lone dissenter, going with App State.

Clemson at Georgia Tech: “Clemson. They’ve got harder jerseys,” said Harlow. The whole crew agrees with the logic, picking the Tigers.

Florida State at LSU: “I’ve got Florida State. .. Since they had a game under their belt to work out the kinks, I’m going with Florida State,” stated Howard. Meanwhile, Harlow and Herbstreit are picking the Tigers.

College GameDay Crew picks:

Desmond Howard: Ohio State, Georgia, Utah, Arkansas, Louisville, Oregon State, Houston, App State, Clemson, Florida State

Celebrity Guest Picker — Jack Harlow: Ohio State, Georgia, Florida, Cincinnati, Louisville, Oregon State, Houston, North Carolina, Clemson, LSU

Lee Corso: Ohio State, Georgia, Utah, Arkansas, Syracuse, Oregon State, Houston, North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State

Kirk Herbstreit: Georgia, Florida, Cincinnati, Louisville, Oregon State, Houston, North Carolina, Clemson, LSU