ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Week 13, Ohio State at Michigan

ESPN couldn’t bring College GameDay to any other place than Ann Arbor in Week 13, as the crew needed to be on hand for The Game, Ohio State at Michigan.

Quite simply, we’ve been waiting all season for the clash between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. The energetic crowd welcomed Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Rece Davis to town, and the anticipation rose to a zenith.

Additionally, ESPN brought Wolverines legend and Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson back to Ann Arbor as their Celebrity Guest Picker. An inspired choice, and a key figure in the recent years of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

Of course, there’s some awesome games elsewhere taking place, like the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, and Jayden Daniels continuing his Heisman campaign when LSU takes on Texas A&M.

Regardless, they can’t compete with the hype in Ann Arbor in Week 13. The College GameDay crew has locked in their picks. Here’s who they’re riding with on Saturday.

CGD Predictions for Week 13:

Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines: Enough has been said about this game over the last year, it’s time to see who’s going to be left standing between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. Howard’s love for Michigan is well documented, and Hutchinson isn’t far removed from donning the jersey, so they’re on Michigan.

McAfee picked the visiting team for what seems like one of the first times this season, as he’s on the Buckeyes, and Herbstreit has his beloved Ohio State winning as well.

Would Corso rock with his buddy Brutus Buckeye in the biggest game of the season? That answer is yes, as a chorus of boos rained down as he picked Ohio State.

Clemson Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks: Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have been much improved since the kick in the butt from Tyler from Spartanburg. The whole crew is on Clemson to continue their hot streak.

Washington State Cougars at Washington Huskies: The Apple Cup will thankfully continue after this season’s iteration, but as the two teams meet for the final time under the PAC-12 banner, the Huskies are the pick from the whole crew.

Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators: In the wake of Jordan Travis‘ season-ending injury, how will the Seminoles come out of the gates, with Tate Rodemaker? Everyone is on the Seminoles, except Herbstreit abstaining, as he’s calling the game at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.

Texas A&M Aggies at LSU Tigers: Jayden Daniels is looking to continue his Heisman campaign. Everyone is on the Tigers getting it done behind their quarterback.

Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers: Who will win Paul Bunyan’s axe? In a somewhat surprising turn, only McAfee believes in the Badgers.

BYU Cougars at Oklahoma State Cowboys: The Cowboys are hoping to clinch their spot in the Big 12 title game. The whole crew believes they get it done behind Ollie Gordon.

Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas State Wildcats: Everyone is on Kansas State, as the Wildcats look to finish their season strong, even if they won’t repeat as Big 12 champions.

North Carolina Tar Heels at NC State Wolfpack: In what looks like Drake Maye’s final regular season game before becoming a top draft pick next April, McAfee and Hutchinson are on the Tar Heels, while Howard, Corso and Herbstreit are on the Wolfpack.

Kentucky Wildcats at Louisville Cardinals: The Cardinals are headed to the ACC title game, but they can’t overlook the Wildcats. However, Corso is the only one riding with Kentucky.

Full CGD analyst picks for Week 13: 

Desmond Howard: Michigan, Clemson, Washington, Florida State, LSU, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, NC State, Louisville

Pat McAfee: Ohio State, Clemson, Washington, Florida State, LSU, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, North Carolina, Louisville

Celebrity Guest Picker — Aidan Hutchinson: Michigan, Clemson, Washington, Florida State, LSU, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, North Carolina, Louisville

Lee Corso: Ohio State, Clemson, Washington, Florida State, LSU, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, NC State, Kentucky

Kirk Herbstreit: Ohio State, Clemson, Washington, No pick for Florida State at Florida, LSU, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, NC State, Louisville