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Joel McHale selected as ESPN College GameDay guest picker ahead of Washington vs. Oregon

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•10/12/23•

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Actor Joel McHale
© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Actor and Washington alumnus Joel McHale has been tabbed as the celebrity guest picker for College GameDay, ESPN announced Thursday. He’ll be on set with the crew ahead of Saturday’s showdown between the Huskies and rival Oregon.

McHale graduated from UW in 1995 and walked on to the football team as a tight end. He was on the team that made it to the Rose Bowl in 1993, but didn’t play a game during his time with the program. He also started working in acting while he was a student, working with a sketch comedy show broadcast on KING-TV in Seattle and joined an improv group in downtown Seattle.

During his acting career, Joel McHale became known for his role as Jeff Winger in the TV show Community, as well as Ted and his work as the host of The Soup. He currently stars in the TV show Animal Control on FOX.

Washington and Oregon are gearing up to square off in a battle of Pac-12 contenders and Heisman Trophy hopefuls. Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. enters this week as the favorite to win the Heisman, according to BetMGM, while Ducks QB Bo Nix is also in the mix for a trip to New York, as well. That matchup is just one storyline as the two teams renew their rivalry.

In this week’s AP Top 25, Washington came in at No. 7 and Oregon was right behind at No. 8 after both teams were on a bye last week. That means there are not only Heisman Trophy implications, but also Pac-12 Championship and College Football Playoff hopes on the line.

Washington coach Kalen DeBoer knows how high the stakes are, especially considering some of the other marquee matchups on the college football slate. It only adds to the hype around the game, which the Huskies won in the final minutes last season.

“You look around the country and there are some games this weekend — that’s what’s fun,” DeBoer said. “You can’t help but turn the channel to that game and watch it if you’re living in any part of the country, and that’s what this game’s all about.

“The fans, the hype and all the stories that surround the ebbs and flows of decades of this rivalry are really, really cool. We’re excited to be a part of it this year. Because of where we’re at in our season with the records and the rankings, it certainly means a lot.”

Kickoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC.