They came to Indiana in 2017 for a special edition aired inside the stadium for a Thursday night season opener against Ohio State.
But for the first time ever, the full college football Saturday morning institution will set up shop on the IU campus.
ESPN’s iconic pregame show “College Football Gameday” is set to air live on the south lawn just outside Memorial Stadium before No. 13 Indiana (7-0) takes on Washington.
Now in their 31st year of road shows, Rece Davis hosts the three-hour show joined by analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee, along with college football reporters Pete Thamel, Jen Lada and Jess Sims.
The show airs from 9 a.m. to noon ET on ESPN and ESPNU and will move inside the stadium before kickoff.
Corso was the head coach of Indiana football for a decade, from 1973-1982. He led the Hoosiers to the program’s first ever postseason win in 1979. Current IU football head coach Curt Cignetti was an assistant under Saban at Alabama from 2007-2010.
The College Football Gameday pit opens at 6:30 a.m. ET, and fans can line up early. IU will open the parking and tailgate lots at 6 a.m.
ESPN is listing the following fan opportunities on the College Gameday website:
- Live DJ and IU swag bag giveaways.
- The Home Depot Tunnel Run: Ever dream of running out of the tunnel with your favorite team? Capture this experience first-hand with a photo that will last a lifetime.
- The Home Depot Sign Making Station: Forget your sign? No worries! We’ll give you everything you need to create one and be part of the action.
- Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest: Enter the Pit prior to the start of the show and obtain a raffle ticket to participate. Click here for complete rules and details.
Here is more information provided by College Gameday:
How can I watch the live broadcast?
College GameDay airs at 9 AM ET – Noon ET on ESPN and ESPNU throughout the football season and is available for streaming through the ESPN App. ESPN’s social and digital pre-pre-game show Countdown to College GameDay begins at 8:30 AM ET weekly and is available to watch on a number of social and streaming platforms, including the ESPN App.
How do I get selected to stand in the pit during the live broadcast?
Students and fans have the opportunity for up-close view of the show by standing in the pit immediately adjacent to the stage. Selection is on a first-come, first-serve basis for all fans. Students admitted to the pit are encouraged to wear school colors and should have a numbered wristband. Participants are subject to ESPN security procedures and policies.
What is the ESPN policy for pit participants?
The following items are prohibited in the pit: bags (of any kind), food and drinks, pens, pencils, markers or dry erase boards and signs on sticks. Throwing objects is strictly prohibited in the pit. A number of sign regulations are required as well.
What are the College GameDay sign regulations?
One of the most beloved traditions associated with College GameDay is the making of signs. No vulgar signs, .com, .net, .org, political or religious signs are allowed. For fans entering the pit, signs cannot be on poles or oversized. All signs brought to Saturday’s taping will be inspected before entry and must abide by College GameDay’s sign policies or will be removed.
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