ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Week 1, North Carolina vs South Carolina

ESPN’s flagship college football pregame show is finally hitting the road, as College GameDay took their talents to Charlotte ahead of the North Carolina Tar Heels versus the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bank of America Stadium.

The crew of Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit brought their flaming hot takes to the table throughout, as a raucous crowd held up their signs, cheered, booed and provided immense amounts of atmosphere throughout the show.

It’s easy to see why the energy was through the roof ahead of the Carolina showdown, as both teams have big expectations for 2023. It all starts at the quarterback position for the Tar Heels and the Gamecocks, as Drake Maye will be slinging it all over the field for North Carolina, while Spencer Rattler will look to remind the world he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country for South Carolina.

Elsewhere, some other fantastic games are on the docket as well, including Deion Sanders’ debut with the Colorado Buffaloes against last season’s runner-up in the TCU Horned Frogs, and West Virginia taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the night-cap on Saturday. Additionally, SEC squads like Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama won’t be facing the stiffest competition, but it’ll still be something to behold, seeing them back on the field.

Joining the College GameDay set as the Celebrity Guest Picker is none other than Darius Rucker. In addition to providing some predictions, the country music star also recorded an updated version of Comin’ To Your City, also known as College GameDay‘s theme-song.

Where else would you rather be than watching college football on a Saturday? It’s shaping up to be a beautiful Week 1, and the College GameDay crew are locking in their predictions. Here’s what Herbstreit, Howard, McAfee and of course Coach Corso believe will go down on Saturday.

CGD Predictions for Week 1:

North Carolina Tar Heels vs South Carolina Gamecocks: Howard believes the North Carolina defense will come out and make a statement, defeating the Gamecocks. However, Herbstreit is on South Carolina, championing the crowd being in their corner.

McAfee believes Drake Maye makes a Heisman statement in a North Carolina victory, but Rucker conversely is predicting “Gamecocks by 90” and a Spencer Rattler Heisman season. As for Corso’s headgear pick, it’s all about the Tar Heels, much to the dismay of South Carolina fans in attendance.

Colorado Buffaloes at TCU Horned Frogs: In Deion Sanders‘ debut with Colorado, McAfee is willing to go against the grain and pick the Buffaloes, but everyone else is picking TCU, “TCU destroys Colorado,” Corso proclaimed.

Boise State Broncos at Washington Huskies: Everyone is on Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies in Week 1.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at UCLA Bruins: Rucker believes in Grayson McCall and the Chanticleers, but everyone else is riding with the Bruins.

Fresno State Bulldogs at Purdue Boilermakers: In Hudson Card’s debut for the Boilermakers, Corso is the lone dissenter in picking against him.

West Virginia Mountaineers at Penn State Nittany Lions: In a shocking twist, McAfee rides with the Mountaineers, but the rest of the crew is with the Nittany Lions.

Toledo Rockets at Illinois Fighting Illini: McAfee and Rucker are confident the Rockets take off out of Illinois with a win.

UTSA Roadrunners at Houston Cougars: McAfee and Herbstreit believe in UTSA to leave victorious on Saturday.

Virginia Cavaliers at Tennessee Volunteers: The College GameDay crew is confident in Joe Milton and the Volunteers.

Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana Hoosiers: Everyone is riding with the Buckeyes to get the victory.

Clemson Tigers at Duke Blue Devils: Everyone believes Duke will keep it closer than expected, but only Rucker is willing to pick them to win.

LSU Tigers vs Florida State Seminoles: While Herbstreit is calling the game on Monday, the rest of the crew are split, with Howard and Corso riding with Florida State, while McAfee and Rucker are on LSU.

Full CGD analyst picks for Week 1: 

Desmond Howard: North Carolina, TCU, Washington, UCLA, Purdue, Penn State, Illinois, Houston, Tennessee, Ohio State, Clemson, Florida State

Pat McAfee: North Carolina, Colorado, Washington, UCLA, Purdue, West Virginia, Toledo, UTSA, Tennessee, Ohio State, Clemson, LSU

Celebrity Guest Picker — Darius Rucker: South Carolina, TCU, Washington, Coastal Carolina, Purdue, Penn State, Toledo, Houston, Tennessee, Ohio State, Duke, LSU

Lee Corso: North Carolina, TCU, Washington, UCLA, Fresno State, Penn State, Illinois, Houston, Tennessee, Ohio State, Clemson, Florida State

Kirk Herbstreit: South Carolina, TCU, Washington, UCLA, Purdue, Penn State, Illinois, UTSA, Ohio State, Clemson