ESPN’s College GameDay traveled to Oxford for Week 3 of college football for the Ole Miss game against LSU. Saturday morning featured a kicking contest, an appearance from head coaches Pete Golding and Lane Kiffin and the always-entertaining game picks, this time with guest picker Morgan Freeman.
Golding joined the set to talk about the crossover between the two staffs, key players for the game and the emotion that plays a role into the game.
Golding emphasized the impact that Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy have on this team, and what their presence means for this season.
“I don’t think they stuck around for me. I think they stuck around for this (community), the fans and the alumni,” Golding said. “What this place has meant to them, in the short time that they were here in one year, the impact they had on this community, this school, but more importantly, (the impact) these people had on them, and the legacy that they created for themselves in one season”
Kiffin also joined the show on screen, and was booed by the Ole Miss College GameDay crowd. Kiffin discussed what the Tigers have done to prepare for this game and called Sam Leavitt’s injury from earlier this week a “scare.”
Pat McAfee’s “Kicking is Easy” contest was also featured on College GameDay, and gives a college student the opportunity to kick a field goal for one million dollars from McAfee.
James Whitehead was the selected student for Oxford’s College GameDay. He nailed the field goal, and McAfee noted that it was the best kick he has seen on the show.
One of the most iconic moments of College GameDay is the picks at the end of the show. Freeman joined the hosts on stage to make their selections for today’s slate of games.
Desmond Horward was the first to make a pick for the Ole Miss vs. LSU matchup. Howard chose the Rebels to win because of the home field advantage and the atmosphere the Rebels have.
“The home team has won 12 of the last 14, including six straight,” Howard said. “Trinidad’s number is six, and there are six (people) on the desk with the great Freeman.”
Kirk Herbstreit did not make a selection because he is the announcer for the game, but did note that he is hoping for a game-winning field goal. Nick Saban took LSU, because of their dominant defense despite the talent of the Ole Miss offense.
“Trinidad Chambliss is the most dynamic player in college football. I think Lacy’s the best running back in football,” Saban said. “I love Pete Golding as a defensive coach, and I think he’ll have him ready, but defense travels, and LSU has the better defense, and I’m taking LSU.”
Freeman also picked the Rebels to win over the Tigers. McAfee rounded out the picks, and also chose the Rebels, then wrapped up College Gameday by leading the crowd in the Hotty Toddy chant.
“I actually said last week that I think LSU wins the national championship by 50 points. What could little ole Pete Golding and Ole Miss do against a team that I’ve been talking about like that,” McAfee said. “Well, you step foot in this incredibly hot state, you feel the energy from these fine folks. You can tell that hate can certainly motivate, and it does feel like in college football, if that stadium’s upside down, anything can happen, so I guess the question we got to ask Morgan Freeman is: ‘Are you ready?’”
