16-year wait ends as GameDay returns to Boise for Saturday matchup
ESPN will broadcast the pregame show from the Treasure Valley this morning as No. 17 Boise State hosts Oregon State.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
ESPN will air its College GameDay pregame show from the Treasure Valley this Saturday, ending a 16-year absence from the region. The network announced the location on Sunday, selecting Boise for its Week 11 broadcast as the No. 17 Boise State Broncos host the Oregon State Beavers.
The show will run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on ESPN. Host Rece Davis will be joined by analysts Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, and Desmond Howard. The specific campus location for the set has not been released, but the production will feature the standard pregame elements, including the kicking contest, fan signs, and celebrity guests. Kickoff for the football game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Albertsons Stadium.
This is the second time the show has visited Boise State. The previous appearance occurred on Sept. 25, 2010. On that date, the then-No. 3 Broncos defeated No. 24 Oregon State, 37-24. Head coach Spencer Danielson described the return as a major moment for the program and the community.
“You come to Boise State to be able to have these moments,” Danielson said. “This is a huge opportunity for our state, our community, our program, now and in the future. When I say ‘you can have it all at Boise State,’ you can have it all at Boise State.”
The matchup features two of the top true freshmen in the country. Boise State wide receiver Rasean Jones leads the Broncos with 670 receiving yards on 44 catches. On the other side, Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree leads the nation with 1,209 receiving yards. Legree, a native of Baltimore, ranks ahead of Miami’s Malachi Toney and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith in that category.
Boise State running back Dylan Riley has also posted national-leading numbers, rushing for 1,291 yards, the most in the country. Oregon State enters the game after losing its status as a top Group of Six playoff contender following defeats to Fresno State and Texas State. Boise State remains firmly in the College Football Playoff picture and features a Heisman candidate this season.
