Jason Sudeikis became one of the main attractions on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as the popular actor joined the broadcast as a celebrity guest picker ahead of the highly anticipated Notre Dame vs. Miami football matchup.
Best known for playing Ted Lasso in the hit Apple TV+ series, Sudeikis brought his connection to Notre Dame to the college football spotlight. Although he did not attend the university himself, his family has deep roots at the school, with both his grandfather and uncle graduating from Notre Dame.
His appearance was particularly meaningful because he grew up supporting the Fighting Irish and attended his first Notre Dame football game in 1988.
Why Was Jason Sudeikis Selected as the College GameDay Guest Picker?
ESPN selected Jason Sudeikis as the celebrity guest picker for its College GameDay broadcast in South Bend ahead of the Notre Dame-Miami showdown.
His family connection to the university made him a natural choice for the special appearance.
Notre Dame’s official athletics account highlighted his family background when announcing the selection, noting that his grandfather and uncle were graduates of the university.
Sudeikis also shared his personal connection during an appearance with College GameDay host Pat McAfee.
He explained that his family came from Chicago and that his grandfather, who lived on the city’s South Side, graduated from Notre Dame.
The actor’s connection to the Fighting Irish goes back decades, making his appearance more than just a celebrity guest spot.
Did Jason Sudeikis Go to Notre Dame?
No, Jason Sudeikis did not attend Notre Dame University.
Although the actor has strong family connections to the Fighting Irish, there is no indication that he graduated from or attended the university as a student.
His grandfather and uncle graduated from Notre Dame, while another uncle, George Wendt, also attended the university.
Wendt, widely recognized for playing Norm Peterson on the television sitcom Cheers, was expelled during his junior year after struggling academically.
Sudeikis has maintained a strong connection to Notre Dame football through his family and childhood experiences.
Where Did Jason Sudeikis Go to College?
One of the most frequently asked questions about the actor is: Where did Jason Sudeikis go to college?
Sudeikis attended Fort Scott Community College in Kansas before transferring to Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He attended Butler but left before completing his degree as he pursued a career in comedy and entertainment.
His college background is different from his family’s Notre Dame connections, which explains why questions about Jason Sudeikis and Notre Dame frequently appear following his College GameDay appearances.
Jason Sudeikis’ First Notre Dame Football Game Was in 1988
Sudeikis revealed an interesting detail about his childhood connection to Notre Dame football.
His first Notre Dame football game took place on October 15, 1988, during the famous matchup between Notre Dame and Miami, widely remembered as the “Catholics vs. Convicts” game.
He attended the game with his father, uncles and grandfather.
Sudeikis also recalled that his father purchased a T-shirt from a person sitting in front of them.
The game became an important family memory and helped establish his lifelong connection to Notre Dame football.
The 1988 matchup remains one of the most memorable games in college football history, adding another interesting layer to his appearance ahead of the 2026 Notre Dame-Miami contest.
Who Is Jason Sudeikis?
ACTOR AND COMEDIAN
Jason Sudeikis is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer best known for starring as Ted Lasso in the popular Apple TV+ comedy series.
He became widely recognized through his work on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he spent approximately a decade as a cast member.
Some of his most notable projects include:
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Ted Lasso: His award-winning role as an optimistic American football coach managing an English soccer team.
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Saturday Night Live: His long-running comedy career and memorable character performances.
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We’re the Millers: A popular comedy film in which he starred alongside Jennifer Aniston.
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Horrible Bosses: A comedy movie featuring Sudeikis in a leading role.
His appearance on College GameDay connected his entertainment career with his personal interest in college sports.
Besides Notre Dame football, Sudeikis is also known for following Kansas men’s basketball and Iowa women’s basketball.
College GameDay Picks Today: Jason Sudeikis’ Week 10 Predictions
Jason Sudeikis joined ESPN’s College GameDay panel on November 7, 2026, to make predictions for several major college football matchups.
His selections included some interesting choices, particularly in the Alabama-LSU game.
Here are the reported College GameDay picks today:
| Matchup | Jason Sudeikis’ Pick |
|---|---|
| Oregon vs. Ohio State | Ohio State |
| UCLA vs. Minnesota | UCLA |
| Texas A&M vs. South Carolina | South Carolina |
| Texas vs. Missouri | Texas |
| Kentucky vs. Tennessee | Tennessee |
| Georgia vs. Ole Miss | Georgia |
| Alabama vs. LSU | LSU |
| BYU vs. Utah | Utah |
| Miami vs. Notre Dame | Notre Dame |
One of the biggest talking points was his Alabama-LSU prediction.
While former Alabama coach Nick Saban picked Alabama, Sudeikis joined Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee in selecting LSU.
Saban’s decision surprised the rest of the panel, especially because the other three personalities backed the Tigers.
Sudeikis also picked Notre Dame to defeat Miami, showing his support for the Fighting Irish.
Nick Saban Surprises College GameDay Panel With Alabama Pick
Another major moment from the November 7 broadcast involved Nick Saban’s prediction for Alabama against LSU.
Saban explained that Alabama had historically performed well against LSU when playing in Baton Rouge, despite the challenges of the matchup.
He ultimately selected Alabama, saying he was all-in on the Crimson Tide.
However, Sudeikis, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee all predicted an LSU victory.
Sudeikis also added some humor to his selections, referencing legendary LSU basketball player Pete Maravich when explaining his support for the Tigers.
His lighthearted approach fitted the entertainment-focused atmosphere of College GameDay.
When Does College GameDay Start?
ESPN’s College GameDay is traditionally broadcast on Saturday mornings during the college football season.
The program typically begins at 9 a.m. ET and runs until noon ET, before the day’s major college football games get underway.
For viewers in the United States, ESPN and ESPN-related streaming services provide access to the broadcast.
Fans can also follow the show’s social media accounts for guest picker announcements, predictions and highlights.
Why Jason Sudeikis’ Notre Dame Appearance Matters
Jason Sudeikis‘ appearance on College GameDay was significant because it brought together entertainment, family history and college football.
His connection to Notre Dame stretches back to his childhood, when he attended the famous 1988 game against Miami with members of his family.
Although he did not attend Notre Dame himself, his grandfather and uncle’s university connections helped establish his relationship with the Fighting Irish.
His appearance also brought the Ted Lasso personality to one of college football’s biggest weekly television programs.
With Notre Dame facing Miami, Sudeikis had a particularly meaningful opportunity to return to a matchup connected to one of his earliest football memories.
His prediction of a Notre Dame victory added another entertaining storyline to an already highly anticipated College GameDay broadcast.
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