Steve Young returned to the college football spotlight on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast live from Provo, Utah, ahead of a highly anticipated matchup between No. 8 BYU and No. 2 Notre Dame. The former BYU quarterback and NFL legend served as the celebrity guest picker, offering predictions for several major Week 7 college football games.
The appearance brought additional attention to BYU football, which hosted Notre Dame in one of the weekend’s biggest matchups. With the Cougars competing on a national stage, Young’s presence added a memorable connection between the program’s history and its current generation of players.
Steve Young Makes His Picks on College GameDay
Young joined College GameDay host Rece Davis and analysts Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit to predict the outcomes of several important games across the country.
One of the most closely watched selections involved Alabama and Tennessee. While most of the panel backed Alabama, Young picked Tennessee to win the rivalry matchup.
Young also selected LSU over Mississippi State and supported Ole Miss against Missouri. In the Kentucky-Oklahoma game, he went with Kentucky, differing from Desmond Howard, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit, who chose Oklahoma.
Here is a breakdown of the crew’s predictions for the featured SEC matchups.
| Matchup | Steve Young’s Pick | Majority Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State vs. LSU | LSU | LSU |
| Kentucky vs. Oklahoma | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
| Alabama vs. Tennessee | Tennessee | Alabama |
| Missouri vs. Ole Miss | Ole Miss | Ole Miss |
Young’s selections demonstrated that he was willing to go against the consensus when he believed a team had a strong chance of pulling off a victory.
Steve Young Discusses Houston vs. Oklahoma State
Young also weighed in on the Big 12 matchup between Houston and Oklahoma State, offering praise for Houston quarterback Connor Weigman.
During the discussion, Young highlighted Weigman’s dual-threat ability, pointing to his effectiveness as a passer who can also make plays with his legs. Young emphasized that Weigman is more than a running quarterback, describing him as a passer capable of creating additional opportunities on the ground.
Kirk Herbstreit also praised the Houston quarterback while discussing the matchup. However, Herbstreit ultimately picked Oklahoma State, citing the performance of quarterback Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys’ offensive potential.
Desmond Howard also backed Oklahoma State, while Nick Saban and Pat McAfee selected Houston. Young’s analysis focused on Weigman’s versatility and the potential for an entertaining, high-scoring contest.
BYU vs. Notre Dame: Why the Matchup Matters
The main reason for College GameDay’s visit to Provo was the showdown between No. 8 BYU and No. 2 Notre Dame. The matchup brought national attention to the Cougars and gave the program an opportunity to compete in front of a major television audience.
For BYU, the game represented a significant test against one of the highest-ranked teams in the country. Notre Dame entered the contest with a top-two ranking, raising the stakes for both programs.
Young’s connection to BYU made his appearance particularly meaningful. As a former Cougars quarterback and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he remains one of the most recognizable figures associated with the university’s football history.
The matchup also generated interest in BYU’s coaching staff, including head coach Kalani Sitake, whose leadership has helped keep the Cougars in the national college football conversation.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was another name to watch as BYU prepared for the challenge. His performance and the team’s overall execution were important storylines heading into the highly anticipated game.
Who Is the BYU Football Coach?
Kalani Sitake is the head coach of BYU football. His connection to the university and leadership of the Cougars have made him a central figure in the program’s development.
With BYU facing Notre Dame in a nationally televised contest, Sitake and his coaching staff had an opportunity to demonstrate how the team could compete against elite opposition.
The game also provided another major stage for BYU players to showcase their abilities against a highly ranked opponent.
Where Is College GameDay Today?
College GameDay was in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, ahead of the BYU-Notre Dame game.
The ESPN pregame show brought its regular crew to the BYU campus, with Steve Young serving as the celebrity guest picker. The location made sense given the importance of the matchup and the national attention surrounding the two ranked teams.
Fans searching for “where is College GameDay today,” “where is GameDay this week” or “where is College GameDay this week” were looking for the show’s location ahead of the Week 7 slate.
Provo became a major center of college football attention as fans gathered for the broadcast and the showdown between the Cougars and Fighting Irish.
Steve Young Brings BYU History to a Major Football Weekend
Young’s appearance on College GameDay highlighted the lasting connection between BYU football and one of its most famous former players. His analysis of the SEC games and the Houston-Oklahoma State matchup also added another perspective to a weekend packed with important college football contests.
With BYU facing No. 2 Notre Dame, the Cougars had a chance to make a statement on the national stage. The presence of Young, combined with the attention surrounding Kalani Sitake and Bear Bachmeier, made the Provo broadcast one of the key storylines of Week 7.
As the weekend’s games unfolded, fans would find out whether Young and the rest of the College GameDay crew had correctly identified the winners of some of the season’s most important matchups.
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