It was probably the most electric morning ever in Provo.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” visited BYU’s campus Saturday morning for the first time in 17 years, resulting in what analyst Rece Davis called “an elite crowd” ahead of the Cougars’ game against No. 2 Notre Dame.
Videos inside ‘College GameDay’
Signs of the times
Pat McAfee in Provo
Pat McAfee just mentioned D. Todd Christofferson’s general conference speech on the game, drawing loud cheers from the BYU crowd 😂😂😂
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) October 17, 2026
The BYU crowd chants “baptize Pat!” »
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) October 17, 2026
Pat McAfee just pulled out the Book of Mormon and read 1 Nephi 17:36
“Behold, the LORD has created the earth to be inhabited; and he created his children to possess it. » pic.twitter.com/xwoz50Noa3
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) October 17, 2026
McAfee’s scripture study continues with 2 Nephi 32:4
“Therefore now, having spoken these words, if you cannot understand them, it will be because you ask not and knock not; therefore you are not brought into the light, but must perish in darkness” https://t.co/LUyoRx7wRP
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) October 17, 2026
GameDay Picks for BYU-Notre Dame:
Desmond Howard: Notre Dame Nick Saban: Notre Dame Steve Young: BYU Pat McAfee: BYU (“maybe it’s the Book of Mormon I read earlier…Brother Pat rolls with the Mormons”) pic.twitter.com/ZCHMbWbeWh
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) October 17, 2026
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Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit talk to each other during the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Students take a nap during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A sign depicts The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dallin Harris Oaks catching a pass on Pope Leo XIV during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Young BYU fans wear Cougars jerseys and watch the live broadcast during the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Fans hold up their homemade signs during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU mascot Cosmo bows to Nick Saban while shaking his hand during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Former college football coach Nick Saban glances at fans screaming for his attention during the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Colorful BYU popcorn is left out for ESPN staff during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Pat McAfee holds up a “Y” during the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A young BYU fan sits on the shoulders of a family member during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU freshman Austin Hall, left, and Devin Christiansen, right, pose for a photo with blue face paint during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl champion Desmond Howard laughs at a joke during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A fan displays his sign during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A young fan yawns during the early hours of the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Fans hold up their homemade signs during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A father and son watch a hot air balloon pass by during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Thousands gather for the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and former BYU player Steve Young walks between sets during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A young BYU fan eagerly holds his sign during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Fans head toward the entrance to the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU student Carter Smith looks in disbelief as he watches his basket miss the uprights during the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU student Carter Smith, dressed as Spiderman, is hoisted into the air after making a three million dollar field goal during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. He kicked on his second attempt. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU student Carter Smith watches his kick go through the uprights during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. He made the kick on his second attempt. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Steve Young reveals his BYU jersey under his letterman jacket during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Pat McAfee celebrates alongside Steve Young after picking BYU to win against Notre Dame during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Thousands gather for the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU student Carter Smith kicks on the field during the ESPN College Gameday broadcast near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and former BYU player Steve Young shows off his BYU-colored cleats, revealing his choice for the BYU vs. Notre Dame game, during the ESPN College Gameday show near Helaman Halls on the BYU campus in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Carter Smith celebrates with BYU fans after winning $3 million with a successful field goal at College GameDay in Provo on October 17, 2026. | Photo by BYU
