ESPN's "College GameDay" is heading outside the Power Four for the first time in 2026 in Week 11.
"GameDay" will be on-site for a crucial Pac-12 game between Boise State and Oregon State in Boise, Idaho. It's the first time the show has traveled to the Group of Six powerhouse since 2010, which was coincidentally another matchup with the Beavers.
Boise State has developed into one of the most-consistent programs in college football over the past two decades, and is the current frontrunner for the College Football Playoff bid that goes to the highest-ranked non-Power Four conference champion.
Boise State doesn't have any obvious options to be the celebrity
guest picker on "GameDay." Ashton Jeanty or Kellen Moore would be obvious choices, but are unlikely to appear on the show with NFL games on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Alas, here are a few potential options for the show to consider:
Hilary Knight
Hilary Knight didn't play hockey at Boise State — she played at Wisconsin from 2007-12 — but she did earn her Master of Business Administration online through Boise State.
The captain of the United States' gold-medal winning hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics is one of the greatest's women's hockey players ever. The five-time Olympic medalist has also joined the "Pat McAfee Show" in the past.
Ian Johnson
Why not throw it back to the person involved in the play that started it all for Boise State? Ian Johnson, who's best known for scoring a game-winning touchdown on Boise State's famous "Statue of Liberty" play against Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.
Johnson was a first-team All-American in 2006 and a two-time All-WAC selection in both 2006-07. The masses might not remember Johnson, but he'd be a hit among Boise State fans. Isn't that all that matters with the game being held in Boise?
Leighton Vander Esch
Former first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch could be another option. Vander Esch played six seasons for the Dallas Cowboys before his career ended prematurely due to injuries.
Vander Esch played at Boise State from 2014-17 after walking-on. He then was named a second-team All-Pro in 2018.
The Riggins, Idaho, native is from nearby Boise and is one of the school's biggest success stories.
Aaron Paul
"College GameDay" has gone off the beaten path before with a major celebrity, like Jason Sudeikis appearing on the show for Notre Dame-Miami last week. Aaron Paul could make it two weeks in a row.
Paul, best known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in "Breaking Bad," graduated from Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho.
Jay Ajayi
Jay Ajayi played running back at Boise State from 2011-14 before eventually winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
Ajayi has the second-most 200-yard or more rushing games in Boise State history, only behind Jeanty. The former fifth-round pick rushed for 1,272 yards for the Miami Dolphins in 2016.
He doesn't seem like a likely choice, but he was a second-team All-American in 2014 and a Super Bowl winner.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will be 'College GameDay' guest picker for Boise State-Oregon State? Potential choices
