Broadcasting from the Coleman Coliseum on Alabama's campus instead of the quad, "College GameDay" turned into The Weather Channel for a few minutes.
Famed meteorologist James Spann of ABC 33/40 and the founder of The Alabama Weather Network has been cautioning of the effects of Hurricane Isaias all week, going as far as stumping for himself to serve as "College GameDay's" guest picker.
So @CollegeGameDay will be in Tuscaloosa Saturday. I’m available as a guest picker… But I don’t have my hopes up. pic.twitter.com/FergjOpgjk
— James Spann (@spann) October 4, 2026
That dream wasn't realized, with Bryce Young instead being tabbed for that duty, but Spann still got his moment on ESPN's flagship college
football pregame show. In the opening moments he appeared in his customary suspenders, looking reminiscent of Steve Kornacki's appearances on "Sunday Night Football."
"These are my people," Spann said before going into a diatribe about how good Nick Saban is at understanding weather's effects on games.
For the game itself, Spann said it would be 70 degrees at kickoff, 68 at the half, and 67 on the ride home. He then rallied the crowd for a "Roll Tide" chant, although as Pat McAfee noted, it's unknown how well the crowd picked up on that.
🗣🗣ROLL TIDE ROLL
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 10, 2026
Thank you @spann #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/ALAeYovgMv
Spann also said the rain should largely have subsided by the time the game started.
He may not have gotten on the panel itself, but Spann was obviously reveling in the moment. The crowd, for its part, made Spann feel welcome, even during the earliest portion of "College GameDay."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beloved meteorologist James Spann appears on 'College GameDay' to give weather update
