Comedian Nate Bargatze Named ESPN College GameDay Guest Picker for Top-15 Vanderbilt-Missouri Game

ESPN's College GameDay will return to Nashville for the first time since 2008 to cover the highly anticipated Top-15 college football matchup between Vanderbilt and Missouri at Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium. Comedian and Vanderbilt supporter Nate Bargatze, a Nashville native with deep ties to the university, has been selected as the guest picker for the event, marking his second appearance on College GameDay. Both teams hold 6-1 records, with Vanderbilt ranked 10th and Missouri 15th, making the game critical for their College Football Playoff hopes amid an expanded 12-team format. Vanderbilt's strong season, including a notable win over LSU and a potential Heisman candidate quarterback Diego Pavia, has energized fans and led to a sold-out stadium. The College GameDay broadcast will feature Bargatze alongside analysts like Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit, accompanied by live performances from country stars Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley. The event highlights the rising stakes and excitement surrounding both high-scoring teams as they vie for playoff positioning.