ESPN’s Rece Davis just dropped a bombshell on “The College GameDay Podcast,” hinting that the iconic pregame show could be heading to Albuquerque for the first time ever. Nothing’s been officially announced, of course, but the longtime host made it sound like a very real possibility, especially if a couple of teams keep on winning. Davis, who has been the face of “GameDay” since 2015 alongside analysts Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, and Desmond Howard, sees a specific October 24 matchup as “really, really attractive.”
The Whispers Are Real: GameDay’s Potential New Home
When asked directly by ESPN reporter Pete Thamel if GameDay could seriously consider Albuquerque, Davis played it cool but didn’t deny a thing. “I’m not saying Gameday’s going there,” Davis replied, “But I’m not saying it’s not.” His conditions are crystal clear: undefeated North Dakota State needs to beat UNLV this Saturday, and New Mexico needs to keep winning, too. The stakes are massive for UNM, a program that has *never* hosted “GameDay” since the show started traveling weekly in 1993. Only two other current Mountain West teams, Air Force and North Dakota State (before they joined the FBS ranks), have ever gotten the GameDay treatment. The last time “GameDay” even visited a Group of Six school was back in 2023, for Appalachian State’s thrilling 26-23 overtime win against 10-0 James Madison.
Why This Game Is The Hot Ticket
If both teams manage to hold serve, that October 24 clash at University Stadium would feature a 7-0 North Dakota State squaring off against a 5-1 Lobos squad, whose only loss was a narrow 14-6 defeat at Oklahoma. Beyond the clear College Football Playoff (CFP) implications, the storylines are off the charts. It’s the Bison’s first season in the FBS, and they’re already looking like one of the Group of Six’s top teams. On the other side, head coach Jason Eck has completely rejuvenated UNM, turning the Lobos into a national story on the gridiron for the first time in ages. This would be the very first time these two teams have ever met. But GameDay has options that week: Ninth-ranked Ole Miss plays at No. 1 Ole Miss (seriously, a huge game!), No. 12 Utah hosts No. 22 Houston, and No. 25 Pittsburgh looks to upset No. 4 Miami on the road.
Hold Your Horses: What Needs To Happen First
Before any GameDay trucks roll into Albuquerque, both North Dakota State and UNM have to take care of business. The Bison have a couple of hurdles coming up, first heading to UNLV this Saturday, then hosting Nevada on October 17. The Lobos have a bye this weekend, which is a good chance to reset, but then they hit the road to face Hawaii. That Hawaii game is a serious test; UNM hasn’t won there since 2016. Coach Eck is totally aware of the potential distraction and is making sure his team stays locked in. “I want to make sure myself, our staff and our players stay focused on Hawaii,” Eck said. “Because I know the quickest way to make sure that doesn’t happen would be for us to go lose to Hawaii. So, we’re focused.” So, if you’re dreaming of GameDay in Albuquerque, keep an eye on those next few games. The dream is alive, but only if both teams keep stacking those W’s.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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