CORAL GABLES — Not much can inspire a college student to wake up early. But “College GameDay” coming to your campus for the first time since 2017? That will do it.
“I’m absolutely juiced,” said Dylan Spain, who was in the front row behind the show’s set. “I’ve been here since 1 a.m. I have no voice, and I’m just ready to go!”
Spain was one of the hundreds of people who crowded the Lakeside Patio on UM’s campus early Saturday morning for ESPN’s popular pregame show, which came to a Miami home game for the first time since 2020 (when the show was at Hard Rock Stadium) to preview Saturday night’s in-state matchup between No. 4 Miami (3-0) and Florida (1-2).
“I jumped out of my seat (when I heard GameDay was coming),” said Spain, who was carrying a UM-inspired wrestling championship belt. “I bought the belt instantly. And I said, ‘It’s go time!’ ”
The show, hosted by Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban, brought Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal to the set for an in-person interview. Cristobal took the stage to chants of “MARIO!” from the crowd behind him.
UM mascot Sebastian the Ibis brought out cafecito to the stage, giving the hosts a shot of Cuban coffee. Saban turned it down, but Cristobal raised a toast to the show’s hosts and to the fans behind him.
“To gratitude, for opportunity, to the relentless pursuit for Hurricane excellence,” Cristobal said, “and make it a damn asylum tonight!”
Hurricanes fans were not the only ones who made the trip to Coral Gables. Blue and orange occasionally popped up among the orange and green.
“I’ve gotten a lot of criticism for wearing this jersey,” said Sean Murphy, who was wearing a Florida jersey. “A lot of fans have been making posters against DJ Lagway, comparing him to (former FSU quarterback) DJ Uiagalelei.”
“I believe in my team, and I believe that we can come out with a ‘W’ today,” Murphy added.
“College GameDay” has been airing on ESPN since 1987 and has been traveling to game sites since 1993. It has inspired a devoted fanbase that has developed traditions of its own, including homemade signs fans bring (“Welcome to the House of Bain,” “The U is Beck” and a mock menu that includes Cuban coffee, croquetas and gator bites were among those at UM on Saturday).
One of those traditions is flying “Ol’ Crimson,” a Washington State flag that appears in the background of every broadcast.
Washington State alumni Ashley Severino and Megan Conrath, who live in South Florida, made sure the tradition continued Saturday, bringing Ol’ Crimson to its 324th consecutive show.
“I think it’s just great to be able to come to Coral Gables because it’s such a small campus,” Conrath said. “And so for people to see Washington State, from Washington all the way far away, and then have us be down here in South Florida, it just really shows how alumni across the United States can come together and support this huge event and showcase not even Pullman (Washington) and Washington State, but also just the love of college football for everyone united.”
This story will be updated.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/20/um-college-gameday-sights/
