ESPN College GameDay panel makes its picks, to delight of fans on Duke’s Durham campus

ESPN’s College GameDay football show set up shop on Duke University’s campus this week ahead of Saturday night’s game between the No. 17 Duke Blue Devils and No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Students and other spectators began arriving on the set, outside the iconic Duke Chapel on the Abele Quad, before dawn covering the show’s historic first visit to Duke for a football telecast.

“I came out this morning, because if you think about it: Since 1908, Duke football has been going, and since 1908 there have been zero game days at Duke,” sophomore Dimitrios Owen, a biomedical engineering major, said. “And in that time, there have been two World Wars, which means game days at Duke are more rare than a World War. I sure as (expletive) wouldn’t miss a World War, so I sure as (expletive) wouldn’t miss this game day.”

The Blue Devils (4-0, 1-0 ACC) have been ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams since they upset reigning ACC champion Clemson, 28-7, on Sept. 4. Duke’s current ranking is its highest since 1994.

“What a memory,” said Alanda Johnson, Duke starting safety Brandon Johnson’s mother, “a lifetime memory just like the Clemson game, where we jumped the wall. Big. B-I-G. Capital letters big; growing Duke football.”

Duke fans said the early morning hour didn’t limit their enthusiasm for football, which has seen a resurgence with 13 wins in 17 games under second-year coach Mike Elko.

“I’ve actually had zero (energy drinks) because it is the adrenaline of the Elko era that is keeping me fueled throughout this day,” Owen said.

Guest picker appearance

Actor and comedian Ken Jeong returned to his alma mater as ESPN’s celebrity guest picker on the show. One of the stars of “The Hangover” series of movies, Jeong graduated from Duke in 1990 before finishing his medical degree at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1995.

But he’s 100 percent a Duke Blue Devils fan.

“Full circle!” Jeong said. “So honored. Home cooking. I’m from Duke!”

Wearing a blue Duke jacket on the set, Jeong naturally picked the Blue Devils to beat Notre Dame on Saturday night.

“I went to Duke,” Jeong said. “I am Duke I studied at Duke. I’m back at Duke. Duke gave me my life. Quite frankly and quite simply, this is our moment! This is our moment.”

Lee Corso headgear

Retired coach and longtime ESPN personality Lee Corso donning the headgear of the team he’s picking to win is one of the best known traditions of the College GameDay show.

On Saturday, Corso dressed up in Notre Dame leprechaun mascot gear and danced with the Irish mascot as the Notre Dame fight song played as Corso picked the Irish to win.

Top signs

One sign strategically placed behind Kirk Herbstreit, one of the show’s panelists, while he was making a live appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter drew a mention on the show. The sign said Herbstreit buys “his suits on clearance.”

Herbstreit said he wished he had.

Another well-placed sign poked fun at the 1990s movie, “Rudy”, which is based on a Notre Dame walk-on: “Rudy got wait listed at Duke”

Later, Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee all suggested Duke has a chance to reach the ACC championship game for the first time since 2013.

“Why not Riley Leonard? Why not Mike Elko?” McAfee said as the crowd cheered.

Riley Leonard motivation

Another sign, mentioning Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, referenced the Leonard family practice that helps keep the quarterback grounded. His mother sends him text messages saying, “You suck.” Leonard even wears a wristband with that phrase on it.

It said, “Hartman’s mom texts him “you suck”. She means it!”

Heather Leonard made an appearance on the show, yelling “you suck!” as she distributed the wristbands to Herbstreit, McAfee, Howard and host, Rece Davis.

Elko a Sparty? Not so fast, my friend

In light of Mel Tucker’s dismissal at Michigan State, the Spartans’ football head coaching opening was discussed. Duke’s Elko, a possible target of Michigan State’s search, was standing off stage awaiting his scheduled interview appearance. When McAfee walked over and pointed to Elko to say he should be Michigan State’s top choice, a smiling Elko gave a thumbs down symbol.

Rivals, Drake Maye, Coach K

Fans from rival schools made their presence known as well. Flags from UNC, N.C State, Clemson and Appalachian State were seen behind the set.

GameDay even showed a short, recorded message from UNC quarterback Drake Maye, who welcomed the show to “the best state.”

That drew boos from the crowd. But a follow-up recorded message from retired Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who wore a Duke football sweatshirt and welcomed the show to “the best city, Durham, in the best state in the union,” brought the cheers again.

Check back here more the sights and sounds.