It’s been 17 years since College GameDay came to Vanderbilt — and this Saturday, they’re doing it country style.
For just the second time ever, ESPN is bringing its beloved show to Nashville, and this time, it’ll be soundtracked by two of country music’s biggest stars: Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley.
A Music City ‘GameDay’
The GameDay crew is heading to Vanderbilt for a Top 15 SEC showdown between No. 15 Missouri and No. 10 Vandy.
The game at FirstBank Stadium is officially sold out, and fans can expect an extra layer of Nashville flair on set — especially with live performances from Chesney and Bentley on Vanderbilt’s Wyatt Lawn.
And while you might expect a country singer to step in as the celebrity guest picker, that honor will go to comedian and longtime Vandy fan Nate Bargatze, who’s never been shy about repping the Commodores.
Nate Bargatze, the Underdog’s Underdog
Bargatze, a Nashville native, is making his second GameDay appearance.
He previously joined the show during Alabama vs. LSU in 2023 — but this time, he’ll be picking games in his hometown and for his home team.
“Vanderbilt does Vanderbilt things in a very Vanderbilt way,” Bargatze once said. “The good thing about rooting for Vandy is there’s so much stuff you have to go through that you learn a lot.”
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With quarterback Diego Pavia drawing national attention and Vandy ranked in the Top 10 for the first time since 1947, excitement is swirling — and having two country heavyweights on hand only adds to the moment.
‘GameDay’ Goes Country
It’s unclear whether Chesney and Bentley will stick around for kickoff, but with GameDay set to be packed with fans, alumni, and likely a few surprise country cameos, the morning is shaping up to be a Music City moment to remember.
Whether you’re tuning in for the picks, the performances, or just to soak up the Nashville energy, one thing’s for sure: this Saturday, College GameDay is going to sound a whole lot like country.
