5 options to be the guest picker on College GameDay for Tennessee vs Florida

ESPN announced on Sunday morning that College GameDay will be in town for the Tennessee Vols' matchup against the Florida Gators next Saturday. Tennessee is coming off a 63-6 win against Akron and they could be a top 10 team for the matchup against a 2-1 Florida team coming off a narrow 31-28 win against […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Tennessee Vols

ESPN announced on Sunday morning that College GameDay will be in town for the Tennessee Vols' matchup against the Florida Gators next Saturday.

Tennessee is coming off a 63-6 win against Akron and they could be a top 10 team for the matchup against a 2-1 Florida team coming off a narrow 31-28 win against South Florida.

One of the first questions that fans usually ask when the GameDay location is announced is "who will be the celebrity guest picker?"

This past Saturday, Appalachian State hosted GameDay, and country music singer Luke Combs was the celebrity guest picker.

So who should be the guest picker for Saturday?

Well, there are certainly plenty of options to choose from.

Here are what I think are the top five options.

(Note: Phillip Fulmer and Steve Spurrier served as guest pickers when UT hosted Florida in 2016 and GameDay was in town.)

Morgan Wallen — Country Music Singer — from East Tennessee

Country music singer and songwriter, Morgan Wallen performs during his Dangerous Tour at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Morgan Wallen Concert 011
Country music singer and songwriter, Morgan Wallen performs during his Dangerous Tour at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Morgan Wallen Concert 011

Morgan Wallen is one of the biggest music stars in the world right now. And he grew up in East Tennessee.

Wallen is often spotted at concerts or in social media clips wearing Vols gear — there's no doubt he's a rabid Tennessee fan, as you can note from all of his songs that include lyrics about the Vols.

If I had to place a bet on who the guest picker will be, it would be Wallen.

Kenny Chesney — Country Music Singer — from East Tennessee

Kenny Chesney, who is also from East Tennessee and has a deep love for the Vols, served as the guest picker in 2012 when Florida visited Knoxville.

Tennessee lost that game due to a terrible defensive performance in the second half, so the Vols might not want him to return for this matchup.

Chesney also often draws the ire of Vol fans because he wears the gear of other teams while playing concerts in various cities.

Peyton Manning — Former Tennessee Vols QB

Not a lot of explanation is needed here. Peyton is one of the most beloved Vols of all time. And I'm betting he'll be at the game.

But Tennessee fans might not want him to be the guest picker or come to the game.

It seems like the Vols almost always lose when Peyton attends a big game. And this is a big game that Tennessee desperately needs to win.

Tony Vitello — Tennessee Baseball Coach

vols
Tennessee’s Head Coach Tony Vitello watches from the dugout during game two of the NCAA Knoxville Super Regionals between Tennessee and Notre Dame at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, June 11, 2022.Kns Tennessee Notre Dame Game 2

There might not be a more popular man in East Tennessee these days — outside of maybe Josh Heupel — than Tony Vitello.

Vitello just led the Vols to one of the best seasons ever by a college baseball team and the program is showing no signs of slowing down.

The only problem with this option is that most college football fans probably don't know much about Vitello. ESPN might think that Vitello doesn't have enough "star power" to be an option, though I certainly don't think that's the case.

Kelsea Ballerini — Country Music Singer

ESPN doesn't often have female guest pickers. If they choose to on Saturday, then Kelsea Ballerini would be a great option.

Ballerini is from Knoxville. She's a major star and plenty of folks outside of East Tennessee will know who she is. I don't think this will be the pick, but it wouldn't totally shock me, either.

Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK