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On a weekend dominated by high-profile SEC matchups, ESPN’s flagship show "College GameDay" is planting its flag in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a massive ranked showdown.
The pregame show is setting up at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers as the No. 22 Pitt Panthers host the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish — a trip that doubles as a homecoming for the show’s most energetic personality, Pat McAfee.
While the national spotlight might be drawn elsewhere, the crew’s presence in the Steel City underscores the stakes of this historic rivalry. Both the Fighting Irish and Panthers enter with two losses, effectively turning this contest into a sudden-death elimination game for any realistic College Football Playoff hopes. The winner earns a crucial boost of momentum and a résumé-building victory, while the loser risks a steep fall out of the national conversation.
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Where will 'College GameDay' be for Week 12?
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Matchup: No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 22 Pittsburgh
This Saturday marks a highly anticipated return to a historic rivalry as the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-2) travel to Acrisure Stadium to face the No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2). The 74th meeting between the programs is highlighted by the presence of ESPN’s "College GameDay" broadcasting live from the North Shore for the first time since 2005. Adding to the electric atmosphere, Pitt will retire the jersey of legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald at halftime.
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 9, 2025Pitt enters the contest riding a five-game winning streak and looking to reverse a lopsided loss to Notre Dame from last year. The Panthers' defense has been ferocious, particularly against the run, ranking as one of the best units in the country (third in the nation against the run). They are led by a talented linebacker corps and a disruptive defensive front. On offense, true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has provided a spark, showing composure and a dangerous downfield passing game that could challenge the Irish secondary.
After starting the season with losses to Miami and Texas A&M, Notre Dame has rattled off seven straight wins. The Irish offense is one of the highest-scoring in the nation and features a powerful rushing attack led by running back Jeremiyah Love, which will face a stout Pitt defense. The game will likely come down to this trench war: Can Notre Dame's offensive line pave the way for its running backs, or will Pitt's defense stuff the run and force the Irish's young quarterback, C.J. Carr, into uncomfortable passing situations?
The game carries significant implications for both programs. For Notre Dame, which is still treating every contest like a playoff game, a victory is crucial to bolstering its College Football Playoff resume. For Pitt — which last defeated the Irish in 2013 — though the game does not affect the ACC standings, a home win in a Top-25 environment would be a statement victory. The rivalry has a history of close contests, with 10 of the last 14 meetings decided by single digits, suggesting fans are in for another hard-fought battle.
MORE: Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi isn't wrong in suggesting game against ND doesn't matter
Upcoming 'College GameDay' schedule on ESPN
College GameDay does not announce it's locations until days before the game.
The show almost always highlights one of the most anticipated matchups of the week, and a lot of that depends on the ebbs and flows of the college football week before the show makes a decision.
So far, the show has highlighted some of the best matchups this college football season.
| Week | Date | Location | Matchup |
| 1 | Aug. 30 | Columbus, Ohio | #3 Ohio State vs. #1 Texas |
| 2 | Sept. 6 | Norman, Oklahoma | #18 Oklahoma vs. #15 Michigan |
| 3 | Sept. 13 | Knoxville, Tennessee | # 15 Tennessee vs. #6 Georgia |
| 4 | Sept. 20 | Coral Gables, Florida | #4 Miami vs. Florida |
| 5 | Sept. 27 | University Park, PA | #3 Penn State vs. #6 Oregon |
| 6 | Oct. 4 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | #10 Alabama vs. #16 Vanderbilt |
| 7 | Oct. 11 | Eugene, Oregon | #3 Oregon vs. #7 Indiana |
| 8 | Oct. 18 | Athens, Georgia | #9 Georgia vs. #5 Ole Miss |
| 9 | Oct. 25 | Nashville, Tennessee | #10 Vanderbilt vs. #15 Missouri |
| 10 | Nov. 1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | #24 Utah vs. #17 Cincinnati |
| 11 | Nov. 8 | Lubbock, Texas | #8 Texas Tech vs. #7 BYU |
| 12 | Nov. 15 | Pittsburgh, PA | #22 Pittsburgh vs. #9 Notre Dame |
MORE: Eliminating automatic bids from the CFP is a completely absurd idea
Who is the guest picker on 'College GameDay' for Week 12?
The show is yet to announce a guest picker. With Aaron Donald getting his jersey number retired this weekend, the former All-Pro defensive tackle is a good candidate. But, Pittsburgh has plenty of notable football alumni, such as Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Ditka, and Dan Marino.
Beyond football royalty, the city is also home to countless stars, meaning GameDay could look outside the alumni pool for a celebrity like Wiz Khalifa or even an active NFL player like T.J. Watt to make the big predictions.
MORE: College football picks against the spread for Week 12 matchups
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