ESPN College GameDay explores religion at BYU ahead of Notre Dame matchup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 20, 2026, 5:26 PM
Last updated Oct 20, 2026
On October 17, 2026, ESPN's College GameDay broadcasted from BYU in Provo, Utah, focusing on the religious aspects surrounding the BYU-Notre Dame game. The show featured host Rece Davis and Pat McAfee, who highlighted Latter-day Saint culture throughout the episode, employing religious language and symbolism. McAfee engaged the crowd by opening a copy of the Book of Mormon during the show and discussing the church's previous leaders. College GameDay will remain in Utah for the upcoming Houston-Utah game, with expectations for less religious emphasis compared to the BYU broadcast.
- •College GameDay aired from BYU for the first time since 2009.
- •Pat McAfee emphasized Latter-day Saint culture during the broadcast.
- •The show featured religious language, calling the game a 'near-religious experience.'
- •College GameDay will cover the Houston-Utah game next.
- •McAfee read from the Book of Mormon during the broadcast.
- 5:26 PMYahoo Sports — Analysis: ‘College GameDay’ got really religious in Provo. Was it respectful?
"How was Latter-day Saint culture and theology represented and treated on the three-hour pregame show?
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