The main event got ugly.
No. 8 Oregon thrashed No. 13 Utah, 35-6, at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
But the tailgate was epic nonetheless.
College GameDay kicked off a massive day for Utah football on Saturday, as the Utes prepared to take on the Ducks in a game that could have Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff implications.
Hundreds braved a cold night to camp out in Presidents Circle so they could be front and center on ESPN.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
The Utah faithful took their shots at the Ducks — and got a chance to boo Oregon coach Dan Lanning.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Alex Vejar | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans show off their signs for ESPN's College GameDay on the University of Utah campus Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham received a warmer welcome.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham makes an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay college football show on the university campus in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer while ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
The cold did not seem to bother ESPN’s Pat McAfee, who went sleeveless during the broadcast of his daily on Friday and then one-upped himself Saturday morning.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay personality Pat McAfee, right, removes clothing during the show at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
The GameDay crew featured regulars McAfee, Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard. But legendary analyst Lee Corso was not in attendance. ESPN said he was dealing with a family matter.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay personality Reece Davis tapes the college football show at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Utah player Steve Smith Sr., second from right, appears as the guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay college football show at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham makes an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay college football show on the university campus in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Of course, there were signs galore.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay personalities Pat McAfee, left, and Kirk Herbstreit at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans cheer while ESPN’s College GameDay college football show is taped at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Legendary Utah wide receiver Steve Smith was the show’s celebrity guest picker.
The crew was split on the outcome of the game, with Howard and Herbstreit picking Oregon. McAfee and Smith both picked the Utes.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Utah player Steve Smith Sr., right, and panelist Pat McAfee on ESPN’s College GameDay college football show at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) From left, panelist Pat McAfee, former Utah player Steve Smith Sr., and panelist Kirk Herbstreit appear on ESPN’s College GameDay college football show at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
