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SALT LAKE CITY — With cutoff sleeves, a backward Utah hat and sunglasses on, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham rode on a Harley Davidson into President’s Circle on the University of Utah campus in style.
The style? An anything goes approach to a chaotic and profanity-laden Pat McAfee show Friday afternoon ahead of ESPN’s premier college football show in Salt Lake City. Whittingham got the message, dressed for the occasion — matching McAfee’s sleeveless style — and even won an arm wrestling contest against the host.
The rowdy fans in attendance soaked up the moment and watched as their beloved university was the center of the college football universe, at least for a two-day period ahead of a compelling matchup between the eighth-ranked Oregon Ducks and the 13th-ranked Utah Utes.
There was former Utah quarterback Alex Smith checking in on video for the first hour, Cam Rising hoisting up a hand-painted helmet Utah will wear against Oregon, former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid joining a day after his first touchdown scored with the Buffalo Bills, and Steve Smith making his presence known a day before he becomes the celebrity picker on College GameDay.
McAfee was just the precursor to what GameDay host Rece Davis said is an event planned for Salt Lake City.
“There’s going to be a couple of things that happen on the show that I’m going to hold back that in the entire history of GameDay, no one can remember them ever happening, but they will tomorrow, and so we’re looking forward to that,” Davis told media Friday morning. “We have some star power — some unexpected star power showing up on the show.
“What they’re going to see is an event. It’s not just a show, you’re not detached from it, hopefully you’re a part of it, and so that’s what they can expect tomorrow morning.”
If Friday afternoon was any indication of what’s to come, Salt Lake City is ready for the attention and the event.
Saturday morning’s show, which will begin at 7 a.m. MDT, will feature Whittingham and Oregon coach Dan Lanning with the GameDay crew, as well as rapper Lil Nas X, actor Ty Burrell, McAfee’s kicking contest, as well as video features on “the pig farmer” Bryson Barnes and an in-depth look into Whittingham’s life as a coach.
It’s all meant to highlight the passionate college football fan base in Utah, as well as put a spotlight on a program that continues to be in contention for a Pac-12 championship, even when the odds have been stacked against them with several key starters injured and lost for the season.
“They’re passionate, they love their school, they’re knowledgeable, they’re into the show and into football, which is always a big plus for us coming here,” Davis said. “We were sort of semi-joking, but not really up in the office earlier, this place might be the No. 1 overall seed, in terms of the reception, the hospitality, the cooperation, because this is a big undertaking and we understand that, and we’re also really appreciative.”
“This is one of those programs that I personally like just because I like Kyle Whittingham,” former Heisman winner and host Desmond Howard told media Friday. “I like his style, I’m an old school type of dude, and he’s old school type of coach, so I respect the physicality that they bring to the gridiron. So I’m more than excited to to watch these guys tussle with Oregon tomorrow.”