The answer to the search for guest picker College GameDay is Glen Powell. The actor and longtime Texas Longhorns fan is serving as the celebrity guest picker for ESPN’s College GameDay in Austin on Saturday, September 12, 2026, ahead of the highly anticipated matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas.
ESPN confirmed Powell’s return to the GameDay desk for Week 2 of the 2026 college football season. The show is broadcasting live from the lawn of the LBJ Presidential Library on the University of Texas campus. Powell is a current Texas student completing his undergraduate degree and is scheduled to graduate this spring.
Who Is the College GameDay Guest Picker Today?
Glen Powell is the College GameDay guest picker for Week 2.
Powell is closely associated with Texas and Austin. He grew up in the city, attended Westwood High School and has remained a prominent supporter of the Longhorns. His return to College GameDay is especially fitting because the program is in Austin for one of the biggest games on the Week 2 schedule.
This is Powell’s second appearance as a College GameDay celebrity guest picker. He previously joined the show in Austin in 2022 when Texas hosted then-No. 1 Alabama.
Glen Powell’s Previous College GameDay Appearance
Powell first served as a College GameDay guest picker on September 10, 2022, when Alabama traveled to Austin to face Texas.
During that appearance, Powell picked Texas in the headline matchup, while Alabama ultimately won 20-19. Powell finished the day’s slate with a 7-5 record, according to ESPN’s GameDay information and reports reviewing his earlier appearance.
His return gives this week’s broadcast an added storyline because the matchup again involves Texas at home and another nationally ranked opponent.
Why Glen Powell Was Chosen for College GameDay
Powell has several strong connections to this week’s broadcast.
First, he is an Austin native and a well-known Texas supporter. Second, he is currently completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas. Third, his entertainment career has recently become closely connected to college football through his starring role in the series Chad Powers.
The timing also gives ESPN a recognizable celebrity presence for a matchup featuring two of the highest-ranked teams in the country.
What Game Is College GameDay Covering?
College GameDay is in Austin for the Week 2 showdown between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas.
Both teams entered the weekend at 1-0. Ohio State opened the season with a 56-3 victory over Ball State, while Texas defeated Texas State 59-7.
The matchup also carries extra significance because Ohio State defeated Texas 14-7 in Columbus in the 2025 season opener. Saturday’s game gives Texas a chance to respond in front of its home crowd.
When and Where Is College GameDay?
ESPN’s College GameDay is live from the LBJ Presidential Library lawn at the University of Texas in Austin.
The Week 2 broadcast schedule is:
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
College GameDay: 9 a.m. to noon ET
Local Austin time: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT
Location: LBJ Presidential Library lawn, University of Texas, Austin
TV: ESPN and ESPNU
Streaming: ESPN App and Disney+
Featured game: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas
Game kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Fans searching for the guest picker College GameDay information should expect Powell to appear during the later portion of the broadcast for the celebrity picks segment.
Who Is on the College GameDay Desk?
The regular GameDay lineup for the Austin broadcast includes host Rece Davis, along with Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban.
College football insider Pete Thamel, analyst Stanford Steve Coughlin, and reporters Jen Lada and Jess Sims are also part of the 2026 GameDay coverage.
The Austin show is part of College GameDay’s 40th season and marks the program’s 11th visit to Texas. ESPN says Texas has hosted the show 11 times, while Ohio State is making its record 69th College GameDay appearance.
What Makes Glen Powell’s Return Significant?
Powell’s return is notable because his first GameDay appearance also came in Austin. Four years later, he is back at the same school for another nationally important Texas home game.
His profile has also grown considerably since his 2022 appearance. Powell has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young actors, while his connection to college football has strengthened through Chad Powers.
That combination of Texas fandom, Austin roots and football-related entertainment work makes Powell a natural fit for this week’s celebrity guest-picker role.
Will Glen Powell Pick Texas or Ohio State?
Powell’s selection is expected to draw attention because of his strong Texas ties. He backed the Longhorns in the Alabama-Texas matchup during his first GameDay appearance, although Alabama won that game.
For the 2026 Ohio State-Texas matchup, his official selection should be treated separately from his previous pick. His role as guest picker is primarily part of the show’s entertainment and prediction segment rather than an official prediction from ESPN.
Guest Picker College GameDay: Latest Update
As of the latest verified information for Saturday, September 12, Glen Powell is the confirmed College GameDay guest picker for the Ohio State-Texas matchup in Austin.
The announcement was made ahead of the broadcast and was also confirmed by ESPN. Powell’s return comes as College GameDay sets up at Texas for a top-five showdown with major early-season College Football Playoff implications.
For fans searching specifically for the guest picker College GameDay has selected this week, the answer is clear: Glen Powell is back on the GameDay set in Austin.
Are you watching College GameDay today, and do you think Glen Powell will back his Longhorns? Share your prediction and stay tuned for the latest college football updates.