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 IS HEADED TO PITTSBURGH AND PAT IS HEADED HOME‼️
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 9, 2025
We’ll be outside Acrisure Stadium for our first Saturday show in the Steel City in 20 years!@PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/Fj60IytzCq
Pitt 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 |
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Who is the guest picker on 'College GameDay' for Week 12?
For the second straight week, 'College GameDay' has a future Hall-of-Famer as a guest picker. This time, it's Super Bowl champion and Pitt legend Aaron Donald, who is getting his jersey retired on Saturday.
Aaron Donald is returning to Pitt to be this week's guest picker and have his jersey retired 😤@AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/8nljMlE60y
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 13, 2025
Donald was a standout defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Panthers from 2010 to 2013, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant college football players of his era. His senior season in 2013 was historic, resulting in a clean sweep of major defensive awards. That year, Donald amassed 28.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, earning him the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), and the Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker).
Over his career, he has established himself as the most feared defensive tackle in modern NFL history. Donald has been named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times (2017, 2018, 2020), joining only Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only players to achieve that feat. He has consistently earned First-Team All-Pro honors (eight times) and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in every year of his career. His career reached its pinnacle when he helped lead the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI, securing his first and only championship ring. His sustained combination of speed, strength, and technique makes him a near-lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
MORE: College football picks against the spread for Week 12 matchups