College GameDay panel backs LSU in Week 1 clash with Clemson
ESPN’s regular panel and guest picker Lainey Wilson selected LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn and Alabama among their Week 1 winners.
ESPN’s College GameDay crew and guest picker Lainey Wilson have selected their winners for several major games in Week 1 of the 2026 college football season, according to Yahoo Sports.
All five panellists — Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee — picked No. 13 LSU to defeat No. 23 Clemson. College GameDay broadcast from Baton Rouge for the matchup.
The panel was unanimous on two other selections: No. 9 Ole Miss over No. 24 Louisville, and Auburn over Baylor. Howard, Saban, McAfee and Wilson also selected Alabama to beat ECU, with Herbstreit joining them on the Alabama pick.
The panellists differed on their national championship selections. Howard chose Texas, Saban selected Miami, McAfee backed Indiana, Wilson picked LSU and Herbstreit chose Notre Dame.
The selections are predictions rather than results. Yahoo Sports also reported that the LSU-Clemson game marked Lane Kiffin’s debut as LSU head coach, while Clemson entered the season seeking a stronger campaign after a difficult previous season.
