The hosts pose for a publicity photo before the ESPN College GameDay show on Saturday, Sept. 23. GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN’s 'College GameDay' announces surprise destination for Week 5

By Nicholas Nathanson | Last updated 9/26/23

Seven Power Five conference schools have never hosted ESPN's famous college football pre-game show, "College GameDay," which started in 1987.

On Saturday, that list will be trimmed to six.

For the first time in its 36-year existence, "College GameDay" will be at Duke in Durham, N.C., for the 17th-ranked Blue Devils' game against No. 11 Notre Dame.

FOR THE FIRST TIME ... DURHAM HERE WE COME! ️

Week 5: @NDFootball at @DukeFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/pbBeeBS0MG
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 24, 2023

Prior to this season, Duke had only been ranked in four other seasons (2018, 2015, 2014, 2013) since 1994. Their current ranking in the AP Top 25 poll is the team's highest since 1994.

After stunning then-ranked No. 9 Clemson to open the season, the Blue Devils have won their past three games by double-digits.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, will play for the second straight week as part of a "College GameDay" broadcast. This past Saturday, the show originated from South Bend, Ind., for Notre Dame's game against Ohio State, won by the Buckeyes on a last-second touchdown.

Will the "Cameron Crazies" bring the same energy to their football team as they do at basketball games? Get your popcorn ready for Saturday night (ABC, 7:30 ET).

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