ESPN’s “College GameDay” is heading to Pittsburgh for the first time in nearly 20 years. The show will broadcast live from outside Acrisure Stadium as the No. 22 Pitt Panthers host the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The game kicks off at 9 a.m. ET Saturday morning.
This marks the 74th meeting between these programs. Both teams enter with identical 7-2 records and two losses that have turned this into an elimination game for College Football Playoff hopes.
The winner gets a huge momentum boost and a resume-building victory. The loser likely falls out of national championship contention.
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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
The show’s presence in the Steel City brings extra excitement for Pat McAfee, who’s returning to his home region. McAfee has become the show’s most energetic personality since joining the crew.
Pitt will also retire Aaron Donald’s jersey at halftime, adding another layer to Saturday’s festivities.
COLLEGE GAMEDAY IS HEADED TO PITTSBURGH AND PAT IS HEADED HOME
We’ll be outside Acrisure Stadium for our first Saturday show in the Steel City in 20 years!@PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/Fj60IytzCq
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 9, 2025
Pitt enters riding a five-game winning streak after a rough start to the season. The Panthers defense ranks third nationally against the run and features one of the country’s best linebacker groups.
True freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has provided a spark for the offense. He’s shown good composure and has a strong downfield passing attack that could test Notre Dame’s secondary.
The Panthers are looking to reverse last year’s lopsided loss to the Fighting Irish. Pitt hasn’t beaten Notre Dame since 2013.
Notre Dame started with losses to Miami and Texas A&M but has won seven straight games since then. The Fighting Irish offense ranks among the nation’s highest-scoring units.
Running back Jeremiyah Love leads a powerful rushing attack that will face its toughest test against Pitt’s run defense. The game likely comes down to whether Notre Dame’s offensive line can create running lanes or if Pitt’s defense forces young quarterback C.J. Carr into uncomfortable passing situations.
This rivalry has produced close games recently. Ten of the last 14 meetings have been decided by single digits.
For Notre Dame, every game remains a playoff game at this point in the season. The Fighting Irish need quality wins to strengthen their College Football Playoff resume.
Pitt doesn’t have ACC championship implications riding on this game, but a ranked home victory would be a statement win for the program.
Upcoming ‘College GameDay’ schedule on ESPN
College GameDay doesn’t announce its locations until days before each game.
The show typically highlights the most anticipated matchup of each weekend. That decision depends on how the college football season unfolds each week.
The show has featured some of this season’s best matchups so far.
| 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 |
Who is the guest picker on ‘College GameDay’ for Week 12?
Aaron Donald returns to his alma mater as this week’s guest picker. The Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer will have his jersey retired during Saturday’s game.
This marks the second straight week College GameDay has featured a future Hall of Fame guest picker.
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 played defensive tackle for Pitt from 2010 to 2013. His senior season was one of the most dominant in college football history.
In 2013, Donald recorded 28.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He won every major defensive award that season: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award.
Donald has become the most dominant defensive tackle in modern NFL history since entering the league. He’s won AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times (2017, 2018, 2020), joining only Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt with that achievement.
He’s earned First-Team All-Pro honors eight times and made the Pro Bowl every year of his career.
Donald helped lead the Los Angeles Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI, securing his championship ring. His combination of speed, strength, and technique makes him a near-lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible.
