ESPN host defends controversial 'College GameDay’ guest decision labeled a 'bad disaster' by furious fans

ESPN’s 'College GameDay' is in Tuscaloosa this Saturday to preview an SEC clash between No. 16 Vanderbilt and No. 10 Alabama.

GameDay producers have selected stand-up comedian and podcaster Theo Von as the guest picker for this weekend, which annoyed fans as Von has zero ties to Alabama and has spent the season trying to take Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia's mom on a date.

Per Bama Hammer, guest pickers with zero ties to the university continue to be a trend when GameDay comes to Tuscaloosa.

According to the outlet, GameDay guest pickers this year have all had some sort of tie to the host school or at least the state the game was played in, until now.

College football fans aren't happy about the situation and sounded off online.

“I love Theo, but what ties does he have with the University? All sorts of Bama legends and the folks over at Gameday still can’t seem to pick the right guy,” one fan pointed out.

"Oh this is going to be a bad disaster,” a second added.

"But why? What does he have to do with Alabama or even Vandy? Nothing against Theo. But shouldn’t the guest picker me more than just a famous dude?" a third wrote.

“What annoys me is Gameday went to Tenn chose Candace Parker..went to Penn State chose Lavar..Bama had 3 legends who just retired CJ Mosley, Julio, Amari would been great choices and available but this who you choose..and their excuse gonna be well Saban on Set so that counts..BS,” another fan said.

ESPN 'College GameDay' host Rece Davis was asked about the comedian being selected as the show's guest picker on the University of Alabama's campus, and came out in defense of him.

"Have you checked out his social media following?" Davis asked, referencing Von's 8.5 million Instagram followers.

"Do you know how many people follow him?"

Von hosts the This Past Weekend podcast and has appeared on MTV and Comedy Central shows.

He regularly appears on The Joe Rogan Experience, as well as UFC events with Dana White.

Davis continued to defended Von as a perfect choice, despite his obvious Vanderbilt connection and the fact he's been at their practices this season and developed a friendship with coach Clark Lea.

"He's hilarious, he's been on the show before," Davis said, referencing the time Von was a guest picker on the show in 2023 to preview the SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia.

"I mean, I understand that schools like to have their legends. And we do that a lot. We've had Joe Namath here. If memory serves, we've invited Ozzie Newsome here… When you have someone who sort of transcends the game and kind of expands your reach, and he's also awesome like Theo Von, I mean, Theo Von's like an easy yes."

"I haven't heard anybody complain about Nick (Saban) being up there every week," Davis went on. "I mean, Nick is going to play it and tell you what he thinks. And he might pick against Alabama tomorrow or any other time. He's got the right to do that, and he might. But if you're talking association, is there anyone more associated with Alabama than Nick Saban? He's able to do his job without any problem because of past association.

"I haven't heard an update," Davis continued. "I don't know if Theo is dating Diego's mom or not, or if that's real. If he is, then I'm sure he can still make his picks and have some fun. Also the crowd can have some fun going, 'Boo, Theo Von. We don't like it that you're dating Diego Pavia's mom."

Davis added that 'College GameDay' is 'delighted' to have Von involved as 'a big time star.'

"If there are some people who would prefer to see a former player, I understand that," Davis said. "They have a right to think that, and I respect that and it's understandable. But you're also talking about one segment of the show where guys are picking games. And if we knew the outcomes of the game, and we're always right in our picks, we'd be living in giant Bellagio Estates in arid regions. We would own Las Vegas. It's fun."

'College GameDay' airs Saturday morning at 9 a.m. ET.

Alabama hosts Vanderbilt with the game getting underway at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

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