The favorites
Marshawn Lynch
Everyone’s favorite chaotic Bear and the people’s choice. However, there might be concerns from the suits at Disney about handling BeastMode a live mic (see this video from the ManningCast). He may have also sworn during a segment of Washington vs Cal 2022.
We do expect Marshawn to be involved in some capacity. It’d be super cool (and fitting for this wild, wild campaign) if he could get the platform.
Jared Goff
The safe pick. The Detroit Lions have a bye week, Goff’s stock is at an all-time high after coming off a perfect 18/18, 292 yds and 2 TD performance, and he is currently the best Golden Bear in the NFL. Plus “JARED GOFF” chants to punctuate Gameday will be a great way to end the telecast. It’s already happened once at Gameday this week
Sleepers
Ron Rivera
One of the leaders of the Cal NIL Collective, Rivera is one of the most embedded figures on campus. Even if he isn’t the guest picker, I imagine he will be somewhere close by on that Memorial Glade field, especially with his announcement that he will be on campus this weekend.
Tony Gonzalez
Gonzalez is one of the more polished Cal voices out there, having been on television for nearly a decade post-retirement. He’s a household name that several would recognize, and the GameDay cast may recognize his dual sport ability from his time at Cal as a reason for why he may be chosen.
Marcus Semien
The Texas Rangers 2024 season just wrapped up this past week, and what better way to welcome a Bay Area legend home than with College GameDay. Semien has been vocal that he will miss the A’s in Oakland, understandably has a connection with Cal Baseball, and also is beloved by the local community and beyond.
Probably not picking or coming, but could be involved
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers will be playing in London hours after Cal’s game with Miami concludes, so I don’t think he’ll be able to make the turnaround trip in time. But he is a regular Tuesday guest on the Pat McAfee show, so don’t be surprised if there’s a virtual appearance of pre-recorded segment involving the former Golden Bear and future NFL Hall of Famer.
Jaylen Brown
The reigning NBA Finals MVP is riding high. Brown will be in the Middle East for NBA preseason games between the Celtics and Nuggets, but maybe helps out in a taped segment considering he will also feature on the famous Hot Ones series this week.
Keenan Allen
Another active Golden Bear in the NFL with a game Sunday, Keenan Allen is someone who may get tabbed by ESPN to contribute to the show. Whether in a segment or narration about the journey of the California Golden Bears, Allen is a voice from an era that left fans yearning for more but would easily be welcomed back.
Dark horses
Alex Morgan
The most famous Cal women’s athlete of our generation will be available after her recent retirement. Her pregnancy announcement a few weeks might throw a wrench into this type of appearance, but we are not ones to rule out the unexpected.
Collin Morikawa or Max Homa
With a lot of Bears on the PGA Tour, you can’t really put a foot wrong here. Moriwaka has the pedigree on tour, is a proven commodity in the top echelon of golf, and has generally been a great ambassador for the university. Homa has a phenomenal online presence, would be great for television segments, and is making a name for himself with momentum that he has on tour.
Ryan Murphy
Coming off the 2024 Olympics and several honors elsewhere across the country, bringing Ryan Murphy into the fold may make sense for College GameDay. Murphy is a five time Gold medalist, and has won a total of nine medals throughout this career to date.
Missy Franklin
We haven’t heard a whole lot from Missy Franklin since she retired but we would remiss if we didn’t get some other swimming royalty in the building. Whether its her or Natalie Coughlin, you bring a well established winner into the fold.
Let’s get weird
Adam Duritz
The long-time Counting Crows superfan of the Bears will definitely do his best to audition for the role. Duritz would assuredly get behind the mic and deliver some lines that would be remembered by the time GameDay went off the air.
Billie Joe Armstrong
Now the lead vocalist of Green Day didn’t go to Cal, so why would we put him on here? Billie Joe is Bay Area tried and true, having been born in Oakland and attending high school in nearby Pinole and Crockett. Armstrong has been vocal about the A’s relocation to Las Vegas, and if you want someone who feels the hometown energy, he can be a fit if called upon.
Chris Pine
One of the pioneers of Star Trek among other films, Chris Pine would bring a renowned name into the fold on College GameDay. Pine may not necessarily draw all of the mainstream appeal of others, but would easily add a dynamic to the set at a place he used to roam.
John Cho
What’s one Star Trek actor without another. Cho has starred alongside Pine in the series and adds another element from the acting world to College GameDay. With picks in this section, we are showcasing those who may not be thought of right away given their line of work. The show has taken on Luke Combs and Blake Shelton recently, and if GameDay wants to find another olive branch, Cho may be the choice.
Steve Wozniak
We’ve got a co-founder of Apple on deck with Steve Wozniak. He may not get the in the moment pull that fans would be looking for, but upon further review would become of a welcomed guest for his contributions to the tech industry and the items we use today.
Are there any under the radar picks for the College GameDay guest picker? Alex Mack? Steve Mariucci? Nathan Adrian? Jason Kidd? Somehow Tom Hanks? Let us know in the comments!
The ghost of Joan Didion, slouching towards the north tunnel
My vote is Marshawn because he is uniquely loved in our minds and the minds of the football public. My second would be Goff, just as another home town boy who has done great recently and would be articulate about Why Cal? My dark horses would be Alex Mack or Cam Jordan. It's all good!