Nate Bargatze announced as celebrity guest picker, with performances by Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley – The Vanderbilt Hustler

College GameDay recently announced they are coming to Nashville for the highly anticipated matchup of the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores and No. 15 Missouri Tigers. The ESPN college football broadcast, which is famous for its pre-game commentary, announced on Oct. 23 that Nate Bargatze would be joining them as their celebrity guest picker for Week 9. Shortly following this announcement, ESPN Press Room announced that musical guests Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley (B.A. ‘97) will be performing on Wyatt Lawn during the event.  

Bargatze is a Nashville native and comedian, known for his family-friendly stand-up routines. In the past, he’s shared that he’s been a Vanderbilt Commodores fan since childhood. After hosting Saturday Night Live last fall, he gave a special shoutout to Vanderbilt Football’s historic win over Alabama during curtain call. Bargatze announced his participation this week via video on College GameDay’s official Instagram page. 

“Everything I’ve ever dreamed of, worked towards, is happening Saturday. College GameDay, at Vanderbilt. I am the celebrity guest picker,” Bargatze said.  

The reaction from the Vanderbilt community is positive overall, with one student expressing his enthusiasm about the choice.  

“I think it’s great that they’ve invited Nate Bargatze! He and Saban have a lot in common — both incredibly deadpan guys in their delivery. I love Bargatze for his clean comedy and can’t wait to watch him cheer on the ‘Dores,” first-year John Thomas Mintz said. 

Nick Saban is one of the on-screen analysts for ESPN’s College GameDay. Saban, a renowned former Alabama head coach, is widely known by Commodore nation for his quote referring to Vanderbilt as the only “not hard to play” team in the SEC.  

GameDay is also putting the music in Music City, as there will be a special live performance from country artists Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley. Chesney, known for his hits like “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” is a Tennessee native. Bentley is a Vanderbilt class of ‘97 alumnus and is known for the songs “What Was I Thinkin’’” and “Living.” Both will be taking the stage this week during the GameDay time slot, and this announcement has students buzzing in anticipation. 

 “I am so excited to have country music legends on Wyatt Lawn. They are going to enhance the College GameDay experience tenfold,” first-year Lilianna Melo said.   

Overall, Saturday is shaping up to be an eventful day full of exciting guests and Vanderbilt football. Get your best sign-making skills and field goal kicks ready — they might just be broadcasted live!