‘GameDay’ picks conference winners, CFP national champs

Alabama FootballNick Saban (left) and Kirk Herbstreit on set. Alabama fans at ESPN "College GameDay" on the Quad before the Crimson Tide's game against Georgia in Tuscaloosa Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)Ben FlanaganESPN’s “College GameDay,” from Baton Rouge and with the help of country music star Lainey Wilson, debuted Saturday to declare weekly winners, conference champions and the CFP national champion.The panel made a sweep of LSU over Clemson, Alabama over East Carolina and Auburn over Baylor.“Clemson will be much improved, but LSU has too much firepower,” Nick Saban said about LSU, citing Lane Kiffin’s defense and quarterback Sam Leavitt. “If they can run the ball and create balance, they will be one of the best team’s in the country.”Desmond Howard, meanwhile, led the Auburn charge. “I want to go Baylor so bad,” he said. “(Baylor coach) Dave Aranda is on the hot seat. They need to get off to a fast start. They got the quarterback DJ Lagway from Florida, but I like (Auburn coach) Alex Golesh. I’m going with Auburn in a close one.”Saban said Byrum Brown will be big for Auburn this season.“Auburn’s had a pretty good team, but they’ve been quarterback poor for several years,” the former Alabama coach said. “I think Byrum Brown may give them the opportunity to take the next step. I’m picking Auburn.”When it comes to the Crimson Tide, Saban trusts the defense and is “excited to see Keelon Russell as a quarterback.”“I will say I played Tuscaloosa a few years ago and like 20 people showed up to my show, and I wanted to be mad as hell at all of them, but I’m like I need to sell tickets in Tuscaloosa,” Wilson said.“I’ll help you with that, Saban joked.Check out the picks:ACC championsHoward: MiamiSaban: MiamiMcAfee: UNCWilson: MiamiHerbstreit: MiamiBig 12 championsHoward: BYUSaban: Texas TechMcAfee: West VirginiaWilson: BYUHerbstreit: Texas TechBig 12 championsHoward: BYUSaban: Texas TechMcAfee: West VirginiaWilson: BYUHerbstreit: Texas TechBig Ten championsHoward: OregonSaban: Ohio StateWilson: OregonMcAfee: IndianaHerbstreit: IndianaSEC championsHoward: TexasSaban: GeorgiaWilson: LSUMcAfee: GeorgiaHerbstreit: GeorgiaBest of Group of 6Howard: MemphisSaban: Boise StateWilson: Boise StateMcAfee: MemphisHerbstreit: NavyCFP national title winnerHoward: Texas vs. Notre Dame, Texas winsSaban: Miami vs. Texas, Miami winsWilson: LSU vs. Miami, LSU winsMcAfee: Ole Miss vs. Indiana, Indiana winsHerbstreit: Indiana vs. Notre Dame, Notre Dame winsBaylor vs. AuburnHoward: AuburnSaban: Auburn McAfee: Auburn Wilson: AuburnHerbstreit: Auburn East Carolina vs. AlabamaHoward: AlabamaSaban: AlabamaMcAfee: Alabama Wilson: AlabamaHerbstreit: AlabamaLSU vs. ClemsonHoward: LSUSaban: LSUMcAfee: LSUWilson: LSUHerbstreit: No pickMark Heim is a senior writer who provides sports, news and trending content. He co-hosts a daily sports radio show on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile. Heim has been recognized with awards for his writing, headlines and...