Overview
- The three-hour broadcast airs from 8–11 a.m. ET at Jones AT&T Stadium with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban on set, joined by Pete Thamel, Jen Lada, Jess Sims and Stanford Steve; the pit opens at 6:30 a.m. ET.
- It's the show's first on-campus visit to Texas Tech since 2008 and only the second time the program has originated from Lubbock.
- ESPN locked in the stop after Texas Tech beat Kansas State 43–20, following earlier hints that the selection depended on that result.
- The matchup features the Big 12’s leading contenders, with the winner positioned to control the conference race and bolster a path to the 12-team College Football Playoff.
- There is fan buzz about a possible Patrick Mahomes cameo referenced in on-air chatter, though any appearance remains unconfirmed.