ESPN’s GameDay Crew, Michael Phelps, Split on Oklahoma State-Arkansas

Vegas may have moved the Oklahoma State-Arkansas line up to 10 points in the Pokes’ favor on Friday, but a late flip made for a 3-3 tie for the ESPN College GameDay crew Saturday morning.

ESPN is in Ann Arbor for the top-10 matchup between Texas and Michigan, but the GameDay crew, along with celebrity guest picker Michael Phelps, who swam at UM, took time to lay out their predictions for another Power Four interconference matchup.

Desmond Howard started things off with No. 0: “I like Ollie Gordon to have a big game. I think Oklahoma State’s going to beat Arkansas.”

Nick Saban concurred. “I like Oklahoma State because of the poise and experience that the team has, but I think Arkansas is going to be one of the most improved teams in the SEC.”

Pat McAfee said that he changed his pick to Arkansas from what he had told the producers. “No, we’re going oppo, buddy,” Phelps said to McAfee. “OK State all day long. All day long.”

Lee Corso picked the Hogs as his Super Dog, and Kirk Herbstreit followed his lead, picking Arkansas to win outright.

Earlier in the show, Herbstreit gave Arkansas a shot after the Hogs went 10-for-10 on touchdown drives despite the opponent.

“That’s good against air,” Herbstreit added.

But Saban explained his confidence in the Pokes.

“I know Sam Pittman wants to have a physical team and I know Bobby Petrino has an ability to make a lot of multiple type formations that are difficult to defend, but Oklahoma State, to me, with Ollie Gordon, the experience they have on the offensive line,” Saban said. “They have more starters back than probably anybody in college football, and they’re older. They’re an older team. So that maturity, I think, is going to be something that’s very beneficial, not only in this game, but for the entire season.”

If you’re reading this, make sure you switch over to ABC because the Pokes and Hogs are kicking off directly following GameDay.