Sooner State Superstar Shakes Up College Football Landscape

In a surprising twist, country music sensation and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton has been announced as the celebrity guest picker for the highly anticipated Tennessee-Oklahoma matchup on ESPN's "College GameDay." This move marks a departure from the show's usual routine, as legendary analyst Lee Corso will have to go up against one of his own for the first time. The addition of Shelton, a nine-time Grammy winner and co-star of NBC's "The Voice," is sure to bring a unique and engaging dynamic to the pregame festivities, captivating fans nationwide.

A Hometown Hero Shakes Up the Gridiron

Shelton's Homecoming Homerun

Blake Shelton, a native of Ada, Oklahoma, has been tapped to join the "College GameDay" crew this Saturday, making his picks against the likes of Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and host Rece Davis. This homecoming for the country music superstar is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings, as he returns to his roots to lend his expertise and enthusiasm to the beloved college football tradition.Shelton's connection to the Sooner State runs deep, as he graduated from Ada High School in 1994, during a remarkable run of four consecutive state championships for the Cougars. This success was fueled by the legendary quarterback Brandon Daniels, who went on to play for Bob Stoops at the University of Oklahoma from 1996 to 1999. Ada's impressive tally of 19 state championships remains an Oklahoma record, a testament to the town's rich football heritage.

A Multifaceted Superstar

Beyond his impressive musical accomplishments, which include selling over 10 million records and amassing nearly 2 billion downloads and streams, Shelton has also made a name for himself on the small screen. With 19 million followers on Twitter/X, the country music star has become a household name, thanks in part to his role as a co-star on NBC's hit show "The Voice."Shelton's personal life has also garnered significant attention, as he was once married to fellow country music sensation Miranda Lambert. In 2015, he began dating his "The Voice" co-star Gwen Stefani, and the two eventually tied the knot in July 2021. Shelton's recognition as "People" magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2017 further cemented his status as a cultural icon.

A Homecoming Celebration

The upcoming "College GameDay" broadcast from Norman, Oklahoma, marks the first time the show has originated from the Sooner State since 2020. This will also be the first time fans have been able to attend the event since 2012, adding to the electric atmosphere that is sure to surround the proceedings.Oklahoma's rich history with "College GameDay" is undeniable, as the program has made 40 appearances at Sooner games, tying them with Michigan for the fourth-most in the country. The Sooners have an impressive 27-13 record in games where "College GameDay" has been present, ranking third all-time behind Ohio State (40-19) and Alabama (37-21).This weekend's matchup against Tennessee will be the ninth time "College GameDay" has set up shop at an OU home contest, with the Sooners boasting a 6-2 record in those games. Their most recent victory came in 2020, when they defeated Oklahoma State 41-13 in a game that was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other notable "College GameDay" wins for the Sooners include victories over Nebraska (31-14 in 2000), Kansas State (38-37 in 2001), Oklahoma State (52-9 in 2003), Missouri (41-31 in 2007), and Texas Tech (65-21 in 2008).

A Star-Studded Lineup

The "College GameDay" cast for this weekend's showdown will feature a familiar lineup of college football experts, including insider Pete Thamel, betting analyst "Stanford Steve" Coughlin, and reporters Jen Lada and Jess Sims. This season has already seen a diverse array of celebrity guest pickers, including WWE wrestler Sheamus, Texas A&M Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, 23-time gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, and women's basketball legend Dawn Staley.The addition of Blake Shelton to this esteemed group is sure to add a unique and captivating element to the proceedings, as the country music superstar brings his own brand of enthusiasm and expertise to the table. Fans across the nation will be tuning in to see how Shelton's picks stack up against the seasoned analysts, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already highly anticipated matchup between the Sooners and Volunteers.