For the first time in 25 years on the road, ESPN College GameDay will not broadcast from the site of a college football game.
The network's flagship pregram show is headed to New York City in Week 4, which will be the 81st different location since 1993, the first year GameDay began traveling.
"New York City is a melting pot of college football fans and the heartbeat of America,” said ESPN vice president of production Lee Fitting in a release. “Thousands of alumni gather in the city each fall Saturday to root on their school and we are bringing College GameDay to New York for them!"
MORE: 1 Huge Reason Jeff Brohm (Probably) Won't Leave Purdue
While Fitting is correct, it doesn't seem right to broadcast the college-driven show nowhere near a college football game. Here are seven locations ESPN should've picked instead of New York City, listed in no particular order.
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Florida at Kentucky
Florida is coming off their Hail Mary win and Kentucky is 3-0 for the first time since 2010 after a road victory over South Carolina in Week 3.
The Wildcats haven't hosted GameDay since 2007 — when they lost to the Gators in a 45-37 thriller.
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TCU at Oklahoma State
ESPN appears to be holding out for Oklahoma's visit to Oklahoma State on Nov. 4 for the 112th Bedlam meeting. While that's fair and they despise making two trips to one city, there's no harm in going to Stillwater for two big-time matchups this season.
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Washington at Colorado
College GameDay made three trips to Boulder between 1995-96. They've made none since, and the Buffs have given them no reason to — until now. Washington made two appearance last year (one road, one home) and could host later this season.
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USC at Cal
After passing on Texas vs. USC last week, ESPN could feature the Trojans in Week 4 when they visit upstart Cal, who has flown out to a 3-0 start under first-year coach Justin Wilcox.
Berkeley has never hosted GameDay.
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Michigan at Purdue
Purdue isn't exactly sniffing playoff contention after wins over Ohio and Missouri, but first-year coach Jeff Brohm has the Boilermakers winning games again. And they have a chance to make a resounding statement this weekend at home vs. Michigan.
Purdue has hosted the show once: They lost to Wisconsin in 2004.
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Mississippi State at Georgia
Mississippi State thumped LSU last weekend, and while it remains to be seen if the Tigers are any good, it was an impressive victory for a team that expects to make noise in the SEC West.
In the East, Georgia is the favorite and they haven't hosted GameDay since 2013.
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Penn State at Iowa
You can bet the farm that Penn State will host GameDay on Oct. 21 when Michigan visits State College and/or when they visit Ohio State on Oct. 28.
Like Oklahoma State, ESPN is likely waiting for a bigger game for the Nittany Lions, though their trip to Iowa City this weekend would've been fun.
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NEXT: ESPN College GameDay: Week 4 Location, Guest Picker Prediction and More
