ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew officially welcomed the 2023 college football season with a Week 0 broadcast on Saturday morning. While the show will begin its on-site broadcasts next week, the popular pre-game show was in the studio this weekend.

Included in Saturday’s show were a number of preview picks for the season ahead with the crew tackling the Pac-12 race. Despite back-to-back league titles for Utah, Desmond Howard is going with a team to upset that run in 2023.

“I’m going with the Washington Huskies,” said Howard. “Michael Penix Jr., a hell of a QB. I mean they’re loaded at the QB position as a conference, but I think he might be one of the best QBs in the country.”

Pat McAfee went with Kyle Whittingham’s crew to pull off the 3-peat in the Pac-12, noting Utah’s defensive style to disrupt the talented offenses in the conference.

“Give me Utah against a very talented offensive conference because of how good their defense is, and I love the way they play football,” McAfee explained.

When it came to Kirk Herbstreit, he said he also likes Utah but noted that Cam Rising is a big question mark for the program.

“I have Utah as well. The big question with Utah is Cam Rising,” said Herbstreit. “Remember in the Rose Bowl against Penn State, injures the knee, had surgery, working his way back. We don’t think he’ll have a chance to play Week 1 against Florida; how soon can you have him back? He is the heart and soul of the Utah football team coming back this year.”

“You guys know USC is not in the Big Ten this year, right,” questioned Rece Davis to a chorus of laughter from the crew. With returning Heisman winner Caleb Williams, it is a bit surprising none of the crew went with Lincoln Riley’s program.

Here is the segment from College GameDay with the Pac-12 discussion beginning around the 9:40 mark: