Trae Young Returns to Norman: NBA Star Taps Into College Roots as GameDay Guest for High-Stakes Michigan–Oklahoma Showdown

NBA All-Star Trae Young heads back to Norman as guest picker for College GameDay ahead of Oklahoma vs Michigan. Story, schedule, and GameDay details inside.

The Big Preview

This weekend’s College GameDay heads to Norman, Oklahoma, in anticipation of a marquee Week 2 showdown: the Oklahoma Sooners versus the Michigan Wolverines. Adding to the excitement is Trae Young, the NBA All-Star and former OU star, who joins as this week’s celebrity guest picker.

Who’s Running College GameDay This Week?

• Location: South Oval, University of Oklahoma, Norman
• Air Time: 9 a.m.–Noon ET on ESPN, with the “pit” gates opening at 6:30 a.m. ET for fans.
• Studio Cast: Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and more. Lee Corso retired after GameDay’s August opener.

Trae Young’s Homecoming & Legacy

• The four-time NBA All-Star, remembered for leading the Hawks in the past season with historic performances, returns to his alma mater as a prominent guest pick—an emotional full-circle moment. He played at OU during the 2017–18 season before entering the NBA draft.
• Beyond his on-court legacy, Trae also invested off the court: acting as an assistant general manager for OU basketball and donating $1 million to help the program chase a championship.

Game Day Matchup: Oklahoma vs Michigan (Week 2)

• When & Where: Saturday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. CT, broadcast on ABC from Owen Field at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
• Teams: #18 Oklahoma (1–0) hosts #15 Michigan (1–0). It’s only the second regular-season meeting between college football powerhouses.
• Storylines:
  • Oklahoma features transfer QB John Mateer leading an experienced offense and defense.
  • Michigan turns to true freshman Bryce Underwood in a pivotal debut against a hostile environment.
• Broadcast Timing: Michigan’s kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET) — prime time in Norman.

Predictions & Betting Pulse

• Rock M Nation: Analysts largely favor Oklahoma to win and cover at home, thanks to Mateer’s experience and home-field advantage.
• Corn Nation: A mixed take, with some experts leaning Oklahoma and others giving Michigan a small spread cushion.
• Betting Trends: Fanatics Sportsbook launched a special Week 2 promotion — bet $10 to receive $100 in FanCash, with the Oklahoma-game timing aimed at capturing the buzz around the matchup.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

Gameday Buzz & National Spotlight

• Media Fun: RollBamaRoll offers a spirited viewing guide, placing Michigan–Oklahoma at the top of must-watch games for Week 2. Rivalry, QB intrigue, and new coaching pressure add flavor.
• Open Forums: Fan threads across platforms highlight the contrast of underclassmen QB vs transfer QB, and Michigan’s offensive challenges vs Oklahoma’s fresh momentum.

Broader Context — Where GameDay Fits

• Normalization of OU Hosting: Oklahoma’s role in these high-profile college weekends is long established; this marks their 42nd appearance on the Football GameDay stage, with Michigan just one behind at 41 appearances.
• GameDay’s Strategic Site Selection: The Norman trip furthers the pattern of sending GameDay to primetime rivalries — creating national buzz early in the season.

Trae Young’s Current NBA Narrative

• Historic Stats: In the 2024–25 NBA season, Young led the league in assists per game (11.6), recorded multiple 20-point/20-assist games, and even hit a legendary halftime buzzer-beater off a made free throw.
• Franchise Loyalty and Negotiations: The Hawks can lock him into a lucrative four-year extension, but no urgency has been communicated yet. Talks appear calm as both sides weigh long-term direction.
• MLK Day Return: Showing his public voice, Young celebrated Atlanta’s MLK Day game returning home after a year away.

We’ll be back.. 🖤ATL #WeMove pic.twitter.com/9GLCVsjL9u

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 4, 2021

Five Key Facts (with Sources)

1. Trae Young will be the celebrity guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay in Norman for the Michigan–Oklahoma game.
2. College GameDay Week 2 is set for South Oval, University of Oklahoma, airs 9 a.m.–Noon ET.
3. Oklahoma vs Michigan kicks off Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC at Owen Field in Norman.
4. Analysts favor Oklahoma to win and cover; Fanatics launched a FanCash betting promotion tied to the game.
5. Trae Young led the NBA in assists (11.6) in 2024–25 and set franchise assist records for the Hawks.

What to Watch — Week 2 Weekend Highlights

Final Take

Trae Young’s GameDay appearance is both sentimental and strategic — a basketball superstar returning to the gridiron stage he once called home. As he predicts the outcome of the Michigan vs Oklahoma battle, fans across sports will tune in. Between Big Ten vs Big 12 pride, rookie QB pressure, and Gameday’s theatrical anticipation, this Week 2 matchup sets the tone for the college football season’s emotional and competitive stakes.