ESPN names College GameDay guest picker for Utah Football game
Oct 22, 2026, 10:32 AM | Updated: 10:43 am
SALT LAKE CITY UT- OCTOBER 15: Jaren Kump #68, Devaughn Vele #17 and Taniela Pututau #84 of the Utah Utes congratulate Dalton Kincaid #86 after he scored a touchdown against the USC Trojans during the second half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Dalton Kincaid helped deliver one of the greatest Dark Mode performances in Utah history. Now, he’s returning to help set the stage for another.
The former Utah standout and Buffalo Bills tight end will serve as ESPN College GameDay’s celebrity guest picker Saturday before the Utes host Houston. The announcement came Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show.
With Utah bringing back its black uniforms, the choice carries a fitting connection to Kincaid’s unforgettable performance against USC in 2022.
Former Utah Utes standout and Bills TE Dalton Kincaid will be our guest picker Saturday in Salt Lake City, as announced on the @PatMcAfeeShow 👏 https://t.co/xVp0wazrah
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 22, 2026
Guest picker, Dalton Kincaid’s Dark Mode masterpiece
On Oct. 15, 2022, Kincaid caught all 16 passes thrown his way for 234 yards and a touchdown in Utah’s 43-42 victory over the seventh-ranked Trojans. His reception total tied for second in school history, while his receiving yardage also ranked second.
USC knew where the ball was going. Knowing did remarkably little to help.
Kincaid accounted for 10 of Utah’s 31 first downs, with eight catches gaining at least 15 yards. He gave Cam Rising both a dependable target and an explosive threat as Utah twice recovered from 14-point deficits.
The setting added to the significance. Utah wore black uniforms with hand-painted helmets honoring Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe. The tribute, the opponent and the finish combined to make it an all-time Dark Mode game.
Kincaid was central to the comeback. He caught three consecutive passes for 54 yards to help set up a touchdown just before halftime, then scored the tying touchdown early in the third quarter.
On Utah’s final possession, Rising found him for 11 yards on third-and-five to reach the USC eight-yard line. Rising finished the drive with a rushing touchdown and the winning two-point conversion, completing one of Rice-Eccles Stadium’s most memorable nights.
From Utah standout to NFL first-round pick
The USC performance highlighted a Utah career that included consecutive Pac-12 championships and 107 receptions for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns.
After transferring from San Diego, Kincaid developed into one of the nation’s top receiving tight ends. He led Utah with 70 catches, 890 receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions in 2022, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and All-America recognition.
Buffalo traded up to select him 25th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the first tight end selected that year and the highest-drafted tight end in Utah history.
Kincaid quickly established himself as an option for Josh Allen, catching 73 passes for 673 yards and two touchdowns in his first season. His reception total set Buffalo’s rookie record.
Building his career in Buffalo
After finishing with 44 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, Kincaid delivered more production downfield and in the end zone in 2025.
He caught 39 passes for 571 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards per reception. He added two postseason touchdown catches and earned his first Pro Bowl selection as a replacement for Travis Kelce.
Through six games this season, Kincaid has 23 receptions for 315 yards and a touchdown, bringing his regular-season career totals to 179 catches, 2,007 yards and 10 touchdowns in 47 games.
College GameDay returns to Utah
Kincaid returns Saturday for a College GameDay broadcast from President’s Circle, airing from 7–10 a.m. Mountain. No. 10 Utah and No. 14 Houston kick off at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
His assignment this time is to pick winners. He already helped give Utah a Dark Mode standard worth chasing.
