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Utah AD Mark Harlan on ‘College GameDay,’ late kickoffs and more

The University of Utah football program is set to host ESPN’s *College GameDay* for the seventh time in its history, marking the third appearance in the last four seasons—a rarity even among powerhouse conferences. The show will air live from Salt Lake City ahead of the Utes’ high-stakes Week 8 clash against Houston, one of just two ranked-vs-ranked matchups on the national schedule.

Utah, currently ranked No. 10 and undefeated, is leveraging the exposure to showcase its campus and student energy, though athletic director Mark Harlan emphasized that the real draw remains on-field success.

Head coach Morgan Scalley, who played for Utah in 2004 when the program last hosted *GameDay*, highlighted winning as the ultimate recruiting tool, noting that the 2025 edition follows a season where the Utes are already making a statement with their play. The production crew will set up near Rice-Eccles Stadium, having previously filmed from nearby BYU just days earlier, underscoring the region’s growing prominence in college football’s national spotlight.

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