College GameDay abruptly replaces Johnny Manziel as guest picker as Miami records program first

Johnny Football was a no show.

ESPN’s College GameDay had a busy weekend, airing ahead of Alabama’s victory at Oklahoma on Friday night before pulling double duty Saturday morning in College Station for Texas A&M’s opening-round clash with Miami.

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Two high-profile alumni were originally slated to headline College GameDay as guest pickers this weekend.

Oklahoma icon Brian Bosworth appeared in Norman for Friday night’s broadcast, while Texas A&M Heisman winner Johnny Manziel was expected to fill the role Saturday.

That plan changed, however, as the show abruptly announced that former Aggies basketball standout and two-time NBA champion Alex Caruso would step in and serve as the guest picker instead.

College GameDay has yet to provide an explanation for the last minute switch, nor has the show addressed it on social media.

Manziel has also remained silent on his no-show act.

He posted several Instagram stories Friday night from the Anthony Joshua–Jake Paul boxing match at Miami’s Kaseya Center.

Bleacher Report had additionally promoted Manziel’s expected appearance on its College GameDay pregame stream from Kyle Field, which aired on YouTube at 10 a.m. ET.

Manziel even reshared Bleacher Report’s post to his Instagram stories, but he did not appear on Saturday’s show alongside Mike Golic Jr. and Ray G.

Manziel previously served as guest picker for Texas A&M’s Week 1 matchup against Notre Dame. Caruso, meanwhile, was making his College GameDay guest picker debut.

Aggies fans didn’t get Manziel, nor did they get what they wanted most: a win.

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Miami outslugged Texas A&M 10–3, securing the first College Football Playoff victory in program history for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes survived a defensive slugfest, edging out the Aggies in front of the storied 12th Man in Miami’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

Miami running back Mark Fletcher dominated the second half, rushing for a career-high 172 yards on 17 carries, highlighted by a career-long 56-yard run that set up Malachi Toney’s game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes remaining.

The score came just minutes after the electric freshman had fumbled at midfield, with Fletcher helping to steady the 18-year-old on the sidelines.

Rueben Bain spearheaded Miami’s pass rush, recording a career-high three sacks as part of a seven-sack day against A&M’s Marcel Reed.

The Aggies’ dual-threat quarterback threw for 237 yards and added 57 rushing yards but was picked off twice by freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald.

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The decisive interception came with just 24 seconds remaining, with Texas A&M threatening from Miami’s 4-yard line. Fitzgerald now leads the Hurricanes with six interceptions on the season.

The Hurricanes (11–2) now shift their focus to the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, where they will face reigning national champion Ohio State (12–1) in what promises to be another defensive battle.

Miami’s stout unit excelled against the Aggies (11–2), who began the season with 11 consecutive wins before closing out with two heartbreaking defeats.

For Miami’s Mario Cristobal, he finally got over the hump. For Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, it’s back to the drawing board.

And for Johnny Manziel, someone may want to check in on him.