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**Knoxville Rocks (and Rolls Eyes) as College GameDay Features Russell Dickerson**

**KNOXVILLE, TN – September 14, 2025** – ESPN’s College GameDay rolled into Knoxville this Saturday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated SEC showdown between No. 6 Georgia and No. 15 Tennessee. While the air crackled with football fever, a performance by country artist Russell Dickerson sparked a debate that raged far beyond the Ayres Hall Lawn.

Dickerson, a Tennessee native known for hits like “Blue Tacoma” and “Every Little Thing,” took to the stage during the second hour of the show to perform his single “Happen to Me.” While the Knoxville crowd appeared to enjoy the performance, a wave of criticism washed over social media from viewers at home.

Online, many viewers expressed strong disapproval of the segment. “That Russell Dickerson segment was so uncomfortable,” one fan posted. Others were more direct, with one user commenting, “Russell Dickerson on Gameday proving how bad country music truly is. My god that was awful.”

Despite the mixed reception for Dickerson’s musical interlude, anticipation remains high for the main event: College GameDay’s Week 3 picks. Tennessee basketball legend and Volunteers alum Candace Parker will join the crew as the celebrity guest picker.

“If you cut me, I bleed orange,” Parker declared in a promotional video. “I’m so excited that College GameDay is coming to Knoxville… You’re looking at your College GameDay celebrity guest picker. I’m so excited to let the world in on a little secret… that the Tennessee Volunteers are going to stop the 10-year drought [against Georgia].”

Parker is widely expected to pick her alma mater to upset the Bulldogs in what promises to be a thrilling SEC clash. Whether her prediction comes true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Knoxville is ready for some football.

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