Timothée Chalamet Astonishes ESPN Announcers with His Pro-Level College Football Knowledge
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Timothée Chalamet isn’t just an expert at acting.
The Dune star, 28, surprised several sports commentators on ESPN’s College GameDay — and fans — after he showed off his impressive knowledge of college football on the show’s latest broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 7.
While appearing on the broadcast as a guest picker, the star made his first pick, choosing the Jackson State Tigers over the Southern Jaguars in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
“I’m going Jackson State, eight wins in a row, 11 all-conference players. It should be a comfortable, easy win for them,” Chalamet said.
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The Wonka actor then went on to predict an Ohio Bobcats win over the Miami RedHawks, sharing his reasons why he believed that the Mid-American Conference (MAC) upset could happen.
“Listen, these teams are two and two at the last four matchups,” Chalamet said. “The RedHawks’ defense looks good, but I’m looking at fourth-year Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro.”
“65% completion rate. If he can get going, he’ll tilt this in favor of the Bobcats,” he added. “I’m going underdog Bobcats here.”
The daring choice prompted broadcaster Pat McAfee to give the actor a shoulder pat and even a handshake. “Yes. I love that,” McAfee responded.
Several other people online praised Chalamet for his analysis, including podcaster Ross Bolen, who wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “You are all fools for doubting Timothée Chalamet’s knowledge of ball. He drank the Water of Life.”
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Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager also shared on X: “Timothée Chalamet came prepared, researched and referenced the Pony Express. Maybe the best College Gameday guest picker yet. NYC guy. Respect.”
Chalamet’s MAC prediction ended up being spot-on, as the Bobcats won in a landslide over the RedHawks with a final score of 38-3, bringing their season record to 10-3, according to Sports Illustrated. The actor was correct in that Bobcats quarterback Navarro tilted the scales by scoring four touchdowns during the game.
Chalamet is next set to star in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, which chronicles the singer-songwriter’s early life and career as he rose to prominence in the 1960s. The movie hits theaters on Dec. 25.
