Snow threatens College Football Playoff as 'Mother Nature will be star of show' on Saturday

The College Football Playoff has a reputation for producing some of the most iconic matchups, underdog stories, and gridiron acclaim - but this year, "Mother Nature" might just be the breakout star.

ESPN's Pete Thamel had College GameDay fans in stitches with his comedic weather report , turning what could have been a dry segment into one of the highlights of the show.

Bundled up like he was preparing for an Igloo expedition, Thamel rocked a formal winter coat, gloves, scarf, and hat, complete with a long pointer and a headset microphone.

With an LCD screen as his canvas, he delivered the forecast with humor, sarcasm, and theatrics that had his castmates at the desk rolling, including Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee .

"Three sources deep in the grotto told me there was a call from Touchdown Jesus to Mother Nature for today," said Thamel as he pointed to South Bend on the map.

"He said, cancel a white Christmas.

We need a white playoff game." Steve Sarkisian has strong view as Diego Pavia ruling risks changing college football forever Quinn Ewers facing transfer reality as draft problem could force Arch Manning decision Thamels meteorological breakdown began in freezing South Bend, where he reported two inches of snow had fallen overnight.

"You can see the snowy tree behind Kirks head there," he said, forcing laughter from Herbstreit that he couldn't contain.

Notre Dame is expected to face Indiana in temperatures around 20 degrees.

From there, Thamel moved to State College, Pennsylvania, where No.

6 Penn State is set to host No.

11 SMU at Beaver Stadium.

He warned Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings, "Pack your leggings," as he described the flurries still falling and AccuWeather's forecast.

The trusted weather company reports a high of 21 degrees, a low of 14, 23 mph wind gusts, and a wind chill that makes it feel like seven degrees.

The laughs continued as Thamel turned to Columbus, Ohio, where he commented on the wet conditions for the matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee .

He revealed that the Volunteers are bracing for their coldest kickoff in half a century and joked: "Some poor Tennessee intern looked all that up this week." Thamel completely dismissed the weather in Austin for Texas vs.

Clemson , where it's expected to be a sunny 63 degrees on game day.

He smiled sarcastically and said: "We dont care about them.

Its going to be like polo shirt weather.

Thats no fun." As he wrapped up, Thamel took a jab at himself, referencing a fishing trip with Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard earlier in the season.

"Everybody remembers Coach Saban , very critical of my casting when we came back," he said.

"So Im going to challenge Riley Leonard [again.] Were going ice fishing.

If Notre Dame makes the College Football Final, no criticism of the cast.

You just drop it right in the hole." The segment ended with the GameDay cast applauding Thamel for his performance.

Nick Saban and Pat McAfee led the banter, declaring Thamel their most improved player among analysts, while Herbstreit could barely keep a straight face.

Friday, No.

10 Indiana at No.

7 Notre Dame, 8 p.m.

ET [ABC/ESPN] Saturday, No.

11 SMU at No.

6 Penn State, noon [TNT/MAX] Saturday, No.

12 Clemson at No.

5 Texas, 4 p.m.

[TNT/MAX] Saturday, No.

9 Tennessee at No.

8 Ohio State, 8 p.m.

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