Timothée Chalamet surprises fans with college football knowledge after criticism of ESPN pick
When actor Timothée Chalamet was chosen by ESPN to be a special pick for “College GameDay” on Saturday, fans were surprised as the “Dune” star has no clear connection to college football.
However, the Hollywood A-list actor impressed the panel and, more importantly, the fans with his seemingly expert analysis.
“I’m going to Jackson State, eight games in a row, 11 all-conference players, this should be a comfortable, easy win for them,” Chalamet said of his first pick.
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Timothée Chalamet attends the premiere of “Dune: Part Two” at Lincoln Center on February 25, 2024, in New York City. (Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)
Chalamet impressed the show’s management with his research.
“He said I only got six games, I brought heat in all six,” said Kirk Herbstreit.
When picking the Clemson-SMU ACC Championship game, the “Wonka” star talked about SMU’s Pony Express, one of the greatest attacks in college football history with Eric Dickerson and Craig James.
“Kevin Jennings is a legitimate contender for the Heisman next year, in my humble opinion. I’m pulling for SMU, it smells like the 1980s people,” Chalamet said.
When it came to picking the SEC Championship game between Texas and Georgia, Chalamet made his selection with a friend in mind.
“You know it’s hard to beat the same team twice. Adjustments are made, it’s like a chess game. Coach Saban knows this better than anyone on this stage. Listen, I’m going with my movie dad (Matthew) McConaughey here. . I’m sorry to everyone here, win of the Longhorn, hook’em the horns,” Chalamet said.
Chalamet played McConaughey’s son in “Interstellar,” and McConaughey is known as a big Texas fan.
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Actor Matthew McConaughey celebrates the Texas Longhorns’ 17-7 win over Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (MAGN)
Here are all of Chalamet’s picks:
Fans were impressed by Chalamet’s knowledge and research, and took to social media to praise him.
“I’ve never been more wrong about anything in my life than I was about Timothée Chalamet’s college football knowledge. I can’t speak. This guy knows football,” one user wrote on X.
“Timothée Chalamet being a real college football fan, being an SMU fan, and knowing about all these teams was so crazy to me. I thought (he) just got invited (he’s) famous, but he was an official guest. picker on College Gameday,” one user on College Gameday -X sent.
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Timothée Chalamet attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 7, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Peter Schrager of FOX Sports made sure to acknowledge Chalamet’s reference to Pony Express.
“Timothee Chalamet came prepared, researched, and referenced Pony Express. Probably the best College Gameday guest pick yet. NYC guy. Respect,” Schrager wrote on X.
“College GameDay” was in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring the SEC Championship game between Texas and Georgia starting at 4 pm ET on Saturday.
Chalamet is starring in the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” out Dec. 25. Dylan himself endorsed the film, and Chalamet sings some of Dylan’s classic songs in the movie.
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