Sabrina Ionescu Joins College GameDay Crew to Pick Winners for Week 7 SEC Showdowns

Sabrina Ionescu, one of the WNBA’s brightest stars and a former Oregon basketball legend, returned to familiar territory on Saturday, October 11, 2025, as a special guest on ESPN’s College GameDay in Eugene. The New York Liberty guard joined the show’s veteran crew to make predictions for several marquee SEC matchups in Week 7 of the college football season.

The show aired live from Autzen Stadium ahead of a top-10 Big Ten clash between the No. 3 Oregon Ducks and the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers. It was a homecoming of sorts for Ionescu, who led Oregon to the Final Four in 2019 and is still one of the most celebrated athletes in the program’s history.

Sabrina Ionescu’s Picks and Predictions for SEC Week 7

Ionescu, who has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball, brought her competitive insight to the GameDay panel. Alongside Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit, and Stanford Steve, she offered her takes on several high-stakes SEC games scheduled for Saturday.

For the marquee showdown between No. 8 Alabama and No. 14 Missouri, Ionescu sided with the Crimson Tide, joining Howard, Saban, and McAfee in predicting a victory for Nick Saban’s powerhouse program. Herbstreit was the lone analyst to pick Missouri in an upset bid at home.

In another pivotal conference battle, Florida travels to face No. 5 Texas A&M. Here, Ionescu aligned with Saban, McAfee, and Herbstreit in backing the Aggies, while Howard predicted an upset win for the Gators.

All eyes are also on the Red River Rivalry, where No. 6 Oklahoma meets Texas in Dallas. Ionescu picked Texas to win one of the season’s most anticipated matchups, agreeing with Howard. Saban and McAfee backed Oklahoma, while Herbstreit refrained from making a pick as he is calling the game live.

The GameDay panel also weighed in on other SEC storylines, including Georgia’s road test at Auburn and South Carolina’s underdog hopes at LSU, with Stanford Steve naming the Gamecocks (+9.5) as his “Super Dog” of the week.

Ionescu’s Growing Influence Beyond Basketball

Ionescu’s appearance on College GameDay highlights her expanding role as a cultural figure beyond the WNBA. Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the New York Liberty in 2020, she has become one of the league’s top stars, known for her all-around playmaking and leadership. She has also embraced media opportunities and crossover appearances, connecting with broader sports audiences.

Her presence on the GameDay set added a fresh perspective, bridging the gap between professional basketball and college football fans. It also underscored ESPN’s ongoing effort to feature more active athletes across its flagship programs, giving viewers unique insight from current stars.

Ionescu’s continued engagement with Oregon athletics and appearances on national platforms reflect her influence as both a player and a public figure. Whether analyzing SEC football or leading the Liberty’s playoff charge, her voice carries significant weight across the sports landscape.

Sabrina Ionescu’s return to Eugene and her College GameDay debut mark another milestone in her evolving career. As fans await the outcomes of Saturday’s SEC matchups, her predictions — like her game — will be closely watched.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Sabrina Ionescu?

Sabrina Ionescu is a WNBA star for the New York Liberty and a former Oregon Ducks basketball standout. She is one of the most accomplished players in college basketball history.

Q2: What did Sabrina Ionescu do on College GameDay?

She appeared as a guest analyst in Eugene, Oregon, and made predictions for key SEC football matchups during Week 7 of the 2025 season.

Q3: Which teams did Sabrina Ionescu pick to win?

She picked Alabama to beat Missouri, Texas A&M to defeat Florida, and Texas to win the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma.

Q4: Why was College GameDay in Eugene this week?

The show was live from Autzen Stadium ahead of the top-10 Big Ten matchup between the No. 3 Oregon Ducks and the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers.

Q5: What is Sabrina Ionescu known for in basketball?

She is known for her record-setting college career, triple-doubles, and leadership. She was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft.