ESPN's 'College Gameday' rolls into Times Square

TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) -- For the first time in the 30 year history of the show, ESPN's "College Gameday" will broadcast live from New York City.

Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and company will be on set in Times Square at the corner of 44th and Broadway, just outside of the "Good Morning America" studios.

No they aren't there to cover the Columbia/Georgetown game taking place some 10 miles away.

Instead, they have to come to the Big Apple to celebrate college football in the nation's largest television market.

As Howard correctly points out, Manhattan is littered with "college" bars, local establishments which host "watch parties" for college alumni associations.

So whether you're rooting for South Carolina or Southern Cal, you can find an area bar that is filled with alumni from your respective school.

In fact, the "College Gameday" broadcast will feature live shots from bars featuring alumni of Florida State, Michigan and West Virginia.

And when you throw in the thousands of people in Times Square who will surround the set in typical "College Gameday" fashion, this show shouldn't miss a beat.

"College Gameday" was created back in 1987 and was primarily filmed in a studio until it started shooting on location on college campuses in 1993.

It has become a staple of college football Saturday's, expanding to a length of 3 hours (9 a.m.-Noon).

While this episode may not have the traditional feel of being on a campus, Times Square promises to deliver in different ways and, most importantly, get you ready for another exciting Saturday of college football.