Masters: Jack Nicklaus guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay at Augusta National

Continuing a year filled with firsts, ESPN’s College Gameday blended the worlds of the Masters Tournament and college football Saturday

Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack took the stage on the Par 3 Course under sunny skies at 9 a.m., several times noting the new scenery behind them.

Highly-anticipated guest picker Jack Nicklaus joined the panel remotely at the end and, after picking a few of Saturday’s games, they transitioned to picks to win the golf tournament. Howard went with Justin Thomas and Herbstreit went with Jon Rahm. Nicklaus paused before saying Thomas was a good pick.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban’s Augusta National moments include the round that got away

“It’s too early to call. The mail-in scores aren’t in yet,” said the six-time Masters champ. “There’s a lot of golf left.”

Lee Corso, who also joined the team remotely, sat at a desk with giant heads depicting Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods, before pointing to them both and using his famous tagline, “Not so fast, my friends.” He then donned a Florida State football helmet and picked Brooks Koepka to win his fifth major.

Earlier, veteran broadcaster Verne Lundquist joined the show to relive some of his finest moments at Augusta and calling college football games. He added his favorite college football call of all time was the 2013 Iron Bowl. Auburn defeated Alabama 34-28 on the now famous “Kick Six” play, in which Auburn returned a failed field goal by Alabama for a touchdown on the final play of the game.

Former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer's trips to Augusta National have been emotional

Other stories included the relationship between Justin Thomas and Nick Saban, and a heartfelt look by Gene Wojciechowski at how Marshall University is remembering the members of the 1970 football team that died in a plane crash 50 years ago.

The show also took a moment to honor Augusta-area native and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Guy, even showing off the Augusta Sports Council’s Ray Guy Award on set.

ESPN’s College GameDay set overlooking Ike’s Pond with the 9th green on the Par 3 course in the background. Photo by ESPN