Where are Gary Danielson, Brad Nessler? Why CBS announcers aren't calling Georgia-Missouri
CBS is getting a tripleheader of college football on Saturday. The day will start with Ohio State vs. Rutgers at noon, followed by Georgia vs. Missouri at 3:30, and ending with Alabama vs. LSU at 7:45.
That's a full slate of some of the top programs in the country, but there's only one A-team at CBS: That of Gary Danielson, Brad Nessler, and Jenny Dell.
While Georgia vs. Missouri is undoubtedly one that would normally attract the top announcing trio, particularly with the season Missouri is having, Danielson, Nessler, and Dell will instead be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the night game between Alabama and LSU.
That means Georgia-Missouri will instead have Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, and Amanda Guerra calling their date in Athens.
It's a bit unorthodox for Danielson and Nessler to not have the 3:30 ET spot for the SEC on CBS, but it isn't the first time they've been off-kilter this year. Alabama vs. Ole Miss earlier in the year was called by Tom McCarthy, Jason McCourty and Ross Tucker while Tiff Blackmon handled sideline duty. That week, Danielson, Nessler, and Dell were in Happy Valley for Penn State vs. Iowa.
MORE: Watch Georgia-Missouri live with Fubo (free trial)
Alabama vs. LSU is a marquee matchup in its own right, of course. The No. 8 Crimson Tide and No. 14 Tigers are playing in a big game for the SEC West, with Alabama sitting at the top at 7-1 (5-0 SEC) and LSU third behind Ole Miss (whom it has lost to) at 6-2 (4-1).
Why aren't Gary Danielson and Brad Nessler calling Georgia vs. Missouri?
The simplest reason is there's only one top broadcasting team at CBS. Georgia vs. Missouri is a significant game for a myriad of reasons, not least of which is the weight this game could hold over the final SEC East standings. But Alabama-LSU also features two marquee brands in the college football scape. Really, the network couldn't go wrong either way so it went primetime.
Who is calling Georgia vs. Missouri?
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 12 Missouri will be called by Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, and Amanda Guerra.
Waltz has a deep background in baseball, but significant college football experience as well. He started calling college games in 1997, and he has been with CBS since 2014.
Aaron Taylor, not to be confused with Aaron Taylor-Johnson of course, played college football at Notre Dame and played in the pros with the then-San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers. Though Taylor usually calls games for CBS Sports Network, he'll be in one of the lead spots Saturday.
Amanda Guerra is a sideline reporter for CBS and is an anchor for various shows within the Paramount family. She is a host on the CBS Sports Network.
When does the 'SEC on CBS' TV deal end?
This is the final year of the SEC's deal with CBS. Starting in 2024, all SEC home games will belong to the ESPN/ABC family of networks, with marquee games on ESPN and ABC and others on the SEC Network.
The Big Ten will take the place of the SEC for CBS, which will begin broadcasting multiple games each week in its 3:30 p.m. slot starting next year.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Gary Danielson, Brad Nessler aren't on Georgia-Missouri for CBS
