ESPN’s College GameDay is returning to the Plains for the third time in the last four seasons.

The network’s flagship pregame show will broadcast live from Neville Arena next Saturday ahead of the highly anticipated rivalry showdown between Auburn and Alabama. The Tigers and Tide will square off at 1 p.m. at Neville Arena, with the game airing on ESPN.

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“It’ll be a big game – that’s probably gonna get some national television attention,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said Thursday. “So, we’ll see what happens on that date. But that’ll be exciting for Auburn in our community.”

Auburn joins Duke as the only program to host College GameDay in each of the last three seasons the show has aired — 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2022-23. The show did not air during the 2020-21 season due to the pandemic. Auburn is 2-0 in games when ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasts from the Tigers’ homecourt. The show was previously on the Plains for Auburn’s win against then-No. 13 Kentucky on Feb. 1, 2020, and then again last season for then-No. 1 Auburn’s victory against Texas A&M on Feb. 12, 2022.

The show’s visit to the Plains for the rivalry game will place Auburn in a tie for ninth all-time among schools to host College GameDay for basketball. Auburn will join UConn, Arizona, Memphis, Notre Dame and Baylor on that list.

The one-hour pregame show is hosted by Rece Davis and features analysts Jay Bilas, LaPhonso Ellis and Seth Greenberg. The show will air from 10-11 a.m. from Neville Arena, where gates will open at 9 a.m. A game ticket is required to enter the arena for College GameDay.

Auburn is currently ranked 25th in the AP poll, while Alabama is ranked fourth. The Tigers have won two straight against the Tide, and the teams have split their last six meeting overall since Nate Oats took over in Tuscaloosa.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.