Nate Bargatze will serve as celebrity guest picker for ESPN’s “College GameDay” ahead of Saturday’s huge SEC showdown between Alabama and LSU in Tuscaloosa.

And as his star continues to rise in the mainstream conversation, the popular standup comedian continues to draw flummoxed reactions from fans not yet familiar with his work.

So if you want to know more about Bargatze, read below.

Who is Nate Bargatze?

Bargatze is one of the most popular standup comedians in the world right now. He’s also a clean comic, meaning his jokes and routines do not feature any profanity, making him extra appealing to comedy fans of all ages. You can see his specials on Amazon Prime and Netflix. He’s currently on tour of North America.

Is he an Alabama or LSU fan?

No. The Tennessee native is actually a Vanderbilt fan. He said in the announcement of his upcoming appearance, “I get to go represent Vanderbilt. Anchor down, baby.”

Have I seen him before?

He’s appeared on “Conan,” “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon,” but you’ve likely seen his standup work on Comedy Central or specials on various streaming services and social platforms. Bargatze also recently hosted “Saturday Night Live” during the show’s 49th season.

Where can I see his comedy?

You can find him everywhere online including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. You can stream his most recent special “Nate Bargatze: Hello World” on Amazon’s Prime Video. You can stream two specials on Netflix, “The Tennessee Kid” and “The Greatest Average American.” He also appears in the Netflix standup comedy series “The Standups.”

How can I see his comedy live?

Bargatze is currently on “The Be Funny Tour,” which will hit Southern states like Georgia and Tennessee in November and December. He’ll even make a stop at Legacy Arena in Birmingham on May 11, 2024. Learn more on the tour page of his official website.

Does he have any Alabama connections?

Yes. Bargatze’s wife Laura is from Huntsville. The two married in 2006 and have one daughter. According to People, the two began dating while both working at an Applebee’s in Tennessee.

Why does ESPN invite non-Alabama fans as celebrity picker?

Good question. Short answer: We don’t know. It’s a sports entertainment show, so they obviously want to book someone they think will make the segment the best it can be for the fans in attendance and watching at home. While they typically invite guest pickers with some connection to one of the teams playing in the game they preview, they will often branch out and have on a celebrity of any sort. And yes, it’s happened in Tuscaloosa before, including Eric Church, Marcus Latrell, Rick Ross and Verne Lundquist. This marks the show’s second visit to Tuscaloosa in 2023, with Joe Namath serving as the picker ahead of Alabama-Texas in September.

Which celebrity Alabama fan could ESPN book in the future?

We’re a little surprised they didn’t go for CNN anchor and Prattville native Kaitlan Collins, who recently discussed her Bama fandom and announced she would attend the LSU game on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” But the Tide have a lot of fans in Hollywood and beyond including Hannah Brown, Courteney Cox, Melissa Joan Hart, Jason Isbell, Condoleezza Rice, Channing Tatum and others. Another solid bet: Current and former NFL players who played college ball in Tuscaloosa.

MORE: Alabama and Auburn’s celebrity football fans: The biggest stars who root for the Tide or Tigers