The College GameDay Show will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend to cover the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Vanderbilt Commodores. On Thursday, ESPN named comedian and podcaster Theo Von the guest picker for this week’s broadcast.
This will be Von’s second appearance on the show as a guest picker. He also made an appearance in the 2023 SEC Championship game between Alabama and Georgia. While the show generally invites guest pickers with some connection to the home state program, in this case, it’s the opposite. Von lives in Vanderbilt and has more affinity towards the Commodores.
Theo Von will be this week's guest picker at Alabama! pic.twitter.com/bsAay08HxW
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 2, 2025
Several fans had hilarious responses to the news, especially referencing the deal between Von and Diego Pavia’s mother, Antoinette Padilla. One fan referenced Vanderbilt quarterback’s mother, saying:
“He better show up on set with Diego Pavia’s mom.”
He better show up on set with Diego Pavia's mom.
— Mike Marteny (@MikeMarteny) October 2, 2025
“He needs to bring out Pavia’s mom for their ‘date,'” one fan noted.
Some fans expressed surprise as to why College GameDay invited him since he doesn’t support Alabama, which is the host of the program.
“A Vanderbilt fan for Alabama’s College Gameday…was Roll Tide Willie not available?” another fan commented.
“But why? What does he have to do with Alabama or even Vandy? Nothing against Theo. But shouldn’t the guest picker me more than just a famous dude?” one fan noted.
“He’s a bama fan” one fan wrote.
“I love it though, college football’s the only place where you can watch two schools beat the hell outta each other and then go eat chili out of a bread bowl at 9 a.m. That’s America, dude,” one fan said.
Vanderbilt Supporter Theon Von Was Promised a Date With Diego Pavia’s Mother
Theo Von is from Madeville, Louisiana. He attended LSU but received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans in urban planning. He lives in Nashville and owns former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason’s home.
Von was seen on the sidelines during Vanderbilt’s game at South Carolina. Vanderbilt’s head coach, Clark Lea, expressed appreciation for Von’s affinity for the program. He called him “a great friend.”
Theo Von was promised a date with Diego Pavia’s mother, Antoinette Padilla, if Vanderbilt won against South Carolina.
“I don’t even know if I’d do it. I like being (Pavia’s) friend,” Von said. “I don’t want to end up being like his stepdad or something.”
It remains to be seen if both Pavia’s mom and Von will be together to attend the game.
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