Pat McAfee has stated he will not return to the University of Utah following a recent "College GameDay" appearance, citing a feeling of being "very, very uncomfortable" during the broadcast in Salt Lake City. McAfee detailed his discomfort on his show Monday, referencing a social media campaign by the university and its student accounts encouraging students to impersonate him.

"The university puts that out," McAfee said. "Like, as I’m about to go out and do an infomercial for the place, and then I’m walking in front of thousands of these people. This is how the university feels about it. It’s an uncomfortable feeling. I’m like, I’m getting a lot of shrapnel from a lot of places. The university is putting this out? That’s something I just had never experienced really in my entire life."

McAfee also recounted negative comments from students during the show's kicking contest, with one describing him as "corny" and another as "creepy." He contrasted this with how he would react if similar criticisms were made on personal blogs.

During the broadcast on Saturday, McAfee appeared reserved and made a pointed remark while picking the Utah-Houston game. "It’s hard to pick against this mighty Utah student section, but I’m gonna do it 10 times out of 10," he said, met with boos. "Give me Houston coming out of here with a big-time ‘dub’ and proving that Utah hasn’t had to play anybody yet."

He further expressed his dissatisfaction during a segment where a student was to attempt a field goal for $1 million, noting the disparity with a $3 million prize offered to a BYU student the previous week. "Alright, I hate this place. I hate this place," McAfee stated.

McAfee also alluded to a past incident, the "Charlie Kirk assassination," while discussing his feelings about the University of Utah, questioning the amplification of reasons for animosity towards him.

He concluded by saying, "I think I have Covid or something whenever ‘GameDay’ goes back, if I’m still a part of ‘GameDay.’ But I did not enjoy the morning there. They do have an incredible student section, from my understanding, and they have a good football team, so I’m pretty impressed. Just didn’t like the university taking a shot at me."

The "College GameDay" broadcast marked the University of Utah's seventh time hosting the show and its third in the last four seasons.