If you’re a fan of college football, “SEC Nation” was made for you. You’ll be glad to know the show broadcasts on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. The show also airs on streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Fubo TV.
Interested in learning more about the details of the show? We’ve got you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to know about this college football pregame show.
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What Does “SEC Nation” Talk About?
This two-hour pregame show is all about college football. Its celebrity analysts break down the games through live reports and pregame analysis. You also get to learn details about hometown football personalities throughout the season.
The show features the Southeastern Conference (SEC) football program, which includes the following members:
SEC Western Division
- Alabama (Bama Crimson Tide & Auburn Tigers)
- Texas (A&M Aggies)
- Arkansas (Razorbacks)
- Mississippi (Ole Miss Rebels & Miss St Bulldogs)
- Louisiana (LSU Tigers)
SEC Eastern Division
- Georgia (UGA Bulldogs)
- Missouri (Mizzou Tigers)
- South Carolina (USC Gamecocks)
- Tennessee (Vols & Vanderbilt Commodores)
- Florida (UF Gators)
- Kentucky (UK Wildcats)
Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns are earmarked to join the conference in 2025.
This ESPN entertainment show keeps you glued to the screens with several weekly segments, including Paul vs. Y’all, Tebow’s Freak of the Week, Spears’ Tailgate Eats, and Rutledge’s Social Segments.
Where is “SEC Nation” Filmed?
“SEC Nation” broadcasts from different campuses weekly, including Texas A&M University in College Station, Louisiana State University (LSU), Mississippi State, and the University of Arkansas (home of the Arkansas Razorbacks). It hosts Saturday morning tailgate shows to preview important fixtures before kickoff on college gamedays in Knoxville near Ayres Hall, Missouri, and other areas like the SEC championship in Atlanta.
Who are the Hosts of “SEC Nation?”
A wide selection of hosts and analysts bring the weekly football show to the people. Most key personalities involved with “SEC Nation” have a broadcasting or sports background.
The current team of analysts and hosts includes:
- Tim Tebow
- Jordan Rodgers
- Laura Rutledge
- Marty Smith
- Paul Finebaum
- Ryan McGee
- Roman Harper
About Host Laura Rutledge
Laura Rutledge joined SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” as a host in 2017 after working as a reporter between 2014 and 2016. She also hosts ESPN’s “NFL News” and “NFL Live.” Previously, Rutledge contributed to the “Get Up” TV show and anchored “SportsCenter.”
The prominent host has a lot of experience covering live sports and athletics events, including basketball, college football games, gymnastics, and softball. Before joining ESPN, Laura worked for Fox Sports, HLN, and the Cable News Network (CNN) as a sports anchor.
About Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum is a famous radio and television personality who has been part of the “SEC Nation” team between 2014 and 2019. He returned to the show in 2021 to join his longtime compatriots. He’s a fan favorite, thanks to his quick wit and candor.
The sports personality also hosts “The Paul Finebaum Show,” in which he shares opinions about college football. He’s also active on other ESPN shows like “College Football Live,” “SportsCenter,” and “ESPN The Magazine.”
In the past, he has won several awards for his investigative reporting and columnist work. It’s no surprise that Sports Illustrated named Finebaum as one of the 20 Most Powerful People in Sports Media (US). Several other accolades recognized his work in college football.
About Tim Tebow
Tebow became part of “SEC Nation” when the TV show launched in 2014. He first appeared on ESPN’s 2014 BCS national championship telecast. The sports personality has played football as a free agent and professional baseball with the New York Mets.
Before that, he played for three years as a quarterback in the NFL. During this stint, he was part of the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. Tim also played college football in Florida, where he helped his team win the Heisman trophy.
His broadcasting career also involves regular work on several SEC and ESPN network programs, including “SportsCenter.” When he’s not on TV or playing football, Tebow is a philanthropist investing in programs to help kids.
About Jordan Rodgers
Rodgers joined the football pregame show, “SEC Nation,” in July 2020 after coming on board ESPN’s SEC Network in 2016. The former football player and television commentator became part of the “Saturday Night Booth” in 2017.
During his early days, Rodgers played college football as a quarterback at Vanderbilt University between 2010 and 2012 — after spending some time at Butte College. Jordan featured for several teams when he turned professional, including the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
About Roman Harper
Roman Harper is a Super Bowl Champion and an all-SEC performer for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He joined “SEC Nation” as an analyst in 2020. He came on board in the same year as Jordan Rodgers to join Laura Rutledge and Tim Tebow. The sports personality is also active in other SEC Network studio shows, such as “The Paul Finebaum Show” and “SEC Now.”
During his playing days, he spent nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints. His stint with the team earned him a place in the club’s hall of fame.
About Marty Smith
Smith joined “SEC Nation” in 2019 and quickly became a popular reporter at ESPN. His contributions appear on platforms like ESPN.com and “SportsCenter.”
Besides hosting “SEC Nation” and “Marty Smith’s America,” he co-hosts “Marty & McGee” on ESPN Radio and SEC Network. He covers a wide selection of sporting disciplines, including basketball and SEC football. It’s no surprise that Smith has interviewed famous sportspersons like Oklahoma City’s Paul George.
About Ryan McGee
McGee is a prominent sports presenter, writer, and producer. Besides his work as a reporter on “SEC Nation,” he’s also a contributor across various sports shows, including “SportsCenter,” “College Football Live,” and “SEC Now.” In addition, Ryan presents the “Marty & McGee” show with another “SEC Nation” team member, Marty Smith. He’s also the recipient of two Sports Emmys awards.
Former “SEC Nation” Hosts and Analysts
Several notable hosts and television personalities have graced the “SEC Nation” show since its launch. These former hosts and analysts include:
- Joe Tessitore
- Maria Taylor
- Marcus Spears
- Greg McElroy
Here’s a little more detail about the personalities.
- Joe Tessitore: He hosted “SEC Nation” between 2014 and 2015. Over the years, the sports commentator extensively covered college football on ABC and ESPN. Many people praise him for his enthusiasm for football, distinctive voice, and versatility. Tessitore demonstrated his true qualities while presenting ABC regular-season games and “ESPN Saturday Night” primetime.
- Gregory Vincent McElroy: He served as an “SEC Nation” analyst in 2015 before moving to other professional commitments. He’s a former NFL quarterback, having played for the New York Jets. The commentator also played college football in Alabama. He brought a wealth of experience to the show since he boasts an in-depth understanding of the Southeastern Conference traditions, head coach strategies, South Carolina Gamecocks football program, and matchups.
- Maria Taylor: She hosted “SEC Nation” in 2016 as a college football analyst alongside analysts Tim Tebow, Paul Finebaum, and Marcus Spears. Besides her short stint with the pregame show, she has been active on ESPN and SEC networks since 2014. In 2017, Taylor started reporting for “ABC Saturday Night Football” and “College GameDay.”
- Marcus Spears: He served as an analyst on “SEC Nation” between 2014 and 2019 before transferring to the “NFL Live Show.” He also does quite a bit of work for the “Get Up” TV Show, “First Take,” and “SportsCenter.”
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