Before becoming a dynamic duo in Major League Baseball, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and national champion gymnast Livvy Dunne captured hearts as LSU’s beloved couple. Recently, the pair returned to Baton Rouge for a special appearance as celebrity guest pickers on ESPN’s “College GameDay” pregame show.
During the segment, Skenes humorously admitted he did some research ahead of making his game predictions, which prompted a playful jab from legendary former LSU football coach Nick Saban. “Paul, is this the first homework you’ve done at LSU?” the coach quipped, to which Skenes responded with a grin, “It’s been a while.”
The highlight of their guest spot was their unanimous prediction for the day’s marquee matchup: No. 11 Alabama versus the 15th-ranked LSU Tigers. Dunne confidently declared, “There’s only one right answer, and it’s LSU.”
Both athletes have had remarkable achievements at LSU; Skenes led the Tigers baseball team to victory in the 2023 national championship, shortly before being selected as the first overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Pirates. Meanwhile, Dunne also made headlines by helping the LSU gymnastics team secure its first national title in April of this year. Their connection has only grown since, with Dunne attending Skenes’ MLB debut at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs.
As Skenes progresses in his debut season in the majors, boasting an impressive 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 133 innings, fans are left wondering if he will prove just as successful at predicting football outcomes as in his baseball career. This light-hearted crossover between football and baseball showcases the excitement and camaraderie within the sports community and certainly adds an enjoyable twist to the upcoming college football season.
The engagement of such talented young athletes not only brings enthusiasm to their respective sports but also inspires others, hinting at an exhilarating journey ahead for both Skenes and Dunne.