College GameDay is set to broadcast from Ohio State and Texas for Lee Corso’s final show..
College football fans across the country are preparing for what promises to be an emotional, unforgettable Saturday as ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasts live from a unique setting: a joint location featuring two of the sport’s most storied programs, Ohio State and Texas. The occasion is monumental, not only because of the high-stakes matchups scheduled at both venues, but because it marks the final appearance of Lee Corso as a regular on the beloved pregame show. After decades of entertaining, educating, and delighting viewers, Corso’s retirement from the GameDay set signifies the end of an era.
The decision to stage the broadcast simultaneously at Ohio State and Texas reflects the significance of the moment. Both schools represent the rich traditions, passionate fan bases, and competitive excellence that have defined college football. Ohio State, a perennial Big Ten powerhouse, and Texas, the pride of the Lone Star State and a flagship of the Big 12 (soon SEC), are both programs Corso has featured and celebrated throughout his tenure. By selecting these two sites, ESPN pays homage not only to Corso’s deep connections with these programs, but also to the larger spirit of college football that he has championed.
Lee Corso’s contributions to College GameDay—and to college football as a whole—cannot be overstated. Since joining the show in 1987, Corso transformed what could have been a simple pregame panel into a weekly festival of color, humor, and insight. His trademark headgear picks became a cherished tradition, with millions tuning in not just to learn about the day’s games, but to see which mascot Corso would don in support of his pick. From donning Brutus Buckeye’s giant head in Columbus, to slipping on Bevo’s cowboy hat in Austin, Corso’s antics endeared him to fans young and old. His infectious enthusiasm and genuine love for the sport transcended rivalries, uniting fans through laughter and shared anticipation.
The GameDay crew—Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, and others—have made clear that this week’s show will be a tribute to Corso’s remarkable run. Special segments are planned, highlighting memorable moments from his career, from his first headgear pick to his emotional return after suffering a stroke in 2009. Former colleagues, players, and coaches will contribute messages of appreciation, reflecting on the ways Corso impacted them personally and professionally. The set will be filled with fans holding signs not just supporting their teams, but thanking Corso for the decades of joy he brought to their Saturday mornings.
Broadcasting from two locations will present its own logistical challenges, but ESPN’s production team has long excelled at delivering innovative coverage. In Columbus, the GameDay set will rise in the shadow of Ohio Stadium, where the Buckeyes are preparing for a crucial matchup with a ranked opponent. Fans clad in scarlet and gray will pack the quad, eager not just for the game, but to send Corso off in style. Meanwhile, in Austin, the set will stand amid the burnt orange faithful on the Forty Acres, where the Longhorns face their own major challenge. With satellite feeds and roving reporters, the broadcast will seamlessly shift between the two venues, capturing the atmosphere and energy of both.
For Corso, these locations hold personal significance. He has always held Ohio State in high esteem, often praising the program’s consistency, passionate fan base, and historic stadium. His friendship with legendary Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes shaped his early coaching philosophy, and his respect for the program’s tradition is well known. Texas, too, occupies a special place in Corso’s heart. He has long admired the pageantry of Texas football, from the Longhorn Band to the sight of Bevo on the sidelines. His visits to Austin over the years provided some of the show’s most iconic moments, including his exuberant celebrations after picking the Longhorns in key games.
The decision to retire did not come easily for Corso, who has often described College GameDay as his second family. However, at 89 years old, he recognized that it was time to step away from the rigors of weekly travel and live television. Health challenges in recent years occasionally limited his appearances, but Corso remained determined to finish his career on his own terms. This final show allows him to say goodbye to the fans and colleagues who have meant so much to him, and to do so in a setting befitting his legacy.
In the days leading up to the show, tributes have poured in from across the college football landscape. Coaches such as Nick Saban, Ryan Day, Steve Sarkisian, and Dabo Swinney have praised Corso’s passion and integrity. Former players recalled the thrill of seeing Corso pick their team, and how his enthusiasm validated their efforts. Media colleagues described how Corso set the standard for what college football broadcasting could be—informative, entertaining, and deeply human. Social media platforms have been flooded with fan memories, from photos taken at GameDay sets to stories of how Corso’s humor brightened their Saturdays.
The broadcast itself promises to be an emotional rollercoaster. Fans can expect a mix of nostalgia and celebration, with clips of Corso’s greatest hits, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and live reactions from the man himself. His final headgear pick will be the climax of the show—a moment certain to bring cheers, tears, and perhaps a surprise or two. While Corso has always been known for his unpredictability, there is little doubt that his final selection will be one for the ages.
As Corso prepares to exit the stage, the future of College GameDay remains bright. The show has evolved over the years, adding new voices and fresh perspectives, while maintaining the core spirit that Corso helped establish. His influence will continue to be felt in the camaraderie of the crew, the connection with fans, and the celebration of college football’s unique culture. GameDay will go on, but it will forever bear the mark of the man who made it must-watch television.
For fans tuning in on Saturday, the broadcast from Ohio State and Texas offers more than just pregame analysis—it is a chance to reflect on the joy that college football brings, and to honor a man who devoted his life to sharing that joy with others. Lee Corso’s farewell is not just the end of a chapter; it is a reminder of what makes the sport special. The pageantry, the passion, the unpredictability—these are the things Corso celebrated each week, and these are the things fans will carry forward, inspired by his example.
In the end, as the cameras pan across the crowds in Columbus and Austin, as the bands play and the mascots roam, as fans chant Corso’s name and hold up signs of appreciation, it will be clear that his legacy is secure. Lee Corso will no longer sit at the GameDay desk, but his spirit will always be part of college football’s Saturday mornings. And as he dons that final piece of headgear, smiles at the crowd, and signs off one last time, millions will join together in a heartfelt, collective salute: Thank you, Coach Corso.
