College football’s most beloved Saturday morning tradition reaches its end this weekend. After nearly four decades of pure entertainment gold, Lee Corso will make his final headgear pick on ESPN’s College GameDay.
The 90-year-old broadcasting legend concludes his remarkable run in Columbus for the massive No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State showdown. His historic farewell takes place at the exact location where his iconic headgear segment began in 1996, bringing his journey full circle in the most fitting way possible.
How Can Fans Watch Corso’s Final College GameDay?
ESPN announced the viewing details for Corso’s historic farewell broadcast:
- Date and Time: Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern Time
- TV Channels: ESPN and ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN app and ESPN+
- Live Attendance: Pit opens at 6:30 a.m. ET outside Ohio Stadium in Columbus
- Location: Outside St. John Arena, concluding inside “The Shoe” for Corso’s final pick
- Featured Game: No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State on Fox at noon ET
Lee Corso’s last college gameday Saturday. 🥹
(Via comp_cuts/TT) pic.twitter.com/uq7O6343QP
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) August 27, 2025
The location carries deep meaning for Corso’s legacy. Columbus hosted his first headgear selection on October 5, 1996, when he donned the Brutus Buckeye head to pick Ohio State over Penn State in a 38-7 Buckeyes victory.
Usually, GameDay covers games that also air on ESPN, but Saturday’s Texas vs. Ohio State game will be on Fox. This means fans will watch GameDay on ESPN, then switch to Fox for the actual game, creating a unique viewing experience for this special farewell.
Who Will Join Corso for His Emotional Final Show?
The complete current GameDay lineup will honor Corso’s farewell:
- Host: Rece Davis
- Analysts: Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban
- Supporting Cast: Pete Thamel, Jen Lada, Jess Sims, ‘Stanford Steve’ Coughlin
Herbstreit’s presence adds emotional weight to the broadcast. He sat directly next to Corso during that inaugural 1996 headgear moment and has developed a father-son relationship with the legend over nearly three decades together. Their chemistry has become one of college football’s most enduring partnerships.
What Special Features Will Mark This Historic Farewell?
The farewell show features special programming and notable guests:
- Coaching Voices: Ryan Day joins the desk while Steve Sarkisian provides field interviews
- Player Perspective: Former OSU quarterback Will Howard offers pregame insights
- Legacy Discussion: Chris Fowler returns for a roundtable on Corso’s impact
- Celebrity Guest: Actor Glen Powell represents the Texas fanbase
- Fan Contest: McAfee’s $50,000 kicking contest returns for early arrivals
- Final Pick: ESPN promises “surprises and mascots galore” with a simulcast across multiple networks
Corso’s farewell represents both a celebration and an emotional goodbye to a man who made Saturday mornings special for millions of fans. Over nearly four decades, he transformed simple game predictions into entertainment gold, making 430 headgear picks that became part of college football lore.
Saturday’s show offers everything fans could want in a finale. His 431st and final headgear pick caps off a legendary run, while his retirement and the massive No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup create a can’t-miss broadcast for college football fans nationwide. The timing feels perfect for a legend who deserves this kind of send-off.
