College GameDay returns with one of the most anticipated episodes in its history, as fans gather in Columbus, Ohio, for the start of the 2025 college football season. The show begins at 9 a.m. ET and will run until 12 p.m. ET, broadcasting live from outside St. John Arena on the campus of Ohio State. This week’s event carries special weight, not only because it features a blockbuster matchup between Ohio State and Texas, but also because it marks the final appearance of Lee Corso after nearly four decades of unforgettable television moments.
The Energy of College GameDay’s Season Opener
When fans ask, “When does College GameDay start?” the answer is always the same: bright and early at 9 a.m. ET, with crowds usually lined up hours before. This season is no different, with thousands expected to pack the pit area to celebrate the show’s kickoff.
The opening week of College GameDay always sets the tone for the season, but this year the atmosphere is heightened. The Ohio State vs. Texas clash brings together two top-ranked programs with championship aspirations, giving the crew the perfect backdrop to start the season.
Why This Week Is Different
The first episode of the new season is not just another stop on the College GameDay schedule. It is the farewell show for Lee Corso, the heart and soul of the program since joining in 1987. Fans, fellow analysts, and former colleagues are all uniting to celebrate his career.
This week’s broadcast includes tributes, surprise guest appearances, and a commemorative rebrand of the show to honor him. Even before the cameras roll, the excitement is palpable.
Lee Corso’s Most Memorable College GameDay
For nearly four decades, Lee Corso has been the heartbeat of Saturday mornings. Millions of fans have tuned in not just to see game previews, but to witness his unpredictable energy, quick one-liners, and legendary headgear reveals. More than any analyst, Corso transformed College GameDay into a blend of analysis and entertainment, creating moments that became part of college football tradition.
Some of his most unforgettable moments include:
The First Headgear Pick (1996):
In Columbus, Corso stunned fans when he pulled out the Brutus Buckeye mascot head and put it on to reveal his pick. What started as a playful stunt became the defining tradition of College GameDay. From that moment forward, fans eagerly anticipated the final minutes of each show, waiting to see which mascot head Corso would unveil. The unpredictability of that moment created a ritual that has outlived almost every other sports television gimmick.
“Not so fast, my friend”:
Perhaps his most famous catchphrase, this line became a cultural staple in college football. Whenever fellow analysts like Kirk Herbstreit or Desmond Howard got carried away with their predictions, Corso would lean in with a smile and deliver his signature rebuttal: “Not so fast, my friend.” It was equal parts humor and authority, reminding fans that even in a room full of experts, Corso’s voice carried a unique weight.
Mascot Shenanigans:
Corso’s headgear picks were often accompanied by comedy. He wrestled with live mascots, rode horses onto the set, and once shocked the crowd by pulling out a live animal to match his choice. His co-hosts frequently joined the fun, sometimes pranking him with fake props or unexpected reveals. These antics made GameDay more than just a pregame show—it became must-watch entertainment that kept fans smiling even before the first kickoff of the day.
Emotional Tributes:
As much as Corso was known for humor, he also delivered deeply heartfelt moments. After suffering a stroke in 2009, he courageously returned to the show, often speaking openly about his recovery and gratitude for the fans who supported him. His ability to be vulnerable in front of millions made him relatable in a way few television personalities achieve. Over the years, tributes from colleagues and players alike highlighted not just his love for football, but his resilience and dedication to the sport’s community.
Each of these moments helped turn College GameDay into more than just television—it became a Saturday morning tradition. Corso wasn’t just predicting football games; he was creating memories that brought together fans, families, and entire campuses across the country.
The Legacy of the Headgear Tradition
The headgear segment has grown into the defining trademark of College GameDay, a moment so anticipated that it often overshadows the actual game preview. What began in 1996 as a spontaneous idea quickly turned into a cultural phenomenon. Fans don’t just tune in for predictions—they gather in person, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles, just to see which mascot head Lee Corso will pull out of his bag.
Over the years, Corso has made more than 430 headgear picks, each one delivered with a mix of showmanship and suspense. His most frequent choice was Ohio State’s Brutus Buckeye, a mascot he donned dozens of times throughout his career. Brutus became almost synonymous with Corso himself, a symbol of how deeply the tradition tied him to the game.
Accuracy never defined the segment, but Corso’s record still impresses. With more than 66% of his picks correct, he balanced both instinct and luck, proving that even a theatrical stunt could carry football insight. Fans may have booed when he picked against the home team, but the roar that followed each reveal was the heartbeat of Saturday mornings.
What made the tradition unforgettable wasn’t just the mascot heads themselves, but the unpredictability of the moment. Would Corso play it safe with the obvious favorite, or shock the crowd by siding with the underdog? Would he walk out in full costume, wrestle a live mascot, or simply flash his mischievous grin before revealing the headgear? That sense of suspense became part of the show’s DNA.
This week’s episode carries special weight, as Corso prepares to make his final headgear pick in Columbus—the very place the tradition began. For fans, it is both a farewell and a full-circle moment. The headgear reveal is no longer just a prediction; it is a celebration of Corso’s legacy and the tradition he leaves behind.
College GameDay Schedule 2025
To give fans clarity, here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, August 30, 2025 |
| Time | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET |
| Location | Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State campus, outside St. John Arena |
| Matchup | Ohio State vs. Texas |
| Analysts & Hosts | Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban |
| Special Features | Farewell tributes to Lee Corso, surprise guests, and one final headgear pick |
The schedule will continue throughout the season with stops at other marquee matchups across the country, but the opening show is unmatched in its importance.
What Makes College GameDay Special
At its core, College GameDay is about more than predictions and analysis. It has become a cultural phenomenon that brings fans together every Saturday.
- Interactive Atmosphere: Fans arrive with signs, chants, and creative costumes, making the show part pep rally and part football festival.
- Storytelling: The analysts spotlight players, coaches, and traditions that shape the sport.
- Unpredictability: From celebrity guest pickers to unexpected pranks, no two episodes are ever the same.
This unique blend of energy, insight, and entertainment explains why the show has lasted nearly 40 years at the top of sports television.
The End of an Era
For many fans, College GameDay and Lee Corso are inseparable. His farewell is bittersweet—an emotional reminder of how much one person can impact the way we enjoy a sport. His colleagues have often said that while football is the stage, Corso made the show about people, passion, and laughter.
As he prepares to step away, the team will carry his spirit forward, but the void he leaves is undeniable. The final broadcast in Columbus feels symbolic: it is both the end of a legendary chapter and the start of a new era.
Looking Ahead
While the season continues with stops at stadiums across the nation, this opening week will be remembered for decades. College GameDay’s future is bright with a dynamic cast of analysts, but the show will forever carry Corso’s influence.
Fans are already speculating about who will take over the headgear tradition, or if it retires with him. Whatever happens, this weekend ensures his name will always be synonymous with the magic of College GameDay.
Final Thoughts
College GameDay has long been the heartbeat of Saturday mornings in college football, and this week proves why. With the excitement of Ohio State vs. Texas and the emotional farewell to Lee Corso, it is a broadcast no fan will want to miss.
As the show begins at 9 a.m. ET, viewers will be tuning in for one last chance to see Corso’s smile, hear his catchphrases, and witness his iconic headgear pick. For a program built on passion and tradition, there could be no better way to begin the season.
What moment from this farewell will stand out most for you—the final pick, the tributes, or simply the chance to watch a legend say goodbye? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going as the season unfolds.