When Lee Corso places a mascot head on his shoulders for the final time on August 30, 2025, it will not just mark the end of an era on ESPN’s College GameDay, it will close a chapter in college football history. The 90-year-old entertainer, analyst, and showman has been the heartbeat of Saturday mornings for nearly four decades. And before he takes his final bow, NILvana Sports recognizes him for what he is: the GOAT of college football entertainment.
Honoring Lee Corso’s Last Ride on College GameDay
The Final Show
Corso’s farewell will take place in Columbus, Ohio, when the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Texas Longhorns in the opening week of the 2025 season. According to ESPN Press Room, the College GameDay set will be positioned in the heart of Buckeye Nation, creating a fittingly electric atmosphere for Corso’s last appearance.
Key Details:
- Date: August 30, 2025
- Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Matchup: Texas vs. Ohio State
- Milestone: Corso’s last headgear pick
This stage is no accident. Ohio State is one of the sport’s cathedral programs, and pitting the Buckeyes against the Longhorns ensures that Corso’s swan song carries both spectacle and stakes.
A Legacy Like No Other
Corso is the final original cast member from College GameDay’s 1987 debut, a show that has since transformed into the gold standard of college football coverage. His legacy is measured in far more than one-liners and oversized mascot heads—it is defined by creating a culture where fandom meets entertainment.
Corso’s statistics tell their own story:
- Headgear Selections: 430
- Record: 286–144
- Catchphrase: “Not so fast, my friend!”
Every pick became an event, every show a destination. Fans arrived on campus hours before kickoff, not just to see their team, but to see whether Corso would don a Brutus Buckeye, a Smokey, or a Big Al head. That blend of anticipation and laughter turned college football into a national spectacle long before social media amplified it.
More Than a Pick
At his core, Corso has always been more than a prop master. He is a former coach, a sharp analyst, and an ambassador of joy. The genius of his role on GameDay was that he blurred the line between comedy and commentary, making millions of viewers feel like they were sitting in the living room with him every Saturday.
When Corso suffered a stroke in 2009, many thought his on-air future was over. Instead, he returned, working tirelessly through speech difficulties to remain part of the show. His perseverance added an extra layer of admiration to his already beloved persona. In many ways, his post-stroke years have been his most impactful, teaching fans about resilience as much as about football.
Why He Is the GOAT
Sports media has produced icons, but no one has embodied the spirit of college football quite like Lee Corso. He is equal parts entertainer, historian, and storyteller. He turned a pregame show into appointment viewing. He made kids laugh, alumni proud, and rival fans groan.
The GOAT of college football entertainment is not just about the wins and losses of his picks. It is about the memories he created, thousands of students screaming behind the set, millions of fans laughing in their homes, and countless Saturdays made richer by his antics.
The Last Pick
On August 30, the cameras will roll, the crowd will roar, and Lee Corso will put on one final headgear. Whether it is a Buckeye or a Longhorn, the pick itself won’t matter as much as the moment. It will be a tribute to a man who spent nearly 40 years turning college football into theater, tradition, and joy.
When he walks off the College GameDay set in Columbus, college football will say goodbye to its greatest showman. And for fans everywhere, Saturdays will never feel quite the same again.
