Potential Locations for Lee Corso’s Last ‘College GameDay’ Show (2025)

Longtime college football analyst Lee Corso is retiring after a legendary broadcasting career, ESPN announced Thursday. But not so fast, my friend — Corso, who has been a staple on “College GameDay” since its debut in 1987, will put on the headgear and make one last pick on Aug. 30 for Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

Corso made his first headgear pick in 1996, a few years after the pregame show hit the road to travel to campuses across the country. He donned Ohio State’s Brutus Buckeye headgear ahead of a top-five clash against Penn State at the Horseshoe. That was the first of a record 45 times Corso picked Ohio State. As he so often is, Corso was correct that day and many other Saturdays over the past 38 seasons.

In Corso’s retirement announcement, ESPN said the location of Corso’s final “College GameDay” broadcast will be announced later this spring. But based on the Week 1 slate — which is loaded with good games — a few options stand out right away, including a potential return to Columbus, Ohio.

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(Kickoff times are still TBD.)

Texas at Ohio State

The storylines here write themselves. Not only would bookending Corso’s career back where he began his most recognizable tradition be poetic, the Longhorns and Buckeyes are Athlon’s No. 1 and 2 teams, respectively. This titanic clash between the reigning national champions and their biggest threat to going back-to-back has “College GameDay” written all over it.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are both bona fide Heisman contenders — and they could both be on the cover of EA Sports’ “College Football 26.” As if this matchup needs any more juice, the Buckeyes sent the Longhorns home in the CFP semifinal last season. Early betting odds have Ohio State as a field-goal favorite, and it’s easy to envision Corso picking the Buckeyes one last time.

LSU at Clemson

Were there not already a top-five matchup on the slate, this likely top-10 showdown between LSU and Clemson would be an easy choice for the “College GameDay” crew. LSU isAthlon’s No. 8 team, while Clemson is ranked No. 6. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and LSU signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier are also Athlon’s No. 2 and 3 quarterbacks, respectively, so this game could give the winner an early leg up in the Heisman race.

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Both Tigers teams could use a Week 1 win, too. LSU has lost its past five season openers, while Clemson has dropped two straight. “College GameDay” hasn’t gone to Death Valley since 2020, and that drought might not end with Texas-Ohio State on the Saturday slate.

Alabama at Florida State

This is purely a sentimental nomination, as Corso is an FSU alumnus who played quarterback and cornerback in the 1950s. Though it would be fun to see former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban and Corso argue about this matchup, Alabama is a double-digit favorite in its first trip to Doak Campbell Stadium. Even coming off a down year, the Tide are No. 9 in Athlon’s rankings — FSU is No. 46 after one of the worst seasons in program history.

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There is intrigue with both offenses as Ty Simpson is the favorite to take over under center in Tuscaloosa, where Ryan Grubb is the new offensive coordinator. As for the ’Noles, onetime Auburn coach Gus Malzahn will call plays for QB Thomas Castellanos, aBoston College transfer. As nostalgic as a return to Corso’s alma mater might be, ESPN likely won’t be able to pass up a game between the best the Big Ten and SEC have to offer.

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