Eric Boggs
It’s only fitting that Lee Corso’s legendary run on ESPN’s College GameDay will end where it all began—at The Ohio State University. ESPN announced that Corso will make his final headgear pick during the Week 1 broadcast from Columbus, ahead of the Buckeyes’ season opener against Texas on August 30. The moment will bring his iconic tradition full circle, nearly 30 years after he first donned a mascot head—Brutus Buckeye—in 1996.
Corso, who turns 90 in August, will step away from College GameDay following this show, marking the end of an era in college football media. Since his first pick, he’s chosen Ohio State 45 times—more than any other team—and it all started thanks to fellow Buckeye Kirk Herbstreit and his wife, Alison, a former Ohio State cheerleader. That first pick was Ohio State over Penn State, and of course, Corso was right. The Buckeyes won, and a tradition was born.
The August 30 broadcast will be Ohio State’s 26th time hosting College GameDay, the most of any school. The Buckeyes hold a strong 19–6 record when hosting and are 45–21 all-time when appearing on the show. This upcoming visit will also be the fifth consecutive Ohio State game to feature GameDay on-site, continuing a streak that included every stop during the Buckeyes’ run to the 2024 national championship.
GameDay will air live at 9 a.m. on ESPN, with the first two hours taking place outside St. John Arena before the crew moves inside the Horseshoe for the final hour and Corso’s last headgear pick. As if that weren’t enough spectacle, FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff will also be in Columbus, with Ohio State and Texas set to square off on national television at noon.
For Buckeye fans, this is more than just another GameDay. It’s a celebration of tradition, excellence, and the role Ohio State has played in college football’s biggest moments. Corso’s farewell in Columbus is a moment of pride for the program, a nod to its unmatched history with GameDay, and a reminder that no school wears the target—or the spotlight—quite like the Buckeyes.
