Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Showdown between two historic programs emerges as favorite for Lee Corso's final 'College GameDay'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan D Adams | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 11:46 PM ET

Lee Corso is retiring from "College GameDay," but ESPN revealed the legend will make one final appearance before riding off into the sunset. Corso will be on the set one final time for Week 1 of the college football season on Aug. 30.

"Lee Corso will retire from 'College GameDay' in August after nearly 40-year career on the show," ESPN detailed on X on Thursday. "Corso's final broadcast will be Aug. 30."

ESPN has yet to announce the location for Corso's final show, but this has not stopped speculation about where "College GameDay" will be in Week 1. There are several strong candidates for potential games, but one marquee showdown sticks out.

The Ohio State Buckeyes host the Texas Longhorns on Aug. 30 in the rare nonconference matchup between two historic college football programs.

Corso's very first headgear pick on October 5, 1996

He will work his final GameDay show on August 30 pic.twitter.com/45HJ9Lw0it
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) April 17, 2025

"It's possible — if not probable — that Lee Corso's final appearance on College GameDay will be donning a Brutus Buckeye headgear before Ohio State faces Texas on Aug. 30," Eleven Warriors' Chase Brown noted on Thursday.

The Buckeyes have a long history with Corso as Brutus was Corso's first headgear selection on Oct. 5, 1996. There appears to be a good chance Columbus, Ohio, will also serve as Corso's grand finale.

Lee Corso’s last gameday will be outside The Shoe for Ohio State vs Texas

Going out doing what he loves: putting on the Brutus headgear pic.twitter.com/yJqeIPgrhk
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) April 17, 2025

Other notable games on the Week 1 schedule include the Florida State Seminoles hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide. Corso played for the Seminoles, so Tallahassee makes sense.

The Clemson Tigers take on the LSU Tigers in another rare nonconference battle.

Lee Corso’s final ESPN College Gameday will be Saturday, Aug. 30 (Week 1). Here are some potential locations w/ games that day:

Texas at Ohio State
LSU at Clemson
Alabama at Florida State
Syracuse-Tennessee (in Atlanta)
— FBSchedules.com (@FBSchedules) April 17, 2025

Elsewhere, the Miami Hurricanes square off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but this game is on Sunday, Aug. 31, which eliminates the matchup from contention.

It would be a major upset if "College GameDay" headed anywhere but Ohio State for Corso's final show. Yet, Corso has been known to pull off a "not so fast" upset pick before, and fans will be awaiting an official announcement from ESPN.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: