The wait is almost over. College football officially returns today with Week Zero, and while only five games dot the schedule, it signals something every fan has been craving: the true end of the long, drawn-out offseason. With football finally back, many are wondering about the beloved pregame institution that defines Saturday mornings.
Will “College GameDay” air today, and more importantly, will Lee Corso be part of it for what could be one of his final appearances?
Will College GameDay Air for Week Zero and Is Lee Corso Hosting?
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait one more week for “College GameDay” to return. The crew is saving their energy for Columbus, Ohio, where they’ll broadcast live for the Week 1 showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State.
While “GameDay” isn’t airing today, ESPN will provide live coverage with “College Football Countdown” from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST. The show will broadcast from Bristol, Connecticut, leading into No. 22 Iowa State vs. No. 17 Kansas State in a Dublin, Ireland edition of “Farmageddon.”
Corso has been a staple of “College GameDay” for 38 years since the show’s inception, but he will not be on set for “College Football Countdown” today. The legendary coach and analyst will rejoin the crew in Columbus for Week One, where he’ll appear on his final “College GameDay.”
To honor his remarkable career, ESPN aired a special last night titled “Not So Fast, My Friend: A Lee Corso Special.” In it, Corso and longtime colleague Kirk Herbstreit toured the College Football Hall of Fame and reflected on Corso’s incredible journey as both a coach and an analyst.
The special closed on a heartwarming note, featuring heartfelt messages to Corso from coaches like Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian, along with many College GameDay analysts from over the years, as he prepares for retirement.
From colleagues, to guest pickers, fans and beyond, those around the college football community share what Lee Corso means to them.
We love you, Coach 🧡 pic.twitter.com/jFgiANfVlu
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 23, 2025
On Saturday, Aug. 30, Corso will make his final appearance on College GameDay and deliver his last iconic headgear pick, closing out nearly four decades of Saturday morning magic.
Who Is Hosting College Football Countdown?
The “College Football Countdown” crew will look different from the usual “College GameDay” lineup, though host Rece Davis, who has led “GameDay” since 2015, will anchor the show.
He’ll be joined by Roddy Jones, who was a running back for Georgia Tech from 2008 to 2011, EJ Manuel, who played quarterback at Florida State from 2009 to 2012, ESPN reporter Heather Dinich, and the network’s college football insider Pete Thamel.
They’ll guide fans into the Kansas State vs. Iowa State matchup and are expected to be joined by Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman and Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell for additional insight.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is set to kick off at 12:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.