Lee Corso’s Last GameDay: A Buckeye Send-Off for the Ages
Lee Corso, a College GameDay icon, will make his final appearance in Columbus on August 30, 2025.
Picture this: August 30, 2025, Columbus, Ohio. The sun’s barely up, but the Ohio State campus is already buzzing with scarlet and gray. ESPN’s College GameDay is rolling into town for Ohio State’s huge season opener against Texas, and it’s not just any show—it’s Lee Corso’s final one. Yep, the guy who’s been picking games and rocking mascot headgear for nearly four decades is hanging it up. For Buckeye fans, this is more than a football moment; it’s a chance to say goodbye to a legend right in our backyard at the Horseshoe.
Coming Home to Columbus
Lee Corso, 90 years young, has been the heart and soul of College GameDay since it started back in ’87. The man’s a walking highlight reel—funny, sharp, and always ready to stir the pot with his picks. And let’s be real: nobody loves Brutus Buckeye more than Corso. He’s slipped on that big ol’ nut head 45 times, more than any other mascot. So, when ESPN picked Columbus for his last hurrah, it felt like fate. Ohio State vs. Texas? A packed Ohio Stadium? It’s the perfect stage for Corso to take his final bow.
I can already see the scene: fans flooding the campus, screaming their heads off, waving signs that say stuff like “We ❤️ Lee!” or “One More Brutus Pick!” It’s gonna be electric, and honestly, a little emotional. Corso’s not just a TV guy—he’s our guy.
Why We Love Corso
If you’ve ever watched GameDay, you know Corso’s magic. He’s the grandpa who cracks you up but also knows his stuff. That headgear bit? Pure genius. Every week, he’d pick a winner by throwing on a mascot head—sometimes barely fitting over his glasses—and the crowd would lose it. When he picked Ohio State, Buckeye Nation roared like nobody else. And that line, “Not so fast, my friend!”? It’s the kind of thing you yell at your buddies during a game just to mess with them.
Corso’s not just a showman, though. He coached at Louisville and Indiana back in the day, so he’s got real football chops. He’s seen it all—national titles, upsets, you name it—and he’s got stories that could fill a book. For Ohio State fans, he’s been our cheerleader, picking the Buckeyes time and again and making us feel like we’re part of something huge.
A Big Goodbye in the Shoe
This GameDay is gonna hit different. ESPN’s keeping quiet about the details, but you know they’re planning something special for Corso’s send-off. Maybe a video montage of his best moments or some old-school Buckeye players stopping by to shake his hand. Kirk Herbstreit, our very own OSU quarterback turned GameDay star, is probably gonna get choked up talking about his buddy Lee. Same with Desmond Howard and Rece Davis. They’ve all shared the desk with him for years, and you can bet they’ve got stories.
The Columbus crowd’s gonna bring it, too. We’re talking thousands of fans, signs everywhere, and probably a few tears when Corso steps up for his last pick. I saw a post on X that summed it up: “Corso in the Brutus headgear one more time? I’m gonna need tissues.” That’s the vibe—pure love for a guy who’s made Saturday mornings epic.
The Game and the Moment
The show’s setting up somewhere on campus—probably near the RPAC or St. John Arena, with the Horseshoe looming in the background. Fans will be out there at the crack of dawn, chanting “O-H-I-O” and belting out “Sweet Caroline” like it’s a family reunion. The Ohio State-Texas game is a monster—two teams with national title dreams, and it’s a rematch of that wild 2005 game we still talk about. Will Corso pick Brutus or the Longhorn for his final headgear moment? Man, I can’t wait to see.
Why This Matters
Corso’s not just leaving GameDay—he’s leaving a mark on college football. He turned a pregame show into a party that brings fans together, whether you’re in Columbus or watching from your couch. For Buckeyes, this feels personal. He’s been one of us, picking our team, wearing our mascot, and hyping us up. August 30 is our chance to give him the send-off he deserves.
So, grab your scarlet and gray, make a ridiculous GameDay sign, and tune in to ESPN at 9 a.m. on August 30, 2025. Let’s pack the Shoe, cheer for the Bucks, and give Lee Corso the loudest, most Buckeye-crazy goodbye ever. Here’s to you, Lee—thanks for the memories.
Check out ESPN.com or OhioStateBuckeyes.com for more on Corso’s final show and the Buckeyes’ big game.