Lee Corso signed off his College GameDay era with a final, unforgettable moment Saturday, placing Brutus Buckeye on his head for the last time as his pick for the featured game of the week. The sendoff came ahead of No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State meeting at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, a noon kickoff that capped a week of anticipation around one of college football’s biggest showdowns.
Corso, who is 90 years old, built a national tradition on his headgear picks, turning a pregame bit into a college football rite of passage. His first headgear pick dates back to October 5, 1996, in a game between Ohio State and Penn State, done with a little help from fellow analyst Kirk Herbstreit and Herbstreit’s wife, Allison. The Brutus Buckeye headgear reveal typically came late in the three-hour pregame spectacle, and Brutus quickly became Corso’s most beloved trophy, as he selected the Buckeyes to win a record 46 times, later updated to 47.
In his final moment, Corso looked past the talent of Texas and embraced his long‑standing love for Ohio State. He can be heard telling the crowd, “give me my first love” before placing Brutus on his head. The moment was echoed by Herbstreit and Pat McAfee, who joined in with the show’s traditional ritual by raising and then lowering horns in a playful show of support for the Buckeyes.
The matchup itself is highlighted by a No. 1 vs. No. 2 ranking, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET at Ohio Stadium. It’s often described as a “Game of the Century” given the stakes and the profiles of the two programs.
What this means going forward is that College GameDay will continue its coverage with new memories to chase, while Corso’s influence on college football culture remains lasting and profound. His headgear tradition helped elevate pregame moments into a national conversation and a fan favorite, decades after it began.
Summary: Lee Corso’s final headgear pick ends an era that helped define College GameDay and a culture where fans connect with college football through rituals, rivalry, and memorable moments. The Ohio State-Texas matchup stands as a fitting stage to celebrate that legacy and look ahead to the next chapter of gameday tradition. The game itself promises to deliver another chapter in what has become a landmark season for both programs.
Positive note: The tradition leaves a hopeful legacy — it celebrates passion, long-standing loyalties, and the enduring excitement that makes college football unique, while the sport moves forward with new moments to cherish.