College GameDay is kicking off its historic 40th season next week, and for the first time ever, the show steps into a new season without Lee Corso at the desk. That’s a massive shift for Saturday mornings, right? For a show with longevity few programs ever touch, this is big. Rece Davis, who’s been hosting for 12 seasons, will be back, joined by Kirk Herbstreit, now in his 30th season, along with Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, and Pat McAfee. Davis gets it, saying fans “still cherish those Saturdays” and that the crew is grateful for our time and attention over the years.
The End of an Era: Corso’s Emotional Sendoff
Last season, we saw an incredible farewell broadcast for Lee Corso ahead of the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes matchup, live from Columbus, Ohio. Davis shared that his best memory of that day was just “the love and gratitude that everyone showed Lee.” And you know what? He’s right. Ohio State and Texas let the GameDay crew move their set to midfield, spelled Corso’s name out with the band, and even let them broadcast on the stadium’s PA. A rival network carried it live, which is just wild. Davis credited both schools for letting that tribute happen without overshadowing the magnitude of the top two teams in the sport playing each other to open the season. Seriously, that kind of cooperation is rare, and it made for something unforgettable for everyone who loves college football.
A New Finale and Ramping Up Hype
Corso’s exit means his signature headgear sendoff, the most popular segment, is gone. Davis revealed they’d been discussing how to move past that loud crescendo for years before Corso even left. The cool thing about the headgear was its authenticity to Corso. Now, Pat McAfee makes his pick at the end of the show, and Davis said it’s “not forced” and “authentic and unique to him.” It isn’t replacing the headgear, but it’s a “great way to sign off the show.” Beyond the desk, Davis has been front and center, helping build excitement for the upcoming season with “The Official Visit.” For the second straight year, he’s visited five different schools, getting exclusive access for one-on-one conversations with coaches.
With Davis hitting the road for “The Official Visit” series again and McAfee bringing his own flavor to the final pick, this 40th season is gearing up to be a whole new beast. What’s next for the crew in this new chapter? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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