ESPN Skips College GameDay Week 0 Airing for Lee Corso Retiring

ESPN's iconic College GameDay will not air during Week 0 of the 2025 college football season, breaking a long-standing tradition and disappointing many fans who expected the show to kick off the year. Instead, ESPN is airing a two-hour College Football Countdown from its Bristol studios, featuring analysts like Roddy Jones, E.J. Manuel, Heather Dinich, and Pete Thamel, to preview the games. The decision to skip Week 0 is largely to focus on an elaborate tribute for Lee Corso, who is retiring after nearly 40 years on College GameDay; his final show will take place in Week 1 from Columbus, Ohio, coinciding with a high-profile matchup between Ohio State and Texas. Last year’s Week 0 broadcast from Dublin was the most-watched in the show's history but also faced challenges, including hostile reactions toward Kirk Herbstreit and logistical issues. Fans have expressed frustration and disappointment on social media, feeling the absence of the show diminishes the season's start. ESPN leadership emphasized Corso's legendary status and the special nature of his farewell as justification for the unique scheduling this year.