College Football Enters Celebrity Era as Corso Retires, Portnoy Joins GameDay

As college football kicks off the 2025 season, much attention centers on the Texas Longhorns and their star quarterback Arch Manning, whose performance in the upcoming game against Ohio State is highly anticipated and heavily promoted by Fox Sports, regardless of the outcome. Manning, part of the Manning football legacy, is expected to generate significant media and fan interest, with comparisons to his uncle Peyton Manning fueling Heisman Trophy conversations. Meanwhile, Marcel Reed, Texas A&M's quarterback, is emerging as an underrated talent, receiving respect from anonymous SEC coaches for his improved passing and potential to break out this season. The season's opening games, including LSU vs. Clemson and Miami vs. Notre Dame, are expected to set the tone but are not season-defining due to the college football playoff committee's consideration of strength of schedule and multiple remaining games. The media landscape is also shifting as ESPN bids farewell to the iconic Lee Corso, known for his entertaining mascot antics on College GameDay, while Fox Sports brings in personalities like Dave Portnoy to enhance their College Football coverage with a focus on entertainment and viral moments. This evolving media competition, combined with the high-profile player narratives, is shaping a dynamic and highly watched college football season.