Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lee Corso’s emotional farewell makes 'College GameDay' history as most-watched episode ever

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Sophie Weller | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 2:28 PM ET

Lee Corso said goodbye to College GameDay on Saturday, returning to the place where his iconic tradition first began. In 1996, Corso first put on the Brutus headgear, picking the Buckeyes to beat Penn State. And in 2025 at the age of 90, he picked Ohio State once again to defeat the top-ranked Texas, which they did.

Many tuned in for this historic final pick, and it ended up breaking records on ESPN.

According to the network, this was the most-watched episode of "College GameDay" ever, with 5.1 million live audience members.

Thank you to all the fans who tuned in for Lee Corso's final @CollegeGameDay show!

3.5M viewers (ESPN/ESPNU)
Most-watched episode EVER
5.1M viewers - highest reg. season quarter hour avg. peak EVER

Per Nielsen Fast Nationals
Final Big Data + Panel viewership available… pic.twitter.com/0xilp0Ij7q
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 31, 2025

It was the perfect way for Corso to end his iconic run, and he only further proved why he's one of the best to ever do it.

Lee Corso Nailed All Of His Final 'College GameDay' Picks

For his final picks, Lee Corso didn’t miss: pic.twitter.com/pd522kFMBb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2025

Lee Corso made six picks on Saturday, and each team pulled off the win.

No. 3 Ohio State defeated No. 1 Texas, followed by unranked Florida State pulling off the upset over No. 8 Alabama. No. 13 South Carolina beat Virginia Tech while No. 24 Tennessee defeated Syracuse. And then, No. 5 Notre Dame shockingly lost to No. 10 Miami, while No. 9 LSU beat No. 4 Clemson. And not to mention, Corso picked LSU as his National Championship team this season.

But that's not all. All six of the teams Corso played on or coached for won on Saturday, including the Seminoles, Maryland, Navy, Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois.

What better way to end a legendary career.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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