A familiar face was noticeably absent from the latest edition of ESPN's popular college football pregame show.
According to Fox News, Lee Corso, the 89-year-old longtime analyst for "College GameDay," was not present during Saturday's broadcast from Berkeley, California.
Host Rece Davis informed viewers that Corso was feeling "under the weather," leading to his absence from the show. The program aired from the University of California campus, where the Golden Bears were set to face the Miami Hurricanes in a late-night matchup. Despite Corso's absence, the show went on, with dedicated fans turning out well before sunrise to participate in the 6 a.m. local time broadcast.
Lee Corso has been an integral part of "College GameDay" since 1987, bringing his unique blend of humor, insight, and showmanship to the program for nearly four decades. His presence on the show has become synonymous with college football Saturdays across America.
Perhaps most famously, Corso is known for his theatrical headgear selections at the end of each broadcast. This tradition, which began in 1996, involves Corso donning the mascot head of the team he predicts will win the featured game of the week. Over the years, he has made more than 400 such selections, each one eagerly anticipated by fans and fellow analysts alike.
Corso's 400th headgear pick was a memorable one, occurring during the Colorado vs. Colorado State game last year. His prediction of a Colorado victory proved correct, though fans had to wait through double overtime to see the result.
While Corso's enthusiasm for college football remains undiminished, he has faced health challenges in recent years that have impacted his participation in the show. In 2009, he suffered a stroke that resulted in partial paralysis and required a month-long recovery period before he could speak again.
Since that time, Corso has adapted his approach, often scripting and rehearsing his appearances to ensure smooth delivery. In 2022, he missed five episodes due to health issues, prompting concerns among fans about his long-term involvement with the program.
This season, Corso had been present for all broadcasts until Saturday's absence. However, his role has been somewhat reduced, as he no longer appears for the entire three-hour duration of the show.
Despite Corso's absence, "College GameDay" maintained its usual energy and excitement. The broadcast from Berkeley showcased the dedication of Cal students and fans, who turned out in impressive numbers despite the extremely early start time.
The Miami-Cal game, scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, created a unique situation where the pregame show aired more than 16 hours before kickoff. This scheduling quirk highlighted the coast-to-coast nature of college football and the lengths to which the sport's most devoted fans will go to support their teams.
While Corso's familiar face and signature catchphrases were missed, the show's other analysts and guest pickers continued to provide in-depth coverage and predictions for the day's matchups.
Lee Corso, the beloved 89-year-old analyst, was absent from ESPN's "College GameDay" broadcast in Berkeley due to feeling under the weather. His absence was notable, given his long-standing tradition of making headgear selections to predict game outcomes. Despite Corso's absence, the show proceeded with its usual format, highlighting the enduring popularity of college football and the dedication of its fans.
