Lee Corso Retires, Dave Portnoy Joins, Arch Manning Shines
The 2025 college football season is finally here, and the excitement isn’t just on the field—there are big changes in the media world too. From a fan favorite stepping away to some fresh faces joining the scene, there’s a lot for fans to keep up with this year.
This article digs into the major storylines swirling around college football media in 2025. We’re talking Lee Corso’s retirement, Dave Portnoy’s move to Fox, and what Arch Manning could mean for TV ratings.
Lee Corso’s Legacy: The End of an Era
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Lee Corso’s retirement really does feel like the end of something special for ESPN’s College GameDay. His energy, those classic catchphrases—*Not so fast!*—and his way of making every Saturday feel like an event made him a legend.
Corso brought a sense of fun and real insight, and fans just loved him. ESPN counted on him to keep the vibe fresh and the viewers coming back every week.
The Impact on College GameDay
With Corso gone, College GameDay faces a real challenge. Richard Deitsch from The Athletic said Corso helped make college football a huge deal for ESPN—second only to the NFL there.
His humor, warmth, and that genuine smile kept people tuning in. Andrew Marchand, another media watcher, pointed out how rare it is for someone to really connect with viewers like Corso did. Now, we all wonder who can step up and fill even a bit of that gap.
Dave Portnoy Joins Fox: A New Era Begins
While ESPN is saying goodbye to Corso, Fox is shaking things up by bringing in Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports for their Saturday morning show. Fox seems to want their own Pat McAfee—a personality who brings a unique edge to sports commentary.
The Potential Impact of Portnoy
Portnoy’s reputation? Let’s just say he gets people talking. His arrival at Fox is bound to stir things up, and Andrew Marchand thinks it’ll all come down to how Fox uses him.
Brad Zager and his production team at Fox are top-notch, so they might be able to make it work. Richard Deitsch thinks the shows actually need personalities like Portnoy and McAfee more than those guys need the shows. That’s a pretty wild shift in how the media game works these days.
The Great Rebundling: ESPN and Fox’s New Offering
ESPN and Fox just rolled out a new bundle that lets fans watch about 84 percent of college football games through their apps. This gives folks more ways to tune in, especially if they’re tired of paying for cable.
Is It Worth It?
The bundle looks good, especially if you’re following a specific conference like the SEC. But Andrew Marchand isn’t sure it’ll change things much, since most die-hard fans already have some kind of bundle—cable, YouTube TV, whatever.
Richard Deitsch agrees, saying college football fans are already some of the most loyal out there. Most of them probably already have access to the games they care about. Still, having more options can’t hurt.
Arch Manning: The Next Big Draw?
Arch Manning, nephew to Peyton and Eli, is probably the most hyped new player in college football. People are expecting his games at Texas to pull in big TV numbers.
Comparing to Tim Tebow
Even so, experts warn not to expect a “Tim Tebow effect.” Tebow’s Florida run was a media storm that’s tough to repeat, especially now with so many ways to watch and follow games.
Ohio State and Alabama still rule the ratings, and Manning would need some truly electric performances to change that.
High-Profile Matchups: Texas vs. Ohio State
This season starts off with a bang: Texas vs. Ohio State. It’s being hyped as maybe the biggest season opener ever. No matter which poll you look at, it’s No. 1 vs. No. 3—or even No. 1 vs. No. 2.
Will It Be the Most-Watched Game?
But will it actually be the most-watched game this year? Richard Deitsch isn’t convinced. Last December’s Georgia vs. Texas game pulled in 16.3 million viewers—the biggest for 2024.
He figures the Texas-Ohio State opener could get close to 15 million, but probably won’t top those late-season numbers. Still, it’s going to be a huge event.
Conclusion
The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be something special. Fans can expect plenty of excitement both on and off the field.
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Lee Corso’s retirement closes out a legendary run on College GameDay. Meanwhile, Dave Portnoy joining Fox? That’s bound to stir the pot a bit.
There’s a new ESPN and Fox bundle, which means more ways to watch. Arch Manning stepping up for Texas has everyone talking, and honestly, it’s hard not to get swept up in the hype.
If you want to dig deeper into what’s changing, take a look at the full article on The New York Times.