After 38 unforgettable seasons, the legendary Lee Corso is retiring and will make his final headgear pick on College GameDay on Saturday, August 30, the opening weekend of the 2025 college football season. Corso's retirement marks the end of one of the best eras in the sport, defined by tradition, unpredictability, and heart.
As ESPN prepares to say goodbye to one of the most iconic voices in college football, South Carolina fans cannot help but reflect on some of the picks that Lee Corso made over the years with the Cocky mascot headgear.
Corso's headgear pick has been one of the best segments in College GameDay's broadcast for decades. And even though it's been short, his history with South Carolina's picks have been fun and frustrating. Over the past several years, Corso has picked games involving South Carolina nine times, each pick adding fuel to the fire of Gamecock football.
Week | Date | Pick | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
3 | 09/14/2024 | LSU over South Carolina | WIN |
1 | 09/02/2023 | North Carolina over South Carolina | WIN |
5 | 09/27/2014 | South Carolina over Missouri | LOSS |
8 | 10/20/2012 | Florida over South Carolina | WIN |
6 | 10/06/2012 | South Carolina over Georgia | WIN |
6 | 10/09/2010 | Alabama over South Carolina | LOSS |
9 | 10/28/2006 | Tennessee over South Carolina | WIN |
3 | 09/11/2004 | South Carolina over Georgia | LOSS |
12 | 11/10/2001 | Florida over South Carolina | WIN |
Lucky for the Gamecocks, Corso was right more often than not, going 6-3 in picks. Though South Carolina was never a headgear favorite the way other schools like Ohio State or Alabama were, Corso's coverage always brought national attention and deepened the connection between schools and fans.
As the iconic Lee Corso prepares to retire, his mark on college football is indescribable. He gave football fans so many great moments, from the "Not so fast, my friend!" catchphrase to the wobbly mascot heads that has made Saturday mornings feel like magic.
For South Carolina fans, Lee Corso's picks were sometimes right, win or lose, but always unforgettable. And as we inch closer to the sidelines of the 2025 college football season, it will be a legacy that will never be matched.