Although it felt like an eternity, the wait is finally over – college football is back. And wanting to kick the season off right, the NCAA produced a stellar lineup of matches. Ohio State versus Texas, Alabama versus Florida State, LSU versus Clemson, Notre Dame versus Miami FL. Promising a day full of upsets, memorable highlights, and a special tribute to College GameDay’s Lee Corso, the first day of college football is set to be nothing short of historic. And with ESPN gearing up for another wonderful season, they turned to a tried-and-true theme song, “Comin’ To Your City”—a banger that will resonate with football fans until the end of time. Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and the Cadillac Three are back for another season, putting their modernized spin on the Big & Rich classic.
If that wasn’t enough music to get your football Saturday rolling, ESPN tabbed Machine Gun Kelly to set the mood with “Don’t Wait Run Fast” theme—the official 2025 College Football Music Anthem.
Videos by American Songwriter
Just last year, ESPN went country when they teamed up with Jelly Roll for the 2024-2025 season theme “Get By.” Although fans loved the theme, the network made a change for the new season. It didn’t come as much of a surprise, as ESPN changed the theme each season. In the past, Post Malone, Yungblud, Imagine Dragons, and even Thirty Seconds to Mars helmed the intro. But with MGK releasing his newest album, Lost Americana, on August 8th, the song “Don’t Wait Run Fast” seemed like the perfect fit for college football.
Fans Already Hyped For New College Football Season Before The First Matchup
With MGK bringing the energy, fans shared their anticipation for the big noon kickoff. And here are just a few tweets showing just how pumped fans were for the new season.
Outside of ESPN’s new theme, the network’s popular show College GameDay will air in Columbus, Ohio. With No. 1 Texas facing off against No. 2 Ohio State, the Longhorns will look to rewrite history as the Buckeyes cost Texas a run at the national championship last year. Given the pressure already seeping through the city, don’t miss College GameDay, airing at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT.
With powerhouse matchups on deck, a new anthem from MGK, and College GameDay live from Columbus, the 2025 season opener feels bigger than ever. The stage is set, the fans are ready, and the countdown finally hit zero – college football is back.
(ESPN College Football, 2025)
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
NASHVILLE, TN: In this image released on May 28, 2021, Multi-platinum selling country music icon and Grammy®, CMA and ACM Award-winner Alan Jackson performs for the Capital Concerts' "National Memorial Day Concert" from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast on May 30, 2021. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Capital Concerts) -
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 09: Darius Rucker of Hootie & The Blowfish performs during the Windy City Smokeout on July 09, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images) -
THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW — Episode A5088 — Pictured: Kelly Clarkson — (Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images) -
NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS – APRIL 15: Frank Beard of ZZ Top Performs in concert at Whitewater Amphitheater on April 15, 2023 in New Braunfels, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/WireImage) -
Photo by Larry McCormack/Disney via Getty Images -
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ACM -
Photo by Michael Duncan via The Depot/Facebook -
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 27: Russell Dickerson performs at Summerfest 2026 at Henry Maier Festival Park on June 27, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Joshua Applegate/Getty Images)