NBC Expands Its College Football Lineup for 2026
NBC has announced that veteran play‑by‑play announcers Jason Benetti and Dave Flemming will join its college football coverage in 2026, each handling a selection of Big Ten games. Benetti, who recently concluded a stint calling Sunday Night Baseball after a decade at Fox, will now focus on football, while Flemming returns to NBC after a sixteen‑year run at ESPN.
The network will retain its core Saturday‑night crew, with Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge and Kathryn Tappen continuing to call Big Ten matchups for a fourth straight season. Dan Hicks and Jason Garrett are also set to return to the Notre Dame booth, marking their thirty‑sixth year of combined coverage of the Fighting Irish.
Analysts and Reporters Bring Fresh Perspectives
NBC has added a roster of analysts and reporters to its lineup. Yogi Roth will serve as a full‑season analyst and field reporter for College Countdown, Matt Cassel will provide analysis on select Big Ten contests, and Ashley ShahAhmadi makes her debut as a sideline reporter. Caroline Pineda will take on a full‑time reporting role, covering both Notre Dame and Big Ten sidelines, while Paul Burmeister returns as the network’s second lead play‑by‑play voice.
The 2026 season opens with Michigan hosting Western Michigan on September 5, a game that will also mark the coaching debut of Kyle Whittingham. A week later, Notre Dame travels to Lambeau Field to face Wisconsin in a primetime showdown on September 6, underscoring the network’s expanded commitment to college football beyond the Big Ten.
Season Opener and Broader Sports Strategy
Ahmed Fareed remains the host of College Countdown, with John Fanta helming the first four weeks of the season. The broader NBC sports slate will also feature additional Big East coverage, NBA on NBC play‑by‑play, and high school football broadcasts, reflecting a strategic push to diversify its sports portfolio.