The 2026 Announce Team
NBC Sports has unveiled its 2026 college football announcing roster, a lineup that blends veteran talent with fresh faces as the network prepares for a season that will feature more than two dozen games across the Big Ten and Notre Dame.
The schedule kicks off on August 29 with a marquee showdown between San Jose State and USC, while later in the month Wisconsin travels to South Bend to face Notre Dame in a primetime clash that promises early‑season drama.
Returning to the Saturday night booth for their fourth year are Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge and Kathryn Tappen, who will call every primetime Big Ten game, including the San Jose State‑USC matchup, bringing a continuity that fans have come to expect.
New additions to the roster include sideline reporter Ashley ShahAhmadi making her debut, alongside analysts Yogi Roth and Matt Cassel, while Dan Hicks, Jason Garrett and Caroline Pineda will anchor the Notre Dame broadcasts.
The broader slate also sees College Countdown, presented by Genesis, returning with new analysts Chris Simms and Joshua Perry, and a host of other commentators such as Paul Burmeister, Jason Benetti and Dave Flemming set to contribute across the season.
Notre Dame’s season opener is slated for September 6 when Wisconsin takes the field at Lambeau Field, a game that will be televised as part of the network’s extensive coverage.