For over a decade, Big & Rich started College Game Day with “Comin’ To Your City.” While the song was released as a single on one of their albums, the rewritten, football-centric version became even more popular than the original.
Just like music fans, sports fans are passionate. Whether they support their alma mater or are just fans of the non-professional league, college football is one of the most fervent fandoms. They needed a song as raucous and bouncy as they were. Big & Rich delivered exactly that.
In 2023, the Big & Rich College GameDay theme was replaced with a new theme featuring Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker and The Cadillac Three. Learn more about the history of this song and the decision to change the theme after all this time below.
Large and rich version
The Big & Rich College GameDay theme opened the broadcast for 16 years. Playing off the song’s original intention of introducing Big & Rich as global superstars, the duo reworked this track to mention various states and their college teams.
Roll Tide rolled through Alabama, hit ’em hard at the Stanford farm, / Let’s raise our hands for the war eagle on the plains.some lyrics read. Every corner of the United States could feel represented, making it the perfect intro for the College GameDay broadcast.
This theme lasted almost half of College GameDay’s broadcast runtime. In 2023, new artists have taken their place.
“We appreciate that Big & Rich have been the faces of College GameDay over the years,” John Rich wrote on Twitter at the time. “It was a great experience and we had a great time. ESPN decided to leave us and that’s their prerogative of course. I’m not sure what led to this decision, but we are grateful for all the memories and love from our fans!”
Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker and the Cadillac Three
While fans are undoubtedly missing Big & Rich’s intro, the latest version of the theme is more than a consolation. Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker and The Cadillac Three joined forces for an updated version of “Comin’ To Your City.” No matter what brand or generation of country fan you are, there’s something to love about this collaboration.
Wilson impresses with his signature stage presence, Rucker remains an icon and The Cadillac Three brings the heat with their instrumentation. It’s the perfect talent pool and a valuable addition to College GameDay. Revisit the theme below.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
