One of the few things I actually watch on ESPN (besides games) is College Gameday.  I enjoy all of the anchors, on-site Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit and Rece Davis, Lou Holtz and Mark May in the studio.  I am a firm believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but it appears that's exactly what Home Depot wants to do.

Home Depot is the sponsor of the show and they have, according to reports, told ESPN they would prefer that Karl Ravech host the show and that Lou Holtz take Corso's role.  I can tell you from experience, when a major client tells a man in a suit they want to recast the show, the man in the suit smiles and says "sure, we can do that."

If this comes to fruition it will break up a great team in Fowler, Corso and Herbstreit.  These guys are good, they're knowledgeable and their entertaining.  From a programmers standpoint, these guys are terrific at what they do and, as Stewart Smalley used to say, "gosh darn it, people like them."  The sad part here is these guys have done nothing to deserve losing their gig.

The second aspect is far more insidious.  That is where a network allows itself to be dictated to be a sponsor.  I know, they're the customer and the customer is always right, but every once in a while, somebody has to grow a pair and tell the sponsor "no."  I think having integrity and continuity in your programming is important and I think programming decisions should be made by people trained to make them, not some wanna be at an ad agency or some VP of marketing who happened to graduate from Notre Dame.  Or someone in the organization who may not like so and so because he had some harsh words for the SEC instead of kissing their ass.

According to the various reports I've read, it seems that Home Depot is really gunning for Corso.  Fowler may be collateral damage if he is sticking up for the former coach.  I've also read that ESPN has issued a strong denial.  Of course, that could be followed by Corso suddenly pulling a John Madden and deciding that he wants to spend more time with his grand kids instead of dressing in mascot heads every week.  That would take the onus off the network and the sponsor and allow Corso to walk away with his dignity and Fowler to keep his chair.

We all know what the likely outcome will be.  Some one in a suit will order someone in Dockers to bend over and take it without lubricant. Viewers will be disappointed, but continue to watch because it's still College Gameday and it's still ESPN.    Eventually, Fowler and Corso will be memories and the new guys will be universally accepted and loved by viewers.  That is, until another sponsor decides he wants Ravech gone and someone else as primary anchor.