NBC Sports Bolsters 2026 College Football Lineup with Jason Benetti and Dave Flemming

Well, football season is nearly upon us, and NBC Sports is certainly not holding back! They're gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying 2026 college football season by significantly expanding their broadcast talent pool, bringing in some truly recognizable and respected voices. Headlining these exciting additions are none other than Jason Benetti and Dave Flemming, who are set to take the play-by-play reins for a selection of Big Ten games.

Jason Benetti, a name many fans already associate with top-tier sports broadcasting, will be stepping into the booth for specific Big Ten matchups. This isn't Benetti's first rodeo with NBC; he’s already become a familiar voice, having been hired by the network back in March to anchor Sunday Night Baseball and subsequently joining their NBA rotation in August. Before his current tenure with NBC, he honed his craft calling Big Ten and Big 12 games for Fox, so he's no stranger to the intensity and passion of college football. It's truly a natural fit to see him return to the college gridiron, now under the NBC banner.

Equally exciting is the arrival of Dave Flemming, another broadcasting veteran whose versatility is truly impressive. Flemming, who just this past June departed ESPN after a remarkable run that began in 2010, will also be providing play-by-play for a portion of NBC's Big Ten schedule. While many know him as a staple in the San Francisco Giants' radio booth and even a sub for Warriors broadcasts, his ESPN career saw him cover everything from college basketball and Saturday college football games on ABC and ESPN to golf majors and MLB. Since May, he’s already been lending his voice to NBC's Sunday Leadoff alongside Matt Vasgersian, so his move to college football seems like a logical, welcome expansion of his NBC duties.

Beyond Benetti and Flemming, NBC is also making other notable enhancements to its college football coverage. Caroline Pineda, a talented reporter, is stepping into a full-time role as Notre Dame's sideline reporter, and we'll also catch her on the sidelines for select Big Ten assignments. And for the initial four weeks of the season, John Fanta, a rising star who recently became NBC's lead Big East voice in August, will be hosting the "College Countdown" studio show. Fanta’s already had quite a year, making his NBA on NBC play-by-play debut in February, covering the Kentucky Derby in April, and even hosting NBC and Overtime's OT7 in June. It's clear NBC sees immense potential in his dynamic presence.

Of course, the established talent isn't going anywhere, ensuring a rich and familiar viewing experience. Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge are set to return for the main Big Ten Saturday game, with Kathryn Tappen joining them on the sidelines. For the venerable Notre Dame Football broadcasts, Dan Hicks and Jason Garrett are back in the booth, with Paul Burmeister serving as the lead play-by-play voice, Yogi Roth providing full-season analysis, and Matt Cassel joining for select Big Ten games as an analyst. Ashley ShahAhmadi will also be on sideline duty, rounding out a truly comprehensive team.

The "College Countdown" studio show itself is also stacked with expertise. Ahmed Fareed will be at the helm, flanked by analysts Chris Simms and Joshua Perry. Adding to the insightful discussion will be college football insider Nicole Auerbach and NFL Draft analyst Connor Rogers, who also co-hosts "Unbuttoned" with Simms midweek. It's a powerhouse lineup designed to break down all the action and storylines.

Looking ahead to some specific matchups, fans can anticipate Michigan, now under new head coach Kyle Whittingham, kicking off against Western Michigan on September 5th. A blockbuster early-season clash sees Notre Dame face Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on September 6th. Later in the season, keep an eye out for Miami vs. Notre Dame on November 7th and SMU vs. Notre Dame on November 21st, all promising thrilling gridiron action. It’ll be fascinating to see how Benetti and Flemming's roles evolve, and if their college football workload might expand even further beyond this initial season or to games outside the Big Ten. For now, though, it’s all about the excitement of the 2026 season and the fresh, dynamic voices ready to bring it to our screens.