If you turned on a college football game this season and thought you heard a voice that usually belongs at 200 miles per hour, you aren't crazy. It really is him. Does Rick Allen commentate college football 2025? The short answer is a loud, resounding yes. But it isn't with NBC, the network where he spent a decade as the lead voice of NASCAR.
The sports media world moves fast. One minute you're the "voice" of the Cup Series, and the next, you're calling a late-night matchup in Pullman, Washington. That is exactly what happened to Rick Allen. After a somewhat messy exit from his primary racing duties at NBC Sports, Allen found a new home in a place many didn't expect: The CW.
Where to Find Rick Allen in 2025
Honestly, 2025 has been a wild year for Rick Allen’s career. Most people know him for his signature "Prawbelem!" and "Aggressive goes around!" calls from the NASCAR booth. However, NBC decided to move in a different direction at the end of 2024, replacing him with Leigh Diffey for their Cup Series coverage.
Instead of disappearing into the sunset (or his woodworking shop in North Carolina, which he actually does for fun), Allen signed on with The CW. This isn't just a one-off thing either. He was officially hired as a fill-in play-by-play commentator for their 2025 college football slate.
His debut was a big one: the "Battle of the Palouse" between Idaho and Washington State on August 31, 2025.
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Why the Change Happened
Broadcasting contracts are brutal. Allen’s deal with NBC was basically phased out as the network prepared for a new NASCAR TV deal. He spent the latter half of 2024 calling Xfinity Series races, but once that series moved entirely to The CW for the 2025 season, the seat musical chairs began.
While many fans hoped he would land a full-time gig with one of the new NASCAR partners like Amazon Prime or TNT, those spots filled up quickly. The CW saw an opportunity to bring in a veteran voice for their expanding sports portfolio, which now includes the ACC and Pac-12.
What Most People Get Wrong About Rick's 2025 Roles
There is a big misconception that Rick is only doing college football. That’s not the case. He’s actually juggling about three different jobs right now.
- The CW College Football: He’s calling select games, often paired with analysts like Ryan Leaf.
- Carolina Panthers: If you go to a home game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, you’ll hear him. He was hired as the entertainment PA announcer for the Panthers' 2025 season.
- Professional Bowling: This is the weirdest one. In December 2025, it was announced that Rick Allen will be the lead play-by-play voice for the PBA Tour on The CW starting in 2026.
Basically, if you're looking for Rick Allen, you have to look at The CW. He’s becoming the face of their sports division.
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The Experience of Hearing a NASCAR Voice Call Football
It’s definitely a vibe shift.
When Rick Allen calls a game, he brings that high-energy, "big moment" delivery he perfected at Daytona and Talladega. Some fans love the crossover. Others find it a bit jarring to hear a voice they associate with engine roar suddenly talking about a triple-option offense.
Actually, Rick isn't new to this. Before he was the "NASCAR guy," he had a history with track and field and other collegiate sports. He was a decathlete at the University of Nebraska, so the college atmosphere is literally in his DNA.
Is He Done With Racing?
Not quite.
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Even though he's a fixture in the college football booth for 2025, he hasn't fully turned his back on the track. In June 2025, he popped up on FloRacing to call some CARS Tour action. He’s staying in the Charlotte area—the hub of the racing world—which keeps him in the loop.
But for now, his Saturday nights are spent on the gridiron.
How to Track His Schedule
If you want to catch a game he's calling, you need to check the weekly The CW Sports schedule. They don't have a fixed "Team A" and "Team B" like CBS or FOX might; they rotate their announcers based on the matchup. He’s been a frequent voice for those late-night Pac-12 leftovers and mid-day ACC battles.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to follow Rick's new career path, here is how to navigate it:
- Check the CW App: They stream their college football games for free, and you can see the announcer lineup there a few days before kickoff.
- Follow Adam Stern: The Sports Business Journal reporter is usually the first to break where Rick is headed next.
- Listen at Panthers Games: If you're in Charlotte, don't expect the TV broadcast to feature him; his NFL role is strictly for the fans inside the stadium.
Rick Allen is a survivor in a tough industry. Seeing him pivot from the NASCAR booth to college football in 2025 shows just how versatile a pro needs to be these days. He might not be screaming about a "Green-White-Checkered" finish, but he's still bringing that same intensity to the fourth quarter.