Ohio State Fans Clash with FOX Sports Over Noon Kickoff Controversy
Ohio State football fans, renowned for their unwavering passion and deep-rooted traditions, are currently caught in a heated debate. The source of the controversy? FOX Sports’ decision to air the Buckeyes’ season-opening game against Texas at noon. This decision sparked immediate backlash from the fanbase, who argue that such a scheduling shift disrupts long-standing gameday traditions.
The noon broadcast, part of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff strategy, is intended to maximize viewership early in the day and build momentum leading up to primetime games. However, this clashes with the expectations of fans who are used to relaxing and enjoying marquee matchups later in the evening. August 30, the date of the much-anticipated OSU vs. Texas game, has now become a focal point of dissatisfaction.
The discontent isn’t just about timing—it’s also about the significance of the game itself. Ohio State enters the season as defending champions, and this matchup marks the highly anticipated debut of Arch Manning. Fans feel that such an important game deserves a more fitting timeslot to preserve its stature and the viewer experience.
Top 20 Teams’ Total Viewership on the Entire History of Fox Big Noon Kickoff pic.twitter.com/x1o0NmDxdo
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) May 17, 2025
Despite the uproar, Ohio State’s enormous fan base remains a major asset. Historically, the Buckeyes have delivered an incredible 200.52 million viewers across their FOX-broadcasted games. This unmatched viewership eclipses even their rivals, with Michigan trailing far behind at 165.8 million. The last OSU vs. Texas clash broadcast by ESPN garnered over 19 million viewers. Still, many fans are unhappy with this year’s noon slot and have taken their grievances public, including setting up a petition to oppose the scheduling.
A key concern is for fans on the West Coast, who would have to tune in as early as 9 a.m. to catch the game live. For many, this schedule doesn’t align with the typical college football experience, which traditionally begins later in the day.
The controversy has drawn attention from lawmakers as well. Ohio State Representative Tex Fischer has introduced a bill aimed at protecting the traditional timing of Buckeyes games. The proposed legislation would prevent high-profile matchups—specifically when both teams are top-10 AP-ranked state universities—from being scheduled before 3:30 p.m. ET. If violated, the bill would impose a $10 million fine on either the hosting conference or the broadcasting network, depending on who scheduled the game.
Interestingly, the bill excludes the long-standing noon tradition of the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry game. Still, it represents a significant challenge to FOX’s current strategy, especially since the network has aired 35 Ohio State games since 2019, including six in 2024 alone.
Despite all the pushback, noon games have historically performed well for the network. Three of Ohio State’s noon games in 2024 ranked among the top ten most-watched games of the season, with the Michigan game alone drawing 12.3 million viewers.
As the season approaches, the spotlight is on both teams’ head coaches—Ryan Day for Ohio State and Steve Sarkisian for Texas—as they gear up for a high-stakes opener. For FOX, the decision to stick with a noon kickoff could result in a ratings win, despite the backlash. Still, with increasing pressure from fans and lawmakers alike, the future of noon kickoffs for the Buckeyes remains uncertain.