Report: Texas blocked Ohio State attempt to move kickoff time, date for season opener
COLUMBUS — Last week, FOX announced it had the rights to the Ohio State season-opening matchup against Texas. It is expected that this top-five matchup will kick off at Noon on Aug. 30.
Well, according to a report from 247sports, Texas has said no to a request from Ohio State to move the matchup from Saturday to Sunday evening — a primetime slot.
Further reporting says Ohio State is doing what it can to get that game out of the Noon window, including the proposal for the night kickoff on Sunday, Aug. 31. But the Longhorns aren’t budging, as they’d almost certainly rather play a Noon game rather than play in a powder-kegged Horseshoe in primetime like fellow SEC heavyweight Tennessee did in January. That game, of course, was a Buckeyes blowout.
Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff last year on its way to a national title — which saw the Buckeyes go through the Longhorns’ backyard and win a game on the way to the championship win.
Top 10
- 1New
Inside the mind of Julian Sayin
How social media joke revealed demeanor of Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin
- 2Hot
Breaking down Ohio State's offense
Examining what we've learned about Buckeyes early-season offensive identity
- 3Trending
What can Logan Georges add?
How healthy Logan George would fit, expand options on Ohio State defensive line
- 4
Buckeyes punt-return struggles
Ohio State, Ryan Day want more from punt-return unit after two games
- 5Trending
Latest on Ohio State recruiting
The Buckeyes to host rising in-state defensive lineman Carter Kessler, Landry Brede update
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
FOX has routinely used Ohio State to boost its ratings of its premier product, Big Noon Kickoff. Since 2019, Ohio State has played on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff 18 times, five more than the next-closest program, Michigan, which has appeared 13 times in that slot since 2019.
The folks at FOX argue that ratings are good from a television standpoint, which is why the continuation of putting the very best Big Ten matchups of the season at Noon is a good thing. Fans and everyone who doesn’t work for FOX argue that the atmosphere for Noon games does not compare to afternoon or evening kickoff times — and that recruiting is negatively impacted as recruits have a harder time playing Friday night games and getting to the Horseshoe for Noon kickoffs on Saturday.
Ohio State did its part to find a remedy for the issue, reportedly suggesting a Sunday evening kickoff to open the season against the Longhorns. Texas, however, has said no.
Expect a Saturday spectacle for Ohio State vs. Texas — with kickoff likely at Noon.