Ohio State football fans can blame Texas for the season-opening game being at noon

The 2023 Ohio State football season began with much anticipation, fueled by high expectations and the desire for a marquee matchup that would showcase the Buckeyes under the national spotlight. However, one key factor that many Ohio State fans point to in expressing their frustration is the decision to schedule the season opener against Texas at a noon kickoff. This choice, often viewed by fans as a missed opportunity for a primetime spectacle, has become a focal point of debate, with many placing the blame squarely on Texas for the early kickoff. In this comprehensive analysis, we explore the historical context of college football scheduling, the influence of Texas’s football prominence, the strategic considerations behind the game time, the implications for Ohio State and its fans, and ultimately why many believe that Texas bears significant responsibility for the season-opening game being at noon.

### The Significance of Game Times in College Football

Before delving into the specifics of the Ohio State-Texas matchup, it’s essential to understand the importance of game times in college football. Kickoff times are more than just scheduling logistics; they are strategic decisions that impact television ratings, team performance, fan experience, and the overall perception of the game. Prime-time slots—typically from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.—offer maximum exposure, higher viewer engagement, and create electrifying atmospheres both in-stadium and on television.

Conversely, noon games are often perceived as less glamorous, sometimes associated with early-season mismatches, less visibility, and a diminished sense of importance. For a program like Ohio State, which strives to maximize national exposure and showcase its brand, a noon kickoff can be seen as a missed opportunity to shine under the brightest lights.

### The Historical Context of Ohio State’s Scheduling and Game Time Preferences

Ohio State has a storied football history and a passionate fan base that expects high-profile matchups, especially early in the season. The Buckeyes have often been featured in prime-time games against top opponents, particularly in rivalry showdowns or College Football Playoff implications. Historically, the program has preferred to host marquee games during evening slots, aligning with their desire for maximum visibility and the electric atmosphere that night games generate.

In recent years, Ohio State’s athletic department has actively sought to schedule big games at night, especially against traditional rivals like Michigan, Penn State, or top-ranked non-conference opponents. This strategic preference aligns with the goal of elevating the program’s national profile, attracting recruits, and satisfying alumni and supporters who crave the excitement of night games.

### The Texas Factor: A Football Powerhouse with Significant Influence

Texas is undeniably one of college football’s premier programs, with a rich history, a massive fan base, and a reputation that extends across the nation. The Longhorns have a storied tradition, multiple national championships, and a sizable television audience eager to watch their games. Their influence in college football scheduling is substantial, especially given their market size, media contracts, and the prominence of their program.

In recent years, Texas has become a key player in conference realignments, media negotiations, and scheduling decisions. As a result, their preferences and demands carry considerable weight in the planning of non-conference and season-opening games. Texas’s desire to maximize exposure and showcase their team on a national stage influences the scheduling decisions of the NCAA and television networks.

### The 2023 Season-Opening Game: The Decision and Its Rationale

The matchup between Ohio State and Texas was highly anticipated, billed as a potential early-season showdown between two of college football’s biggest programs. However, the game was scheduled for a noon kickoff, a decision that disappointed many Ohio State fans.

Several factors contributed to this scheduling choice:

– **Television Contracts and Broadcast Rights:** The game was broadcast on Fox, which had contractual obligations and preferred early slots to maximize viewership for the network’s programming lineup. Fox often favors noon and afternoon slots for certain high-profile games to secure advertising revenue and logistical convenience.

– **Conference and Event Scheduling:** The Big Ten and Big 12 conferences, along with the NCAA, coordinate schedules to optimize television coverage. Sometimes, these arrangements prioritize other matchups or logistical considerations, leading to early kickoff times.

– **Texas’s Preferences:** It is widely believed that Texas, along with their media partners, advocated for an early kickoff to secure maximum exposure at a time when they believed the game would garner wide viewership. Texas’s influence in the negotiations meant that their scheduling preferences carried significant weight.

– **Avoidance of Conflicting Prime-Time Slots:** The game’s placement at noon could have been strategically designed to avoid conflicts with other major college football games scheduled later in the evening. This approach ensures that Texas’s game receives undivided attention in the early window.

### Why Many Ohio State Fans Blame Texas

Ohio State fans’ frustration with the noon kickoff stems from several interrelated reasons:

**1. Missed Prime-Time Exposure:** Night games, especially against a program like Texas, would have attracted a massive television audience, heightened the atmosphere, and provided an ideal platform to showcase Ohio State’s talent and tradition. A noon game diminishes these opportunities, reducing the game’s visibility and excitement.

**2. Impact on Team Performance and Fan Experience:** Night games often foster a more electrifying environment inside Ohio Stadium, energizing players and fans alike. A noon kickoff can lead to a less intense atmosphere, affecting team performance and fan engagement.

**3. Strategic Signaling and Program Prestige:** Hosting a marquee game under the lights signals to recruits, media, and national observers that Ohio State remains a premier program capable of hosting the biggest games. A noon start can be perceived as a downgrade, especially when contrasted with night games against top opponents.

**4. Perception of Texas’s Dominance and Influence:** Many fans see Texas’s influential role in scheduling as a reflection of the Longhorns’ desire to maximize their exposure, possibly at the expense of Ohio State’s interests. This perception fuels feelings that Texas’s influence is overshadowing Ohio State’s scheduling priorities.

**5. Historical Context of Early-Season Matchups:** Ohio State fans have historically favored night games for big non-conference matchups, seeing them as opportunities for memorable atmospheres and national attention. The 2023 season’s early start at noon felt like a missed chance to affirm Ohio State’s football stature.

### The Broader Implications of the Scheduling Dispute

The blame placed on Texas for the early kickoff extends beyond just one game; it reflects broader themes in college football:

– **Power Dynamics in Scheduling:** Texas’s influence exemplifies how certain programs, especially those with media clout and large fan bases, can sway scheduling decisions. This dynamic can sometimes clash with the preferences of traditional powerhouses like Ohio State.

– **Media and Network Influence:** Major broadcasters like Fox, ESPN, and CBS wield significant power in dictating game times, often prioritizing viewership and advertising revenue over traditional scheduling preferences.

– **Impact on Fan Engagement and Program Identity:** How games are scheduled influences fan experience, program perception, and overall brand strength. Ohio State’s fans feel that their desire for night games against top opponents is sometimes sidelined by these broader interests.

– **Potential for Future Scheduling Conflicts:** The influence of powerful programs like Texas could lead to more early-game slots for high-profile matchups, challenging Ohio State’s tradition of hosting key games at night.

### The Role of the NCAA and Conference Leadership

The NCAA and conference officials are tasked with balancing competing interests: maximizing television revenue, accommodating the preferences of member programs, and maintaining competitive fairness. However, critics argue that the current system often favors the programs with the most media influence, like Texas, at the expense of traditional powerhouses like Ohio State.

In recent years, there has been a push for more equitable scheduling, with some advocating for a greater emphasis on team preferences and traditional rivalries. The Ohio State community hopes that future schedules will better reflect their desire for night games and marquee matchups, especially against top-tier opponents.

### The Cultural and Economic Impact

The scheduling decision also has cultural and economic ramifications. Night games generate larger crowds, higher merchandise sales, increased local business revenue, and greater national exposure. The decision to start the Ohio State-Texas game at noon may have limited these benefits, frustrating fans and local stakeholders.

Furthermore, the perception that Texas’s influence led to an unfavorable game time can affect the program’s reputation, fueling narratives about the dominance of certain programs and the imbalance of power within college football.

### Moving Forward: Can Ohio State Reclaim the Night?

Despite the disappointment, Ohio State can seek to influence future schedules. The program’s massive national following, successful track record, and economic clout give them leverage in negotiations. By emphasizing the importance of night games for program prestige, recruiting, and fan engagement, Ohio State can work with conference officials and broadcasters to prioritize evening slots for marquee matchups.

Additionally, Ohio State’s performance on the field can help demonstrate that they are a program deserving of prime-time slots, reinforcing their stature as a national powerhouse.

While the blame for the season-opening game at noon can be collectively shared among the NCAA, broadcasters, and the involved programs, many Ohio State fans see Texas’s influence as a significant factor. Texas’s status as a football powerhouse, combined with their media clout and strategic interests, appears to have played a pivotal role in shaping the scheduling of the Buckeyes’ season opener. For fans, this decision represents a missed opportunity for a night game that could have elevated the game’s excitement, visibility, and cultural significance. Moving forward, Ohio State’s football program will continue to advocate for scheduling that aligns with their tradition and fan expectations. Still, the 2023 season’s early kickoff serves as a reminder of the complex power dynamics at play in college football scheduling—where influence, media interests, and tradition intersect, often leaving passionate fans feeling like their voice is secondary to the interests of the game’s most influential stakeholders.