Don’t Blame FOX For Ohio State Versus Texas Noon Kickoff, Decision Was On The Longhorns

The highly anticipated Ohio State vs. Texas matchup this season generated enormous buzz among college football fans nationwide. Two storied programs with rich traditions, both vying for supremacy, promised a showdown worthy of prime-time television and maximum exposure. Yet, when the game was officially scheduled for a **noon kickoff**, disappointment rippled through viewers, media, and some alumni who expected a later slot, perhaps even an evening kickoff, better suited for a marquee game.

Many quickly pointed fingers at FOX, the network broadcasting the game, accusing the network of downplaying the matchup by relegating it to an early time slot that seemingly dampened national viewership and TV ratings potential. However, upon closer examination, the decision to schedule the game at noon was firmly in the hands of the Texas Longhorns athletic department, not FOX.

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## Setting the Scene: The Matchup and Expectations

Before diving into the controversy, it’s important to understand the stakes and the context of the game. Ohio State, a perennial playoff contender with a rich football legacy, was coming off a strong season, boasting a powerful offense and a stingy defense. Texas, under the leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian, was emerging as a national contender, hungry to prove its place among college football’s elite.

Fans and analysts viewed this game as a defining moment of the season—a potential playoff preview and a marquee contest that could shape the College Football Playoff landscape. With that anticipation, the timing of the game took on outsized importance.

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## FOX’s Role: Broadcast Partner, Not Scheduler

FOX, as the broadcast partner, plays an essential role in college football’s national exposure. The network negotiates schedules, chooses which games to air nationally, and markets marquee matchups to maximize viewership. However, FOX **does not have sole authority over game times**—those decisions involve extensive collaboration with the schools and conferences involved.

In the case of Ohio State vs. Texas, FOX proposed various time slots for the game, including afternoon and evening kickoffs. However, it was Texas who ultimately chose the noon kickoff window, weighing several factors that aligned with their strategic interests.

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## Why Did Texas Choose the Noon Kickoff?

Several key reasons drove Texas’s decision to opt for the noon kickoff:

### 1. **Local Fan Attendance and Atmosphere**

Playing an early game allows fans in Austin and surrounding areas to attend the game without logistical hurdles of a late-night event. Texas officials believed a noon kickoff would better accommodate families, students, and local supporters, maximizing in-stadium attendance and game-day atmosphere.

This priority on home-game attendance reflects the university’s focus on creating a dynamic home-field advantage, crucial for Texas in their quest to build momentum and protect their turf.

### 2. **Television Audience Considerations**

While a prime-time game might attract a larger national audience, noon kickoffs are traditional for Texas home games, especially at historic venues like the Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas assessed the potential viewership trade-off but determined that the overall exposure in a time slot familiar to their fanbase was more valuable.

Moreover, Texas’s decision was informed by concerns over competing with other high-profile games airing later in the day. They chose to secure a dedicated window rather than risk being overshadowed.

### 3. **Player Preparation and Performance**

Morning games afford teams an extended preparation window and recovery time before and after the game. Texas’s coaching staff favored the noon slot, believing it better suited their players’ routines and physical readiness, minimizing disruptions to pre-game preparation rituals.

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## Ohio State’s Perspective: Acceptance and Flexibility

Ohio State, the visiting team, was largely amenable to the noon kickoff, understanding it was Texas’s home game and thus their prerogative to select the time slot. Ohio State coaches emphasized their readiness to perform regardless of kickoff time, focusing on preparation and execution over scheduling concerns.

Ohio State’s acceptance also reflected broader respect for Texas’s stadium traditions and fan experience, underscoring that the Buckeyes are accustomed to playing in various environments and time slots throughout their season.

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## Media and Fan Reactions: Where the Misunderstanding Originated

Despite clear evidence that Texas made the scheduling call, some media outlets and fans jumped to blame FOX for what they perceived as a missed opportunity to spotlight the game on prime-time TV. This narrative gained traction on social media and comment sections, with some criticizing the network’s motives and decision-making.

The misunderstanding partly stemmed from FOX’s control over broadcasting rights and the common perception that networks dictate kickoff times. However, in college football, **the home team typically selects the kickoff time, subject to conference and television agreements**. Since Texas was the home team, they had the final say.

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## Historical Context: Home Team Control Over Kickoff Times

College football has a long-standing tradition of home teams selecting game times within a window agreed upon with conferences and broadcasters. This practice helps maintain local fan engagement and logistical control, including security, stadium operations, and television scheduling coordination.

Notable past controversies involving kickoff times have repeatedly highlighted this dynamic. Networks may prefer certain slots for ratings, but they must negotiate with home teams, who balance TV exposure against in-person fan experience.

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## The Economics Behind Kickoff Time Decisions

The economics of college football scheduling cannot be overlooked. The financial implications tied to attendance, merchandise sales, concessions, and local business revenue heavily influence decisions.

Texas’s noon kickoff choice aimed to maximize stadium attendance, which directly impacts ticket revenue and creates a more vibrant game-day atmosphere that fuels the team’s performance and program prestige.

Simultaneously, Texas’s athletic department likely analyzed broadcast revenue shares and determined that the trade-off was worth it to energize their local fan base and establish a home-field edge.

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## Broader Implications for College Football Scheduling

The Ohio State vs. Texas kickoff time controversy shines a light on the larger, often overlooked negotiation process behind game scheduling. The push and pull between schools’ priorities, television networks’ commercial interests, conferences’ needs, and fan expectations shape college football’s complex schedule.

In future matchups of similar magnitude, fans and media would benefit from understanding the multifaceted decision-making involved rather than defaulting to blaming broadcasters.

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## Lessons Learned: Setting Expectations for Fans and Media

This situation serves as a teachable moment for the college football community:

* **Networks are broadcast partners, not sole schedulers.** They propose options but must collaborate with home teams.
* **Home teams prioritize in-stadium experience and logistics.** These decisions impact attendance, atmosphere, and team preparation.
* **Fan expectations should be managed with transparency.** Understanding scheduling complexities can reduce misplaced frustrations.

The Noon Kickoff Was Texas’s Choice — Let’s Focus on the Game

Ultimately, the noon kickoff for Ohio State vs. Texas was a strategic decision by the Longhorns, balancing fan experience, player readiness, and local logistics. FOX’s role was to provide broadcast options and bring the game to millions of viewers.

Blaming FOX overlooks the nuances of college football scheduling and the legitimate priorities of the Texas program. Instead of directing frustration toward the network, fans should appreciate the complex coordination that brings such marquee games to life.

As the Buckeyes and Longhorns prepare to clash on the gridiron, the focus should be on the players’ performances, the coaches’ strategies, and the drama that only college football can deliver—not on kickoff times or broadcast assignments.