The Penn State Nittany Lions have finally made it to the College Football Playoffs and are ranked the No. 4 team. Despite their loss to the Oregon Ducks, the Nittany Lions will enjoy a first round home game. They will face the SMU Mustangs in the first round on December 21 at Beaver Stadium.
One detail about this game has fans concerned and a little upset. The game will kickoff at noon. Naturally fans are asking why?
Penn State Fans Furious at Noon Time Slot for Round 1 Playoff Game
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Playoff White Out: UNLOCKED#WeAre x @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X435rlcnaU
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 8, 2024
Needless to say, Penn State fans were not pleased with the time slot chosen for the SMU game. Even the allure of a white out couldn’t keep fans from voicing their frustration at the kickoff time.
One fan bluntly tweeted, “This should not be a noon game.”
This should not be a noon game
— daniel (@sotohater22_) December 8, 2024
Another fan wrote, “Noon for a playoff game?”
Why Is the Penn State vs. SMU Mustangs Game Being Held at Noon?
Penn State is starting the CFP strong with a “white out” home game against SMU. This will be the first white-out game in nine years, ensuring a thrilling experience for Nittany Lions fans.
However, the kickoff time for the game has had a less-than-pleasant response from fans.
So why is the game at noon? The natural reaction would be to look at FOX for answers. FOX is notorious for setting high-profile games in its “Big Noon Kickoff” time slot, but this time they have nothing to do with the decision.
FOX doesn’t have the broadcasting rights to the College Football Playoff. Instead, the game will be airing on TNT, and the main culprit behind this would be ESPN.
ESPN has possessed the broadcasting rights to the CFP since 2014, after the introduction of the four-team College Football Playoff. Following the start of the 12-team CFP, ESPN began sublicensing specific CFP games to TNT.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Playoffs with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
TNT will broadcast two first-round games, specifically, Penn State vs. SMU and Texas vs. Clemson. The agreement was that ESPN would present the prime-time Friday and Saturday night games, while TNT would get the Saturday noon and 4 p.m. games.
It is ESPN’s prerogative to select the choice games — and they’ve certainly done that. So, if it comes down to whose fault it is, look no further than the sports magnate in Bristol, CT.
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