College football analyst Josh Pate has sparked debate by criticizing FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. He argues that shifting major games like Ohio State vs. Texas to early time slots is hurting the fan experience.
His comments have resonated with fans who miss the excitement and tradition of primetime college football showdowns. What else did he say about the network scheduling marquee games at noon ET?
Josh Pate Says FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff Is Damaging The Fan Experience for Top College Teams
College football analyst Josh Pate has ignited a heated debate by calling out FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, claiming it’s hurting the sport’s biggest programs and their fans.
In a recent episode of “Josh Pate’s College Football Show” podcast, Pate didn’t mince words, arguing that moving marquee matchups like Ohio State vs. Texas to noon kickoffs is robbing fans of the electric atmosphere that primetime games deliver.
He points out that, unlike powerhouse SEC teams such as Georgia and LSU, who regularly enjoy the spotlight under the lights, Big Ten heavyweights are being sidelined to earlier time slots, much to the frustration of their passionate supporters.
Pate’s critique centers on the fan experience. He notes that since FOX acquired major Big Ten media rights, the network has prioritized putting its top games in the noon slot to avoid direct competition with other networks’ primetime broadcasts.
While this strategy may make sense from a business perspective, Pate argues that it comes at a significant cost to tradition and excitement.
“We’ve got a noon kickoff crisis in the sport… None of their big games happen in primetime, and the fans are up there like, ‘Why?’ he asked.
“Why is every other Alabama, Georgia, or LSU game in primetime? We’re up here playing Texas in Week One, and we kick it off at noon.” Pate exclaimed, echoing the sentiments of countless fans.
The video’s really taken off with college football fans, and it’s easy to see why. It points out just how out of touch some network decisions are with what fans actually want. Pate’s passionate message is striking a chord, especially with people who feel like early kickoffs are taking away from the excitement of the biggest games.
FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff was designed to carve out a unique TV window for the network’s biggest games, maximizing ratings and brand visibility.
By placing top matchups at noon, FOX avoids competing with CBS’s 3:30 p.m. SEC slot and ABC’s primetime games. While the strategy has delivered strong viewership numbers, Pate and many fans argue that these ratings don’t justify sacrificing the traditional spectacle of college football’s biggest nights.
For programs like Ohio State and Texas, the noon slot has become a double-edged sword. While their games reach a national audience, the on-campus experience often feels diminished.
Students and local fans struggle with early tailgates, and the stadium atmosphere can lack the intensity and drama that primetime games naturally foster. This shift, Pate contends, is eroding one of college football’s most cherished traditions.
In the end, Pate thinks it’s time to rethink how media rights work in college football. He says there needs to be a better balance between what TV networks want and what’s actually good for the fans.
He even warns that if things keep going the way they are, the sport could end up pushing away its most loyal fans. This whole debate about kickoff times isn’t just about TV schedules’s really about keeping the heart of college football alive.
Josh Pate’s take on Big Noon Kickoff has hit home for a lot of fans and fired up the conversation about what makes college football so special. With networks always chasing higher ratings, the big question is: how do you hang on to the traditions that make the sport unforgettable?
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