College football fans erupted in anger following news that the Ohio State Buckeyes’ much-anticipated 2025 season opener against Texas will air at noon ET on FOX. Many had expected the rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal to land in prime time, but instead it was slotted into FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff.”
Critics pointed to limited tailgating opportunities as a major complaint with early games. Still, FOX’s media deal contributes heavily to Big Ten payouts. That financial support makes it unlikely Ohio State or other Big Ten programs would sacrifice revenue to avoid early start times.
Fans Slam Big Noon Kickoff as Ohio State vs. Texas, LSU vs. Clemson, and Other Week 1 CFB Times Leak Online
The announcement of Week 1 kickoff times has triggered backlash across the college football world, with fans especially furious over Ohio State’s high-profile showdown against Texas being slotted into FOX’s noon ET window.
Confirmed Kickoff times for Week 1:
Ohio State – Texas 12:00 PM EST
Syracuse – Tennessee 12:00 PM EST
Alabama – Florida State 3:30 PM EST
LSU – Clemson 7:30 PM EST
South Carolina – Virginia Tech 3 PM EST (Sunday)LSU vs Clemson will getting Primetime along with Chris Fowler… pic.twitter.com/3cuVF2dvQA
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) May 13, 2025
The matchup, a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal, will air at 12 p.m. ET as part of FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” sparking anger from fans and former players who expected a prime-time atmosphere.
“This is arguably our biggest game of the year, and it’s going to be played at 11 fkn AM. Get rid of Big Noon Kickoff!!!” one fan posted.
Another added, “The Big Noon Kickoff is so greedy.”
Former Ohio State cornerback Chimdi Chekwa voiced frustration, even suggesting a protest. He argued that a rivalry game of this scale, especially one in Columbus, deserves a nighttime slot that better captures the magnitude and tradition surrounding it.
Other Week 1 matchups confirmed include Syracuse vs. Tennessee at noon, Alabama vs. Florida State at 3:30 p.m. ET, and LSU vs. Clemson at 7:30 p.m. ET. The latter will receive full prime-time treatment with Chris Fowler and crew on the call.
Meanwhile, South Carolina and Virginia Tech will play Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Ohio State fans have long grown weary of being FOX’s noon mainstay. Since the launch of “Big Noon Saturday” in 2019, the Buckeyes have appeared in the slot a staggering 22 times—more than any other program.
Michigan, by comparison, has featured in 17 Big Noon games. In 2024 alone, Ohio State had five Big Noon appearances and seven total noon starts.
Athletic director Ross Bjork has lobbied for more evening kickoffs, highlighting the need for better time slot balance. Many fans recall the electric environment at Ohio Stadium when it hosted Tennessee in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, underscoring what’s possible under the lights.
Despite the uproar, FOX continues to prioritize its noon broadcast window due to strong ratings performance and strategic positioning against CBS’s 3:30 p.m. Big Ten game and ESPN’s nighttime marquee.
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The network enhances its presentation by bringing its “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show on site, similar to ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
Still, that hasn’t stopped calls for change. The frustration is boiling over for a fan base craving more prime-time moments, and the Week 1 schedule leak only made it worse.
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