In recent years, the Ohio State Buckeyes have kicked off at noon more often than not, a trend that has caused lively debate among the fans. While some relish the chance to start their game day bright and early, others yearn for the electric atmosphere of prime-time matchups under the lights.
But according to one expert, the fixation on kickoff times might be missing the bigger picture. These scheduling decisions are part of a larger strategy that extends beyond the preferences of the fan base and could, in fact, be a significant advantage for the Ohio State program.
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Ohio State, as one of the most storied and successful programs in college football history, is a natural fit for this strategy. The Buckeyes boast a massive national following, and their games are almost guaranteed to draw significant viewership.
“Fox wants to own the noon time slot, which means Ohio State owns the noon time slot because they are gonna be the first team to play in most of those instances,” the Joe DeLeone of “The Ruffino & Joe Show” said.
This simply means the relationship benefits both parties: Fox gets a marquee matchup to anchor its Saturday coverage, and Ohio State receives unparalleled exposure in a prime viewing window.
DeLeone argues that Ohio State’s consistent presence in the noon slot is a strategic advantage.
“I don’t know why you’d be complaining about that,” DeLeone said. “I don’t know why you’d be upset about being the team that everybody associates teenagers, kids growing up, associate with the noon time slot. Oh, it’s noon. Oh, who’s Ohio State playing today?”
The logic is straightforward: Ohio State becomes synonymous with the start of the college football day by owning the noon slot.
DeLeone dismisses the complaints as shortsighted, suggesting that the benefits of this arrangement far outweigh any perceived drawbacks. This kind of exposure is hard to overstate for a program like Ohio State, which thrives on national prominence.
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Understandably, some fans might prefer later game times, with their extended tailgates and prime-time energy. However, scheduling decisions are driven by factors far beyond individual preferences and are rooted in the high-stakes world of television and branding.
Ohio State’s consistent noon slot is a unique opportunity to cement its status as a premier program in fans’ minds. DeLeone’s blunt assessment might overstate the case, but it underscores a key point: this is less a problem than a privilege in far many ways.
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