AUSTIN (KXAN) — Typically, fans get upset about most things involving their favorite team. Fan is short for fanatic, after all.
But the level of anger and frustration by fans on the platform X after it was announced that FOX would broadcast the Week 1 college football game between Texas and Ohio State on Aug. 30 could even make the most reasonable person blush.
Neither the network nor the schools have announced the game time, but fans are assuming that FOX will make it its “Big Noon Kickoff” game, meaning it’ll begin at 11 a.m. CT and be part of FOX Sports’ competitor to ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
Fans don’t think the rematch of the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl Classic should be a day game. An overwhelming number of X users chimed in to express their feelings on a post by the FOX College Football account.
“Big Noon Kickoff is the worst thing to happen to American sports,” said one reply.
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian watches from the sideline during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) -
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day celebrates after the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) -
A Texas helmet made with tire treads was showcased at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates) -
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian speaks at the head coaches press conference Thursday ahead of Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. (KXAN photo) -
Texas running back Jaydon Blue, left, runs past Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom to score on a touchdown reception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) -
Texas supporters carry flags during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game between Texas and Ohio State, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
“‘Big Noon’ is quickly becoming the worst two words in college football,” said another.
And here’s one more, just for good measure.
“Literally nobody on the planet wants this game at noon, so please do not make it noon.”
FOX’s goal is to own the noon timeslot on Saturdays during the college football season, so having a game with two of the top three most-watched teams in 2024 certainly fits the bill. Texas drew an average of 7.36 million viewers per game, behind only Georgia’s nearly 8.5 million. Ohio State averaged roughly 6.7 million viewers for the third-most.
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The game has all the makings of a classic early-season heavyweight bout with the defending national champion Buckeyes hosting Arch Manning and the Longhorns. Under Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns have worked back into national relevance, earning spots in the CFP semifinals the past two seasons, but haven’t quite finished the job.
Could this be the year Texas does it? That’s anyone’s guess, but it appears the first game will be under the sun rather than under the lights, unless FOX does something no one thinks they’ll do.
