Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork has announced that he is working closely with the school’s television partners to secure more primetime games for the Buckeyes in the future. The 2024 season was filled with noon kickoffs, largely tied to Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show, a trend that many fans and the program itself are hoping to change. In 2024, Ohio State played only three night games: one at home against Western Michigan and two on the road—at Oregon and at Michigan State.
Photo Cred: USA Today
Meanwhile, seven of their games kicked off at noon, including six straight to close out the season. That late stretch included two top-10 matchups against Penn State and Indiana, both of which were played under the midday sun rather than the stadium lights. As the Big Ten’s primary television rights holder, Fox has the first pick of games and kickoff times. CBS and NBC follow behind, making it difficult for non-Fox games to secure primetime slots. This setup is similar to the SEC’s agreement with ESPN, which also controls Big 12 and ACC broadcast rights.
The Big Ten and SEC have long competed as the nation’s top football conferences, and that rivalry now extends to their broadcast partners. Fox launched Big Noon Kickoff in 2019 as a counter to ESPN’s iconic College GameDay, which has aired since 1987. However, a major difference is that ESPN’s featured games often lead into primetime kickoffs, while Fox’s top matchups are aired at noon.
This strategy has paid off for Fox in terms of ratings, as avoiding direct competition with ESPN’s primetime slot has proven effective. However, it has come at a cost—especially for fans attending the games. Big-time college football matchups are meant to be played under the lights, with the day building toward the electric atmosphere of a night kickoff. That energy, especially when ranked teams are involved, is what sets college football apart.
Fox seems to be missing the mark by not capitalizing on the Big Ten’s massive fan bases. Ohio State is one of the most recognized universities in the world—its games would draw viewership regardless of the time slot. So why not create the best possible game-day experience for both fans at home and in the stadium?
The Buckeyes will open their 2025 season at home against Texas in a rematch of the Cotton Bowl—a game Ohio State won dramatically thanks to a late scoop-and-score by Jack Sawyer, which propelled them to the National Championship, where they defeated Notre Dame. It’s a perfect storyline to kick off the season, yet many fear that Big Noon Kickoff will once again anchor in Columbus, meaning another noon kickoff. Ross Bjork has publicly stated that he’s pushing for that game to be played at night.
Photo Cred: USA Today
Another marquee home matchup in 2025 will be against Penn State—a game that has frustratingly kicked off at noon for the past three seasons despite both programs consistently being ranked in the top 10. While Fox continues to prioritize what works best for their business, Bjork and the Buckeye faithful are hoping for change. More night games would enhance the in-stadium experience and reflect the high stakes and national significance of these matchups. The hope is that networks will begin to prioritize the fan experience alongside ratings. Until then, the battle for kickoff times remains a major talking point for programs like Ohio State.
