When Ohio State and Texas square off in any college football season, the stakes and anticipation would always be ultra-high.
But with the two programs opening the 2025 season against each other on August 30 – just months after facing off in the College Football Playoff – the expectation was for the season opener to be a marquee prime-time spectacle.
Instead, FOX’s decision to feature the game in its Big Noon Saturday slot has sparked outrage from fans, players, and even state lawmakers, many of whom view the noon kickoff as disrespectful to arguably the biggest matchup of the 2025 season.
The Buckeyes defeated Texas 28–14 in the CFP semifinal before going on to win the national championship over Notre Dame.
Now, as Ohio State prepares to defend its title and Texas ushers in the Arch Manning era at quarterback, anticipation is sky-high. But the timing of the game has cast a shadow over the excitement.
“Texas-Ohio State, that’s just historically a prime time-level matchup and it’s almost robbing us of that experience. And it’s a home game!” former OSU All-American cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said on the Bleav In Buckeyes podcast.
“This is a game that I will go to and maybe let my let my son and my family experience a night game at Ohio State, big-time matchup versus Texas and we just may not get it. … I’m close to just organizing a protest here.”
Chekwa’s frustration was echoed by former Buckeyes offensive lineman and team captain Bryant Browning, who recalled the electric atmosphere the last time the Longhorns visited Ohio Stadium.
“We need to do something, man, because it is really ridiculous,” Browning said, while reflecting on the 2005 showdown against Texas at Ohio Stadium.
“I remember the scene, the atmosphere, [former Texas quarterback] Vince Young being in the stadium and things of that nature. And people still come up to me and talk about that night.
“People remember it – that night. And it being at noon really affects things. And especially it being Week 1 of the season kicking off the college football season. It has to be at night. So FOX has to get this right.”
It should certainly be noted that FOX hasn’t made an official decision on the kickoff time for the game – but fans are fearing the worst.
FOX has leaned heavily into its Big Noon branding in recent years, airing many of the sport’s most high-profile matchups in the early window. That includes a heavy dose of Ohio State games.
In 2024, the Buckeyes played seven noon games, including six straight to close the regular season. Five of those – against Marshall, Nebraska, Purdue, Indiana, and Michigan – were home games.
While Michigan, a historic rivalry game, traditionally kicks off at noon, fans have grown frustrated with the repetition.
That discontent has now spilled over into politics. State Rep. Tex Fischer (R–Youngstown) introduced a bill aimed at banning most noon kickoffs at Ohio Stadium, with the exception of the Michigan game.
Though largely symbolic, the legislation underscores the level of frustration in Columbus and beyond.
For now, FOX has not officially confirmed the time, but its promotion of the Ohio State–Texas showdown as a Week 1 Big Noon game has many fans worried.
What are your thoughts on the outrage coming from Ohio State’s loyal fan base? … Would it indeed be a shame if the Texas showdown was not in prime-time???
