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FOX is already peeving college football viewers four months before the start of the 2024 season. The network is beginning to release kickoff times for some of the Big Ten’s biggest matchups, one of which includes an out-of-conference meeting between Alabama and Wisconsin.
Despite the showdown being one of the most anticipated in next year’s September slate, the game received a sleepy early morning slot that has fans frustrated.
FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff saw similar reaction last season when it opted to place some of the top Big Ten, Big XII, and PAC 12 contests in early windows. Those on the West Coast were particularly perturbed as they were forced to tune in at 9am local time to catch their favorite teams.
Though the opposition was loud, it doesn’t appear the network is making any changes for the coming year. That statement was sent in its scheduling for Alabama-Wisconsin in the opening month of the season.
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The Badgers and Crimson Tide landed a noon ET start, but with each team playing in CT, that kickoff time moves up an hour for locals.
Brutal!
Alabama is fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance and is entering Year 1 of the Kalen DeBoer era. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is looking to get things on track after a 7-6 campaign that kicked off Luke Fickell’s tenure.
The meeting will represent each program’s first Power Five matchup of the season.
Online followers quickly posted reaction to the news on social media.
“Gross.”
“One of the biggest home games in years and it’s going to be at 11am. I can’t wait to see the students’ section half full.”
“What a joke. Bring back the days where 11am was reserved for Minnesota vs. Northwestern.”
“I hate FOX so much.”
“It’s honestly impressive how bad FOX is at doing everything.”
Typically, we see networks reserve their best games for mid-afternoon or primetime. The CBS 3:30pm slot is still the most anticipated in all of college football for a number of viewers.
Rather than compete with those showdowns, FOX has opted air its premiere matchup as early as possible. It’s a tactic that’s clearly not working for fans!