Save Your Outrage For Badgers-Buckeyes Early Start Time
Yesterday, the Big Ten announced the start times for the games on 10/26. The much-anticipated announcement for Wisconsin-Ohio State game went to FOX as part of Big Noon Saturday (Or Big Nude Saturday if you’re a real one). This led to dismay and disappointment in Badgers and Buckeyes fans alike. There is something special about playing on primetime. It makes you feel like your game matters more than others on the schedule with more eyeballs attracted to it. Also, you have an opportunity to host parties and have people over for the game. That said, this is an ideal spot for Wisconsin and they should be pleased with that start time versus being upset.
🚨 Kickoff for our game against Ohio State will be 11 a.m. CT 🚨
Can't wait 😤#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/E4QSC4MSyf
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 14, 2019
The chance for an upset in a game where Wisconsin will likely be seven to 10 point underdogs in happens easier with a day game. Ohio State doesn’t lose at Columbus a lot. The last time they lost a Big Ten game at home was to Michigan State in 2015. Since Sports reference charted start times, Buckeyes have only lost two night games and they were at the start of the season. The crowd will be into it, but a rowdy, drunk primetime crowd is much harder to deal with than an 11 am crowd with a buzz from a couple of bloody marys. It is a good thing that Wisconsin plays Ohio State at 11 am. The sooner you realize that, the quicker you’ll stop your complaints.
Additionally, this is the new normal. How it will work for Big Ten and Big 12 fans alike is ABC gets first dibs for a primetime game, but after that, it’s FOX’s choice for their Big Noon Saturday program. While fans might hate it on social media, they’re watching these games. The ratings are through the roof and probably why you’ll see the Pac-12 try to get involved in some way (To me, it’s simple. Start at 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm CST then you can actually have a unique slate that doesn’t line up with every other game). Badgers will likely find their way to primetime at some point this season.
Charlie.