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USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork leading crusade for more football night games
Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork leading crusade for more football night games If you are an Ohio State football fan, you've endured more than your fair share of Buckeye noon games thanks to FOX's bet on placing its marquee game of the weekend in the early viewing window. It's been known as the Big Noon Game and falls just after the network's answer to ESPN College GameDay, a similar show with former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, Big Noon Kickoff. To say that OSU fans are fed up with a lack of night games for the biggest of games would be an understatement. It's no secret that Ohio State games have carried the day for the Big Noon window, and many fans are clamoring for Athletic Director Ross Bjork and others to pull their weight to change what has become the status quo. The realization that the Ohio State vs. Texas game will also be highlighted at Noon seemed to make those calls even louder. But never fear, Bjork seems to be in your corner Buckeye fans. When meeting with the media last week, the new AD spoke to the so-called issue with game times, and it sure sounds like he'll be working to change OSU fans' viewing big games just after breakfast. "I think our program, our fans deserve some marquee night games. ... Really, at the end of the day, there's no flexibility in the contracts," Bjork told the media. "FOX bought the noon window. ... What we need is we need more flexibility. Can that happen anytime soon? I don't know. ... We understand why FOX went with Big Noon, we understand why we're picked all the time, but we're hoping (for) just, more flexibility." Same here, Ross. Flexibility in anything is good, especially when it comes to creating the type of environment a night game in the 'Shoe can present. How it's done, or how long we'll have to wait is the question. The current television contracts run through 2029, so it sure seems like we've got a few years before there's language that can be official. So, what we seem to be left with is people sitting down in a room or having a phone conversation to shift things a bit. We feel good about Bjork making a run at that, but ultimately, it's up to the executives at FOX to get on board with that sort of thing. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Pat McAfee reportedly thinks he can do College GameDay better on his own
Pat McAfee reportedly thinks he can do College GameDay better on his own Two seasons as a host on ESPN's College GameDay has Pat McAfee wondering if he should leave the band and start touring solo. Granted, there's still a long way to go before that could even happen — McAfee has two years left on his GameDay contract — but according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, the thought of leaving ESPN's flagship college football show to start his own version has crossed McAfee's mind. Per The Athletic: "McAfee has mused with associates about starting his own, independent version of GameDay, according to sources briefed on discussions. This does not appear to be happening, at least not now. But he is mercurial and can make big decisions seemingly on whims. McAfee cares about his image. During a GameDay stop in Norman, Oklahoma, last fall, McAfee grew upset about being shown swinging and missing during a segment in which he faced a University of Oklahoma softball pitcher. McAfee, according to sources briefed on the incident, demanded to know the name of the GameDay staff member who put it on the air, but he was denied the information. Marchand also noted that contractual obligations haven't stopped McAfee from making career-altering decisions in the past. The former Indianapolis Colts punter left FanDuel in the middle of a reported four-year, $120 million deal to sign a licensing agreement for The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN. A solo McAfee show would surely face some serious trouble finding its footing on campuses as the biggest college games of the week are already dominated by GameDay and Fox's Big Noon Kickoff — both of which have network deals with the biggest conferences. Then again, there would be plenty of people happy to see McAfee's antics move far away from College GameDay. Considering McAfee has never been shy about bashing people who talk about him, we'll see if he has any response here soon enough.
Fox Sports
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Urban Meyer: Ohio State has 'never been more cautious' about who it brings in
As the college football landscape continues to evolve against the backdrop of name, image and likeness (NIL), the Ohio State Buckeyes continue to be in the upper echelon of the sport. What's the key? On Tuesday's edition of "The Herd," former Ohio State head coach and current FOX Sports College Football Studio Analyst on "Big Noon Kickoff" Urban Meyer gave his perspective on how Ohio State remains in the elite tier of the sport. "I think Ohio State, and I've talked to coach [Ryan] Day about this and Mark Pantoni, their GM, is that they have never been more cautious about what they bring into that program," Meyer said. "First of all, you don't need to change much because they recruit on an incredible level. So, if you're going to bring someone in, I got to a point a couple of times in my career where [I was like] 'do not take that person if that can disrupt the culture; don't do it.' As a result, we let some good players get away from us, but we're not going to change our culture, so that's what they're doing." After winning its ninth title in program history last season, Ohio State is out to be the 15th team to repeat as national champions. Ohio State opens the 2025 season with a headline matchup, as it hosts the Texas Longhorns on Aug. 30 in what's a rematch of last season's College Football Playoff semifinal round; the Buckeyes beat the Longhorns, 28-14, to advance to the National Championship, where they then beat Notre Dame. On the other side of the ball will be junior Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who Meyer said could be a "great quarterback" in what's his first full season as the program's starter. Ohio State had 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, with four players taken in Round 1 and three more taken in Round 2. In other words, the Buckeyes are replacing 14 starters from last season. Meyer expressed that Ohio State has to "get good fast" at quarterback with Julian Sayin' presumably getting the Week 1 nod. Granted, the Buckeyes also have Mason Maggs, Lincoln Kienholz and five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair in their quarterback room. Ohio State is trying to fill the shoes of 2024 quarterback Will Howard, who was selected in the sixth round after throwing for a Big Ten-high 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns and completing a conference-high 73.0% of his passes. However, Meyer sees a more pressing issue that Ohio State has to address head-on before worrying about replacing its quarterback. "The biggest issue, I think, is when a team wins a national championship, everything changes," Meyer said. "I talked to Joe Maddon in 2016. He just came off winning the World Series as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, and he was miserable. And he said how hard it is to have back-to-back [titles]. It doesn't happen very often. Why? Because complacency sets in the program, so I think that's Ryan Day's No. 1. And not so much with the players, because he's replacing a bunch of players. I'm talking about the coaching staff. I'm talking about everybody in that organization. Enough of patting on the back [about last season]. That one is ancient history. That's over. That's going to be the challenge. "I've talked to many coaches who have won national titles. Dealing with the complacency that seeps into your program is the biggest issue." As for returning players, the Buckeyes have star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who totaled 76 receptions for a Big Ten-high 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in his 2024 freshman season, and fellow receiver Carnell Tate, who tallied 733 receiving yards last year. On the other side of the ball, Ohio State has star defensive back/punt returner Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles — who logged six sacks and 100 combined tackles in 2024 — among others. Ohio State's 2025 recruiting class ranks fourth in the country, according to 247Sports, headlined by five-stars like St. Clair, cornerback Devin Sanchez and wide receiver Quincy Porter. The Georgia Bulldogs are the last program to repeat as national champions, winning the 2021 and 2022 College Football Playoffs. Prior to Georgia, Alabama accomplished the feat in 2011 and 2012. Michigan State is the last Big Ten school to win back-to-back championships, splitting the 1965 and 1966 national titles. The last Big Ten school to outright win consecutive titles was Minnesota in 1940 and 1941, when the Big Ten was the "Western Conference." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football Big Ten Ohio State Buckeyes recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN announce Lee Corso's final College GameDay will be Texas at Ohio State in Week 1
ESPN announce Lee Corso's final College GameDay will be Texas at Ohio State in Week 1 Lee Corso's final ESPN College GameDay will feature the Texas Longhorns. ESPN has announced the 2025 debut of the popular college football pregame show will be in Columbus, OH on Aug. 30 for the Longhorns visit to the Horseshoe to take on Ohio State. The show will also be Corso's last chance to make a headgear pick. ESPN revealed earlier this year Corso would be retiring after Week 1 of the 2025 season. ESPN will use the episode to honor Corso's 38 college football seasons on the air. "Special programming honoring and celebrating Corso's career will be present throughout the Week 1 show in addition to the GameDay crew previewing the 2025 season and all the action of the kickoff Saturday slate," ESPN disclosed. "The season-opening episode will be located in its traditional spot on Ohio State's campus before finishing the show inside 'The Shoe' where Corso will make his final headgear pick in front of 100,000 fans ahead of the Buckeyes' noon kick." Ironically, Corso's first headgear pick was also in Columbus back in 1996. 'My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,' Corso, who will turn 90 in August, said in a statement. 'I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.' 'ESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years," Corso added. "They accommodated me and supported me, as did my colleagues in the early days of College GameDay. Special thanks to Kirk Herbstreit for his friendship and encouragement. And lest I forget, the fans…truly a blessing to share this with them. ESPN gave me this wonderful opportunity and provided me the support to ensure success. I am genuinely grateful.' College GameDay will go live at 8 a.m. CT on ESPN on Aug. 30. The first two hours of the show will be broadcast from outside St. John Arena while the crew will move inside Ohio Stadium for the final hour of the show. FOX's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show will also be in Columbus for Ohio State vs. Texas as FOX will broadcast the game on its national network at noon.
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN announces Ohio State as first College GameDay stop of 2025 football season
ESPN announces Ohio State as first College GameDay stop of 2025 football season ESPN's College GameDay will kick off the season in Columbus for the Ohio State versus Texas game. ESPN has announced the host for their opening College GameDay of the season, and no surprise it will be in Columbus. As I'm sure everyone knows by now, next season will open with a College Football Playoff semifinal between Ohio State and the Texas Longhorns. It should be a battle of top five teams, and will almost certainly be the most-viewed game of the weekend. It was also already announced as the host for Fox's Big Noon Kickoff, meaning we'll once again get both gameday pre-shows in the same place. (Ironically enough, while the shows do coincide sometimes, it's not as often as you'd expect, given that both networks want to travel to the biggest game of the week as often as they can.) Of course, the game will also start at noon, much to the chagrin of Buckeyes fans (and lawmakers). Still, the atmosphere and occasion should be as electric as possible for a season-opening game. ESPN is also playing up the fact that it will be Lee Corso's final appearance on GameDay. And, given the fact that Corso began his "headgear pick" tradition back in Columbus in 1996, it's a fitting place for him to hang up his headgear one last time.
