CBS’ JJ Watt: Ohio State vs. Penn State playing at noon is ‘travesty’

The debate over Fox’s Big Noon Saturday has been raging for years and isn’t going to be settled this weekend. Still, that hasn’t stopped people complaining about the noon start for Ohio State vs. Penn State on Fox.

Big Noon Saturday has been controversial since Fox started doing it in 2017. And while the complaints have been loud, and may have even been a major impetus for Oklahoma’s move from the Big 12 to the SEC, Fox is really happy with the ratings and willing to live with the fan complaints.

However, the fact that the biggest game of the week is being played at noon and not in primetime will always feel like a slap in the face to many in the fanbase. And we’ve seen plenty of complaints from the Penn State faithful this week. Some fans and students called for a boycott of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show (though they’re not the first to think of it). It’s very possible that it did indeed impact the crowd, at least according to what College GameDay’s Pat McAfee could see.

While there were plenty of complaints on campus, the noon start impacted a lot of those watching at home as well. That includes CBS Sports NFL analyst and Big Ten alum J.J. Watt, who shared his displeasure on social media.

“This Ohio State vs. Penn State game being played at Noon is a travesty,” Watt wrote on X.

This Ohio State vs. Penn State game being played at Noon is a travesty.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 2, 2024

Watt’s frustration was shared by many on social media. However, the one thing most, if not all, had in common was that they were still watching the game. And when the ratings eventually arrive, they’ll almost certainly bear out that Fox will see a huge number. Last year’s OSU-PSU game at noon was one of the most-watched of the entire college football season.

In other words, complain all you like. You’re still watching and Fox has no reason to stop Big Noon.

[J.J. Watt]