Fox is stepping up its game this fall with an expanded Friday night college football lineup. Last season, teams like Indiana, Oregon, and Texas Tech were fan favorites, and now Fox is adding even more excitement. This year, they’re increasing their Friday games from nine to twelve, giving college football fans more action to look forward to.
One of the highlights includes the historic Missouri-Kansas Border War in Week 2, along with a potential matchup between Texas Tech and Houston in Week 3. Penn State will also visit Northwestern on October 2, marking the Wildcats’ first game at their brand-new stadium.
Here’s a quick look at some key matchups:
- Sept 4: Fresno State at USC at 9 p.m.
- Sept 11: Missouri at Kansas at 8 p.m.
- Sept 18: Houston at Texas Tech at 8 p.m.
- Sept 25: Northwestern at Indiana at 8 p.m.
- Oct 2: Penn State at Northwestern at 8 p.m.
- Oct 9: Iowa at Washington at 9 p.m.
- Nov 20: Oregon at Michigan State at 8 p.m.
Friday games have had their share of mixed reactions. Some coaches and fans have voiced concerns, but data shows that these games averaged 2.3 million viewers last season, outperforming Saturday games in the afternoon and primetime slots.
Derek Crocker, Fox’s senior vice president for college sports, explained that Friday games allow teams to shine on a national stage without competing against other big matchups. He noted, “It’s a huge advantage for a school.”
However, not everyone is on board. Cody Campbell, a prominent figure in Texas Tech, expressed his frustration on social media about moving a home game to Friday. He criticized the decision heavily, leading to a public exchange with Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, who calmly replied that Campbell doesn’t dictate Big 12 decisions.
It’s worth noting that ESPN has also invested in Friday night games, especially involving ACC teams, and has a full season lined up, starting with Miami at Stanford. Fox was the first to bring these college games to a major broadcast network, taking advantage of its recent shift after ending a WWE deal.
Looking ahead, Fox is expected to announce its complete early-season schedule soon. With these changes, fans can expect a lively Friday night football experience that showcases teams and towns across the nation.
For more updates, check trusted sources like Nielsen for audience data and changes in broadcasting.
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