ESPN Criticized for 'Early-Morning' Kickoff of Utah-BYU Rivalry Game
The annual 'Holy War' between Utah and BYU faces a 10 a.m. local time kickoff, drawing criticism for its potential impact on college football playoff implications and fan experience.
ESPN is facing criticism for scheduling the highly anticipated 'Holy War' rivalry game between the Utah Utes and BYU Cougars for a 10 a.m. local time kickoff. The decision has drawn ire from fans and analysts who argue that a game with significant Big 12 and potential College Football Playoff implications deserves a more prominent time slot.
The game is slated for a 12 p.m. ET slot on ABC/ESPN on November 7th. This kickoff time means fans in Salt Lake City will need to be in their seats by 10 a.m. local time. This scheduling has been deemed by some as "criminal" given the stakes of the matchup.
Analysts suggest that ESPN, which holds television rights for both the SEC and Big 12, could have better managed its schedule. Alternatives proposed include placing the Utah-BYU game in a later slot, such as 9:30 p.m. ET after other games, or a 10 p.m. ET kickoff, similar to a recent Houston-Utah game in Salt Lake City.
This particular Saturday features a slate of significant college football games, including Texas vs. Missouri, Alabama vs. LSU, Kentucky vs. Tennessee, Georgia vs. Ole Miss, Miami vs. Notre Dame, and Oregon vs. Ohio State. The early kickoff for the Utah-BYU game has led to accusations that ESPN is prioritizing other matchups or not giving the Big 12 rivalry the attention it warrants.
Even with BYU's recent loss to UCF, the 'Holy War' remains a crucial game for both programs and the conference. Critics argue that college football fans, especially those attending in person, deserve a more fan-friendly kickoff time for such a pivotal rivalry contest. The decision is seen as a fumble by ESPN, potentially alienating fanbases and diminishing the spectacle of a major rivalry game.