'Big Noon': Ohio State vs. Michigan Future Kickoff Times Set?

While speaking recently during.a podcast appearance Michigan athletic director Manuel Ward revealed discussions he had with Ohio State's Gene Smith about the future of "The Game."

In what is undeniably one of the biggest games in college sports, "The Game" has found its future home on the last week of the regular season with a noon kickoff. When Ohio State and Michigan meet on November 25th this coming fall, it will be featured on FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff." 

And if recent conversations are anything to show for it, a noon kick could become a permanent fixture in the rivalry. While speaking on the "Conqu’ring Heroes" podcast, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel expressed his desire to see "The Game" played at noon for the foreseeable future.

“Gene [Smith] and I have had great conversations about both topics (the kickoff time and date of game), and ‘The Game’ will remain at noon in the regular season when we play,” Manuel said. “We have had great fan enjoyment of that game being at noon; great television response in terms of numbers of people who watch that game. I think there’s no need to move it to any other time; it’s really become part of that series.”

These conversations between both schools time when the Big 10 conference is set to begin their new television rights deal with FOX, CBS, and NBC, which is set to rake in $7 billion. 

Despite it being not yet clear who will carry the game each year, as it will likely rotate between the three networks, fans can take comfort in the fact that the kickoff time doesn't look set to change, even when CBS broadcasts "The Game," which has made 3:30 kickoffs a staple in their SEC coverage. 

As for what this means for both schools is simple, the rivalry will continue to draw in large TV audiences and in the stadiums with an atmosphere that won't change from recent years. 

What will change is the potential to see Ohio State and Michigan play more than once in a season, as the decision to remove divisions could allow both teams to meet in the Big 10 championship game just a week later.

The Wolverines are currently on a two-game winning streak over the Buckeyes and look to make it three for the first time since 1997. 

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