COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio state Rep. Tex Fischer has presented a bill which could drastically change Ohio State football’s schedule.
Fischer’s bill would essentially ban big-time college football games in Ohio from starting before 3:30 p.m. Eastern — outside of matchups traditionally starting at noon, such as Ohio State vs. Michigan.
If a state university is taking part in the contest and both teams are ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25, the 3:30 threshold would be in place.
If such a game starts earlier, the attorney general will impose a fine of $10 million against the host’s conference or the TV network airing the game.
Earlier this week, Fox announced it will broadcast Ohio State’s games vs. Texas and Michigan — likely putting both contests in the Big Noon Kickoff slot.
“A few weeks ago, I said it would be a crime for FOX to put Ohio State vs Texas at noon,” Fischer wrote on X (formerly Twitter) this week. “Promises made, promises kept!”
Last season, the Buckeyes were featured on Big Noon Kickoff five times. They had seven games, in total, start at noon, including the final six contests of the regular season.
Fischer is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, who is serving his first full term in the Ohio House. He represents the state’s 59th district.
