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Why more 11 a.m. kickoffs are no sign of disrespect toward OU
For a number of football fans, tailgating isn't a morning sport. So it's no wonder some Oklahoma Sooners fans haven't taken kindly to an increase in 11 a.m. kickoffs for home games.
In 2013, two of OU's six home games started before noon. Last year it was three of six, and already the Big 12 and its television partners have locked down the 11 a.m. time slot for Oklahoma's home game against Tulsa on Sept. 19 on FOX Sports 1.
And, of course, the Red River Showdown in Dallas against Texas has become a morning tradition.
The Sooners' other home non-conference game against Akron to open the season will almost assuredly be set for a sunset kickoff time. But there will be plenty of 11 a.m. opportunities during the Big 12 season.
Why? It's not a sign of disrespect to the Sooners and their recent struggles, notes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman. In fact, it's more the opposite.
The 11 a.m., time slot, Tramel says, has joined primetime as the favored time slot of the networks, replacing 2:30 p.m. as the big-game time slot.
"ESPN and other networks are pushing games to 11 a.m," Travel says. "It’s become more desirable than the 2:30 (games). Now they put really good games at night, really good games at 11 a.m., and mostly sort of mediocre games in the middle of the day."
So while 11 a.m. games might cause some early wakeup calls around the state of Oklahoma to get on the road to Norman, and while it might cut into precious tailgating time, it's no sign of disrespect.
(h/t The Oklahoman)
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
