College Football Start Times, Ranked
By Kyle Koster
There is no bad time to watch football. MACtion and Pac-12 After Dark have tested this theory and it is strong. But what are the best times to watch college football? Where is that delicious sweet spot ripest for fans to make that sinkhole on the couch grow even deeper. Let’s check our watches and dive in, using the start times for the first full slate of Saturday games as a template.
No. 13: 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
Look, nothing personal here, but if you begin your game at this time, I’m going to forget about it. The noon slate will just be taking shape. Usually reserved for some Northeast matchup, one wonders if they intentionally start it to go against the Yankees or Red Sox game or are accidentally getting as few eyeballs as possible.
No. 12: 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT
Again, this is a time to schedule if you want people to either forget about it, or tune in 30 minutes early and wonder what the hell is going on. Still too early for late-rising people on the West Coast, it can’t even bask in the newness and thank God there’s football-ness of the day’s first games.
No. 11: 10:30 p.m ET/7:30 p.m. PT
The only thing to like here for people on the East Coast is that it provides something to have on from bed, or on at the bar as the night gets late. The premier ABC, ESPN, and Fox games are all usually in crunch time, so the first quarter usually gets monitored from a scorebug, if at all.
No. 10: 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Get out of here with this. I mean, there was a time in my life where I lamented the last game signing off at 2:40 a.m. but that was before kids. It takes a real masochist to stay up for this one. On the other hand, it’s the last taste of action for those still lucid and upright. Something to be said for that.
No 9: 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Why do they do this? The 3:30 games are coming to an end. The primetime featured ones will eat the ending. People have to eat dinner. Total unforced error.
No. 8: 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
A lesser cousin to Notre Dame’s magical 2:30 window, this is a very good time to start a football game that is being wildly underused. This is prime kid’s nap time, and prime adult nap time for East Coasters and an excellent arise time for Pac-12 enthusiasts. People all across the country are brunching, It’s beautiful.
No. 7: Noon ET/9 a.m. PT
There is nothing like that moment when Lee Corso dons the headgear and the first kick of the day goes into the air. Often times it’s a race to even be present for it, though. Or awake. The noon window is a very grown-up window and must be used judiciously. Blow 3.5-hours watching an Iowa-Indiana game on BTN2 and you’ll question life about nine hours later, still in the same spot.
No. 6: 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
The genius of this time slot is that halftime is usually ending just as the 8 p.m. games are ending. On blessed days, a person can flip over just in time to see the second-half kick.
No. 5: 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Picks up right as the 3:30 slate peters off. Game ends at a reasonable time. Game ends just in time for dinner. Very solid and sneakily underrated (are there other ratings) time.
No. 4: 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT
A damn fine option but a bit problematic in the bedtime department for the little ones — either on the front end or the back end. That’s the only thing holding it back. On a somewhat related note, check out how much dead time happens between about 6:30 and 8 when the games aren’t competitive. There are so many weeks when the 7:30 kick is mercifully quenching the boredom.
No. 3: 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT
Just like it. Don’t owe you any explanation. Stop prying.
No. 2: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
It’s possible that my mind has been tricked here and I’m equating quality of games with start time of game. But it’s tough to say anything negative about this one. The day’s tasks are usually done and focus can be given. If prior engagements do exist, it’s a higher likelihood that a television will be tuned in. In the unfortunate case of a fall wedding, the ceremony and most of the important reception moments are over, freeing one to smell out a screen.
No. 1: 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT
There is no debate. This is the perfect time for football. Not too late and not too early for any part of the country. Late in the season, when the sun is setting in the second half in the Midwest, it feels like all is right with the world. Studies have shown it’s impossible to not enjoy a beer or remember Keith Jackson when this happens. That’s just science.