Is the title suggests, I tried to see if there were any creative ways to get Ohio State out of some of these noon games, and it came up with some creative and legal scenarios. 

One that I wish we did for Texas, was adopting a heat policy for September games, and making it a safety issue. I won't spoil the rest, but thought it was an entertaining exercise:

 

Ohio State “Noon Block” Strategy

 

Objective: Maximize legal, contractual, and operational friction for Fox’s Noon use of OSU marquee matchups

1. Use University-Controlled Safety & Operations Authority

 

The one place Fox’s TV rights can’t overrule is university safety and operations policy.

 

1.1. Adopt a Formal Kickoff Heat Policy

Pass an OSU athletics policy stating:

“No football game may kick off before 3:30 p.m. local time when the forecasted temperature exceeds 84°F.”

Apply it university-wide, not just football.

Gives the AD unilateral power to move early-season games.

 

Legal Shield: The NCAA and conferences defer to institutional safety policies — Fox can’t legally override without opening liability exposure.

1.2. Staffing & Security Constraints

Pre-arrange city events (e.g., marathons, civic festivals) that tie up police/fire staffing on certain game days.

Have Columbus PD file formal notice to OSU: “Insufficient resources to safely staff Noon kickoff.”

Once in writing, the Big Ten must either reschedule the start time or risk liability.

1.3. Broadcast Infrastructure Access Restrictions

Schedule stadium or surrounding-area maintenance/utility work that physically blocks truck access to Fox’s production compound until after 1:00 p.m.

This forces either a later start or a costly remote setup.

2. Exploit Contractual Loopholes in the Big Ten Deal

You can’t break the grant-of-rights — but you can make Fox’s pick rights harder to execute.

2.1. Schedule Manipulation via Big Ten Office

Load OSU’s top-tier games into:

Weeks Fox has existing obligations (e.g., MLB postseason, NFL conflicts).

Big Ten “showcase weekends” when multiple Top-10 matchups occur — forcing Fox to pick.

Coordinate with the conference scheduler before networks select.

2.2. Six-Day Selection Window Exploitation

For late-season games, push for the Big Ten to delay slot assignment until the 6-day window (per contract).

If OSU’s opponent slips in rankings, Fox may pass in favor of a hotter matchup.

2.3. Non-Conference Carve-Outs

Play high-profile non-conference home games (e.g., Texas, Georgia) outside of Fox’s exclusive pick control.

Negotiate those separately with NBC/CBS/streaming for night slots.

3. Create PR & Political Costs for Fox

If you can’t stop them contractually, make Noon politically toxic for big games.

3.1. Fan Mobilization

Work with OSU’s alumni association, student body, and major donors to issue public statements opposing Noon kickoffs for marquee games.

Social media campaigns: “#PrimeTimeBuckeyes” framing Noon as bad for the fan base, recruiting, and brand.

3.2. Civic & Economic Leverage

Partner with Columbus Chamber of Commerce to release an economic impact study showing later games bring millions more to the city.

Publicize it — create optics that Noon games “cost Columbus” economically.

3.3. Recruiting Optics

Have OSU football staff (carefully, within NCAA guidelines) speak about the impact of Noon starts on West Coast and Southern recruiting visibility.

Frame it as hurting the Big Ten’s national competitiveness.

4. Force Co-Rights Holders to Pressure Fox

NBC and CBS are in the same media pool — if they believe OSU in later slots boosts their revenue, they’ll do the fighting.

4.1. Ratings Delta Data Dump

Give NBC/CBS 5 years of data showing:

OSU night games = higher total conference ratings.

Noon OSU games underdeliver in ad revenue potential.

NBC/CBS lobby the Big Ten:

“We need OSU later for the overall health of the deal.”

4.2. Joint Inventory Bargains

Work a three-way swap:

Fox keeps OSU–Michigan and one other Noon blockbuster.

NBC/CBS get the rest of OSU’s big games.

Fox gets enhanced access to other top-tier matchups in exchange.

5. Make Noon Logistically or Financially Unattractive for Fox

If Fox insists on OSU at Noon, make it expensive and operationally painful.

5.1. Parking & Access Restrictions

Change game-day parking operations to limit live truck staging before 9:30 a.m.

Require paid police escorts for early-morning broadcast crews — Fox covers the cost.

5.2. Media Credential Policy Changes

Set a higher credentialing requirement for production staff for early kickoffs (background checks, extra training).

Force Fox to expand staffing budgets for Noon games.

5.3. Refuse Ancillary Access

Withhold certain premium camera positions, in-stadium activations, or drone permissions for Noon games — citing “crowd flow” and “event timing” concerns.

6. Timing: How to Roll This Out 

Offseason:

Pass safety & operations policies quietly.

Coordinate with Columbus PD and city planners on event conflicts.

Spring Scheduling Meetings:

Work with Big Ten on date placement to maximize conflicts for Fox.

Summer:

Release economic/fan/recruiting impact studies publicly — pressure narrative starts building.

During Season:

Invoke policies selectively for 2–3 marquee games to force later windows.

Endgame

By combining:

Institutional safety rules Fox can’t override

Scheduling conflicts baked in months ahead

Public & co-rights holder pressure

Operational cost friction

…you turn OSU Noon games from Fox’s default first pick into something they have to weigh against hassle, PR blowback, and lost goodwill.

The realistic win:

Fox keeps the absolute crown jewels (Michigan–OSU, maybe one other), but you pry 2–3 other top-tier matchups into prime-time every year.