In a dramatic turn this week, the highly anticipated meeting between the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights has been officially rescheduled due to urgent field infrastructure work at the Buckeyes’ home ground. The announcement sent ripples through the college football world as fans scrambled to adjust travel plans, television schedules, and their expectations

Emergency Field Repair Forces Unexpected Schedule Shift

Originally slated for a Saturday afternoon kickoff at the venerable Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, the Buckeyes and Rutgers were set to square off in Week 13 of the 2025 regular season. However, university officials and the athletic department confirmed on Thursday that an emergency repair to the stadium turf—triggered by earlier weather damage and heavy usage during the season—required that the kickoff be moved to an earlier time and the broadcast window adjusted accordingly.

While the full official statement from Ohio State Athletics did not delve into extensive detail about the nature of the field damage, sources close to the stadium turf crew indicate that repeated sub-zero overnight temperatures followed by thaw cycles caused portions of the playing surface to buckle in the north end zone. With the Buckeyes hosting Rutgers, the university elected to prioritize player safety and broadcast certainty over maintaining the originally scheduled time slot.

New Kickoff Time Confirmed

The rescheduled game will now kick off at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, November 22, 2025, instead of the previously advertised 3:30 p.m. slot. ESPN and FOX Sports, who share broadcast rights for Big Ten games, have both confirmed the adjustment and announced updates to pre-game coverage. The network will now begin its “Big Noon Kickoff” studio show at 10:00 a.m. ET, with live action starting two hours before the original time.

(The original time had been broadcast as 3:30 p.m. ET through most media listings.)

Ohio State Athletic Director Mark Meyers emphasized in a release: “Our first priority is the safety of our student-athletes and visiting teams. With the field condition at Ohio Stadium presenting a potential risk, we made the decision to move the kickoff earlier and adjust our broadcast window to ensure a high quality experience for fans and players alike.”

Impact for Fans, Teams, and Broadcast

The time change presents several practical implications:

• Travel logistics: Out-of-town fans who reserved hotels for a later afternoon arrival are being urged to arrive earlier or re-check lodging plans. The university has offered free shuttle service beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET on game day to ease access to the stadium.

• Television schedule: For viewers, the previously scheduled afternoon window now moves into mid-day. Pre-game shows will begin earlier, and the visiting Rutgers team will need to adjust its warm-up and media availability accordingly.

• Team preparation: The Buckeyes and Scarlet Knights both issued statements acknowledging the change and adjusting their pre-game routines. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano noted, “We’ve adapted to weather and schedule changes before, but this timing shift means our players will hit the field earlier than planned. We’re prepared.”

• Fan experience: Ohio State’s marketing team has promised extra concessions and entertainment starting from 10:00 a.m., highlighting live music, alumni activities and stadium tours ahead of the revised kickoff time.

Why the Field Couldn’t Wait

According to turf-management experts, natural grass playing surfaces under high usage in the Big Ten endure intense wear, especially late in the season. Columbus has seen significant temperature swings in recent weeks, and field crew sources told The Dispatch that seams had begun to open near the north end-zone wall. With the Buckeyes ranked No. 1 and on a 10-0 record, ensuring a flawless, safe field was non-negotiable.

One anonymous stadium staff member remarked, “We saw the seams lifting during this week’s practice. On a night game with cold temps and heavy foot traffic, we simply could not risk injury or a broadcast delay.”

Historical & Competitive Context

The Buckeyes come into this matchup undefeated, 10-0 overall and 7-0 in Big Ten play. The Scarlet Knights, meanwhile, stand at 5-5, fighting for bowl eligibility. Historically, Ohio State has dominated Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten; no upset has occurred in their last ten meetings. The shift in kickoff time, therefore, adds a wrinkle to an otherwise familiar narrative.

Still, both teams acknowledged the significance of the game. Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day commented, “We respect every opponent, and this week’s schedule change doesn’t alter how we prepare. We’ll be ready, focused and disciplined at kickoff.” Rutgers’ Greg Schiano echoed the sentiment: “Nickname or ranking doesn’t matter. With one more win we become bowl eligible. So our team will move forward, adjust and bring everything.”

What It Means for the Season

The Buckeyes’ time change may seem like a mere logistical adjustment, but it underscores larger themes around player safety, field maintenance and modern broadcast demands. As stadiums host heavier usage with collegiate, high school and professional events, the stress on natural turf or hybrid surfaces increases markedly.

For fans, the earlier start time means setting aside their Saturday morning routine for a midday spectacle. For the athletes, the rhythm and cadence of game day shift. And for the networks, it’s another illustration of how schedule flexibility must meet operational realities.

Final Word

While the story heading into Saturday’s matchup always revolved around ranking, rivalry and playoff implications, the behind-the-scenes shift adds a human element to the narrative. The Buckeyes must adjust routines, the Scarlet Knights must adapt to an earlier window, and fans across the country must tune in sooner than expected.

At 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 22 — one hour earlier than most had planned — the Ohio State Buckeyes will take the field at Ohio Stadium against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. For the players, the fans, and the broadcast crew, the stage remains grand. The field may look the same—but the kickoff time tells a story of readiness, vigilance and the little details that make college football so compelling.

Stay tuned. The stadium doors open early. The band will play. The battle will begin anew — just a little sooner than most of us had on the calendar.