Noon Game Dilemma
October 23, 2017 by Ryan Decker
Fans hate them, media members tolerate them, and the football team thrives on them.
That’s the status of noon games at WVU.
All three home games played thus far have kicked off with both of the clock’s hands pointing straight up, as will this weekend’s game against No. 11 Oklahoma State.
Admittedly, it’s not fun getting up that early for games. However, they do have their merits.
Noon games allow college football fans to get going early (which some were going to do anyway) and give the opportunity to watch a game in person and then head out and catch the rest of the day’s action wherever you please.
As a lot of media members agree, the noon games are a necessary evil because we get done working at 5 p.m. instead of around or after midnight for later-scheduled kickoffs.
It’s for these reasons, and more, that many celebrated the Big 12’s announcement on Monday that No. 22 West Virginia’s Week 10 contest at home against No. 25 Iowa State will start at 3:30.
Looking past sleeping in a little later on a Saturday, and looking at the record on the field, maybe Mountaineer fans should be rooting for more noon kicks.
| Noon | Afternoon (3:30) | Evening (7:30/8) | |
| 2017 | 4-0 | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| 2016 | 3-1 | 6-0 | 1-2 |
| 2015 | 4-2 | 2-1 | 2-2 |
| 2014 | 4-0 | 2-4 | 1-2 |
| 2013 | 3-2 | 1-3 | 0-3 |
| 2012 | 3-0 | 3-4 | 1-2 |
| 2011 | 3-1 | 4-0 | 3-2 |
| TOTAL | 24-6 | 18-13 | 9-14 |
| Win % | 80% | 58% | 39% |
During the Dana Holgorsen era, the Mountaineers have thrived on early kickoffs, winning 80 percent of those games, including winning five out of eight against ranked opponents.
That, of course, came to fruition two Saturdays ago when WVU knocked off Texas Tech at Milan Puskar Stadium at noon.
After that, things become less of a sure thing with afternoon games.
WVU made great use of 3:30 kickoffs last year, going a perfect 6-0, but in years before, afternoon starts haven’t been kind to the Mountaineers.
Even less friendly are night games. For whatever reasons, West Virginia has not fared well under the lights.
WVU has an 0-10 record against ranked teams in contests that start in the dark since defeating Texas 48-45 in 2012.
Night games are great for creating atmosphere; 3:30 kickoffs please just about everyone, and WVU has had success in them; but despite the early rise, noon games might be the best option.