Nebraska fans are fuming over the announced kickoff time for their team's Week 7 road trip to Eugene. The Huskers and Oregon Ducks will square off at Autzen Stadium on Saturday night, but the start time has Cornhusker faithful reaching for their alarm clocks—and their patience.
On Sunday, Nebraska confirmed that the Big Ten clash will kick off at 11 p.m. Eastern Time (8 p.m. local in Oregon). The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX, but for fans in the central time zone, that means a 10 p.m. start—a rarity that has sparked a wave of frustration across social media.
“Late kick out West,” the program announced, but the response from the fanbase was anything but celebratory. One disgruntled supporter called it “brutal,” while others voiced concerns about the impact on the team's national ranking. “A win still might not get us in the Top 25 due to the game finishing long after most AP voters have finished their ballots and gone to bed,” one fan lamented. “We’ve seen time & time again how objectively lazy a large portion of AP voters are and their tendency to half-(expletive) their ballots…”
The criticism didn’t stop there. “What a dumb decision,” one X user posted. Another advised, “It’s official. Get the naps and coffee ready.” Some fans even joked about the late-night talk shows that would be reacting to the game in the wee hours: “Thoughts and prayers to the overreaction shows that will start anywhere from 2:00 to 4:00 am. Plan accordingly.”
Not everyone is upset, though. A segment of the fanbase is embracing the late-night atmosphere, reminiscent of the old Pac-12 after-dark games. “Absolutely love it !!! Gonna be a great one….Who remembers those late Pac12 games that went into Sunday ?!!!!!” one excited fan wrote.
The scheduling controversy adds another layer to what is already a pivotal matchup. Both teams are reeling from tough losses in Week 6. Nebraska blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead against Indiana, while Oregon suffered its second defeat of the season, falling to UCLA. The Ducks' loss was marred by controversy, as the Big Ten later confirmed an officiating mistake that may have cost Oregon a chance at victory.
For Nebraska, the struggles against ranked opponents have become a recurring theme. Coach Matt Rhule’s squad has now lost 31 straight games to ranked teams, a streak that has fans and analysts questioning the program's direction. Meanwhile, Oregon’s quarterback situation has become a hot topic, with some calling for a change under center after a rough outing against UCLA.
As both teams look to bounce back, the late kickoff ensures that the entire country will be watching—or at least those who can stay awake. The game is set to be a crucial test for both programs, with the winner gaining much-needed momentum in the Big Ten race.
For Nebraska fans, the late start might be a bitter pill to swallow, but the hope is that a victory will make the sleepless night worth it. As one fan optimistically noted, “Better get a nap in during the afternoon.”
