• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 23, 2025

‘ACC Huddle’ Joins College Football’s TV Road-Show Race

The college football pregame show space is crowded, but TV networks and conferences continue to invest in expanded programs.

Rich Storry – ESPN Images

CHARLOTTE — As ESPN’s College GameDay and Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff continue to battle for college football pregame show supremacy, another traveling program is expanding its nationwide footprint.

This season, the ACC Network’s ACC Huddle will broadcast from the campus of the conference’s marquee game of the week (10 a.m. to noon ET), regardless of which channel it airs on. Previously, the pregame show originated from the location of the ACC Network’s Saturday night primetime game, which often is the third- or fourth-best ACC game of the weekend.

So, with the SEC Network’s SEC Nation and Big Ten Network’s B1G Tailgate similarly traveling each week to a campus around their respective conferences, how many pregame shows is too many?

“It’s hard to describe what the pageantry of college football means to people, and I don’t think that there’s ever enough,” ACC Network senior director of programming Jeramy Michiaels told Front Office Sports.

In 2024, College GameDay averaged 2.2 million viewers, the most in the show’s 38-year history. To continue competing with the top dog, Big Noon Kickoff is adding Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy to its set this year. 

New Kid on the Block

The revamped ACC Huddle will model itself after College GameDay, Michiaels said, but it will avoid broadcasting from the same site when ESPN’s flagship pregame show goes to an ACC campus. ACC Huddle will be at Clemson on Aug. 30, when the Tigers host LSU. That Saturday, College GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff will be in Columbus ahead of Texas–Ohio State.

“It’s great just being in those environments,” ACC Huddle analyst Eddie Royal, a former Virginia Tech and NFL receiver, told FOS. “That’s why everybody loves college football.” 

This season, Royal, fellow analyst Eric Mac Lain, and host Taylor Tannebaum will be joined by former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, who won a national championship at Florida State.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN

‘Inside the NBA’ Keeps Irreverence Intact in ESPN Debut

The foursome were back together ahead of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after defeating the Seattle Mariners in game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre.

Blue Jays Game 7 Clincher Draws Record TV Audience

LCS viewership rises, with historic totals posted in Canada and Japan.
Texas Tech tortillas

Texas Tech Is Attempting a Tortilla Crackdown 

Rebellious students are known to smuggle the tortillas in their underwear.

NFL’s Goodell Stands by Bad Bunny: ‘It’s Going to Be a Great..

The commissioner is undeterred by political criticism of the halftime show choice.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

YouTube Stars Help Bring Back Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’

The show will return in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus.
Netflix
October 21, 2025

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.
Candace Parker
October 22, 2025

Candace Parker Wants NFL-Style Coverage From NBA Media

Amazon will stream its first NBA doubleheader Friday.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
October 17, 2025

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.