If you think the Florida-LSU game deserved a later kickoff than 1 p.m. ET/noon CT, you’re not alone – the Worldwide Leader thought it did too.
Matt Moscona of Gridiron Now reports that ESPN had the first pick of SEC games for the Nov. 19 slate and wanted Florida-LSU, but CBS protested ESPN’s planned time slot:
Multiple sources familiar with the conversations confirmed that ESPN had the first choice among the games on the November 19 schedule, not CBS, and selected the game. As part of the agreement to move the contest to Baton Rouge, the schools agreed the game would not kick off in the evening to avoid a night game in Tiger Stadium, long considered an advantage for LSU. ESPN wanted to air the game at 3 p.m. Central, but CBS executives blocked that kickoff time because a marquee game would oppose its premier slot.
The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Florida (6-2, 4-2 SEC) currently leads the SEC East and plays South Carolina this week. LSU (5-3, 3-2) plays Arkansas this week and is looking to bounce back from a 10-0 loss to Alabama.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
