ESPNU launched its college football coverage on August 25, 2005 with a SIAC matchup between Benedict and Morehouse.
Notable personalities joined ESPNU College Football, such as Clay Matvick, Brian Kinchen and Chris Martin.
[1] Most fans considered Indiana to be a weak opponent within the Big Ten Conference based on recent performance.
Considering the fact that Ohio State was a national championship contender and Indiana was competitive against a major team, fans of both schools were upset that ESPN would not be allowing ABC regional coverage of the game.
Accordingly, there was the perception that the move was a marketing tactic by ESPN, attempting to get more people and cable providers to carry and subscribe to ESPNU.
The agreement allows ESPNU to televise a minimum of seven football games a season, primarily on Thursday nights.
The ten-year deal, which goes through 2016, allows ESPN Family of networks to broadcast up to 41 games a year, which a portion will be part of ESPNU's coverage of college football.