NBC experiences backlash to red line of scrimmage feature

NBC is broadcasting the primetime matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame in Week 4. That matchup is shaping up to be a good one, but one feature of the broadcast has peeved fans a bit on social media.

Depending on which team has the ball, the line of scrimmage indicator is either blue for Notre Dame or red for Ohio State. While scarlet is a main color for the Buckeyes, the usage has fans a bit confused.

Traditionally, the first-down marker is yellow during early-down plays. However, some broadcasts shift that color from yellow to red for fourth-down plays.

As a result, fans on social media have sounded off in confusion about the new feature. Many fans expressed angst that every play for Ohio State feels like a fourth down while others have simply noted disgust at the overall appearance of the red bar across the middle of the screen.

Check it out:

NBC red line of scrimmage line is killing me. I keep thinking it’s 4th down every play.

— kevin wn, hoby milner supporter (@nilkswadler) September 23, 2023

@NBCSports so we have a red line of scrimmage line which we don’t need and no yellow first down line?!@OhioStateFB vs @NDFootball

— Kerry Fleming (@kfleming14) September 23, 2023

NBC gotta get rid of this red line of scrimmage line. My brain can’t not think it’s the fourth down line.

— Corey Peart (@coreyjpeart) September 23, 2023

The line of scrimmage line being red should be a crime @nbc

— Joe (@FreePaterno) September 23, 2023

The red line of scrimmage keeps making me think it’s 4th down.

— Buckeye Enthusiast (@BuckeyeloverO) September 23, 2023

Are we serious with this red line of scrimmage?

— Cream (@CreamSteamerson) September 23, 2023

NBC’s line of scrimmage being red is such an atrocious decision. it should never ever be red. it looks like 4th down every play.

— shea (@sheanorling) September 23, 2023

@nbc why is the line of scrimmage line red?

— Nolan MacFadyen (@nmac_31) September 24, 2023

Can I get this red line of my screen idc about the line of scrimmage ???? @YouTubeTV you’ve been killing it but need a slight adjustment

— Johnny Tweets (@johntweetsworld) September 24, 2023

@nbc the red line for OSU line of scrimmage looks terrible

— arthur fleck (@arthurfleck31) September 24, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.