According to a source with direct knowledge of the network's plans, these games will be sourced from the Big Ten, Big 12, and the Mountain West conferences.

While the first matchup is yet to be determined, the television schedule, coordinated with other networks, will be finalized in May. This move demonstrates Fox Sports' commitment to football, as it establishes Friday night and Saturday as the focal points for college games, while Sunday remains dedicated to NFL coverage.

Despite this new addition, Fox still aims to showcase its biggest game of the week on Saturdays with its popular "Big Noon Kickoff" spotlight. This regular Friday night college football lineup comes after Fox decided not to renew the rights for WWE's Friday Night Smackdown. Executives at Fox Sports believe that college football will deliver higher ratings compared to WWE's programming.

It's important to note that while WWE airs throughout the year, college football extends for approximately three months, making it a shorter, more condensed season. Fox Sports' ultimate goal, according to Michael Mulvihill, the network's president of insight and analytics, is to position themselves as the go-to destination for top-rated college football games on both Fridays and Saturdays, followed by the premier NFL contests on Sunday afternoons.

This extension of college football into a regular Friday prime-time broadcast means that during the fall, viewers will have the opportunity to watch the best NFL and college games almost every night of the week, except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

It's worth mentioning that ESPN has previously televised MAC games during the middle of the week in the fall. Additionally, the late afternoon NFL Sunday window, which alternates between Fox and CBS, typically receives the highest ratings of the weekend.

With this new initiative by Fox Sports, fans can anticipate an action-packed lineup of college football games to enjoy on Friday nights, further enhancing the overall viewing experience during the football season. Stay tuned for more updates as the television schedule announcement approaches in May.

(Note: The content of this article is based solely on the provided information and does not include any additional details or speculation beyond what is mentioned.