HEADLINE

HBO tabs 4 schools for new all-access series

Field Level Media

September 18, 2019 at 9:15 pm.

Arizona State, Florida, Penn State and Washington State will be featured in a Hard Knocks-style college football four-part series on HBO beginning in October, the network announced Wednesday.

The series, called 24/7 College Football, will focus on the school’s head coaches — Arizona State’s Herm Edwards, Florida’s Dan Mullen, Penn State’s James Franklin and Washington State’s Mike Leach, but will also include their assistants and players throughout a week during the regular season.

“For many years, we have been enamored with the storylines and unrivaled traditions of college football, and we’re excited for the opportunity to expand the 24/7 franchise into the realm of college sports,” HBO Sports executive producer Rick Bernstein said, in part, in a statement. “Viewers will feel the tremendous electricity of some of the best atmospheres in the country, and see the meticulous preparation and challenges facing these programs in the build-up to gameday and during the game action.”

Washington State confirmed the relationship in mid-August on Twitter, writing, “This should be fun! Coming Soon: The Cougs on HBO.”

The colorful Leach told his players to do their best to pretend the cameras weren’t rolling when HBO crews were reportedly in Pullman, Wash., in August.

“It’s all right. Just ignore them,” he said, via the team’s YouTube channel. “They want a genuine look and we’re not going to get our work done unless we effectively ignore one another.”

Florida will open what is described as an “all-access college football series” on Oct. 2, ahead of its Sept. 28 game against Towson. The Gators will be followed by Penn State (Oct. 9), before a game against Purdue; Arizona State (Oct. 16) prior to the Sun Devils facing Washington State; and the Cougars (Oct. 23) before their matchup with Colorado.

Actor Liev Schreiber will narrate the series.