Question re: start times for remaining football games
I know that none of the times for our remaining games (other than OSU) are set yet, and that they times are generally formally announced until 1-2 weeks before each game, but I am trying to do some weekend planning, and was curious what everyone predicts for the start times of our remaining games. I am not as familiar as others on this board, but I recall discussion about big ten rules regarding night games in November, number of night games per team and other discussions regarding network selection order impacting the games. I am assuming the following, but would appreciate info from anyone who is more informed:
NW - noon
Sparty - night game in EL?
Indiana - noon?
PSU - I would figure night game, but I believe that both teams would have to agree, so more likely 3:30?
Maryland - noon or 3:30
THE Great Evil - noon
October 11th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
Yes, the visitors bench is in front of section 5, so sections 2-5 should be the primary area for Michigan fans. I grabbed my two tickets in Section 5 before the season started -- that may turn out to be a good move this time. See you there.
October 11th, 2021 at 12:17 PM ^
Wins and losses will affect which network decides to pick up which game and time slot, but I think the only night game possibilities left are Northwestern and MSU. October 30th has two huge B1G games: OSU-PSU and Michigan-MSU. One of them will probably be the Fox Big Noon game and the other will most likely be an ABC prime time game. I think the Northwestern game has potential to end up in any time slot as BTN could put it at night.
The next three games (IU, PSU, Maryland) are most likely noon or 3:30/4pm games. I think the Michigan-PSU game will most likely be a Fox Big Noon game.
October 11th, 2021 at 12:34 PM ^
Id be willing to bet that if both teams are undefeated, the Sparty game will be the B1G Noon game of the week.
October 11th, 2021 at 12:46 PM ^
NW - no way that's not a noon game on BTN. Maybe it ends up on ESPN, but more than likely being kicked over to BTN.
MSU - Either a 7:30pm kickoff on ABC, or it'll be on Fox at 4pm. A lot of it probably depends on the OSU-PSU game which also takes place that same week, but since the MSU game has been on Fox since at least 2018, my money is on a 4pm kickoff, and OSU-PSU gets pushed to 7:30 on ABC. Fox never hosts night games and since Game 4 of the World Series will be that night, there's no way in hell they're broadcasting anything after 7-7:30 that night that isn't related to baseball.
Indiana - noon
PSU - 3:30. I won't be surprised if they try to push for a night game, especially if they can walk out of Columbus with a win. But I doubt Michigan will agree to it. 3:30 on ABC or at noon on Fox.
Maryland - probably noon
OSU - noon on FOX. That's not changing. If Michigan rolls in undefeated then I'm sure there will be some clamoring to make this a 4pm kickoff, but I think 2006 will be the last edition of The Game that we see kick off past noon for a long, long time, barring any postseason meet-ups.
October 11th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
Game 4 of the World Series is on Saturday, October 30th on FOX so I think any FOX game is going to be the lead in to this.
October 11th, 2021 at 1:14 PM ^
RE: B1G night games in the new TV contract. This only applies to games the B1G controls (i.e. B1G home games).
Each school said how many night games it would play overall and how many it would take at home. So if a school said it would play three night games total and up to two of those at home, the Big Ten would take that tolerance as accepting of:
• 0 at home, 3 on road
• 1 at home, 2 on road
• 2 at home, 1 on road
Every school could come up with its own preference. Some really like night games and want a lot. Some don't like night games. Rudner didn't say this, but it makes sense to me that were was some pressure put on the reluctant schools, but I doubt some schools would agree to take on up to five night games while another school said, nah, we don't want any.
Rudner would not divulge the tolerances for each school, but I believe the maximum is five. And Ohio State gave a tolerance of five. I think other schools may be at more like three.
https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2017/10/explaining_big_ten_night_games.html
October 11th, 2021 at 1:28 PM ^
I may in the minority here but I personally love Michigan night games. Granted MI won both this year but the Nebraska and Washington games were two of the funnest games in recent memory. Nothing like winning in a hostile environment at night. And ya have to imagine those games are more appealing to 16-18 year old kids considering playing here.
October 11th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
As long as the Northwestern game isn't a MooN game I am fine with whatever time they start at.
October 11th, 2021 at 6:02 PM ^
Coffee and Nooners are for Closers.
October 13th, 2021 at 4:59 PM ^
I’m thinking that the league is not the only driver of the night game limits. Like “don’t let Sparty spend all day getting drunk” is such a driver.
Northwestern’s stadium is basically in a nice residential neighborhood with few of the giant parking lots etc and other athletic facilities that surround other venues. I would not be at all surprised if they exerted a lot of pressure against the scheduling of frequent night games.