Presser: Big Ten Schedule For First Three Weeks
Every conference home contest to be televised for third straight season
Park Ridge, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference office today released the game times and television plans for every home non-conference contest during the first three weeks of the 2009 football season along with some additional games later in the year. The 2009 pre-conference schedule will feature 25 home matchups televised by ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network.
The 2009 Big Ten home football schedule begins with Indiana hosting a Thursday night contest against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 3 on the Big Ten Network. The other 10 conference teams will begin their seasons on Saturday, Sept. 5.
In addition to the television schedule for the first three weeks, the conference also announced that the Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern game Oct. 10 will be played at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. In addition, a pair of Illinois games were finalized as the Illini will host Michigan on Oct. 31 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC and conclude the regular season at home against Fresno State with an 11:30 a.m. CT kickoff on the Big Ten Network.
Remaining television selections beginning Sept. 26 and continuing through the end of the season will be made six or 12 days in advance of the game.
The Big Ten will hold the 2009 Football Media Days and 38th annual Kickoff Luncheon on Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, featuring all 11 head coaches and some of the conference’s top returning players. The 114th season of Big Ten football kicks off beginning with every team in action on Sept. 3 or 5.
The complete list of television games already announced appears below.
Thursday, Sept. 3
Eastern Kentucky at Indiana, Big Ten Network, 8:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 5
Missouri vs. ILLINOIS, ESPN, 2:40 p.m. CT
Northern Iowa at Iowa, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT
Western Michigan at MICHIGAN, ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET
Montana State at MICHIGAN STATE, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Towson at Northwestern, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT
Navy at Ohio State, ESPN, Noon ET
Akron at Penn State, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Toledo at Purdue, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Northern Illinois at Wisconsin, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 12
Illinois State at Illinois, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. CT
Western Michigan at INDIANA, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Notre Dame at Michigan, ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET
Central Michigan at Michigan State, ESPN/ESPN2, Noon ET
Air Force at MINNESOTA, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan at NORTHWESTERN, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT
Southern California at Ohio State, ESPN, 8:00 p.m. ET
Syracuse at Penn State, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Fresno State at Wisconsin, ESPN/ESPN2, 11:00 a.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 19
Arizona at Iowa, ABC, 2:30 p.m. CDT
Eastern Michigan at MICHIGAN, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
California at Minnesota, ESPN/ESPN2, 11:00 a.m. CT
Temple at PENN STATE, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Northern Illinois at Purdue, Big Ten Network, Noon ET
Wofford at WISCONSIN, Big Ten Network, 11:00 a.m. CT
Saturday, Oct. 10
Miami (Ohio) at NORTHWESTERN, ESPN/ESPN2/Big Ten Network, 11 a.m. CT
Saturday, Oct. 31
MICHIGAN at ILLINOIS, ABC, 2:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, Dec. 5
Fresno State at ILLINOIS, Big Ten Network, 11:30 a.m. CT
I'm 100% certain the WMU isn't going to be playing on ABC here in Texas - do we still have the setup w/ ESPN that no matter where you are you'll either get the game on ABC or ESPN if it's slotted for ABC? (Or maybe on BTN? I got DirecTV solely for that reason and couldn't be happier! :)
I am 90% sure that the game will be on ESPN here in Texas if it isn't showing on ABC.
Looks like Illinois vs. Missouri will be the 3:30 game on ESPN that day. Hopefully the Michigan game will be on ESPN2 if it's not on ABC in your area. That was great how that worked out last year. Nice to be able to see all the games down here in FL which is why I have DirecTV and the Big 10 Network as well.
BTN comes free with Verizon. CH 585.
So long as it's available it's always with the normal package - that's what took negotiations so long. DirecTV, Dish, FiOS, UVerse and the midwest cable companies all have it as part of their standard + package (probably wouldn't get it if you get the cheapest thing available but I'd say if you get ESPN2 you'll get BTN)
Sweet, thanks for the post.
I was under the impression that Notre Dame had a contract with NBC to have their games on NBC. Does this only apply when Notre Dame is at home?
I'm really excited the game is on ABC though. Can't wait to watch this one.
Only home games (Thank God!)
NBC's football announcers are pure torture.
The NBC announcers are hard to listen to. They are basically bought and paid for by the home team.
Did anyone else notice during the ND game last year that NBCs broadcast isn't as clear as ABC/ESPN?
ABC/ESPN broadcasts in 720p whereas NBC broadcasts in 1080i - I'm not sure if that made the difference you're referring to but it did seem a little blurry to me as well - or maybe that was our brains trying to blur away all the fumbles :(
Ahh, gotcha. Yeah, interlaced format is awful for sports.
I always attributed it to my hatred of Notre Dame. I guess I wasn't angry enough to see things. Darn..
Relegated to the Thursday slot.
How is a rivalry game like Northern Iowa vs. Iowa not in prime-time on ABC?!?!
Probably because Iowa will win by at least 40.
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