Charles Woodson appealing for 3:30pm start for The Game on Facebook

I don't care what time it's played. But the newtwork does, and ABC pays the conference and schools for allowing it great influence when deciding which games will be played at what time with the school's having a final say on prime time contests. We already know that an evening start has been ruled out. And we already know that a midafternoon game becomes a night game in the second half in November. 

Michigan has repeatedly played MSU at 3:30 pm in both Ann Arbor and E. Lansing. Michigan-OSU is sacrosanct in most respects based on when its played --the last game of the season and time is important --to many. 

I really don'rt have a personal preference because the game is so special it transcends that concern, for me.

So, in my mind, the only question is whether you think there are inherent security risks and travel issues with a late afternoon contest. I think those are minimal. But maybe the game time should be determined as it is for most  during the season, by the record and rankings of the teams and the significance of the contest before deciding that. 

Here's the thing, though: If you claim you want to be considered a national elite and play the top teams, you play in prime time windows not in old school timeframes, even if it disrupts our cultural sentiment and tradition. We don't get hung up on when other sporting events between these schools are played. So, I think the question of when its played ought to be determined as other big game rivalries are played, when most are likely to watch, our feelings nothwithstanding.