Kickoff Time Determination

Submitted by SF_Wolverine on

So after 8 long years I am finally returning to the homeland for the game against DSU on the 17th. My travel plans have me getting into AA around 10:30 - 11:00ish and I am a little nervous that I could hit a snag and miss the kickoff if it's a noon start.

This leads to my question...how are kickoff times determined?

James Burrill Angell

September 21st, 2009 at 8:57 PM ^

end up on regional cable or, now on the Big Ten Network and scheduled at Noon. Stronger matchups get the 3:30 slot. As we're playing a 1AA, in the middle of the conference schedule, its bound for Noon.

sjs1984

September 21st, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^

night before... How can you even consider coming back after 8 years and not tailgate, doe some pre-game activity, etc???

cuting it way too close... I dare say that you will miss what I cherish most, the game day experience that goes along with the game.....

jcgold

September 21st, 2009 at 9:21 PM ^

Essentially, games are chosen for Time/TV based on the network's choices, under the following basic rules:

1. All night games are selected before the season starts and pre-approved by the schools.
2. ABC gets first choice and picks it's "game of the week" to fill the 3:30 slot
3. ESPN/2 then selects 1-3 games depending on the weekend. Usually they pick 2 and put one each on ESPN and ESPN2 at noon.
4. Big Ten Network picks up the remainder, with all games airing at noon. However, all conference teams are required to have at least 3 games on the BTN, with 1 of them being a conference game. Thus, ESPN may pass on a game in order to ensure that they get a better game with a certain team. (Ex. OSU vs. Wisconsin from 2007)

At U of M, we say no night games. Thus, we are limited to 12:00 games when on the BTN, as they do not show games which compete with those on ABC.

jcgold

September 21st, 2009 at 9:24 PM ^

Game times are usually announced 12 days before. If they aren't announced at this time, they are announced the Sunday before the game.

The TV networks have complete control over the selections, and it is ratings based.

Blueisgood

September 21st, 2009 at 9:39 PM ^

That game will definetly be a noon game. I have another question. Anyone think in the next few years there will be a night game at the big house? I think that would be awesome and would definetly make it to that one.

tn wolverine

September 21st, 2009 at 9:57 PM ^

I've wondered about that too. I know at WVU Rodriguez had a bunch of those Thursday night ESPN games, so I assume he's not opposed to them. I know Carr said on many occasions he didn't like night games. Since he's not here now why not a Thursday night game against a conference opponent. The exposure of being the only game on tv would be great. I'm not sure if there's a conf. rule against it or something I don't rem. seeing a Big Ten game on a Thursday night. I think it would be easy enough to put lights on top of the new boxes and press box so we can hope for one.

Tshimanga Cowabunga

September 21st, 2009 at 10:47 PM ^

Temporary lights not being bright enough to light an entire game is not the problem. MSU has brought in temporary lights for 8pm starts multiple times in the past so it is doable.

The problem is the athletic department's reluctance to piss off the old alumni who drive in from all around the state to go to games because a night game generally means staying over night after the game. Furthermore, the university doesn't want to see the students tailgating til 8pm game time.

Thus, prolly no home night games unless RichRod comes out and says that they are needed.