B1G Night Game Rules
Hoping someone knows the actual answer to this question. I'm thinking of taking the family when we play at Rutger, but the kids can't do a night game. I thought there was a Big Ten rule that night games are not allowed in November but Google searches return conflicting information and no resolution. Would be grateful for any input. Thanks.
I believe that rule no longer exists, however unless by some miracle both Rutgers and Michigan are undefeated it will be a noon or 3:30 game.
Or unless Rutgers wants to have another showcase night game against Michigan like they did in 2016. Maybe they could even invite about 200 recruits again. Worked well for them that time.
Blowouts tend to be uninteresting, but that one was mesmerizing. At one point I thought we might get 100.
Heyyyy, we found Ryan Day's MGoBlog account.
SB Nation produced a list of 15 outrageous statistics from that game. A few of my favorites:
- The 78-point margin was the biggest in an FBS-on-FBS game this millennium3.
- Rutgers did not get a first down until the fourth quarter.
- Six Michigan players had more individual yards (in passing, rushing, or receiving) than all of Rutgers did, in total.
and the best of all, Rutgers had 2 first downs the whole game, leading to this insane statistic:
- The announced attendance at High Point Solutions Stadium: 53,292. That's 26,646 per Rutgers first down.
Loved that game! Ruth's Chris had previously announced that during the season their prices on one of the days following the games would be reduced by M's margin of victory. After that game, you didn't get the price reduction unless you asked for it and they maxxed it at 50% or so (can't remember for sure the max amt). What a fabulous meal for the price! (Thank you, Buzz Goebel)
My, then, 10 year old grandson was more than thrilled with Michigan's blowout of Rutgers several years ago.
And from the look on his face so did their coach...
I mean I almost feel sorry for him...but then I remember that he probably made more in that loss than most make in a lifetime
That game was somehow worse in terms of competition than Delaware State. 78-0 still boggles the mind. How is that even possible between two Big Ten teams in the modern era?
Not too many people remember how awful we looked in that game out of the gate.
1st drive -
*Speight incomplete pass to Jake Butt
*De'Veon Smith up the middle for 2 yards.
*Speight screen pass to Smith for loss of 2 yards.
*Punt
2nd drive -
*Ty Isaac up the middle for 5 yards.
*Speight incomplete pass to Jehu Chesson.
*Speight incomplete pass to Amara Darboh.
*Punt
3rd drive -
*Devin AsiAsi up the middle for 3 yards.
*De'Veon Smith loses a fumble.
3 different offensive drives, 8 total yards. I took a quick look at the live thread of this game at this point and everyone was like, "Wow. We look like shit."
It wasn't until Peppers lined up at quarterback and ran for 60 something yards on the 4th offensive drive that the rest of the team magically woke up and then couldn't be stopped.
Sparty almost found out last year. They trailed OSU 49-0 at the half before Ryan Day called off the dogs.
Attended that game with wife and recent M grad son. It went from awkward to really embarassing for the Jersey locals who surrounded us. Even we started to root for (at least) a first down for them by the beginning of the 4th quarter. I think we had 3rd and 4th stringers in with 15 mins left.
Gracious crowd congratulated us, asked about M's academic programs & creds, etc.. Memorable evening. Very.
Spoke with Kenny Allen a week or two after that game while Michigan had a bye week. I asked him what it's like to be in a game like that. He told me it was actually getting boring and most of the guys were just ready to get on the plane and head home.
I can still remember that sad look after all these years.
Chris Ash is a reminder that OSU's enviable collection of talent can make coaches look better than they actually are.
It was a blast. We turned the ball over and the fans starting chanting and whispering, whatever year that was they beat us. The rain was sweet and heavy on the way into the stadium. However, the only advantage they had was more cheerleaders. By the third quarter, we almost had as many fans there than they did. Rutger' University, great place to visit!!!
Both teams have to agree to November night games.
Sadly, I would not expect us to oppose it against Rutger.
Is this a recent rule? I doubt we would’ve agreed to the 2016 night game in Iowa City…
Pretty sure the rule only went into effect at the start of the current TV deal, which began in 2017.
I believe you are correct on this Puti. It's not a game by game basis but a decision by each AD (not the coach) ahead of time to the allowable night games a team is comfortable with as written in the TV contract. And it won't be against Rutger.
FWIW Urban whined about the number of night games at one point and was told to shut up by the B1G.
Logged in to say this is spot on. Also they can change to an afternoon game if the weather forecast is bad. Witch I do believe happened a few years back with a Michigan - Maryland game @ Maryland.
Damn that Witchie-Poo!
After the first weekend in November both teams have to agree to play any night game.
This is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, no wagering.
At first I thought it was no night games whatsoever after October. Then I thought it was “Well the home team can request a night game but the visiting team has to agree to it.” But at the very least, Rutgers cant unilaterally decide at that point in the season that it wants a night game and not have to get a sign-off from Michigan about it.
Either way, I’d be shocked if this game was kicked off any later than 3:30, barring something crazy happening like Rutgers coming into the game undefeated along with Michigan. But with the game being in November, if it’s played at 3:30 don’t be surprised if the sun goes down by the time the game ends. Not sure if that makes any difference for you or not when you say no night games.
Speaking of night games, is anyone else annoyed/disappointed that Hawaii, of all teams, is a night game? What a waste.
The night game should have been Penn State or at least Maryland for pre-November, IMO
Maryland is Homecoming. Each B1G school controls 1 game time, Homecoming. That is why you see those start times announced before the season. I have never seen Michigan elect to start Homecoming at night. A majority of the Homecoming games end up at Noon.
Regardless of the Hawaii game being scheduled at night, I believe nothing prevents Fox from making the Penn State also a night game at The Big House.
Penn state definitely should be our night game, probably will be. I know the big house structurally will never be as loud as beaver stadium. But we can sure as hell have the opposition seeing maize for weeks on end.
That was a BTN decision. BTN is guaranteed at least 3 night games per season in the TV contract. I would still bet on PSU or MSU being a night game for FOX or ESPN. The Big Ten has to provide between 16-18 primetime games for FOX and ESPN.
Every team in the Big Ten set a tolerance for number of night games (home and road) they can play per season for the TV contract, but I think you had to have a 2-3 minimum up to a 5 game maximum. My guess is that Michigan set their tolerance for 3 or 4 (2 home and 1 road).
The Rutgers game is the first weekend of November. That's the last weekend in which it is not necessary for both teams to agree to a night game, and Fox can potentially decide to play it at night. Last year we played IU at night that weekend.
For the rest of November, the two teams must must agree for it to be a night game.
The stadium is fairly small and, of course, November games in NJ can be pretty wet and chilly. I suggest you try to get seats "under cover", that is, under an overhanging deck, opposite the visitors bench. Much more comfortable.
Because BTN picked up the Hawaii game as a night game, I don't think the Rutgers game will be available to them. I doubt FOX or ESPN will want that game for prime time so I don't think you have much to worry about.
My predictions for the Michigan night games this year: Hawaii (already picked up by BTN), at Iowa, and PSU. There is a chance for MSU replacing PSU, but I think that will depend on the selection order between FOX and ESPN. OSU @ PSU (potential night White-out game) is the same weekend as MSU-Michigan so I think it is more likely that MSU-Michigan ends up a noon game. Michigan-OSU is FOX #1 pick, and my guess is ABC/ESPN selected ND-OSU as their #1 game. Because of the ND-OSU game this year, there is a chance OSU-PSU ends up on FOX this year.