The Michigan Wolverines have already seen one major change to their 2017 television schedule for football, with the annual battle against the Ohio State Buckeyes officially moving from ABC/ESPN to FOX. Now, another move could be in the works, as the Detroit Free Press brings word that the game between Michigan and Michigan State could be headed to an evening atmosphere for the first time in the history of the rivalry.
Michigan State AD Mark Hollis spoke about the potential on Monday at Big Ten headquarters and, while he did not confirm an official move, he certainly did not downplay the chances.
"It would come out of the league office in conversations with the networks. It's a little bit less on the institutions anymore.
"We've had some great experiences with night games in the past," Hollis said. "My concern always goes to safety, and the safest place to play is when the sun's shining. We'll see where it goes, but we're going to be playing more night games obviously in the league. You're going to want to have the biggest and best games as part of those primetime packages."
The report indicates that the "conversation of moving MSU-Michigan to a primetime TV spot has increased" and it would certainly follow the pattern of money and television driving broadcast times. Until it is official, there is no reason to alter plans for the future but it could be on the way and fans of the Wolverines and Spartans will need to tweak their schedules.
