On Wednesday, word broke that the Big Ten would be providing six Friday night games during the 2017 season as part of an enormous television package with both ESPN and FOX. However, the quality of those games has already come under fire, simply because, well, none of the best teams in the conference want anything to do with playing on Friday.
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Michigan and Ohio State, which are generally regarded as the class of the league, both expressed disinterest and/or pure dislike for the concept and shared that with the Chicago Tribune. Michigan AD Warde Manuel released a cordial statement that included, "With our large fan base, Michigan fans and alumni travel significant distances to attend games, making Saturdays our preferred day for all football games". However, the Wolverines are reportedly "flat-out saying no" to both home and road games on Friday's.
As for the Buckeyes, OSU AD Gene Smith is publicly stating that the program will only host a Friday game on one week (Autumn Break) and will limit the Buckeyes' availability to play on the road on that day. It wasn't just the top two programs, either, as Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State all share the same view.
Wisconsin doesn't want to take away from high school football:
Penn State shared a similar message about the impact of Friday games on "key community stakeholders":
Michigan State took the softest stance of all, simply rolling with the status quo of playing only on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend. The Spartans have played on that particular day five different times in the recent past and that will almost certainly provide fodder for the new Big Ten scheduling deal in this instance.
It is tough to blame the pillars of the Big Ten for not wanting to sacrifice prime real estate on Saturday afternoons and evenings, but this is brutal PR for the conference. Now, we will see what kind of gems come to the forefront on national television, but expect to see a lot of Purdue, Rutgers and Illinois on Friday evenings in the future.
