Brace yourselves: Rivalry Game vs. Rutgers Possibly a Night Game
After last night's game at The Big House I spoke to a friend who also happens to be on the Michigan Stadium staff, he brought up the possibility that the Sept. 28th game vs Rutger might be played under the lights. He stated that the possibility was addressed with Big House staff at a meeting he attended this past week, that the Big Ten was pushing for it to be a night game. They were told in the meeting to be prepared for the possibility, that no final decision was likely for at least a couple weeks.
I am putting this out here at confidence level 10 in regards to my source, with the caveat that he emphasized the fact that no decision has been made yet, merely that it is a distinct possibility.
Any MGoInsiders out there with more information, please fill us in!
September 1st, 2019 at 7:55 PM ^
I thought Notre Dame would be on NBC?
September 1st, 2019 at 8:45 PM ^
That’s only for games in which ND is the home team. Contract doesn’t extend to away games. Thank goodness.
September 1st, 2019 at 8:45 PM ^
NBC’s contract is for Notre Dame home games. Notre Dame away games fall under the TV contracts of the opponent
September 1st, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
Did anyone else notice on their season tickets that Rutgers was a different color (more black and white)? Made me think it has been thought of to be a night game for a while now.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:14 PM ^
Yeah I saw that. It has something to do with the 150 year anniversary since Rutgers was in the first game (hence the huge "150" on the helmet on that ticket). I'm assuming it will be a fancy patch, or maybe surprise alternate uniforms, or maybe nothing at all and just a commemorative ticket, but I don't think it has anything to do with that game being a night game.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:18 PM ^
How about they commemorate it by making it the first game of the day? 7am.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:23 PM ^
Sounds like a deal to me. Start the tailgate up at 3am.
September 1st, 2019 at 9:23 PM ^
That’s too late... would need to be 1am, 6 hours is about what it takes to survive a Rutger game in person.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:30 PM ^
If it's a Saturday 7 AM start may as well stay out all night Friday drinking and stumble into the stadium on the way home.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:12 PM ^
I am not against the idea of a night game but yesterday was really bad. Waiting around all day without knowing how the team is going to look. That is just me. Too anxious like a 10 year old on Christmas Eve.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:21 PM ^
Would that mean ND wouldn’t be a night game or, since TV dictates everything that would still be a possibility?
September 1st, 2019 at 6:25 PM ^
That game sure as shit better be a night game. We owe those pricks some payback for the last two games against them, both losses at night, one being in embarrassing fashion.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:23 PM ^
Good. I love night games. It benefits the program when the team plays in prime time.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^
Dawn Brown can pad her stats at night...can't wait
September 1st, 2019 at 6:28 PM ^
"You are looking live at the Rutgers fan....."
Oh, I can see it now.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:02 PM ^
classic.
i can hear brent fuss-budget in my head while i read your post.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:31 PM ^
I thought Maryland was going to be a night game. That would make likely night games for Michigan:
1) MTSU
2) ND
3)Rutgers
4) PSU
5) Maryland
6) ?
September 1st, 2019 at 6:38 PM ^
Maryland is at noon at Maryland.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:39 PM ^
Weird. I have never heard of ? University. Are they any good?
September 1st, 2019 at 6:43 PM ^
Rutgers and ND can’t both be night games, max of 2 home night games this year unless Warde agrees to more (and he won’t)
September 1st, 2019 at 9:53 PM ^
I didn’t think there was a maximum number. Rather, it’s a minimum of two night games. But I could be wrong
September 1st, 2019 at 6:54 PM ^
One a year is more than enough. The big house is better in the day light.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:58 PM ^
Yea, that way you can see whether or not you're sitting in booze.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:30 PM ^
A night game in Columbus would be worse. Walking back from the game and tripping over a cooler.
I am guessing that is every game. Just dodging coolers & wondering what is in them.
September 1st, 2019 at 8:48 PM ^
While both will always be beautiful, I completely disagree with your statement about day being better looking. The night atmosphere is phenomenal.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^
9 straight years in the student section:
3:30 is God’s start time (enough time to properly tailgate without having to get up at 5 am)
Noon games are the worst. No time to properly tailgate.
Night games are fun against good teams. ?♂️ Otherwise
However, I live in East Asia now so I am very much for every game being a night game.
September 1st, 2019 at 8:51 PM ^
The only time I prefer a noon game is when we're on the road in a very difficult environment against a team that is capable of beating us. Night game atmospheres are just more energetic. People are typically more jacked up and louder. That is why it's nice having them in our own stadium.
September 1st, 2019 at 6:57 PM ^
Rutroh
September 1st, 2019 at 7:00 PM ^
Hey, if Trinidad & Tobago had to play Brazil in futbol, you bet both Trinidad and Tobago would treat Brazil like a rival!
Despite the fact that Brazil has no interest in knowing where Trinidad nor Tobago is located, similarly, UM with the Rutger. Let them enjoy their little "rivalry". Gives them something to live for.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:09 PM ^
chuck, 2 questions for you
1. who are your faux-rivals? we apparently have a rivalry with illinois, too, that none of us knew about
2. what are your reflections on your team's first game, new coach, etc.?
your posts here are welcome - as i mentioned in another thread, you get any more friendly you're going to be invited to robf's tailgate to eat all of his food and drink his beer.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:42 PM ^
If The(tm) and Illinois play for the Illibuck trophy, then Michigan and Illinois need to get a trophy. Unless Michigan isn't a real rival with Illinois.
September 3rd, 2019 at 10:03 PM ^
Sorry, xtra, for responding so late that you probably never see this...
1. My buddy is correct. The Illibuck trophy is a faux rivalry for OSU. Actually was a rivalry in the 1920s-1930s, back when Minniesoda was Michigan's biggest rival. Illinois used to be the final game on the schedule until Michigan became the final game in ...was it during the 1940s?
Otherwise, the only other faux rivalries for OSU aren't really rivalries but are whichever B1G program is good and provides several intriguing contests (like PSU in recent years, Wisconsin about 5-10 years ago, etc.). Purdue has been our little stinker, like Iowa is for Michigan, but that doesn't even make it a faux rivalry.
2. The first 10 minutes, they were clicking everywhere and doing everything a top 5 team should do against an inferior opponent. The next 50 minutes were not at all impressive, though when mop-up duties last for 50 minutes what do we really expect. I'm sure the competitive edge wears off a bit when the offense scores in 4 plays, 2 plays, 3 plays, & 4 plays: 28 points in 13 plays, no series lasting 2 minutes, 2 series barely eclipsed 30 seconds.
The defense returned to the sideline after a 3-&-out several series in a row to begin the game. Again, garbage time began before the 1st quarter was over.
I love Day as an offensive tactician, though we all know a great coordinator often does not make a good head coach. Seems like Day is well-grounded enough to make a strong HC, though time will tell; two 4-loss seasons will surely change that opinion.
...now, is someone posts a reply on a thread 51 hours later and no one reads it, is it really a post? ;-)
September 1st, 2019 at 7:06 PM ^
Would almost rather this be the night game than any other game. This is the game I dread least on the schedule, so the way I see it, the games I dread most, at least I get them out of the way sooner in my day.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:08 PM ^
I used to be a night game advocate, but since hearing the players prefer noon, I now prefer them. Whatever helps our boys play best; that’s what I want.
September 1st, 2019 at 9:22 PM ^
Ben Bredeson prefers noon. I'm not sure we should tailor the schedule based on one player. Also, just because he prefers it, does not mean he plays better at noon.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:09 PM ^
It’s RUTGER
September 1st, 2019 at 7:16 PM ^
Good because I have to work most Saturdays and can still make it if more are at night.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:30 PM ^
I don't know why we're the only program that struggles so mightily with this.
A few things can be true at the same time:
- Night Games are good and we should have more of them for high profile games.
- Shitty ass games against garbage teams like Rutgers should NEVER be night games.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:41 PM ^
Nothing good happens at night games. How many times has the weather been beautiful at noon and by 7 it's a torrential rain/wind/blizzard storm?
I hate night games and I don't even like 3:30 starts. 12 pm is the way to go
September 1st, 2019 at 7:44 PM ^
Noon is perfect. Breakfast lunch dinner. Home by 6pm.
September 1st, 2019 at 9:21 PM ^
The first Under the Lights game was the best!. Outcome determined in the last 2 seconds. The Big House was electric. So, sometimes, good things can happen at a night game. That said, I don't like night games unless it is a big opponent.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:43 PM ^
This would be a brain dead move. Due to the competition, it's a family day. Dont ruin that.
September 1st, 2019 at 10:06 PM ^
Agreed. Taking my 8 yr old son to his first game that day and assumed it would be a day game. Figured 3:30pm worst case scenario since the time wasn’t announced. A night game would not be good.
September 1st, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^
Hopefully not IMO. Michigan football games start at 12. Period. The night games can be a nice change of pace for a real opponent (PSU, Iowa) or a rival (MSU, ND) but otherwise the entire day feels like a build up to this anti-climatic battle. Rutgers night game would be the epitome of that.
September 1st, 2019 at 8:15 PM ^
My favorite game time is 3:30, but when your team is good, networks want to showcase them. bring on the night games.
September 1st, 2019 at 8:29 PM ^
That'd be awesome for selfish reasons. I'll be in A2 this year with my college buddies and we all have small kids. A night game would let us all go to the game kid free.
September 1st, 2019 at 9:00 PM ^
All the people who like noon games seem to like them because it "gets the Michigan game out of the way" for them to do other things / watch other games.
Huh? We wait all year and have weeks of previews and hype videos and "There are" posts . . . just to get the game out of the way?
F that, I wish Michigan games lasted all day.
We only get a precious few each year. I want them to be in the way.
September 1st, 2019 at 9:25 PM ^
Exactly. It boggles the mind that someone would take the time out of their day to post here, and not want Michigan games to be the focus of their day. We are talking about 7 home games a year.
September 1st, 2019 at 9:08 PM ^
I LOVE Night games...MOAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 1st, 2019 at 9:14 PM ^
Fan of 1 or 2 (home) night games per year for a more marquee matchup. Our first foray into a home night game will never be forgotten. Chances are we will play a couple road night games in a year. Then if we are in Central Time Zone it could be afternoon.
I question why yesterdays game was at night. Was that a BTN dictated or strongly urged thing? There weren't a lot of compelling games yesterday so BTN probably wanted some viewers in primetime.