November Night Games?
I read in Kyle's article that the Big 10 prohibits night games in November? Does any one know why they would prohibit Prime Time games in that month? Seems like a waste of valuable exposure. Also, I am really big on tradition, but would anybody else like to see Ohio State vs. scUM under the lights?
I don't believe night games are technically prohibited. I believe that you need to get conference approval to have one in November though, and those requests are rarely made and rarely approved. Thought that it was weather related.
Edit: deleted. I was wrong - 2006 game was 3:30
i think the 2006 game was 3:30 kickoff, so it was dark by the second half
The B1G needs all of the prime time exposure it can muster. Having night games in November is just smart. Every other league does it. Why not the B1G? Wisky would be fun at night, and so would AACC. The Shoe would be electric for sure!
The Game in '06 was a 3:30 kickoff, and it was stupid as Hell then, and it's stupid as Hell now. With the length of day during late fall, a 3:30 kickoff will mean that at least one half is still played in darkness (read: COLD) anyways. It's not like we won't pack the stands, and it's not like us Midwestern folk are unaccustomed to foul weather.
This is yet another case of the Big Ten's complacency and overall tendency to sit behind the curve (the BTN notwithstanding) that has led to the conference's recent lack of salience. I hate that night games are the exception to the "Nooner timeslot" rule, and I'd much prefer the converse. College football's a-changing, it's time for us to get with it.
Jim Delany is an older gentleman and needs to get lots of rest.
Actually, I just read something about this. Delany discusses November night games, scheduling conference games in September, and the playoff in this article:
http://thegazette.com/2012/10/25/b1g-commissioner-on-playoffs-bowls-night-games/
B1G night games are prohibited in November because of the risk of inclimate weather. This is not Delany's rule or decision. It is a consensus of all member schools. Prime time games are great for those of us watching at home, but late season (November) evening games can be brutal for anyone in attendance - inlucing the teams, fans, and prospects. Speaking as someone who has been involved in late November games in the northern States I can say that I am very much in favor of this rule. Sorry, I know that will be unpopular for many here.
Here are Delany's comments about November night games from the article I linked to above:
Thanks for the insight, I just feel the Big 10 needs to stay with the rising demand of what fans want. Yes I do believe there could be some inclement weather issues for the 105K, but we also have the other few million enjoying a prime time game on television, not to mention the fact if we had more conference games in Sept. The advantage we would have bringing a warm weather team here
QuadrupleZ
Alcohol and cold weather are typically a bad combination. Night games are colder and people have more time to consume. Not saying it is a deciding factor, but something to consider.
^^Alcohol and cold weather are typical an awesome combination!
Lawyered!
My opinions on this really come from my upbringing. Learning much of what I know about football from working with Woody most probably has me dead set against decisions "made for TV". Heck, first we lost traditional times for games - it used to be that you could count on the Buckeyes playing only on Saturday afternoons (1 pm or an hour later). The move to night games was OK, but then lots of other things started happening. First, we had to have games starting at noon instead of 1 to accommodate broadcast schedules. Then, the networks started Thursday night games - ugh! Then came TV forced rule changes to actually shorten games so they could jam in more ads. Average number of plays per game dropped 15 to 20% - the goal was to fit a game into a 3 hour time slot and flood it with as many commercials as possible. We are now seeing a plethora of hurry up offenses so teams can get more plays into the minimal time between commercials.
I hear what you are saying about playing to the TV audience, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. I can completely understand the league members (specifically, the coaches, AD's and Presidents) being resistant to Nov night games. However, the numbers game (as in $$) will eventually win out. So, just be patient!!!!
In my opinion Night games are better in every way. More time to tailgate, you don't have to get up early, better national audience, the atmosphere is literally night and day better (get it?) than noon games, plus we seem to play better in night games. Noon games almost seem boring and old fashioned to me but maybe i'm biased being in college. Yes it's a few degrees colder but if temperature is the deciding factor on wether or not you attend the game maybe you shouldn't be going anyway.