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Michigan-MSU Game: Noon Start on Big Ten Network
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Leave a CommentI remember a couple years ago there was a big concern that the Big Ten Network would somehow end up getting to broadcast the Michigan-Michigan State game, which would have posed a big problem for many people since much of the state didn’t have access to the channel yet. All the worrying turned out to be for naught, as the game ended up on ABC, which is usually the case for this rivalry. Most games have gotten a regional ABC spot or one of ESPN’s national spots, but that is coming to an end this season.
This year’s game (on October 3) will be a noon kickoff on the Big Ten Network. It’s not a big deal anymore since the BTN is now available to basically everyone in the state, but it is interesting that this happened. Usually a rivalry game like this ends up on ABC or ESPN simply because it is a rivalry game. Look at last year. Michigan was 2-5 going into the game, yet it was still broadcast on ABC. I guess now that Michigan State has dropped back-to-back games the BTN was a bit more likely to pick it up, but considering Michigan could be 4-0 going into the game, it’s a little surprising.
This is the first time the annual rivalry game will start at noon since 2005. Lately it has been typical for this game to be played at 3:30, but every few years it is a noon start.
