Michigan football has avoided night games with Michigan State in the past due to security concerns, but the Big Ten has reportedly removed veto power from the schools.
Michigan A.D. Warde Manuel told The Detroit Free Press there could be as many as two home night games this year, and MSU might be one of them.
““It is a possibility,” Manuel said. “When the schedules come out, we can have up to two night games.
“[Security] is still a concern. The only difference is, the Big Ten and television can assign us to a primetime game and it’s not our option. In November, we have the option if we choose to do so. I don’t anticipate that choice being made.”
Michigan has hosted three night games in its history: 2011 and 2013 against Notre Dame and 2014 against Penn State.
The new television deals take effect this season, and the conference and television partners set the schedule, not the schools.
"We agreed to it several years ago as a part of negotiating the new Big Ten television contract that we would allow up to two games at night,” Manuel said. “Last year for this (2016) football season, we had the option. Next year and moving forward the Big Ten can assign us and television in the Big Ten. In the month of September and October.”
Michigan plays Cincinnati and Air Force in September, MSU and Rutgers in October. The Cowboys Classic season opener against Florida in Arlington, Texas will likely be a night game, and the Penn State game has been designated a “White Out” game and will likely be played at night.
Notre Dame, Washington, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Texas and Oklahoma are all on the schedule over the next several years and would likely be night game candidates.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has long said he’d rather play games in the afternoon, but it appears night games are the future, regardless.
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