The Big Ten keeps establishing itself as the dominant conference in college football on television.
A few years back, I came onto a very modest Reddit comment that has stayed with me to this day: As I wrap off Saturday’s chores and watch Michigan steadily destroy some overmatched opponent, I have real nostalgia for random Michigan games on ABC, the windows open and the first signs of fall blowing through the home. It has become so routine for college football fans around the nation that Michigan frequently occupies a big ABC spot at noon. It goes without saying that the new scenery is very different. As Michigan fans witnessed four times last year, FOX currently controls the noon window. It gets significantly harder when you include marquee slots like NBC (7:30) and CBS (3:30).
What is your preferred Michigan kickoff time?
The allure of night games has been the biggest change over the last decade since the Notre Dame thriller in 2011. While the station has changed from ABC and ESPN to NBC, nationally the primetime window seems to get the hype. However, it does feel like half of the time these games in Ann Arbor end up being against Purdue, Bowling Green, Indiana, and Hawaii, which does kind of wear off the charm.
That has moved me to the noon camp. Maybe I am drinking the Big Noon kool-aid, but I think it is perfect to start the weekend as the biggest game and get to relax the rest of Saturday. As a frequent attendee, it gives me plenty of time afterward as well, as opposed to gearing up all day for a night game. No offense to CBS, but the 3:30 window just feels like a weird in between. Regardless, expect to see the defending champs all over the three main Big Ten tv spots this fall.
