Report: Michigan Football 'Flat-Out Says No' To Playing On Friday Nights
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
The Michigan football program has always played its games on Saturdays. That will remain the case for at least another year.
Per the Chicago Tribune, Michigan is "flat-out saying no" to playing on Friday night, in the wake of the the Big Ten's decision to stage six prime-time Friday night games in 2017.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told the Tribune that Michigan rejected the idea because he believes the program prefers to play on Saturdays for "consistency of presentation."
The Wolverines have strictly played on Saturdays in the 139-year history of their program. They almost always play afternoon games, to boot - especially at home. The first night game at Michigan Stadium didn't come until 2011, and there have only been two more held at the Big House since.
Michigan State has agreed to host one Friday night home game per year provided it is over Labor Day weekend.
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) November 2, 2016
Even if Michigan hadn't said no to Friday night games from the outset, it's unlikely the Big Ten would have asked the Wolverines to play host. According to the Tribune, "the league is reluctant to ask schools with giant seating capacities to host Friday night games."
That would likely eliminate the Big House from discussion, considering its 109,000-plus seating capacity. Other stadiums that fall under the same umbrella, the Tribune suggests, are Penn State's Beaver Stadium (107,000-plus capacity) and Ohio State's Ohio Stadium (104,000-plus capacity.)
The slate of Friday night games is expected to be revealed this week. According to the Tribune, "Delany said there will be three conference games and three non-league games in September and October. No team will play more than twice."