Friday Ahead of the Weekend ... No Thursday Games?

[Cane from the Bend]

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Here is one that generally sticks in Spence's craw ...

Normally, Friday Night games take a second seat to Thursday Night, prior to Saturday.

As Spence will tell you, Friday should be for High School football. And, where I tend to agree, on some level, I also appreciate the evening games as a way to settle in as the day fades down.

I do get, though, that a kickoff around 9 pm eastern, is still 6 pm, before game start on the West Coast, 7 pm game time in the Mountain and 8 pm mid game Central. So it does conflict with much of the country.

Honestly, it wouldn't matter that much this week, had there been games on Last Night. But None?

What programming is on that prioritizes over one of your marquee brands, and generates some of your highest ratings ..?

Putting Friday Night games on instead of Prime Time on the peak Broadcasting night, seems like not only a miscalculation, but a slap in the face of the recruiting market.

How often does espn put cameras in the auditoriums where these kids announce their commitments? Pit that atop of High School football games espn broadcasts the day after, and mid week following.

You'd think, if you're going to broadcast a High School game, do it on the night of. At the very least, promote that you will post broadcast those games during your Friday Night game casts.

That all being typed, here's the slate for this evening:

7:00 pm | James Madison @ Louisville | espn
7:30 pm | Western Illinois @ Northwestern | Big Ten Network
7:30 pm | Northern Illinois @ Maryland | Big Ten Network
9:00 pm | Eastern Washington @ Boise State | FS1

James Madison vs Louisville could be an interesting game. The Dukes are a tough out, and can really press you if you're not careful. The Cardinals look like a team improving ever time I see them. If JMU keeps it close going into the Half, this could become a dogfight. If Louisville has a double digit lead to start the 3rd, then it may just be a landslide.

Western Illinois vs Northwestern ... maybe the only people who care are in Evanston, Illinois. This could be the only game they win this year.

Northern Illinois vs Maryland is a, "What else is on?" type of game. Nothing interesting on tonight. Oh, hey, there's football, I guess. That is, if the JMU/UL game gets out of hand. This isn't your Garrett Wolfe, Phil Horvath Huskies. This current team had a whopping 2 point win over Holy Cross last Saturday. Not exactly looking like the team who came into South Bend to beat the Irish a year ago. And, really, who is vested in the Terrapins? They beat up on hapless FAU last week. But, they lost their last 5 games of the regular season last year, giving up an average of 38 points per game.

Eastern Washington vs Boise State ... here we go, now. Eastern Wash has proven to be a little engine that could, program. They beat UNLV in the 2021 Season opener at Allegiant Stadium, in the inaugural event to Christen the field. And let's face it, Boise didn't look that great on their visit to Tampa. The Broncos need to make this a statement game after being BtFD by the Bulls. Imagine the scrutiny that would follow if you flub this one.

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[Spence]

I just don't watch Friday games during the season. It is my own little way of protest. I know it doesn't make a difference, but it does to me.

[Derek]

I really really really wish that regular season games were on a Saturday and no other days. The playoffs/bowl games are fine, but there is something special about fall Saturday and boiled peanuts and an occasional friend coming over when the game is big.

[Spence]

I agree. I don’t have boiled peanuts. But two fingers of weller full proof or EH Taylor barrel proof can be found near me on game days.