December 14, 2016 · 6:17 AM

Why is Ohio State playing its 2017 season opener on a Thursday?

Quite simply, because what’s good for the Big Ten Network is good for the Big Ten.  At least that’s what they’re selling… er, telling themselves.

After all, when you’ve got Rutgers, who needs tradition?

16 Comments

Filed under Big Ten Football

16 responses to “Why is Ohio State playing its 2017 season opener on a Thursday?”

  1. Macallanlover
    December 14, 2016 at 8:19 AM

    I honestly don’t get the “Thursday stigma” imposed by some UGA fans. I understand not playing a home game on campus during the time classes are in session, but who do we think we are? We are one of the very, very few schools who have never played on Thursday night during the season, and we need to get over it. In particular we need to get over not playing on Thursday night in the opener where it would give us an extra two days prep for week 2. It isn’t like we don’t need to spread some positive news on “the brand”, like into Montana. 🙂

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    • Russ
      December 14, 2016 at 8:41 AM

      To me, CFB is all about traditions. Saturday afternoons in Athens, Georgia-Auburn, WLOCP, Clean Old Fashioned Hate, etc. The only way Thursday comes into any of this is playing on Thanksgiving, though that was supposed to be strong legs running so weak legs could walk.

      Thursday football is for the ACC, and apparently the Big 10.

      BTW Senator, I get your snark about Rutgers, but I’d say they got a pretty strong tradition, having played in the first recognized college football game in 1869 against Princeton.

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    • stoopnagle
      December 14, 2016 at 8:51 AM

      We can’t play a noon game on a Thursday, can we?

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      • Russ
        December 14, 2016 at 8:58 AM

        McG’s on the mother as we speak….

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      • MGW
        December 14, 2016 at 9:24 AM

        That explains everything

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      • Macallanlover
        December 14, 2016 at 11:35 AM

        I think you should take a look at what schools have played on Thursday nights while UGA has been looking down their nose as if we know more about traditions than others. Traditions from the 70s of playing only in the afternoons went out the window when we added lights. I love traditions as much as the next guy, but I have also grown to appreciate indoor plumbing, air conditioning, color TV, wifi (at home of course), water-wicking fabrics, GPS, and the new bourbon options….among other magnificent changes in my life time.

        I feel there is a time to join the new fangled crowds when something has been proven it has some value, and isn’t going away no matter how many times we put our foot down about it. No one is suggesting we play all,or a substantial amount, of our games on Thursday nights. And opening games are a great example of when it can work well for you with little downside.

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        • Senator Blutarsky
          December 14, 2016 at 11:38 AM

          A non-holiday Thursday night game in Athens would be a logistical nightmare.

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          • Otto
            December 14, 2016 at 11:54 AM

            Agreed can you imagine I85 and 316?

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          • Macallanlover
            December 14, 2016 at 1:09 PM

            As stated in my top post above, I am only speaking of away games, and home dates when classes are not in session. I agree that schools with stadiums on campus should not play home games and disrupt classes and normal parking/tailgating. Opening weekend is usually before classes begin so they are the only ones I meant for home opportunities.

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  2. W Cobb Dawg
    December 14, 2016 at 10:02 AM

    I’d rather play Thursday night on national TV, than play Saturday at noon on a secondary sec station. We’re relegating ourselves into obscurity with some of our scheduling decisions.

    Then again, on national TV everyone sees you face plant. At least these noon games are done out of the national public’s view.

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  3. Otto
    December 14, 2016 at 11:56 AM

    Playing on the on BigTen Networks reminds of the quote from Black Mass “If nobody sees it, it didn’t happen”

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