Michigan football: Wolverines to host Minnesota under the lights

Michigan football hasn’t traditionally been played under the lights but Michigan Stadium will host another primetime game this season.

Jim Harbaugh has made it clear he prefers noon kickoffs for his Michigan football team. However, different forces are in control of those kinds of decisions – namely the conference and its television partners. As a ratings behemoth, it’s not surprising the Wolverines have recently found themselves playing night games of late.

Go ahead and add another to the schedule as it was announced today that Michigan’s meeting with Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug will be played under the lights at Michigan Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (or shortly thereafter) on November 4th and air nationally on FOX.

Michigan gets a noon kick at home this coming Saturday against Rutgers, but the game against Minnesota will make it three night games in their last five. The Wolverines suffered defeats at the hands of Michigan State and Penn State in their previous primetime games this season.

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It’s not likely this announcement will be greeted with enthusiasm by many. Even those who enjoyed the novelty of a night game at Michigan Stadium may find that has worn off for a second night game this season, especially with cold temperatures settling into Michigan over the course of the current extended forecast.