Can't Wait For Saturday | Are you ready for some (Friday night) football? Bring it on
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Greetings from "Can't Wait For Saturday," your morning morsel of college football, courtesy of longtime Illini beat writer, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmussen. He'll give you his views each day on the game he loves.
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The nice people at The Athletic have a scoop that will impact your Friday night plans in the fall.
College football fans might want to schedule bridge or poker on a different night. Because Fox intends to broadcast a weekly college game in prime time. One involving the Big Ten, Big 12 or Mountain West, which have rights deals with the network.
Good thing I can tape multiple shows at once so I won't have to choose between football and the "Fire Country" and "Blue Bloods" doubleheader I watch each week.
Certainly, high school coaches won't love the idea. But the college game has been part of Fridays for years. Illinois played on Friday night in 2023 at Kansas when the high school games were going on. No real harm done.
College teams want to be part of the Friday broadcasts because they figure to draw large TV audiences. Never know when a potential recruit might tune in and gain interest in a particular school.
I'd like to suggest that Fox consider the Illinois-Kansas rematch the second week of the season for one of its early Friday slots. It will include both the Big Ten and Big 12 and the teams are optimistic going into the season.
The teams are scheduled to meet Sept. 7 at Memorial Stadium.
Fox reportedly wants to save the highest draws for its "Big Noon Kickoff" games on Saturdays. So, the Friday choices won't always be the top game of the week.
Have to figure the conferences will insist on spreading the Friday games among as many teams as possible. Having one school fill a handful of the spots won't fly. One game per school at the most is the way to go.
From a strictly selfish standpoint, here's hoping the Friday games start at a reasonable time. Say 6 p.m. Central. Or 7 if it must. Games starting at 8 p.m. or later are not my favorites. In case I get a vote.
