The TV gods

In the bi-partisan spirit of this blog, I offer a pair of proposals that both Spartans and Wolverines can support...

Michigan vs. Michigan State... under the lights?

Thus far, this year's Michigan vs. Michigan State contest in East Lansing is listed with an official start time as "TBA." A look at the ESPN/ABC listings for the day reveals a potential regional yawner of UCLA/AZ on ABC for 3:30, and a curious option of ABC or ESPN2 for the 8pm Oregon State vs. Southern Cal matchup. Meanwhile, the ESPN schedule for the day shows no games yet nailed down for any spot on the network.

Translation: If Mark Dantonio can create a good jolt out of the gate for the Spartans, and if Michigan doesn't jinx its "longest streak in the nation without a losing season" run, then there could be a real reason to hope for a late kickoff and national broadcast for this game.

And that's something that tailgaters from either fan base should hope for. At a minimum, there must be a few Michigan fans who'd like to experience a late kickoff for a change (though the Michigan AD said last year that late games go against the "early in, early out" mindset of the fan base). For Spartan season ticket holders of long standing, the magic of kicking off under the lights needs no explanation.

Comcast and the Big Ten Network

Speaking of reasons for Spartans and Wolverines to both lobby the TV gods, herewith is a suggested letter to Comcast's Michigan affiliates if they elect NOT to carry the Big Ten Network as part of their basic lineup of stations at the beginning of the season:

Dear Comcast:

Please be advised that this is NOT a letter to request that you carry the Big Ten Network this football season. Instead, it is an advisory. The first time that <Michigan / Michigan State> plays on the Big Ten Network and does not appear on my home TV's basic cable package, you will have my cable box delivered to your offices at 8 am the following Monday morning and I will have a DirecTV dish (or another competitor that does get the Big Ten Network) wired up before the kickoff of the next Thursday night ESPN game.