Big Ten backs off some Friday football games

The Big Ten Conference announced last fall it would play six primetime Friday football games during the 2017 season, a decision that disappointed athletic associations and high schools in those states. Friday nights are big for high school football, and states feared the Big Ten’s shift could lead to smaller crowds at prep games.

Officials in Iowa and Michigan also voiced their concerns, and now their voices are being heard. The Big Ten announced this week that two of the six games — Michigan State at Northwestern and Northwestern at Maryland — have been moved to Saturday. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald was among those who spoke out against the Big Ten’s decision last fall.

From ESPN.com:

“I believe Fridays are for high school football first and foremost,” Fitzgerald said in the fall. “I think playing on a short week is a mistake. I’d prefer to keep Big Ten football on Saturdays. I get it, doesn’t mean I like it.”

Northwestern did not immediately return a request for comment this week, but Fitzgerald told the Chicago Tribune over the weekend that the change was “great news.”

ESPN reports that the Big Ten is considering additional cuts to their Friday schedule. Click here to read the complete story.

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