2025 Schedule - two Friday night games







Proud of the U of M for finally convincing the big ten that the home Friday night game should be MEA weekend

I'd rather it not happen at all (outside of the Thursday Opener) but if they have to take their turn once every 3-5 years, then sure that's the date it should be.
 



I'd rather it not happen at all (outside of the Thursday Opener) but if they have to take their turn once every 3-5 years, then sure that's the date it should be.
I am convinced if the Gophers made the MEA Friday night game a tradition there would be no negatives.

- There are no other football games in Minnesota on a Friday
- National TV
- Night Game
- Could make a Minnesota HS recruit day - think summer splash, but during the season. Every HS in MN would play Wednesday or Thursday which makes them available
- It's all good!
 



I am convinced if the Gophers made the MEA Friday night game a tradition there would be no negatives.

- There are no other football games in Minnesota on a Friday
- National TV
- Night Game
- Could make a Minnesota HS recruit day - think summer splash, but during the season. Every HS in MN would play Wednesday or Thursday which makes them available
- It's all good!

The negative is Friday night is still a pain for most people not involved in education. That's a big negative.

I have to take time off from work to attend this year. Saturday, I would not.
 

The negative is Friday night is still a pain for most people not involved in education. That's a big negative.

I have to take time off from work to attend this year. Saturday, I would not.
Sadly we live in an age where sports are happy to prioritize TV at the expense of local fans.

Such as all those ass 8:30pm and later T-Wolves games ...
 






It's the second home Friday game in the history of the Bank (2020 aside).

Extra day before playing at Iowa (IA is at WIS, hosts Penn State before).

Extra day before playing at Wrigley (NW hosts Michigan before).

Indiana-Purdue gets the Black Friday game.
 


The negative is Friday night is still a pain for most people not involved in education. That's a big negative.

I have to take time off from work to attend this year. Saturday, I would not.
I agree with you that those involved in education benefit the most. Although, it seems like most don't have problems sneaking out of the office early on a Friday... especially with a 4-5 month heads up. Look at any road heading north on Friday afternoon around 2:30-3:00.
 

I'd rather it not happen at all (outside of the Thursday Opener) but if they have to take their turn once every 3-5 years, then sure that's the date it should be.
Agree.
Don’t want that Thursday game either!
 

Great, a Friday night game at home, gonna be a clusterfuck getting to the game. Should have did what PSU, OSU, and Michigan did, refuse to play Friday night games.
 

Should have did what PSU, OSU, and Michigan did, refuse to play Friday night games.

A Friday night game that'll draw 45,000-50,000 vs. a guaranteed 102,000-107,000. Has a league commissioner ever laughed in the face of an athletic director?

Be grateful this has been their only demand. Those schools will be getting bigger payouts when the next media deal comes in '30-31.
 
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Friday night games were a rarity 20 plus years ago as the BIG respected HS Friday nite football games. Michigan and Lloyd Carr reluctantly played the Gophers on Oct 10, 2003 at the damn dome due to a potential scheduling conflict as with the Twins being in the MLB playoffs. Of course the Gophers pooped their pants and lost 37-34 after being ahead 28-7 at half. As usual we were there. It was a great atmosphere then the air went out of the stadium as the Gophers had no response to the swing pass to the RB and their D finally shut us down.

Carr was complaining that they would miss one practice and his players would miss one day of classes and used the HS Friday game excuse. Mason said it was no different than hoops playing on a Thursday night or other week night. Now no one cares as it just happens.
 

Great, a Friday night game at home, gonna be a clusterfuck getting to the game. Should have did what PSU, OSU, and Michigan did, refuse to play Friday night games.
Can't really play that card when Gophers already play the Season Opener on a Thursday Night.

A Friday night game that'll draw 45,000-50,000 vs. a guaranteed 102,000-107,000. Has a league commissioner ever laughed in the face of an athletic director?

Plus the city of Minneapolis has hosted plenty of other football contests drawing well over 50,000 on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays, at other football stadiums in the past 40+ years at a location less than 2 miles from the Gophers current stadium. At least 1 even involved the University of Minnesota in 2003.
 

Can't really play that card when Gophers already play the Season Opener on a Thursday Night.



Plus the city of Minneapolis has hosted plenty of other football contests drawing well over 50,000 on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays, at other football stadiums in the past 40+ years at a location less than 2 miles from the Gophers current stadium. At least 1 even involved the University of Minnesota in 2003.

Oh man sure you can play that card, you play it as "we already play the Thursday game, thanks".
 

Oh man sure you can play that card, you play it as "we already play the Thursday game, thanks".
That's a different argument, not related to the logistics of actually staging the game but sure, I think it's a valid point.

More than 25% of the Home schedule not on traditional college football Saturday stinks in my opinion. Also nothing finer IMO than being on campus during the day for an October afternoon game.

Zero October Saturday afternoon games at the Bank in 2025.

Being a Glass Half Full Guy, it opens up a couple of Saturdays to get some extra golf in.
 
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That's a different argument, not related to the logistics of actually staging the game but but sure, I think it's a valid point.

More than 25% of the Home schedule not on traditional college football Saturday stinks in my opinion. Also nothing finer IMO than being on campus during the day for an October afternoon game.

Zero Saturday afternoon games at the Bank in 2025.

Being a Glass Half Full Guy, it opens up a couple of Saturdays to get some extra golf in.
I agree the "can't because logistics" question is not a good argument.

Still would play the "already did that, ever year" card.
 

That's a different argument, not related to the logistics of actually staging the game but but sure, I think it's a valid point.

More than 25% of the Home schedule not on traditional college football Saturday stinks in my opinion. Also nothing finer IMO than being on campus during the day for an October afternoon game.

Zero Saturday afternoon games at the Bank in 2025.

Being a Glass Half Full Guy, it opens up a couple of Saturdays to get some extra golf in.
I'd wager a pile of mythical money this doesn't end up being the case. Still need game times for Rutgers, MSU and Wiscy.
 

I'd wager a pile of mythical money this doesn't end up being the case. Still need game times for Rutgers, MSU and Wiscy.
My fault for not being clear originally. I was referring to my previous sentence about October is specifically my favorite time to spend a day on campus. Generally best weather to enjoy tailgating, (not too hot/cold), crop air, foliage, etc.

There will be "Zero October Saturday afternoon games at the Bank" is what I meant to say.
 

My fault for not being clear originally. I was referring to my previous sentence about October is specifically my favorite time to spend a day on campus. Generally best weather to enjoy tailgating, (not too hot/cold), crop air, foliage, etc.

There will be "Zero October Saturday afternoon games at the Bank" is what I meant to say.
Yeah but there will be one sept 27 and nov 1 so I’m not sure it’s the end of the world
 




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