Apart from concerns about Gopher traffic mixing with Twins, Vikings, cabin traffic, and regular rush hour traffic, not to mention a possible desire to start the game at a time that will ensure it takes place almost entirely after dark in order to beat the heat, the 8:00 CT start is occurring for another reason, maximizing the TV ratings. The 8:00 CT start puts the game on at 6:00 PT for fans in Oregon and most of the other PAC-12 markets out west. That's still a bit on the early side for a weeknight and some viewers will miss the early portion, but it does give the west coast fans at least a fighting chance at seeing the game on TV and maximizing the ratings for BTN.