So here is my take on when kickoff could be for the opening game at TCF Bank Stadium.
I'll break down the other Big 10 games scheduled that and then the few other games of potential national significance that networks may pick up for prime time or mid-afternoon start.
The Big 10 games fall into 3 categories:
1) USC at Ohio State --> ABC prime time with 7pm CST kickoff already scheduled. The preeminent game to be played this weekend and this game has no peers.
2) Towson State at Northwestern
Illinois State at Illinois
Central Michigan at Michigan State
Western Michigan at Indiana
Each of the above has 1100 CST kickoff on the BTN written all over it. None can be justified as being worthy of anything but an early kickoff.
3) Air Force at Minnesota.
Syracuse at Penn State
Iowa at Iowa State
Purdue at Oregon
Notre Dame at Michigan
A case could be made for each of these to be showcased in either the evening or the 2:30pm CST kickoff slots.
I'll predict that Syracuse at Penn State gets an 1200 EST kickoff time on either ESPN or ESPN2 given that these schools have a large alumni base in the east which makes for attractive ratings but Syracuses' ineptitude the past few years and new coaching staff make this game an anticipated blowout not worthy of more coveted kickoff time.
Iowa at Iowa State. Being that FOX sports owns the rights to Big 12 football games this should be picked up by FOX which can then dictate the start time. Especially with the oppresive non-conference matchups that the Big 12 features that day. Being that FOX also broadcasts PAC 10 football also it is conceivable that they would also feature the Purdue at Oregon tilt. Like the Big 12 the PAC 10 also features less than intriguing non-conference matchups save for the big game mentioned above the UCLA at Tennessee. My bet - look for FOX to pick up both of these game with the Iowa at Iowa State game getting either an 1100 CST or 2:30 like kickoff time and the Purdue at Oregon game to be broadcast with an 9pm CST kickoff.
This then leaves the Gopher game and the Notre Dame at Michigan game left. Sorry, but we lose this matchup for TV ratings so I think ABC will feature Charlie's wounded knee vs. the quarterbackless skunk bears for a 3:30 EST kickoff.
Well, where does the Gopher game get placed? Prime time baby. How? Luckily there are scant offerring of scintillating matchups in the college football world that day. A few other games that may get placed opposite the USC-OSU tilt on ESPN include: UCLA at Tennessee, Mississippi State at Auburn and TCU at Virginia. South Carolina and Georgia could also be included but will probably be picked up by CBS in the afternoon if they are broadcasting games at that stage. I think the BTN will roll our the red carpet for us. I can see them sending their whole crew set up a stage ala Gameday. I'd look for a 6pm CST kickoff so as not conflict with the beginning of the OSU-USC game.
Fact of the day: Sunset for September, 12 2009 is for 7:29pm. Gonna love that east-west stadium orientation.
