Michigan Stadium will host the 2013 NHL Winter Classic, but there will be no primetime game in the historic college football venue in 2012. Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said scheduling the second prime time game in stadium history is not likely in 2012, but 2013 remains a more likely possibility.
Michigan hosted Notre Dame in the first prime time game in the 84-year history of Michigan Stadium. A record crowd of 114,804 attended the game, in part because of the uniqueness of playing at night. Despite the success of the game Michigan does not seem interested in playing just any game in primetime for the sake of playing at night. According to an Associated Press report Brandon wants the right matchup at the right time of the year for a primetime game.
Michigan's home schedule in 2012 features Air Force, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa. While Brandon says it is unlikely Michigan will pursue any of these games to be played at night, there is still a chance a game could be played in prime time.
Last season the Big Ten Network waited to announce their slate of prime time games until after ESPN released their prime time schedule for the regular season. When the Big Ten Network formed their prime time schedule they made sure every Big Ten member appeared in primetime at least once during the season, including a Michigan game at Northwestern. It is likely the Big Ten will look to do something similar with their scheduling, so it could still be a possibility.
Michigan's season opening game in Cowboys Stadium, against defending BCS champion Alabama, will more than likely be played in prime time. Michigan has already sold out their allotment of tickets for the game.
Kevin McGuire is a national college football writer for Examiner.com and the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast. He can be reached at cfbexaminer@gmail.com.
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