Yesterday’s announcement that the Penn State-Michigan State game would be moved to the indoor confines of Ford Field opened a debate over whether Big Ten teams are scared of playing outdoors in November nights.
The Big Ten has always had the reputation of being one of the tougher conferences due to many of its schools playing in some of the most hostile weather conditions, ranging from extreme wind (Illinois, Ohio State) to mid-autumn snow (Nebraska, Wisconsin). So why is one of the biggest games in the conference being moved indoors in late-November?
For Matt Brown of Extra Points, the answer – as it so often is – might be money.
“I am *almost positive* that the reluctance of a few major Big Ten schools to play FB night games in late November is way, way, way more about money than it is about “its too cold for our football players or stadium”. And “money” is defined as more than just ‘ticket sales,'” Brown tweeted.
I am *almost positive* that the reluctance of a few major Big Ten schools to play FB night games in late November is way, way, way more about money than it is about “its too cold for our football players or stadium”.
And “money” is defined as more than just “ticket sales”
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) May 25, 2023
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Brown didn’t list all of the obstacles that night games in November could pose. Snow, sub-zero temperatures, icy roads and a number of other factors could make things difficult – and anything that makes things difficult is something that stands between the Big Ten and making money.
Do you think money is the big issue here, or is it possible that there’s another reason?