(05-27-2022 02:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Good points. Just some thoughts, perhaps a bit early to consider tho ...

Could this become the new normal for openers? If so, sad to see another "fall tradition" cast aside for ... ? Then again, college football for all but the P5/big draws and a few of the top G5s is becoming made-for-TV.

Looking ahead, NIU future skeds have the following openers:
SIU on 9-9-2023
WIU in 8-31-2024
Holy Cross on 8-30-2025
Illinois State on 9-12-2026

Three of the next four openers are in-state FCS. Since LIU @ Toledo also got moved to weeknight this year, the 3 future in-states + Holy Cross become targets if this Thursday opener becomes the norm.

If it does, pre-game tailgating will tank, as will opportunities to tie in with other local events on Saturdays (an unexplored but possibly beneficial arrangement). So will efforts to improve Huskie Stadium, except for premium donors. Why spend the $?

Unless NIU draws big for Vanderbilt and Homecoming/Toledo, total home attendance this season could be the worst in years. But as DF points out, think anyone wll care? Maybe that's why the ticket/PSL/donatio rules were changed. Gotta milk that cow while they still can.

NIU opened on Thursday night 7 seasons in a row from 1997-2003. They were all good matchups too.