What's the general consensus on these?

You love them for their great exposure?

You hate them because you don't get tailgate/football on Saturday?

Hate them because you can't make the games without taking off work?

Enjoy them because it breaks up the work week?


I know GaSouthern and MTSU had the first ESPN Thursday night game (in a category 4 Hurricane), but I don't think we've had one since. Obviously that game is a bit of a legend for our fans, but our current fan base has mixed feelings about the midweek games.

What are your thoughts?

I don't have a problem with them if they are on ESPN or ESPN2. I do have a problem with them if it's on ESPNU because you don't get near the coverage. However, Thursday night games are usually well attended at MT.

Georgia State has opened it's two seasons on Thursday and Friday nights. This year we open on a Thursday night. Both seasons, that has been our most highly attended game. I'm under the impression that it's a matter of being openers and at night, but a lot of people think it's the midweek game.

Who knows? Personally, I hate it because I have to take time off of work. I love tailgating almost more than going into the game, so it's important I get plenty of time to do that.

Oh, and we didn't do our games midweek for tv(probably had more to do with the Chick-Fil-A kickoff happening on the same weekend).

If it's not on ESPN or ESPN2, it's not worth it.

(05-08-2012 07:54 AM)MT FAN Wrote:  I don't have a problem with them if they are on ESPN or ESPN2. I do have a problem with them if it's on ESPNU because you don't get near the coverage. However, Thursday night games are usually well attended at MT.

Agreed! If any of us are going to be playing on day other than the traditional Saturday, we need ESPN or ESPN2. If we are on ESPNU for one of those nights, then that means that default tuning will be to the other games (and the promos). ULM has a Friday night game against Baylor and so far it is on ESPN. Oh, and it isn't Labor Day weekend. So, hopefully a good crowd and a good game. I remember watching Troy beat Missouri. It looked pretty dang sweet on national television and I imagine that a lot of the viewers who tuned in (non Troy or Missouri fans) were equally impressed with Troy.

Love to watch them on TV. Would hate to be a fan in person for a Wed game.

TROY host WKU on a thursday night this season on frikin ESPNU.

Who agrees to this ****?

(05-08-2012 09:42 AM)TrojanNation Wrote:  TROY host WKU on a thursday night this season on frikin ESPNU.

Who agrees to this ****?

At least I get to watch it. I am happy about that. I remember a few years back it was very rare Troy was on TV at all.

(05-08-2012 09:44 AM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(05-08-2012 09:42 AM)TrojanNation Wrote:  TROY host WKU on a thursday night this season on frikin ESPNU.

Who agrees to this ****?

At least I get to watch it. I am happy about that. I remember a few years back it was very rare Troy was on TV at all.

I will be taking off work early to travel the 3 hours to get to the game. I have a feeling that not to many more will be traveling that far to get to a thursday night game against WKU.
I am of the same notion as the folks above are... if it is not on ESPN or ESPN2 a midweek game is not worth it.

But atleast we won't have to share our time slot w/ all the Bamers and Barners.

I don't want to see anyone host more than one Tuesday game per year. They are a real burden especially for schools not relying heavily on fans from a 30 minute drive radius.

I actually like the Thursday night ESPNU. It won't draw the audience but America is more in-tune to Thursday night football than Tuesday or Wednesday. U is moving closer to the reach that ESPN/ESPN2 has but it doesn't draw the default audience of ESPN/ESPN2. Again I'd hate to see anyone host more than one.

For us Thursday Night games are awesome, obviously because of our location. Lots of students on campus so its a natural. I dont think its a big deal if you know months in advance to get a day off or off early. Like our first game in on Thurs 8/30. Needless to say I have had that as off on my work calendar for a while already.

I don't really count opening weekend weeknight games. Many schools do those with or without TV because the students and fans are departing for Labor Day vacation so they get the game in before everyone leaves.

(05-08-2012 10:19 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  I don't really count opening weekend weeknight games. Many schools do those with or without TV because the students and fans are departing for Labor Day vacation so they get the game in before everyone leaves.

South is doing that this year.
I am taking the days off and plan on enjoying a 5 day weekend.

Don't forget about the dreaded Thursday night CSS/ESPN3 games.

(05-08-2012 11:34 AM)MT FAN Wrote:  Don't forget about the dreaded Thursday night CSS/ESPN3 games.

CSS is an awful channel.

(05-08-2012 12:37 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  

(05-08-2012 11:34 AM)MT FAN Wrote:  Don't forget about the dreaded Thursday night CSS/ESPN3 games.

CSS is an awful channel.

I think our PBS games were better production quality than CSS.

Thursday Night games should be pretty well attended by students since most are still on campus and are ready to party that night anyways.

ASU has 3 midweek games this year. A thursday game at FIU, a Tuesday game at UL, and a Thursday game at home against ULM. Having hosted Tuesday Night games the last 2 years, I much prefer the Thursday games. Tuesday games are almost impossible travel to, and the 7:00 start often means you arent done until 10:30. For kids, its a school night, and many people arent going to be able to take a random wednesday off work.

However, Thursday Night games, while a week night, are much easier to plan for. Its a lot easier to convince your boss you need a Friday off to work a 3 day weekend out of the deal, and many familes are more willing to let the kids miss a day of school if its on friday.

speaking of ESPN games...

Here is the 2012 Sun Belt ESPN schedule as of 05-07-12.

Friday, September 21
* Baylor at Louisiana-Monroe (ESPN) – 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 4
Arkansas State at FIU (ESPNU) – 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 11
Western Kentucky at Troy (ESPNU) – 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 16
Louisiana-Lafayette at North Texas (ESPN2) – 8 p.m.

Tuesday, October 23
Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette (ESPN2) – 7 p.m.

Thursday, November 1
Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky (ESPNU) – 8:15 p.m.

Thursday, November 8
ULM at Arkansas State (ESPNU) – 6 p.m.

Friday, November 16
FIU at Florida Atlantic (ESPNU) – 7 p.m.


All times Central (CT) and subject to change