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Normally a semi-marquee home game out of conference against a team that played in a BCS bowl last season would be a nice night game. The strange fact that it is a non-conference homecoming game would also allow returning alumni to enjoy the campus for the day before the game itself.
Northern Illinois is not your average BCS team. Also, Purdue is not your average college football program, as the lack of lights has relegated what could be an exciting MAC-Big Ten game to the noon death slot. Purdue announced that the game on September 28 against the Huskies will kick off at noon:
The Sept. 28 Homecoming game against Northern Illinois will begin at noon ET. TV is TDB #BoilerUp!
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) May 23, 2013
I will spare you the 2,309th rant against Morgan Burke's refusal to install lights at Ross-Ade Stadium, but a homecoming game against a MAC opponent? I know you try to schedule a homecoming for a weaker conference opponent to increase chance for a win, but a MAC team? not only that, but a MAC team that made a BCS bowl and returns Jordan Lynch as one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country?