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That didn’t take long:
#Purdue's 2017 home opener vs. Ohio will be played on Friday, Sept. 8, the Big Ten Conference announced today.
— Nathan Baird (@nbairdjc) November 8, 2016
This comes less than a week after it was announced that the Big Ten would have some Friday night games under the new TV agreement next season. It also means Purdue will get to use the brand new permanent lights at Ross-Ade Stadium right away, as this is the 2017 home opener.
Most Big Ten schools have been adamantly against the Friday night games since they were announced, but Purdue needs to seize every small advantage it can get. If that means a slightly larger crowd agaisnt a MACrifice because it kicks off at 8pm on a Friday as opposed to noon on a Saturday, so be it.
This also means Purdue will not be selected for one of the other five Friday night games, as no team can be chosen more than once. It seems likely the game will be carried on BTN, but since it is part of the new TV agreement look for it to be on ESPN or even Fox Sports 1.
UPDATE:
The games, which will be televised by ESPN and FOX, are as follows:
Fri., Sept. 1 Washington at Rutgers
Fri., Sept. 1 Utah State at Wisconsin
Fri., Sept. 8 Ohio at Purdue
Fri., Sept. 29 Nebraska at Illinois
Fri., Oct. 13 Northwestern at Maryland
Fri., Oct. 27 Michigan State at Northwestern