Offseason thoughts: How many night games will MSU host in 2018?

The college football offseason might as well be torture.

There aren’t really any huge storylines on the East Lansing front, which is probably a good thing!

So, naturally, we have to generate our own storylines. And, without further ado, let’s talk about NIGHT GAMES, BABY!

After churning out a 10-3 season in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year last fall, the Spartans walk into 2018 with high expectations. You know what else MSU has? A loaded home schedule.

That leaves some big opportunity for a few night games (7 p.m. kickoff or later) in Spartan Stadium, but how many exactly? Will it break the 2014 record of three night games in East Lansing? Well, that’s for you to guess.

First, let’s run through the home schedule…

Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Utah State. This one is almost a guaranteed night game. I can’t imagine a noon kickoff on a Friday to start the season.

Saturday, Sept. 29 vs. Central Michigan. I have a hard time believing this one will kick off at a time that’s not noon.

Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Northwestern. This one could be a hard maybe as it’s arguably the most appealing Big Ten game that week. However, the other side of the argument is a strong one – Nebraska vs. Wisconsin.

Saturday, Oct. 20 vs. Michigan. Will the favor be returned to East Lansing after Ann Arbor got to host the first night game in this rivalry’s history last year? If ESPN is carrying this game I could easily see them setting this as a noon kickoff to give their Wolverine’s the advantage of not playing in front of a rabid night crowd. (Kidding. Sort of.)

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Saturday, Oct. 27 vs. Purdue. Man this just screams “NOON!” doesn’t it? Maybe Purdue gets hot and this turns into an appealing matchup, who knows?

Saturday, Nov. 10 vs. Ohio State. Let’s put it this way – if this isn’t a night game, one of these teams is having a very disappointing season. This one should hold Big Ten East implications.

Saturday, Nov. 24 vs. Rutgers. Hey, I’m down for a night game to end the regular season. Anyone else?