Big Ten announces Friday night games despite some protests

The Big Ten announced its slate of Friday night games for 2017, which include two on Labor Day weekend and three conference games.

The league's Friday night games will include Washington at Rutgers and Utah State at Wisconsin on Sept. 1; Ohio at Purdue on Sept. 8; Nebraska at Illinois on Sept. 29; Northwestern at Maryland on Oct.13; and Michigan State at Northwestern on Oct. 27.

The Big Ten announced last week that its new TV deal includes a package of six Friday night games per season during the next six years.

Michigan has declined to participate, while other conference schools have said they do not want to host a Friday night game after Labor Day weekend.

Several assistant coaches in the Big Ten told ESPN last week that they thought Friday night games would negatively affect recruiting. Friday nights are traditionally high school football nights.

Both the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and the Michigan High School Athletic Association expressed disappointment about the decision last week. The Friday night games will continue through at least 2022, the Big Ten said.

The Big Ten said in a news release announcing the schedule that the conference "appreciates the significance of high school football within the region and has worked to minimize the impact of this initiative by limiting the number of Friday night games.

"Overall, these games represent approximately six percent of Big Ten home games annually, and no institution will host more than one game in any given year," the conference said. "Friday night games will also be announced at least 10 months in advance to provide all parties adequate time to prepare."

The games announced were:

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