[jayasena]

A Thursday game played during East Coast Primetime is so important for the program.

Yeah, if it was SJSU or some other game no one aside from loyal fans would want to watch. But Oregon?? C'mon... there's a good chance that will be the highest profile game of the weekend in the entire country. That should be on primetime on Saturday, possibly with the Gameday crew on the Farm.

There are benefits to Thursday (as have been mentioned) -- likely reduced Oregon fan travel, almost-bye before the game (although both teams get that benefit, I think it helps us more because Oregon has unique quirks) etc. But national exposure is not one of the pluses. Not for this game.

[jayasena]

A Thursday game played during East Coast Primetime is so important for the program.

Yeah, if it was SJSU or some other game no one aside from loyal fans would want to watch. But Oregon?? C'mon... there's a good chance that will be the highest profile game of the weekend in the entire country. That should be on primetime on Saturday, possibly with the Gameday crew on the Farm.

There are benefits to Thursday (as have been mentioned) -- likely reduced Oregon fan travel, almost-bye before the game (although both teams get that benefit, I think it helps us more because Oregon has unique quirks) etc. But national exposure is not one of the pluses. Not for this game.