Baylor Football Game Moves to Thursday

As has been rumored for the last week or so, Wake Forest, Baylor, and Fox Sports Net have come to an agreement that will move the season opener from Saturday, August 30 to Thursday night, August 28.

It was possible (although I think unlikely) that the game would not have ended up on TV at all had it been played Saturday. The move to Thursday guarantees not only that the game will be televised but that it will be televised nationally. Since it's the first day of football for the year, I have to imagine our football-starved nation will be desperate to see any football at all and that our game will get pretty good ratings. Because they will play a game three days earlier than most schools, Wake will be allowed to start practicing three days earlier, and will have more time to rest up and prepare for the home opener (and long awaited Deacon Tower opening) against Ole' Miss the following weekend.

The move does have some downsides for Deacon fans, though. Although it would not have been a huge contingent even without the change, I imagine the number of Wake fans attending the game would have been larger on Saturday than it will end up being Thursday night. Traveling to the game isn't exactly easy when it's on a school/work night. It will also cause the athletes to miss at least two, but likely all three of the first days of school. It remains to be seen whether or not they will fly out Wednesday or Thursday, but from a football perspective Wednesday is definitely preferable.

In the end, I think the advantages of the national TV exposure far outweigh the potential downside for fans and players. It's a great opportunity to make inroads in Texas recruiting as well.

Had the game been on Saturday I was definitely going to be making the trip, however Thursday makes things a bit more difficult. I'm hoping to make it work and successfully attend every game this season. We'll see what happens.